Daily Current Affairs – 18th April 2021
Topics/Highlights
- MK-4482
- Black Sea
- Conservation efforts of Migratory species
- Aditya-L1 Support Centre
- Rewaconodon indicus
- National Green Tribunal
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
- National Startup Advisory Council
Focus
1. MK – 4482
In News
According to the new study from the US National Institutes of Health, MK-4482 is an experimental antiviral drug, which decreased the levels of virus and damage in the lungs of hamsters during the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Key Points
- MK-4482 is now in human clinical trials and given orally to the patients.
- The study also found that the MK-4482 is effective when given up to 12 hours before or 12 hours after the infection of SARS-CoV-2 to hamsters.
- The data also suggests that the treatment could eliminate high exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
- MK-4482 might be used to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections and possibly in combination with other agents.
Source – Indian Express
2. Black Sea
In News
Two Russian warships pass through the Bosphorus en route to the Black Sea.
15 smaller vessels also completed transfer through the sea as Russia strengthened its naval presence during the time of tense situations with the West and Ukraine.
Key Points
- The Black Sea is a marginal sea lying between Europe and Asia.
- The bordering countries are Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
- Some rivers connected to the Black Sea are Danube, Dnieper, and Don.
- The Sea ultimately drains out to the Mediterranean Sea via the Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits.
- Bosporus Strait connects it to the small Sea of Marmara which is connected to the Aegean Sea by the Strait of the Dardanelles.
- It is also connected to the Sea of Azov by the Kerch Strait to its North.
- It is the world’s largest inland body of water.
Source – All India Radio
3. Conservation efforts of Migratory species
In News
India is working on various steps towards the conservation of migratory species.
Key Points
- India hosted the 13th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in February last year.
- Asian Elephants, Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Florican were successfully listed by India to Appendix I of CMS for cooperative action from the countries of these species.
- India is currently holding the presidency of CMS Conference of Parties.
- It has also been elected as Chair of the CMS Standing Committee.
- ‘National Marine Turtle Action Plan has also been launched for the period of 2021-2026.
- ‘Project Dolphin’ was announced last year for the conservation of both riverine and marine Dolphins.
- A five-year Action Plan for Vulture Conservation has also launched.
- The Himal Sanrakshak Community Volunteer Programme was launched last year on International Snow Leopard Day.
- A Protocol on Transboundary Elephant Conservation has been signed between India and Bangladesh which aims at the conservation of Elephants and includes the safe migration across international borders and reducing the Human-Elephant Conflicts.
Source – All India Radio
4. Aditya-L1 Support Centre
In News
Aditya-L1, an Indian programme to study the Sun and the region between the Sun and the Earth from space will launch by next year.
Key Point
- It will be carrying seven payloads developed by various institutions across the country.
- There will be a need for a group support centre once the mission is launched to monitor and coordinate the various payloads.
- ARIES facility (short for Aryabhatta Research Institute for observational Sciences) situated in Nainital will be playing the role of ground support centre.
- The centre will be set up at Haldawani having four to five personnel and ARIES will be setting up a date centre also.
- The support centre will provide training through workshops and will also provide ready to use python and Java apps for the satellite data.
Source – The Hindu
5. Rewaconodon indicus
In News
Treasure trove of vertebrate fossils, has now yielded a new species and two genera of cynodonts which is a small rat-like animal lived about 220 million year ago by the Tiki Formation in Madhya Pradesh.
Key Point
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, used scanning electron microscopy to learn about the 10 teeth samples collected from the village of Tihki in Shahdol District, Madhya Pradesh.
- They found a new species and named it as Rewaconodon indicus.
- They also identified two new genera from the area.
- They named it as Inditherium floris, after India and the Latin word therium meaning beast and Tikiodon cromptoni, after Tiki Formation and Greek word odon meaning tooth.
Source – The Hindu
6. National Green Tribunal
In News
Eight-member National Task Force to combat air pollution and monitor steps to improve air quality has been constituted by the National Green tribunal.
Key Points
- The NTF will consist of senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Petroleum, Transport, Power, Agriculture, Health and the Central Pollution Control Board.
- It will monitor the enforcement of air quality standards beyond nonattainment cities where air quality is poor and above.
Source – The Hindu
7. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
In News
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) will not be required to register for a OCI card every time a new passport is issued in their name according to the Union Home Ministry.
Key Points
- ‘Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme’ was launched by the Government of India after the amendments in Citizenship Act, 1955 in 2005.
- The Government of India discontinued the PIO card and merged it with OCI card on 09 January 2015.
- OCI card is a life-long visa for entry and stay in India having a number of other major benefits attached to it which are not available to any other foreigners.
Source – The Hindu
8. National Startup Advisory Council
In News
The National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) held its first meeting recently.
Key Point
- It is constituted by the ‘Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)’.
- It aims to advise the Government of India to build a strong ecosystem for innovation and startups. It aims to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities.
- It will be chaired by the Minister for Commerce & Industry.
- It will consist of the non-official members which will be nominated by the Central Government.
- The ex-officio members of the council will be nominated from the concerned ministries and not below the rank of Joint Secretary.
Source – PIB
