Latest news with #CurrentAffairs
Bloomberg
a day ago
- General
- Bloomberg
Israel-Iran Conflict Continues, No Sign of Easing
The Pulse with Francine Lacqua Horizons Middle East and Africa June 16th, 2025, 9:18 AM GMT+0000
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
UPSC Prelims 2025 Special: Revision Checklist for important International Organisations and Places in News that aspirants shouldn't miss
Are You Prelims Ready? The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 is scheduled for May 25. With the clock ticking, revising Current Affairs—especially International Bodies and Places in News—is crucial for every aspirant. Here's a must-check list of key International Bodies and Places in News before your examination. Don't miss them during your final revision. — The World Economic Forum (WEF) hosted its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2025. — Klaus Schwab, a German professor, formed the World Economic Forum in 1971, previously known as the European Management Forum. — The WEF is primarily funded by its partner corporations, which are typically worldwide companies with annual revenues of more than $5 billion. — The WEF is committed to the ideals of independence, impartiality, moral integrity, and intellectual honesty. — The ICC's founding instrument, known as the Rome Statute, allows it jurisdiction over four major crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. — The crime of genocide is distinguished by the specific intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group by killing its members or inflicting substantial bodily or mental harm on members of the group. — The International Criminal Court (ICC) can pursue crimes against humanity, which are significant violations committed as part of a large-scale attack on a civilian population. — War crimes are serious violations of the Geneva Conventions in the context of armed conflict, such as the use of child soldiers, the killing or torture of civilians or prisoners of war, and the intentional targeting of hospitals, historic monuments, or buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science, or charitable purposes. — Crime of aggression is the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, integrity or independence of another State. ( — QUAD is an informal organisation of countries that includes Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It was an endeavour of the Trump administration during his first term. The Biden administration elevated it to the position of leadership. — Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, India, Japan, Australia, and the United States formed an informal alliance to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Shinzo Abe, Japan's then-Prime Minister, codified the partnership in 2007 as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad. Cancer Moonshot Initiative — The Quad grouping took a groundbreaking cancer initiative globally known as the Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative. The countries — India, United States, Australia and Japan — launched the programme that will focus on expanding cervical cancer screening; increasing vaccinations against the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection that is the primary cause of cervical cancer; and treating patients. — Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS as a full member, the Brazilian government declared. Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Indonesia presently make up the group of big emerging economies. — Brazil, which will hold the BRICS presidency in 2025, said that member nations unanimously approved Indonesia's entry at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg. BRICS has been extending its membership in recent years. Along with Indonesia, the bloc includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating its expanding influence in emerging countries. — Formation: In July 2006, the leaders of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) met for the first time in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the fringes of the G8 Outreach Summit. Following a series of high-level meetings, the first BRIC summit took place on June 16, 2009, in Yekaterinburg, Russia. — The Rural Community Immigration Class is a new program introduced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024. — Its goal is to address workforce shortages and foster development in tiny rural towns by recruiting people who want to live there for the long term. — For students whose PGWPs are about to expire and who are failing to satisfy the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for PR or get high-paying jobs, this program provides an excellent chance. — According to the US Department of Labour, the H-1B visa program allows US firms to hire immigrant workers in specialty jobs that demand 'a high level of skill' and 'at least a bachelor's degree'. H-1B visas can be awarded for up to six years at a time. — 'The H-1B provisions intend to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the US workforce by authorising the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorised to work in the United States,' according to the department's online presence. — According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Indians account for 72.3% (2.79 lakh out of 3.86 lakh) of H-1B visa holders in fiscal year 2023. — The five members were elected by a secret ballot in the UN General Assembly for a 2-year term starting on January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2026. In a secret poll, the chosen countries obtained the needed two-thirds majority of Member States present and voting in the 193-member General Assembly. — According to the UN Charter, the 15-member Security Council (ten non permanent and five permanent) is primarily responsible for ensuring international peace and security, and all Member States are required to comply with its decisions. — The ten non-permanent seats on the Security Council are divided into four regional groups: Africa and Asia; Eastern Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Western European and other States. — India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council (eight times) for the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992, 2011-2012, and 2021-2022. Note: Five permanent members: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. — The African Union (AU) is an intergovernmental organisation of the 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. — It was officially established in 2002 as the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). — The African Union Commission, the organization's secretariat, is headquartered in Addis Ababa. The organisation has a combined GDP of $3 trillion and 1.4 billion people. — The official languages of the Union and its institutions will be Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili, and any other African language. ( — The Group of Twenty (G20) consists of 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States) as well as two regional bodies: the European Union and the African Union (as of 2023). — The G20 countries account for around 85% of global GDP, over 75% of global trade, and almost two-thirds of the world's population. — It is an intergovernmental body responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. — It is in charge of bolstering global efforts to promote and defend human rights. — The 47-member Council offers a multilateral forum for discussing national circumstances and breaches of human rights. — It offers suggestions on how to more effectively apply human rights in practice and react to emergencies involving human rights. — It convenes in UNOG, the United Nations Office in Geneva. Responsibilities — Provides a global platform for discussion of human rights concerns with representatives of the United Nations — Adopts resolutions or judgements at regular sessions that represent the global community's position on certain human rights matters or circumstances. — Calls special sessions, or crisis meetings, to address pressing human rights issues. — Review each United Nations Member State's human rights record. ( — The World Trade Organization is the only international organization that deals with the rules of trade between countries. — It was founded in 1995, the WTO is run by its 164 members, and according to its rules, all decisions are taken through consensus and any member can exercise a veto. — It aims to promote free trade, which is done through trade agreements that are discussed and signed by the member states. — The WTO also provides a forum for countries to negotiate trade rules and settle economic disputes. — The Ministerial Conference is the WTO's top decision-making body and usually meets every two years. All members of the WTO are involved in the Ministerial Conference and they can make decisions on all matters covered under any multilateral trade agreements. — The 16th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, concluded without consensus on a new fund to protect nature, halting discussions. — The negotiations ran 12 hours behind schedule due to a lack of quorum, prompting Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad to suspend the session after many negotiators had gone. — COP16 made some accomplishments, such as establishing a subsidiary organisation to incorporate indigenous views into future biodiversity negotiations. — The conference's primary goal was to monitor progress towards the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), which aims to safeguard 30% of global land and sea areas and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. — Currently, roughly $400 million has been pledged to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), but environmentalists warn that this amount is insufficient to stop biodiversity loss. — The International Solar Alliance is the first international treaty-based organisation that enables co-operation among sun-rich countries lying fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. — It was established following the Paris Declaration at the UN Climate Change Conference on November 30, 2015. The International Solar Alliance was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande. — The maiden summit of the International Solar Alliance was hosted by India while the co-host was France. — ISA was envisaged as a facilitator, or a force multiplier, which would help countries overcome financial, technological, regulatory, or other barriers in harnessing solar energy. — The G7 arose from a 1973 summit of finance ministers and central bank governors in Paris, France. This summit was held in response to serious economic issues at the time, including an oil crisis, growing inflation, and the collapse of the Bretton Woods system. The US dollar's value was fixed against gold. — The inaugural G7 summit, held in 1975 at Rambouillet, France, brought together the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, and Japan. — Since 1977, officials from the European Economic Community, now known as the European Union, have also participated. — Russia's accession in 1998 enlarged the group to the G8, however, its participation was suspended in 2014 due to the annexation of Crimea. — The origin of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation lies in the 'Shanghai Five', formed in 1996 and consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. — On June 15, 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation institution (SCO) was created as an international institution, with Uzbekistan joining as the sixth member. — It had ten members: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. (latest member to join: Belarus). Afghanistan and Mongolia hold Observer Status. — The official languages of the SCO are Russian and Chinese. ( — On August 8, 1967, five Southeast Asian leaders – the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand met in Bangkok. Thailand was mediating certain conflicts between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and the occasion eventually resulted in the signing of a document. — Over the next several decades, five more countries joined: Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. — The ten-nation group has an anthem, a flag, and biannual meetings (twice a year) with a rotating chairperson. — ASEAN is key to India's 'Act East' policy, which focuses on the Asia-Pacific region as an extended neighbourhood. It was developed as the next phase in the 'Look East' Policy, which began in the 1990s. — An EFF is a financial assistance package offered by the IMF to countries facing severe balance of payments issues due to structural weaknesses that cannot be resolved in the short term. — In theory, it is meant to help the borrowing country implement medium-term structural reforms. In Pakistan's case, these include bolstering monetary and fiscal policies including tax reforms, strengthening competition, and rebuilding the forex reserves. — EFF 'aims to capitalise on the hard-won macroeconomic stability achieved over the past year by furthering efforts to strengthen public finances, reduce inflation, rebuild external buffers and remove economic distortions to spur private sector led growth.' — However, the package does not include plans to restructure the country's external and internal debt. — India is now formally a part of the Minerals Security Finance Network, a US-led initiative aiming to strengthen cooperation among members to secure supply chains for critical minerals. — The Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN) is a new initiative that emerged from the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a framework established by the United States in 2022. India was included in the MSP in June 2023. — India's inclusion was especially significant because one of the core components of New Delhi's economic strategy is an ambitious change in the mobility area, involving the conversion of a large portion of public and private transportation to electric vehicles. — EFTA is an intergovernmental grouping of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. — The deal brings in $100 billion in investment over 15 years, with the EFTA looking at joint ventures that will help India diversify imports away from China. — India signed a trade agreement with the four-nation EFTA. India could see investment flow into the pharma, chemical sectors, food processing and engineering sectors. — PIF is an intergovernmental organisation which consists of 18 member states located in the Pacific region. It was formed in 1971. — Pacific Island countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. — The countries of this grouping are among the world's worst-affected countries due to rising sea levels. Australia and New Zealand are among the wealthiest and largest countries which are part of the organisation. — The organisation discusses priority issues at its annual meeting, where decisions made by the member states are reached by consensus. The decisions are implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. — SOSA requires the United States and India to offer reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence. The US Department of Defence (DoD) stated that it will 'enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs'. — India is the 18th SOSA partner of the US. — The IMEC is a connectivity project that aims to create a seamless network of ports, trains, roads, marine lines, and pipelines to boost trade between India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region, and Europe. — The IMEC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in September 2023 in New Delhi during the G-20 summit by India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Italy, the United States, and the European Union. — In addition to the signatories to the MoU, Israel and Greece are two important nodal sites in IMEC who have expressed interest in joining the project. — The United Nations General Assembly and Ludwik Rajchman formed UNICEF on December 11, 1946, to address the needs of children in countries impacted by World War II and to provide emergency help to war-stricken children and mothers. — UNICEF's mandate was expanded in 1950 to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries, following an initial focus on food and healthcare in postwar Europe and China. — It became a permanent member of the United Nations system in 1953, retaining its mission to fight for the rights of children, aid in meeting their basic requirements, and provide them with opportunities to reach their full potential. — Its mission was to assist children and young people whose lives and futures were in danger, regardless of what role their country had played in the conflict. — India would continue to provide training and capacity-building programs, including courses specifically targeted for women peacekeepers, through initiatives headed by the Centre for UN Peacekeeping, as it did with ASEAN countries in 2023, according to Jaishankar. India strongly thinks that peacekeeping is an effective tool for maintaining world peace and security. — Since the 1950s, India has sent over 290,000 peacekeepers to more than 50 UN peacekeeping missions, according to Jaishankar. Currently, more than 5,000 Indian troops are stationed in nine of the eleven active peacekeeping missions. — The concept of UN peacekeeping originates from the UN's lack of armed forces. As a result, Member States voluntarily provide military and police personnel as needed for each peacekeeping mission from their own national forces. — Peacekeepers often wear their own countries' uniforms and are recognisable as UN peacekeepers simply by a UN blue helmet or beret and insignia. They are tasked with protecting people, actively preventing conflict, decreasing violence, increasing security, and equipping national institutions to carry out these functions. (a) Ring of Fire — The Ring of Fire is a series of hundreds of volcanoes and earthquake sites that stretch along the Pacific Ocean. It is formed like a semicircle or horseshoe and covers roughly 40,250 km. According to National Geographic, the Ring of Fire marks the meeting points of numerous tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, North American, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Caribbean, Nazca, Antarctic, Indian, Australian, Philippine, and other smaller plates that all encircle the large Pacific Plate. — It runs through the USA, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Russia, Chile, Peru, and the Philippines. (b) Mayotte — Storm Dikeledi has triggered major flooding and mudslides on the French enclave of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean — The storm caused high gusts, flash floods, and landslides, causing authorities to declare a red alert. The prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, reported that severe rains had caused significant damage. (c) Great Bitter Lake — The Great Bitter Lake is one of several lakes along the Suez Canal, which connects the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. (d) Gulf of Mexico — The Gulf of Mexico is a semi-enclosed sea that borders the USA and Mexico and covers approximately 1.5 million square kilometers. The northern Gulf is topographically complex and is a rich source of oil and gas deposits, which has led to a great deal of research on benthic ecosystems from the coastal zone to the deep sea. — The Gulf of Mexico is bordered by three countries: the United States, Mexico and Cuba. — The Gulf is a productive sea with lucrative fisheries in addition to oil and gas. Exploitation of natural resources and potential climate change impacts threaten vulnerable ecosystems in the Gulf, including those in the deep sea. ( (e) Greenland — Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark that obtained its home government in 1979. — Greenland, with a population of around 57,000, is the world's largest island. Since 2009, it has had the authority to hold a referendum to determine whether to pursue independence. — It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and North America, across the Baffin Bay from Canada. — Its strategic importance grew during the Cold War, and the United States maintains a massive air base there, the Pituffik Space Base, formerly the Thule Air Base. The United States can monitor and prevent any missiles approaching Greenland from Russia, China, or possibly North Korea. Similarly, it is easier to fire missiles and ships from Greenland to Asia or Europe. — Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals, which are used to make mobile phones, electric vehicles, and other consumer electronics, as well as bombs and other weaponry. Currently, China is a major supplier of these minerals. In 2021, Greenland approved legislation prohibiting uranium mining. (f) Panama Canal — The Panama Canal had long been envisioned, owing to the high expense and time required to get from one ocean to the other by circumnavigating South America. — It was constructed between 1904 and 1914, primarily because of US contributions. Until then, the region's distinctive terrain made building a canal problematic. France had already abandoned similar projects due to their enormous cost. — Colombia ruled Panama until 1903, when a US-backed coup helped the country gain independence. The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903 granted the United States rights to build and maintain the canal, as well as permanent rights over the Panama Canal Zone. (g) St. Martin's Island — The island is located in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, near the boundary between Bangladesh and Myanmar. — It is nine kilometres from the southernmost point of Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. It is Bangladesh's only coral island, with reefs stretching 10-15 km to the west-northwest. It also serves as a breeding site for sea turtles. — The island was previously part of the Teknaf peninsula (around 5,000 years ago), but it progressively sank into the sea. The southern suburbs of present-day St Martin's Island resurfaced some 450 years ago, with the northern and rest of the island rising above sea level during the next 100 years. (h) Chancay Port — The vast $3.6 billion project, funded by China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has also generated concerns in US policy making circles about Chinese influence in an area that has long been considered its backyard. — The port is located about 78 km north of the Peruvian capital of Lima, Chancay is a small fishing town with a population of around 60,000. It is a natural deep-water port, however, previous feasibility studies on building up infrastructure pointed out heavy construction costs. (i) Ireland — Ireland is providing an intriguing chance for residents with the necessary immigration documents to relocate to its picturesque offshore villages. — As part of the 'Our Living Islands' initiative, the government is offering major economic incentives to attract people to move to the country's islands. According to Euro News, this program intends to revitalise Ireland's offshore communities and secure their long-term survival. (j) Suez Canal — The Suez Canal is the 193-km artificial waterway that connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean through the Isthmus of Suez. — It reduced the maritime path from Asia to Europe by up to 7,000 kilometres by eliminating the requirement for ships to pass around the southern tip of Africa to connect the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. — There is some evidence that a canal was built in the region during the era of Pharaoh Senausret III, who ruled in the second millennium BC. However, the idea for the contemporary canal dates back to the seventeenth century, when European colonial expansion was at its pinnacle. — Today, it is one of the world's busiest waterways, accounting for over 12 per cent of global business. (k) Westbank — The West Bank is bordered by Israel on three sides and Jordan on the east. It also shares a boundary with the Dead Sea to the southeast. — The Jordan River defines the eastern border of the Westbank. (l) Diego Garcia — Britain has agreed to give up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending a long-standing dispute over the United Kingdom's last African colony, after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the UK unlawfully separated the Chagos archipelago from Mauritius before granting it independence. — As part of the pact, the UK will maintain control of the UK-US military post on Diego Garcia. Previously, the UK evacuated 1,500 to 2,000 residents in order to lease the island to the United States for military purposes, with both countries sharing responsibility for the base. The treaty also grants the right of return to all islands in the Chagos archipelago, except Diego Garcia. — Diego Garcia is the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago which is located in the central Indian Ocean. (m) Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe plans to cull 200 elephants to provide food for communities severely impacted by the worst drought in four decades. — The El Nino-induced drought has devastated southern Africa, leading to widespread crop failures and leaving 68 million people facing food shortages across the region. — Southern Africa is home to one of the world's largest elephant populations, with over 200,000 elephants living across a conservation area that spans Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia. — This marks the first elephant cull in Zimbabwe since 1988. (n) United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates has finished the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Arab world's first nuclear power plant, according to a statement from the state-owned Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). — The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is located near Al Dhafra, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Gulf, approximately 53 kilometres west-southwest of the city of Ruwais. (o) Atacama salt flat — Chile's Atacama salt flat is sinking at a pace of 1 to 2 cm per year as a result of lithium brine extraction, a process in which salt-rich water is pumped to the surface and into a series of evaporation ponds to extract lithium. — This is happening because pumping occurs quicker than aquifer recharge, resulting in subsidence, or downward vertical displacement of the Earth's surface. — According to the report, the affected area is around 8 kilometres north and south by 5 kilometres east and west. (p) Nigeria — According to recent research conducted by many international development partners, more than 31.8 million Nigerians are currently experiencing severe food shortages. — According to the Nigerian government, the problem is exacerbated by continued security concerns and the elimination of fuel subsidies. (q) Amazon rainforests — Deforestation in the Amazon, which encompasses approximately 40% of South America, is typically associated with agricultural growth and illegal mining. — The Amazon rainforest spans nine countries: Brazil, Suriname, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, French Guiana, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Guyana. (r) Darfur region — Sudan, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), is experiencing the world's worst hunger crisis, with the western Darfur region being particularly vulnerable as Sudan's 15-month civil war, which has uprooted millions and spurred ethnic bloodshed, continues. — The war, sparked by a desire to combine the army and paramilitary forces in a transition to free elections, has resulted in waves of ethnically motivated bloodshed blamed primarily on the RSF. Edited by Khushboo Kumari Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. The UPSC articles of Indian Express is now on Telegram. 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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Vishal Mega Mart's security guard job has everyone talking, what's the hype of this meme?
In a totally unexpected twist, Vishal Mega Mart's job listing for security guards has turned into a meme sensation that's taken over social media across India. What started as a routine recruitment announcement has become one of the funniest, and most bizarre, trends of the year. From Facebook groups to WhatsApp forwards, and even Telegram and X (formerly Twitter), netizens have flooded the internet with jokes, memes, and reels about the job at Vishal Mega Mart. Who would have thought a simple job opening could create such a viral storm? Vishal Mega Mart Guard (VMMG):- Toughest exam of India, UPSC is nothing in front of VMMG exam. Vishal Mega Mart security job memes So, how did this happen? Well, Vishal Mega Mart, a major player in the retail sector with over 645 stores nationwide, launched a massive hiring campaign for security guards. Sounds pretty standard, right? But the internet was having none of it. People quickly started comparing the recruitment process to India's toughest exams, like UPSC and IIT-JEE. One meme even claimed 'Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket to become a security guard at Vishal Mega Mart.' Finally, I got a job as a security guard at Vishal Mega Mart on my third attempt. Now the days of unemployment are over 🤩 Suddenly, becoming a security guard at this retail chain was the ultimate flex, the gold medal of job-hunting, and a badge of honour. Social media flooded with memes like, 'On 1st April, Vishal Mega Mart held its exam for security guards with questions on Current Affairs, English, and Local Language, plus a physical fitness test.' Even AI-generated memes popped up, featuring famous personalities like Kohli and Ronaldo in security guard uniforms outside the store. Vishal Mega mart Security gaurd batch 2025 By Jaan Sir Patna Vishal Mega Mart supremacy 🗿🗿 But is it really funny? But let's not forget: behind the jokes and memes, there's a serious story to be told. The viral trend surrounding Vishal Mega Mart's hiring campaign highlights a deeper issue, the growing concerns around India's unemployment crisis. While memes and jokes bring attention to the job market, they also reflect a stark reality: millions of people are desperately trying to secure employment in a challenging labour market. Vishal Mega Mart Supremacy. Jalo mat Bhai Vishal Mega mart me Security guard hai. The country's unemployment rate has been steadily rising, with the latest figures revealing a rate of 5.1% for April 2025. And while the memes about this viral recruitment trend bring some much-needed humour, they also underscore how competitive the job market has become, even for positions that once seemed relatively simple. When Senior Managers From Top Companies Are Getting FiredBut you are not worried Because you are now. Security Guard at Vishal Mega Mart The real struggle behind the unemployment In fact, the memes aren't just about fun and games, they shine a spotlight on the very real struggles of India's job market. With the current employment rate so concerning, people are increasingly willing to compete for every available position, no matter how quirky or unconventional it may seem. This trend is more than just a meme; it's a reflection of the tough economic landscape many people in India are navigating. The viral frenzy surrounding Vishal Mega Mart's security guard job is a humorous moment, but it also serves as a reminder of how challenging it has become to find meaningful employment in a rapidly changing world.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom Escalates His War on the Homeless in Leadup to 2028
California Governor Gavin Newsom, an early contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, is doubling down on his war against his state's homeless population. Newsom on Monday called on cities across California—which accounts for a third of the country's entire homeless population—to clear out and ban homeless encampments. There are 187,000 homeless people in California. His administration has penned legislation that allows towns, cities, and counties to adopt their own spin on his order. He has also made $3.3 billion in funds available for expanded housing and treatment. Newsom has cracked down on homelessness since he took office in 2019, but his strategy has yielded little success aside from taking homeless people and moving them to different areas in the state, which is not a permanent solution. An audit from 2024 found that the state spent $24 billion over five years with little to show for it. This is another notable rightward shift for a man who is seen as a legitimate frontrunner for the presidency in 2028. 'Gavin Newsom isn't fighting homelessness, he's fighting homeless people,' Current Affairs wrote on X. 'Banning encampments won't fix the housing crisis, but it will make life more miserable for those with nowhere to go.' This move also comes as Los Angeles prepares to host the Summer Olympics in 2028.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
UPSC Prelims 2025 Special: Revision Checklist for important Science and Technology topics that aspirants shouldn't miss
Are You Prelims Ready? The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 is scheduled for May 25. With the clock ticking, revising Current Affairs —especially in Science and Technology —is crucial for every aspirant. Here's a must-check list of key Sci-Tech topics to revisit in your notes or compilations. Don't miss them during your final revision. 1. Nobel Prizes — Physics: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 has been awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton. They have been awarded 'for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.' Interestingly, both the Physics and Chemistry Nobel prizes this year have been given to artificial intelligence related research. — Chemistry: The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 has been awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John M Jumper. While Baker (62) won 'for computational protein design', the American Jumper (39) and Briton Hassabis (48) were honoured for 'protein structure prediction'. — Medicine: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024 has been awarded Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun 'for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.' 2. CAR-T cell therapy The clinical trial results of India's first CAR T-cell therapy, published in The Lancet, show that it worked for nearly 73 per cent of patients. What is CAR-T cell therapy? — CAR-T cell therapy, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, is an immunotherapy-based cancer treatment that uses the power of a patient's own immune system to fight cancer. The immune system is the body's defence network against infections and diseases. White blood cells (WBCs) play a pivotal role in the immune system. WBCs, or leukocytes, are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood and lymphatic system. The key types of WBCs include: i) Neutrophils – Engulf and destroy pathogens ii) Lymphocytes – Target specific invaders and remember past infections iii) Monocytes – Differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells, ingesting pathogens and presenting antigens iv) Eosinophils – Release enzymes and toxic proteins that kill parasites and modulate inflammatory responses, and v) Basophils – Release histamine and other chemicals that contribute to inflammation and allergic symptoms. What are T-Cells? — T-cells are primarily used in CAR-T cell therapy because of their pivotal role in the immune system's response to pathogens and malignancies. These cells can be genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which are specifically designed to recognise and bind to antigens on the surface of cancer cells. Once bound, these modified T-cells can efficiently kill cancer cells. — Other cells like B cells or natural killer cells also play roles in immunity but don't have the same adaptability and memory capabilities as T cells, making them less effective for the persistent and targeted action required in CAR-T cell therapy. 3. Anti-microbial resistance — Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a condition in which bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, which include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. As a result, infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death. It is the result of evolution of microbes in a situation where there is a misuse or overuse of antibiotics. — According to the World Health Organisation, Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of antibiotics. Bacteria, not humans, become antibiotic resistant. These bacteria may then infect humans and are harder to treat than non-resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance is a broader term, encompassing resistance to drugs to treat infections caused by other microbes as well, such as parasites (e.g. malaria), viruses (e.g. HIV) and fungi (e.g. Candida). — AMR is a condition in which a pathogen can survive and cause infection despite the presence of an antimicrobial treatment. AMR is the result of microbial evolution in response to antibiotic abuse or overuse. — Excessive use of antimicrobial medications can result in resistant or extremely resistant superbugs that can spread in hospitals, drinking water, and sewers. These microorganisms produce infections that do not respond to regularly recommended antibiotics. 4. BioE3 Policy — The Centre unveiled its BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy. It appears to be a routine attempt to create incentives and opportunities to energise growth in the biotech sector. — The BioE3 Policy aims to establish a framework that ensures the deployment of cutting-edge advanced technologies while also aligning innovative research to promote biomanufacturing. — The BioE3 Policy aims to accelerate the development and commercialisation of bio-based product technologies by establishing BioEnablers throughout the country, including Bio-Artificial (Bio-AI) Intelligence Hubs, Biofoundries, and Biomanufacturing Hubs. — Bio-AI centres will be established to support research and innovation in the development of technologies for bio-based products throughout the specified thematic sectors/subsectors of biomanufacturing, leveraging data-driven research and AI-informed predictive analytics. — Based on the National Consultation meeting and inter-ministerial discussions, six theme areas and sub-sectors of national importance have been prioritised for implementation under the BioE3 policy. These include (i) bio-based chemicals and enzymes, (ii) functional foods and smart proteins, (iii) precision biotherapeutics, (iv) climate-resilient agriculture, (v) carbon capture and utilisation, and (vi) future marine and space research. 5. Hydrogen fuel cell — The government has formally approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with a stated aim of making India a global hub for the production of green hydrogen. — According to the US Department of Energy, fuel cells work in a similar manner to conventional batteries found in electric vehicles but they do not run out of charge and don't need to be recharged with electricity. They continue to produce electricity as long as there is a supply of hydrogen. Just like conventional cells, a fuel cell consists of an anode (negative electrode) and cathode (positive electrode) sandwiched around an electrolyte. — Hydrogen is fed to the anode and air is fed to the cathode. At the anode, a catalyst separates the hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons and both subatomic particles take different paths to the cathode. The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity that can be used to power electric motors. The protons, on the other hand, move to the cathode through the electrolyte. Once there, they unite with oxygen and electrons to produce water and heat. — The government in Union Budget 2025 announced a Nuclear Energy Mission for research & development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and set a target of operationalising at least five such reactors in the next eight years. What are Small modulator reactors? — SMRs are essentially advanced small nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of 30MWe to 300 MWe (megawatt electrical) per unit. Conventional nuclear reactors, the kind which are currently installed in India and elsewhere, usually have capacities to produce 500 MW of electricity or more. — There are currently four main types, each using a different coolant to manage the extreme heat of a nuclear fission reaction — light water, high temperature gas, liquid metal, and molten salt. — It offers a versatile, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional big nuclear reactors. 7. Snowblind — A banking malware called 'Snowblind' is targeting Android users to steal banking credentials. This malware exploits a built-in security feature to bypass anti-tamper protection in apps handling sensitive information. — Snowblind, unlike other Android malware, exploits a feature known as 'seccomp', which stands for secure computing'. — Snowblind can also disable biometric and two-factor authentication, which are two security features typically used by financial apps to prevent unauthorised access. 8. Direct-to-device satellite connectivity — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), in collaboration with Viasat, a US-based satellite communication business, has developed a direct-to-device satellite connectivity service. BSNL is India's first telecom service provider to offer direct satellite access. — BSNL's direct-to-device satellite connectivity requires three primary components: a smartphone that supports satellite connectivity, a satellite, and a cellular tower. When a phone is unable to latch onto a nearby cellular tower owing to a lower signal, the smartphone connects to a satellite, which then sends the identical signal to the neighbouring tower, completing the connection. — It can send and receive text messages via a geostationary L-band satellite 36,000 kilometres away from Earth. — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested a next-generation torpedo release system designed to improve the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities. It can be launched from both coasts and warships. — This missile-based method for launching lightweight torpedoes can reach submarines hundreds of kilometres distant, significantly exceeding the normal range of lightweight torpedoes. It will be especially useful in the absence of other assets for fast action when an enemy submarine is discovered. — The canister-based missile system consists of multiple advanced subsystems, including two-stage solid propulsion and precision inertial navigation. It carries a sophisticated lightweight torpedo missile and a parachute-based release mechanism. 10. microRNA — This year's Nobel Prize was awarded to microRNA. Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun received the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for their 1993 discovery of microRNA. — MicroRNAs (miRNA) have the potential to revolutionise personalised medicine, cancer therapy, regenerative medicine, and neurological treatments. MiRNA-based therapies and non-invasive diagnostic methods like liquid biopsies are emerging. Challenges continue, particularly in terms of efficient distribution, off-target effects, and stability. — The discovery of microRNA is critical because gene regulation and control are basic processes in the cell that inhibit the formation of specific proteins, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Its therapeutic role is important. 11. Quadrantids — The Quadrantid meteor shower occurs annually in early January. The Quadrantids are most visible in the Northern Hemisphere (this shower can also be observed at latitudes north of 51 degrees south) throughout the night and early morning hours. — Quadrantids are also known for their spectacular fireball meteors. Fireballs are greater blasts of light and colour that can last longer than typical meteor streaks. 12. Neutrinos — They are microscopic particles that are extremely similar to electrons but have no electric charge. They were discovered for the first time in 1959, despite the fact that their existence had been predicted nearly three decades earlier in 1931. — They are one of the universe's fundamental particles and the second most abundant subatomic particle after photons. Neutrinos are so abundant that almost a billion of them pass through one cubic centimetre of space every second. — High-energy neutrinos can enable astrophysicists to examine dusty space systems and regions, such as the core of our Milky Way Galaxy. 13. Microalgae — Microalgae are known to grow quicker in microgravity environments and can recycle CO2 to O2 while producing nourishment. — Microalgae are microscopic algae with high chlorophyll content that lack lignin and cellulose but contain proteins. Microalgae are primarily found in freshwater and marine ecosystems. — Microalgae can be successfully used to treat industrial wastewater. According to the researchers, as the microorganisms feed, they expand and reproduce, offering a wealth of algae-based biomass for the production of bioenergy, high-value bio-based chemicals, and speciality items. 14. Vermifiltration Technology — Vermifiltration is a wastewater filtration technology in which epigeic earthworms interact with microorganisms to remove wastewater pollutants. — It combines all types of treatment in one unit, including primary (sand and silt removal), secondary (biological degradation), and tertiary (pathogen removal). The vermifilter (VF) is a wastewater treatment technology used for vermifiltration purposes. It has an active zone where earthworms reside and a filter bed where microorganisms thrive. 15. Use of slag in road construction — Slag is produced by a steel furnace burning at temperatures ranging from 1,500 to 1,600 degrees Celsius, with molten flux material as an impurity. The molten material is dumped into the slag pits for cooling according to the customised procedure and then further processed to generate stable steel slag aggregates with 'better material properties in place of the natural aggregate commonly used in road constructions'. — The processed steel slag road costs 30% less to build than natural aggregate roads. 'The thickness of the road is also 30 per cent lesser than normal ones, while the durability is much longer due to the utilisation of steel slag.' — Surat is the first city in the country to have a processed steel slag. 16. Electric Propulsion — Electric Propulsion (EP) is a type of space propulsion that uses electrical power to accelerate a propellant through various electrical and/or magnetic means. — The usage of electrical power improves the propulsion performance of EP thrusters as compared to conventional chemical thrusters. Unlike chemical technologies, electric propulsion uses extremely little mass to accelerate a spaceship. — The propellant is ejected up to twenty times quicker than in a traditional chemical thruster, making the total system much more mass efficient. India and the UK government are examining the potential of reaching an agreement to create an electric propulsion system in India for indigenous warships. 17. Different methods of geoengineering — Solar Radiation Management (SRM): In SRM, the materials are proposed to be deployed in Space to reflect incoming solar rays and prevent them from reaching Earth. — Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies: These include Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU), and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS). — Direct Air Capture (DAC) method: In this method, carbon dioxide is sucked out through large 'artificial trees' from ambient air and directed towards storage sites or utilisation. 18. Water-soluble fertilisers (WSF) — The specifications required WSFs to have: (i) a minimum 30 per cent content of total nutrients; (ii) 25 per cent primary (NPK); and (iii) the balance secondary (S, calcium, magnesium) and micro (zinc, boron, manganese, iron, copper, molybdenum) — and maximum prescribed limits for contaminants (lead, cadmium, arsenic, total chloride and sodium). 19. India's first private satellite constellation — Pixxel, an Indian space technology startup, launched three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California. — The satellites were launched shortly after midnight in India from the Vandenberg Space Force Base. The launch is a watershed moment for both the country's expanding private space sector and Google -backed Pixxel, a five-year-old start-up. — The satellites intend to use hyperspectral imaging, a technology that captures highly detailed data over hundreds of light bands, to support businesses like agricultural, mining, environmental monitoring, and defence. 20. Regenerative Braking System (RBS) in trains — A standard electric train braking system employs dynamic braking, in which the train's kinetic energy is released as waste, primarily in the form of heat. When regenerative braking is used, the current in the electric motors is reversed, which slows the train. At the same time, the electro motors generate electricity, which is then returned to the power distribution system. — The Regenerative Braking System is more efficient than a loco haul train. Regenerative braking systems reuse kinetic energy. It can save up to 30% on electrical consumption. 21. Space Missions in news — PUNCH will be a constellation of four suitcase-sized satellites, each weighing around 64 kg, deployed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The estimated mission duration is two years. — It will closely examine the solar atmosphere, reconstruct the formation, track sources, and record the evolution of solar winds and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). — It is the first time that a solar mission has been specially built to employ light polarisation to detect the corona and solar wind in three dimensions. b. Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) mission — The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched one of the two climate satellites, which would study heat emissions at Earth's poles. — The two shoebox-sized cube satellites, or CubeSats, will measure how much heat the Arctic and Antarctica — two of the world's coldest locations — emit into space and how this affects the planet's climate. c. Cassini-Huygens mission — Cassini-Huygens, a space research mission initiated by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency. It comprised NASA's Cassini space probe and ESA's Huygens lander. The mission attempted to explore Saturn, including its system, natural satellites, and rings. — Cassini is the fourth space mission to investigate Saturn and the first to enter its orbit, staying there from 2004 to 2017. The spacecraft is named after two astronomers, Giovanni Cassini and Christiaan Huygens. d. Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) mission — The experiment, ISRO's first biological experiment in space, was part of CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies), an automated platform designed to cultivate and sustain plant life in the microgravity environment of space. — It involves growing eight cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds within a controlled environment equipped with active thermal management onboard ISRO 's POEM-4 module. e. Artemis Accords — The Artemis Accords, launched by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020, now have 53 signatories, including India and Japan. — It implements fundamental commitments from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and emphasises commitment to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, and best practices for responsible behaviour, such as the public distribution of scientific data. — The accords are a series of non-binding agreements that establish principles to be respected in outer space. f. Spadex mission — SpaDeX is a technology demonstration mission in which ISRO attempts to dock for the first time. In-space docking is a vital capability for ISRO's more ambitious future missions, including as the sample return mission, the manned moon mission, and the construction and operation of the Bharat Antariksh Station. — The Spadex mission will involve two satellites, SDX01 or Chaser and SDX02 or Target, aligning in the same orbit, reducing distance between them, joining and transferring electrical power, and finally separating. After they separate, payloads on both satellites will continue to function for two years. — Docking is the process of bringing two fast-moving spacecraft into the same orbit, then moving closer to each other manually or autonomously before joining together. This capacity is required for missions that need hefty spacecraft, which a single launch vehicle may be unable to lift off with. g. Parker Solar Probe — NASA's Parker Solar Probe successfully made the closest visit to the Sun ever, getting within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) of its surface. The spacecraft, which was launched in 2018, is on a mission to study the Sun. — As it entered the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, the probe was subjected to temperatures as high as 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (982 degrees Celsius). It achieved speeds of up to 430,000 mph (692,000 kph), making it the fastest human-made object. h. Proba-3 mission — The Aditya L1 mission will work closely with the European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 mission to conduct solar observations beginning in the second quarter of 2025. — Aditya L1 and Proba-3 share a coronagraph, equipment designed to obscure the sun's brilliant radiation while allowing astronomers to view and analyse its perimeter, neighbouring features, or objects. The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is on board Aditya, while Proba-3 houses the Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPIICS). ASPIICS provides a field of vision between the Sun's outer and inner coronas, a circular belt that is typically visible during solar eclipses. i. NISAR satellite — NISAR Satellite is developed in partnership with NASA, the new satellite dubbed NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) will help humans track the motion of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice and map the changes to the planet's vegetation. — According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NISAR will measure the motion of the entire planet's land and ice-covered surface once every 12 days, providing researchers with a better understanding of how our planet's surface changes over time. — This level of accuracy is reached by employing a pair of radars, consisting of L-band and S-band systems. For volcano researchers, NISAR will aid in the detection of land movements before the eruption and will provide a more complete picture of why volcanoes deform and whether these deformations indicate an eruption. j. Europa Clipper — Europa Clippe r is the first mission aiming to conduct a thorough examination of Jupiter's moon Europa. — Clipper, with its huge solar panels, is NASA's largest spacecraft built to examine another planet. It will take 5.5 years to reach Jupiter and will pass within 16 miles (25 kilometres) of Europa's surface, much closer than any other spacecraft. The mission will finish in 2034 with a programmed collision with Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon. k. Polaris Dawn Mission — The mission will include the first private spacewalk and attempts to achieve the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo era. Polaris Dawn will not dock with the International Space Station (ISS) but will operate as a free-flying mission in Earth orbit. Mission Objectives (i) The first-ever private spacewalk. (ii) Reaching an altitude of approximately 700 kilometers, the highest for a crewed mission since the Apollo era. (iii) Testing SpaceX's newly designed extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits in space. (iv) Conducting scientific experiments and testing Starlink's laser-based communications. l. EarthCARE satellite mission — EarthCARE is a climate satellite mission operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Aerospace Agency (JAXA). It will develop climate and weather forecasting models by studying the interplay between clouds, aerosols, and radiation. — It is a mission to Sun-synchronous orbit that was launched on May 28, 2024, with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. (Source: ESA) — Indian space startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully launched its first sub-orbital test vehicle powered by the world's first single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine. — Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) is India's first semi-cryogenic engine-powered rocket launch. It was powered by the world's first single piece 3D printed semi-cryogenic engine. — The vehicle can fly payloads ranging from 30 kg to 300 kg. b. LVM3 — LVM3 is ISRO's latest heavy-lift launch vehicle, designed to send 4000 kg spacecraft to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) in a cost-effective manner. — LVM3 has three stages: two solid strap-on motors (S200), one liquid core stage (L110), and a high-thrust cryogenic upper stage (C25). c. Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Local Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL) Programme In 2022, TARA programme has been evolved as SUNIL programme aiming to strengthen technology delivery system and creation of social enterprise models for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society. The programme develops a joint implementation model (Land-Lab-Land) replacing NGOs as sole implementation partner with NGO & Knowledge Institutions (KI) involving other CBOs/SHGs/FPOs/Social ventures/ community to provide more comprehensive solutions at ground level. It supports in the following three major categories- — Technology delivery & enterprise creation model for improving efficiency of livelihood system: — Providing emerging & locally appropriate STI solutions to strengthen weakest link of livelihood system through Land-Lab-Land approach involving KIs, NGOs and Community; — Utilising the strongest link of the local livelihood system for encouraging social entrepreneurship development for EWS Society. d. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) — THAAD stands for Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence, and the battery is used to intercept and destroy enemy missiles. A THAAD battery consists of 95 soldiers, six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), radar surveillance and radar, and a tactical fire component, according to a paper by the US Congressional Research Service. — THAAD provides a 'rapidly deployable capability against short-range (up to 1,000 km), medium-range (1,000–3,000 km), and limited intermediate-range (3,000–5,000 km) ballistic missile threats inside or outside the atmosphere during their final (terminal) phase of flight,' the paper says. The THAAD can defend a larger area than the older Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. It has been developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation. e. Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope — Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the world's largest radio telescope in the making, has carried out its first observations, signalling that at least a part of the yet-to-be-completed facility has become functional. — SKA is a network of thousands of radio antennas, 197 of them located in South Africa and more than 1.3 lakh in Australia, designed to function as one single unit that will make it the world's largest radio telescope. — The array in South Africa is designated SKA-Mid, and the one in Australia is called SKA-Low, with the names matching the frequency bands in which they operate. The facility is designed to monitor the universe in a novel way and investigate concerns about the universe's origins, galaxies' development and evolution, and the origin of life. f. Astra Missile — Astra is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) system designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft. — The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring supersonic aircraft. The missile has all-weather day and night capability. The missile has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for deployment on fighter jets like Sukhoi-30 MKI and Tejas of the IAF and the Mig-29K of the Navy. g. RudraM-II RudraM-II is an indigenously developed solid-propelled air-launched missile system meant for air-to-surface role to neutralise several types of enemy assets. h. X59 supersonic jet — Developed by the NASA and Lockheed Martin (USA) — It is based on a single modified F414-GE-100 engine, and the quiet supersonic jet. It attempts to address the issue by positioning the engine on top of the aircraft rather than at the bottom or sides. The jet emits a sonic thump rather than a sonic boom. 24. Diseases in news a. Space anaemia — Space anaemia is a disorder that astronauts experience during and after long-term space missions. It is mostly caused by the body's adaptation to the unique environment of space, as opposed to anaemia on Earth, which is frequently caused by nutritional inadequacies or chronic disorders. — Space anaemia, which is defined by a decrease in red blood cells and haemoglobin levels, presents particular challenges for astronauts on long-duration missions. b. 'bleeding eye' virus — Marburg virus disease (MVD), sometimes known as the 'bleeding eye virus,' is one of the worst diseases capable of infecting humans. Case mortality rates in previous outbreaks ranged from 24% to 88%, depending on the virus type and case care. The first incidence in Rwanda this year was recorded in September. — Marburg is a filovirus, just like Ebola. Both infections are clinically identical and, while rare, can generate high-fatality epidemics. — The first recognised MVD outbreak occurred in Marburg, Germany, in 1967. Following that, successive outbreaks have largely been recorded throughout Africa, most recently in Tanzania, Ghana, and now Rwanda. — The World Health Organisation has listed MVD as one of the infections that pose the greatest hazard to public health and for which no suitable treatments or vaccinations exist. c. H5N1 avian influenza — Bird flu, often known as avian flu, is an infectious viral infection that primarily affects and spreads among poultry and some wild birds. — The new version of H5N1 first emerged in Europe in 2020 and then rapidly reached Europe, Africa, and Asia. By late 2021, it had spread to North America and in the fall of 2022, it appeared in South America. In February 2024, the virus stormed through mainland Antarctica. — No cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported. d. Dengue — Dengue is a viral infection which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Most people with the infection report mild symptoms, but the disease is known to cause fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea and vomiting, pain behind the eyes, and rashes. — The WHO recommends two vaccines: Sanofi's Dengvaxia and Takeda's QDenga. However, these have not received approval in India. e. Monkeypox — The WHO has declared monkeypox, which has badly affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa, to be a public health emergency of international concern. — It is a self-limiting viral infection caused by an orthopoxvirus and causes fever, enlarged lymph nodes and a painful rash that forms blisters and then crusts over. Though self-limiting, it can lead to death, especially among children and those with weak immune systems. 23. Terms in news a. South Pole-Aitken basin (SPA): It is the Moon's greatest impact structure, stretching from the small Aitken crater to the south pole, or roughly a quarter of its surface. b. Atoms4Food: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) inaugurated 'Atoms4Food', a new flagship effort to assist increase food security and combat global hunger. The Atoms4Food effort will help countries adopt innovative nuclear technology to increase agricultural output, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, improve nutrition, and adapt to the challenges of climate change. (Source: FAO) c. PraVaHa: The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software 'Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-thermo-dynamic Analysis' (PraVaHa) is developed in VSSC to simulate external and internal flows on launch vehicles, winged & nonwinged re-entry vehicles. PraVaHa has been used extensively in the Gaganyaan program for aerodynamic analysis of human-rated launch vehicles, viz, HLVM3, Crew Escape System [CES], and Crew Module [CM]. d. Quasars: They are the extremely active and bright cores of some distant galaxies and are powered by supermassive black holes. Supermassive black holes grow by consuming matter that is sucked in by their immensely strong gravity. They emit massive amounts of energy; they can be a trillion times brighter than the Sun. Quasars are thought to derive their energy from gigantic black holes in the centres of the galaxies in which they are located. e. Gravitational waves: These waves are 'ripples' in space-time created by some of the Universe's most destructive and intense processes. Albert Einstein predicted the presence of gravitational waves in 1916 with his general theory of relativity. A gravitational wave is an invisible (but exceedingly fast) ripple across space. Gravitational waves travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles/second). f. Teraflops: TFLOPS is a unit that measures the computing power of a system. For example, if a system has 10 TFLOPS of FP16 performance, it means it can carry out 10 trillion FP16 calculations every second. g. DNA profiling: It is the most effective approach for determining the origin of biological specimens. It has been extremely useful in solving murders, sexual assaults, and a variety of other horrible crimes. h. Tripledemic: It refers to the simultaneous circulation of three respiratory viruses: COVID-19, influenza (the flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). i. Neutron stars: Neutron stars are superdense astrophysical objects formed at the end of a massive star's life in a supernova explosion. Neutron stars orbit each other in binary systems. These systems constantly lose energy by emitting gravitational waves until they eventually collide and merge. j. Fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs: FDCs are medicines that include more than one active ingredient (chemical compounds in medicines that affect the body) in a single pill, capsule, or injection. These 'irrational' combinations have been outlawed because they contain medicines that do not perform well together or are unnecessary for patients to take together. FDCs are intended for people suffering from illnesses such as tuberculosis and diabetes, who require many medications on a regular basis. k. MeDevIS: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System), the world's first open-access clearinghouse for medical device information. It is intended to assist governments, regulators, and users in making decisions about the selection, procurement, and use of medical devices for diagnosing, testing, and treating diseases and health conditions.
