{"id":11922,"date":"2021-07-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-03T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current_affairs\/uncategorized\/03-07-2021\/facts-in-news-9\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T16:34:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T11:04:05","slug":"facts-in-news-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-07-2021\/facts-in-news-9","title":{"rendered":"Facts in News"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Facts in New<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Short Span Bridging System (SSBS)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

\n

SSBS-10 m is being inducted into the Indian Army.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Designed and developed by: <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in association with M\/s L&T Ltd.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Plays a crucial role in bridging the gaps up to 9.5 m.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Acts as a single span providing a 4 m wide, fully decked roadway.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Compatible with Sarvatra Bridging System (75 m), where the last span requires covering gaps less than 9.5 m.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Significance:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
        \n
      • Ensures faster movement of the troops;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Enhances the mobilization of resources;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Boost to the fast-growing Indian defence industrial ecosystem; and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Helps the industry to contribute towards \u2018Atmanirbhar Bharat\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Other Military Bridging Systems<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Single Span 5 m and 10 m,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • Short Span Bridging System,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • 46 m Modular Bridge,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • 34.5 m Mountain Foot Bridge,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • 20 m BLT-T72 and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • Multi-span 75 m Sarvatra Bridging System etc.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Taal volcano<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

The Philippines increased the alert level on Taal Volcano, south of Manila, warning of eruptions and urging people in nearby areas to evacuate.<\/span><\/span><\/span>About<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Taal\u2019s alert status was <\/span><\/span><\/span>raised to level 3<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> on a five-level scale after it spewed kilometer-high steam and fragments.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Alert Level 3<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> means there is magmatic unrest, or movement of magma that may further drive succeeding eruptions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • The Philippines lies along the<\/span><\/span><\/span> Pacific \u201cRing of Fire<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Taal Volcano<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Taal is the Philippines\u2019 second most active volcano, it is \u201cvery small but a dangerous volcano\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • The active volcano is at the centre of the 230 sq km <\/span><\/span><\/span>Lake Taal<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, formed by prehistoric eruptions (a lake <\/span><\/span><\/span>formed in the caldera<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> of an earlier massive eruption).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • Volcano Island alone has 47 craters and 4 maars \u2013 volcanic craters that form when hot magma comes into contact with shallow groundwater, producing a violent steam explosion. Other vents and eruption points are underneath Lake Taal.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • Taal is a <\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201ccomplex volcano\u201c<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, which means it doesn\u2019t have one vent or cone but several eruption points that have changed over time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Istanbul Convention<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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Recently, Turkey has pulled out of Istanbul Convention on violence against women.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About Convention<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Established by the Council of Europe.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • A human rights treaty.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Aim:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
      \n
    • To prevent and prosecute all forms of violence against women,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • promote gender equality and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • ensure protection and rehabilitation of women who are victims of violence.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • The treaty was opened for ratification in May 2011.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • From the European Union, 34 countries signed this treaty.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Convention & Turkey<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • On November 24, 2011, Turkey became the first country to ratify the Istanbul convention.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • On March 8, 2012, it incorporated the Istanbul Convention into domestic law.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Reasons for Turkey\u2019s withdrawal:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n
            \n
          • Demeans traditional family structure,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Promotes divorces and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Encourages acceptance of LGBTQ in the society.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • Turkey\u2019s controversial exit from the Istanbul Convention has received severe criticism from various quarters and has led to protests across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

National Doctors\u2019 Day is celebrated on 1 July in India in honour of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy.<\/span><\/span><\/span>About<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Early Life:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Born on 1 July 1882 in Bihar\u2019s Patna, he studied mathematics at Patna College and then medicine at Calcutta Medical College.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Role Pre Independence:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • He joined Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s <\/span><\/span><\/span>Civil Disobedience movement<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, soon becoming his friend and personal physician.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • He entered politics in 1925. He ran for elections from the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Barrackpore Constituency<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> as an independent candidate for the Bengal Legislative Council and defeated the <\/span><\/span><\/span>“Grand Old Man of Bengal<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>,”<\/span><\/span><\/span> Surendranath Banerjee<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • He was credited for the creation of two prestigious medical institutions in the country, the Indian Medical Association in 1928 and the Medical Council of India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      After Independence:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • After independence, Roy became Governor of Uttar Pradesh and a year later, in 1948, the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • The Government of India honoured him with the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Bharat Ratna<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span><\/span>India’s highest civilian award<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, on February 4, 1961<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • The <\/span><\/span><\/span>B.C. Roy National Award<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> was instituted in 1976 for work in the area of medicine, politics, science, philosophy, literature and arts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • Books Dedicated to him:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> Dr. Bidhan Chandra Ray: A jewel of India by Asoke K Bagchi, B. C Roy, the true Gandhian by S Gajrani, Dr B. C Roy by K P Thomas, My years with Dr B C Roy by Saroj Chakrabarthy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • He was the founder and chairman of the <\/span><\/span><\/span>United Press of India.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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LEAF Coalition<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

LEAF (Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance) Coalition was announced at the Leaders Summit on Climate, 2021.<\/span><\/span><\/span>About<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • LEAF coalition will be one of the largest ever public-private efforts to protect tropical forests and intend to mobilize at least USD 1 billion in financing to countries committed to protecting their tropical forests.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    LEAF Coalition<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • It is a collective effort of the United States, United Kingdom and Norway governments.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • Aim:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> To mobilize at least $1 billion in financing the largest ever public-private efforts to protect tropical forests that will benefit billions of people depending on them, and to support sustainable development.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Significance<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Tropical forests are massive carbon sinks and by investing in their protection will help in achieving <\/span><\/span><\/span>Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • It is a step towards achieving the aims and objectives of the <\/span><\/span><\/span>Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • It aims to achieve climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • It monetises the value of carbon locked up in the tropical forests of most developing countries, thereby propelling these countries to help mitigate climate change.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • REDD+ was created by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Tropical Forests<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Tropical forests are closed-canopy forests growing within 28 degrees north or south of the equator.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • They are very wet places, receiving more than 200 cm of rainfall per year, either seasonally or throughout the year. Temperatures are uniformly high – between 20\u00b0C and 35\u00b0C.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Such forests are found in Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico and many of the Pacific Islands.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Rapid urbanisation and commercialisation of forest products are the main causes behind rampant deforestation across tropical forests.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Policymakers around the world have emphasised the role of indigenous tribes and local communities in checking deforestation.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Indian Efforts<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            The<\/span><\/span><\/span> Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006<\/span><\/span><\/span> is in the right direction in regards to this.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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ZyCoV-D Vaccine<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

Zydus Cadila has applied to<\/span><\/span><\/span> Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span>, the national drugs regulator, seeking <\/span><\/span><\/span>emergency use authorisation (EUA)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> for ZyCov-D.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • If approved by the regulator, ZyCov-D will be the <\/span><\/span><\/span>world\u2019s first DNA vaccine<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> against infection with SARS-CoV-2.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    About ZyCov-D vaccine<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • ZyCov-D is a <\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201cplasmid DNA\u201d vaccine<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span> \u2014 or a vaccine that uses a genetically engineered, non-replicating version of a type of DNA molecule known as a \u2018plasmid\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • The plasmids, in this case, are coded with the instructions to make the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • Vaccination gives the code to cells in the recipient\u2019s body, so they can begin making the spiky outer layer of the virus.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • The immune system is expected to recognize this as a threat and develop antibodies in response.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Different from other vaccines<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • ZyCov-D by contrast will be given in three doses, with an interval of 28 days between the first and second and second and third shots.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • No needle is used instead, a spring-powered device delivers the shot as a narrow, precise stream of fluid that penetrates the skin.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Effectiveness of vaccine<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Two doses of the vaccine seem to be enough to prevent people from developing severe symptoms of Covid-19 and to prevent death, while three doses keep even moderate symptoms at bay.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Concerns<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Some safety concerns have been raised about DNA vaccines, including their potential, theoretically, to integrate into cellular DNA or cause auto-immune diseases.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Facts in News Short Span Bridging System (SSBS) SSBS-10 m is being inducted into the Indian Army. About Designed and developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in association with M\/s L&T Ltd. Plays a crucial role in bridging the gaps up to 9.5 m. Acts as a single span providing a 4 m […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[76],"class_list":["post-11922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-gs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11922"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55570,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11922\/revisions\/55570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}