UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 22-06-2024

Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Anthropic, U.S.-based artificial intelligence start-up has recently launched its latest AI model, Claude 3.5 Sonnet.

References

1. Indian Express | Claude 3.5 Sonnet
2. Anthropic | Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Burp Tax

Recently, New Zealand government announced scrapping the ‘burp tax’.

Burp tax is a scheme to tax greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. Livestock is the source of nearly half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. New Zealand has around 10 million cattle and 25 million sheep.

• Aim- It aims to curtail methane emissions from ruminant species they are hoofed grazing or browsing herbivores that chew cud.
• Introduced- October 2022.
• Reason for introduction of Burp Tax- Ruminant animals release methane mainly through burping.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for 30% of warming since preindustrial times, second only to carbon dioxide.

• Animals like cows, sheep, goats, and buffaloes produce methane during food digestion in their rumen.
• Protest of farmers - Farmers protested against the tax, claiming it would greatly affect their livelihoods.
• The farmers argued that the scheme coupled with other agriculture emission regulations would severely impact their livelihood.

References

1. The India Express | Burp tax
2. Aljazeera| Burp tax

International Yoga Day

The 10^th annual International Yoga Day, 2024 celebrated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on June 21.

• Origin - The International Day of Yoga established by the United Nations on 21^st June, emphasises the importance of Yoga.

June 21^st (Summer solstice) is chosen as the International Yoga Day as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Aim- It aims to spread awareness of the many advantages of yoga practice and to inspire people everywhere to include yoga into their daily routines.
• Observed Since - 2015.
• United Nations recognition- The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India.
• The UN passed a resolution during the 69^th session of the General Assembly to proclaim June 21 as International Day of Yoga (IDY).
• It is endorsed by 175 member states.

International Yoga Day, 2024

• Theme, 2024 - Yoga for Self and Society.
• Initiatives
  • Ministry of AYUSH launched a 'Common Yoga Protocol Book in Braille' script to support visually impaired people to learn and practice yoga with convenience.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is organising a unique initiative, 'Yoga for Space', all scientists and officials of ISRO will perform Yoga together.

The 9^th International Yoga Day created a Guinness World Record for participation of people of most nationalities in a yoga event.

Reference

1. Indian Express | International Yoga Day
2. Vikaspedia | International Yoga Day

International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)

The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) celebrates the World Hydrography Day recently.

Hydrography is the science that measures and describes the physical features of the navigable portion of the Earth's surface and adjoining coastal areas.

• It is an Intergovernmental technical consultative organisation established under the Convention on the IHO.
• Aim - It ensures that all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted.
• Headquarters – Monaco, Europe.
• Established in- 1921.
• Objective
  • To ensure the accuracy and uniformity of hydrographic charts and publications worldwide.
  • It coordinates the activities of national hydrographic offices and promotes uniformity in nautical charts and documents.
  •  It adopts the reliable and efficient methods of carrying out and exploiting hydrographic surveys
  • The development of the sciences in the field of hydrography and the techniques employed in descriptive oceanography.
• Members- It has 100 member states as of 2024, including both coastal and landlocked nations.
• India is a member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) since 1955.
• The member states collaborate to standardize nautical charts, publications, and hydrographic surveys.

Reference

1. PIB | International Hydrographic Organisation
2. IHO | ABOUT IHO

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)

Recently, Chad became the 51^st country to eliminate the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) globally.

• About- Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease.
• It is also known as sleeping sickness.
• Caused by - Protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma, transmitted to humans by bites of tsetse flies (glossina), acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals.
• Only certain species of tsetse flies transmit the disease.
• Variants of HAT- There are 2 forms of HAT, determined by the subspecies of the parasite involved
  • Trypanosoma brucei gambiens - It accounts for 92% of reported cases.
  • Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense – It is responsible for the remaining 8%.
• Endemic to - It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Symptoms - A swollen, discolored (red, purple or brown) bump that may be painful, recurrent fever, Chills, Headache, Muscle pain, Joint pain and Skin rash.
• Treatment- Treatment depends on what type of protozoa caused the infection and whether the infection has spread to other areas of the body.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can cure this disease.
• Fatal - It is potentially a fatal disease if left untreated.

Reference

1. DTE| Human African trypanosomiasis
2. WHO | Trypanosomiasis