Mpox
‘Deadliest’ Mpox Virus has spread across African countries.
- Disease caused by a virus, known as Monkeypox virus (MPXV).
- MPXV – Enveloped double-stranded DNA virus
- Found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals
- Zoonotic disease, can be spread between animals and people.
- Mostly reported from – Central and West Africa.
- Symptoms – Skin rashes, headaches
Seahorse
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted smuggling racket engaged in the illegal trade of dried seahorses in Bengaluru.
- Tiny fish with horse-shaped heads, not mammals.
- Secondary consumers, not detritivores.
- Conservations Status –
- Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- CITES Appendix II
National Handloom Day
10th National Handloom Day celebrated.
- Celebrated on 7th August, 2024.
- Aim – To honour the handloom weavers and provide motivation to handloom industry.
- Commemorate Swadeshi Movement which was launched on 7th August 1905.
- Significance – Handloom is India’s largest cottage industry and rural region’s 2nd largest employment provider.
Kasturi Cotton
Ministry of Textiles empowered all ginners in India to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand.
- Premium quality Cotton from India, utilizing blockchain technology for traceability.
- Kasturi Cotton Bharat – Joint initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Cotton Corporation of India, Trade Bodies & Industry.
- Aim – Owning responsibility of Branding, Traceability and Certification of Indian Cotton to enhance its global competitiveness and create a sustainable ecosystem.
- Implementing Agency – Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL).
InvIT
Recently, NHAI made a successful pre-payment of a Rs. 15,700 crore loan from InvIT proceeds.
- Collective Investment Scheme like mutual funds, enabling direct investment of money from individual and institutional investors in infrastructure projects
- Those who invest receive a portion of the income as return.
- Regulated by – SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
- InvITs are classified as borrowers under the SARFAESI Act.
- InvIT monetization proceeds are exclusively used for NHAI debt repayment.