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UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 08-07-2020

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July 08, 2020

Zardoszi, CAATSA, USA’s Withdrawal from WHO, Golden Birdwing, CogX Awards and etc.

UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 08-07-2020

Zardoszi

  • Zardozi work is a type of embroidery predominant in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • It is a type of heavy and elaborate metal embroidery on a silk, satin, or velvet fabric base.
  • It was patronized by the Mughals that involves weaving metallic threads.
  • Designs are often created using gold and silver threads and can incorporate pearls, beads, and precious stones.
  • However, in recent times craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and silk thread.
  • It is used as decoration for a wide range of applications, including clothes, household textiles, and animal trappings.
  • Historically, it was used to adorn the walls of royal tents, scabbards, wall hangings and the paraphernalia of regal elephants and horses.

CAATSA

  • Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), aims at taking punitive measures against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
  • It was passed in the backdrop of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.
  • It primarily deals with sanctions on the Russian oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions.
  • It empowers the US President to impose at least 5 of 12 listed sanctions enumerated in Section 235 on persons engaged in a “significant transaction” with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors.
  • If implemented stringently, it would impact Indian defence procurement from Russia.
  • It would also affect purchase of spares, components, raw materials and other assistance.
  • The bulk of India’s military equipment is of Soviet/Russian origin including the nuclear submarine
  1. INS Chakra,
  2. Kilo-class conventional submarine,
  3. Supersonic Brahmos cruise missile,
  4. MiG and Sukhoi fighters,
  5. Mi helicopters,
  6. Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.

USA’s Withdrawal from WHO

  • USA administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
  • Although the pullout won’t take effect until next year, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration if circumstances change.
  • The measure has been taken after USA’s disappointment with WHO’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and accused of bowing to Chinese influence.
  • Under the terms of the withdrawal, the U.S. must meet its financial obligations to the WHO before it can be finalized.
  • The U.S., which is the agency’s largest donor and provides it with more than $400 million per year, currently owes the WHO some $200 million in current and past dues.

WHO

  • It is an UN agency responsible for global public health.
  • It was founded in 1948 and based in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • It aims to "promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable"
  • It involves in vaccination campaigns, health emergencies and supporting countries in primary care
  • Funded by a combination of members' fees based on wealth and population and voluntary contributions.

Golden Birdwing

  • A Himalayan butterfly named Golden Birdwing is India’s largest butterfly with a wingspan of 194mm.
  • The hitherto largest Indian butterfly was Southern Birdwing, recorded by Brigadier Evans in 1932.
  • The female Golden Birdwing was recorded from Didihat in Uttarakhand, the largest male was from the Wankhar Butterfly Museum in Shillong.
  • The female of the species golden birdwing is marginally larger than Southern Birdwing (190mm).
  • But the male golden birdwing is much smaller (106 mm).
  • Wingspan of a butterfly is measured from the center of the thorax to the tip of the forewing apex and then double the result.
  • The smallest butterfly is the Quaker (Neopithecops zalmora) with a wingspan of 18 mm.

CogX Awards

  • CogX is a prestigious Global Leadership Summit and Festival of AI and Emerging Technology held annually in London.
  • The awards are given out to the best-of-the-best in AI and emerging technologies across the world.
  • MyGov is the world’s largest citizen engagement platform.
  • It facilitates two-ways communication between the Government and Citizen and facilitates participatory governance in India.
  • MyGov, JioHaptik Technologies Limited and WhatsApp team collaborated to develop AI enabled MyGov Corona Helpdesk.
  • AI enabled MyGov Corona Helpdesk bagged two awards under categories of Best Innovation for Covid-19 - Society and People’s Choice Covid-19 Overall Winner.

 

Source: The Hindu, AIR

 

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