These current affairs are written in a easy to remember format and are useful for competitive exams like - UPSC Civil Services, UPPSC, BPSC, MPPPSC, State PSCs and other competitive examinations.
Recombinant protein Vaccine
Cuba became the first country in the world to vaccinate children from the age of two against Covid-19, using home grown jabs not recognized by the WHO.
They are based on recombinant protein technology - the same used by the United States' Novavax and France's Sanofi jabs also awaiting WHO approval.
Unlike many other shots in use, recombinant vaccines do not require extreme refrigeration.
Recombinant protein is a manipulated form of protein, which is generated in various ways to produce large quantities of proteins, modify gene sequences and manufacture useful commercial products.
The formation of recombinant protein is carried out in specialized vehicles known as vectors.
Recombinant protein vaccines are known to be effective at boosting pre-existing responses.
Science & Tech
Piyush Goyal appointed as Sherpa for the G20
The government has appointed Union Minister Piyush Goyal as Sherpa for the G20, replacing former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu.
While PM Modi leads India's participation, the Sherpa is entrusted with steering negotiations with partner countries on policy issues on an ongoing basis while the leaders meet.
Read More: G20 (or Group of Twenty)
International Relations
Dengue chikungunya and malaria
Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquitoes within the genus Aedes.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle, and joint pain, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.
There are four types of dengue strains, and type II and IV are considered to be more severe and normally require hospitalisation.
The aedes mosquito breeds in clean stagnant water.
Dengue and chikungunya are caused by the bite of Aedes agypti mosquito, which breeds in clear water. The Anopheles mosquito, which causes malaria, can breed in both fresh and muddy water.
Social Issues
Manda Buffalo: Odisha
The Manda buffalo has been recognised as the 19th unique breed of buffaloes found in India by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).
Manda are found in the Eastern Ghats and plateau of Koraput region of Odisha and are used for ploughing in their native habitat.
Four breeds of cattle - Binjharpuri, Motu, Ghumusari and Khariar - and two breeds of buffalo - Chilika and Kalahandi 0 and one breed of sheep, Kendrapada, have already received NBAGR recognition.
The Manda are resistant to parasitic infections, less prone to diseases and can live, produce and reproduce at low or nil input systems.
Environment
Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021
The Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021 - which prohibits the sale and purchase of beef in areas inhabited by non-beef-eating communities and within a radius of 5 km of a temple or a satra (Vaishnavite monastery) - was passed in the state Assembly.
The new legislation will repeal the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 1950 and also prohibits the inter-state transport of cattle to and from, as well as through Assam without valid documents.
Anybody found guilty can be jailed for a minimum term of three years (extendable up to eight years) and fined Rs 3 lakh (with the upper limit Rs 5 lakh), or both.
For repeat offenders, the punishment will be doubled.
However, it allows for certain exemptions - it won't apply to "religious occasions" when "slaughter of cattle, not being a cow or heifer or calf" is allowed.
Polity