Interactive Tuberculosis (TB) Vaccines Dialogue

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare has recently delivered the keynote address at the “Interactive TB Vaccines Dialogue”.

• Interactive Tuberculosis (TB) Vaccines Dialogue was held on the side-lines of the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City.
• It is a part of ongoing initiatives to expedite the fight against tuberculosis (TB), the event convened experts, dignitaries and critical stakeholders from around the globe.
• The objectives of the TB Vaccines Dialogue include:
  • To bring together important stakeholders from countries and globally who are involved in TB vaccine development and delivery (Statement 1 is correct).
  • To address key issues such as clarity over misconceptions, answer questions relevant to it and fill knowledge gaps.
  • To focus on practical and realistic goals on TB vaccine development and TB vaccine delivery.

• Stop TB Partnership Board – The Interactive Tuberculosis (TB) Vaccines Dialogue is organised by STOP TB Partnership. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• It provides leadership, direction and monitors the implementation of agreed policies, plans and activities of the Partnership.
• It also ensures coordination among Stop TB Partnership components.
• Stop TB Partnership is governed by the Board, supported by two standing Board Committees.
• Subclinical TB – Refers to TB cases where the patient is infected with tuberculosis but does not show the typical symptoms associated with the disease.
• To know more about Subclinical TB click here 

Repairability Index

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has recently established a committee of experts to create a framework for a Repairability Index in the mobile and electronics sector.

• Repairability Index will be a consumer-focused indexing that enables consumers to take a product related decision, based on its repairability.
• It can standardize how repairability is assessed, making it easier for consumers to compare products based on repairability indexing thereby creating an ecosystem of informed choices across mobile and electronics products.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has constituted a committee of experts under the chairmanship of Shri Bharat Khera. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The committee aims to recommend a robust framework for Repairability Index and to empower consumers and promote sustainable practices within the tech industry.
• By developing Repairability Index, DoCA seeks to provide consumers with greater transparency of repair information for their products and foster a more sustainable technology industry.
• Key components of the Repair Ecosystem include:
• Comprehensive Repair Information – Access to repair manuals/DIYs, diagnostics and a list of necessary tools and parts.
• Accessible Spare Parts – Easily identifiable and timely delivery of spare parts.
• Affordable Tools – Inexpensive, widely available, and safe tools for consumers.
• Modular Design – Key components designed for independent access and modularity.
• Economic Feasibility – Ensuring that the cost of repair parts and labour is affordable for consumers.

Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish

A new species of ghost shark, with an unusually long nose and a whip-like tail, has been discovered in the inky depths of New Zealand waters.

• Australasian narrow-nosed spookfish is a new species of "ghost shark".
• Ghost shark is a type of fish that prowls the Pacific Ocean floor hunting prey more than a mile down.
• Ghost sharks, or chimaeras, are related to sharks and rays, but are part of a group of fish whose skeletons are entirely made of cartilage.
• It is only found in New Zealand and Australian waters.
• Spookfish are sometimes referred to as the ocean’s butterflies for the way they glide through the water with their large pectoral fins.
• The specimens were discovered during research in the Chatham Rise, an area of the Pacific which stretches around 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) east near New Zealand's South Island.
• Spookfish feed off crustaceans at depths of up to 2,600 metres (8,530 feet) using their distinctive beak-like mouth.
• Ghost sharks like this one are largely confined to the ocean floor.
• The scientific name of Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish is "Harriotta avia".
• Their habitat makes them hard to study and monitor, so there is lack of data about their biology or threat status.

Digital Sansad

The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has recently stated that ‘Digital Sansad’ will be available to livestream assembly proceedings in 10 languages.

• Digital Sansad is a single digital platform in which live proceedings of any state assembly can be accessed through this platform.
• Abyone can access House proceedings in digitised formats with ‘Digital Sansad’ platform in the country’s 10 languages.
• Currently, the assemblies of 20 states have reportedly been linked with this single platform of the Lok Sabha.
• It will be soon available to everyone in a digital visual format.
• The legislative bodies are digitising processes and records in addition to taking measures to train public representatives using IT in day-to-day activities.

Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institution (ASOSAI)

• Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institution (ASOSAI) is one of the Regional Groups of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• Other Regional Groups are:
  • European Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (EUROSAI)
  • African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI)
  • Arab Organization for Supreme Audit Institutions (ARABOSAI)
  • Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (CAROSAI)
  • Latin American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS)
  • Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI)
• The objectives of ASOSAI include:
  • To promote understanding and cooperation among member through exchange of ideas and experiences in the field of Public Audit.
  • To provide facilities for training and continuing education for government auditors, with a view to improving quality and performance.
  • To serve as a centre of information and as a regional link with institutions in other parts of the world in the field of Public Audit.
  • To promote closer collaboration and brotherhood among auditors in the service of the Governments of the respective member institutions and among regional groups.
• Assembly of ASOSAI – The Assembly consists of all members of the Organization and meets once in three years.
• The first Assembly was held in New Delhi, India in 1979.
• The 16th ASOSAI Assembly was organised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in New Delhi. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Capacity Development Committee – it plans, implements and follows up on the Capacity Development activities of ASOSAI under direction of the Governing Board and in close cooperation with the Secretary General.
• The Capacity Development Administrator is appointed by the Governing Board and becomes an ex-officio member of the Governing Board.
• Presently, the Board of Audit of Japan is the Capacity Development Administrator of ASOSAI. (Statement 3 is incorrect)
• The Governing Board is the executive arm of the Organization and consists of the following 12 members.
• International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) – Is an autonomous, independent, professional and non-political organization established as a permanent institution.
• Its purpose is to:
  • Provide mutual support to SAIs and foster the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences,
  • Act as a recognized global public voice of SAIs within the international community and set standards for public sector auditing,
  • Promote good national governance and
  • Support SAI capacity development, cooperation and continuous performance improvement.