Virtual Touch

• Delhi High Court has said that minors should be taught about 'virtual touch' to recognize the dangers related to cyberspace.

About Virtual Touch:

• Educating about 'virtual touch' means teaching appropriate online behavior,
• Recognizing warning signs associated with online exploiters or violent behavior
• This includes understanding privacy settings and limits on online engagement.
• It promotes thinking skills, such as the ability to weigh the pros and cons of online interactions.
• Just like good and bad touch in the physical world, it is important for minors to be familiar with virtual touch in today's digital age.
• Schools should include virtual touch and its associated dangers in their curriculum.

West Nile Virus (WNV)

• Recently cases of West Nile fever have been reported in Kerala. West Nile fever is caused by West Nile virus.
• It is usually spread between people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

About West Nile Virus:

• First case: The virus was first identified in 1937 in the West Nile district of Uganda. Therefore, this virus was named West Nile virus.
• Virus Family: It belongs to the Flavivirus genus.
• Vector: The infection is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, especially mosquitoes of the genus Culex.
• Natural host: Birds.
• Health hazards: It can cause serious nerve damage and in many cases even lead to death. However, about 80% of infected individuals show no early symptoms.
• Vaccination: There are vaccines available for horses infected with this virus, but no vaccine has been made for humans.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) releases World Migration Report, 2024

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launches the World Migration Report 2024, revealing significant changes in global migration patterns, including record numbers of displaced people and a large increase in international remittances.
• IOM Director-General Amy Pope formally released the report in Bangladesh, which is at the forefront of migration challenges including emigration, immigration and displacement.

Highlights of the Report:

• The main causes of displacement around the world are conflict and climate change.
• The total number of international migrants is approximately 281 million. Of these, 117 million are displaced, which is an all-time high record.
• Migrant remittances surpass foreign direct investment in boosting the GDP of developing countries.

India's position in the Report:

• In India, climatic conditions have played a major role in internal migration in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
• Indians (18 million) have the largest international migrant population in the world.
• The Indian diaspora mainly lives in the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
• In 2022, India had received the highest remittance of more than 111 billion US dollars in the world.
• India is the first country to cross the remittance receipts mark of US$ 100 billion.

Problems faced by Migrants:

• The means and routes of migration are less available for people from less developed countries. Because of this, more people are being forced to adopt illegal migration routes.
• Migrants face racism, xenophobia, criminalization, gender violence and many other human rights violations in the new country.

About the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

• Origin: Established in 1951. It is included in the United Nations system.
• Headquarters: Geneva (Switzerland).
• Members: 175 member countries.
• Objective: To solve the problems related to displacement and to ease the way for regular migration.
• Key Initiatives: Global Compact for Migration etc.

Gagan Strike-II: Indian Army, Air Force conduct joint exercise in Punjab

• The Gagan Strike-2 exercise session was organized under the aegis of the Western Command of the Indian Army. Army and Air Force participated in it.
• Its main objective was to create coordination between the Army on the ground and the Air Force in the sky during the war.
• This was done as a practice to refine procedures and validate operation of attack helicopters in support of mechanized operations in developed areas.

About Apache Helicopters:

• The Apache Helicopter is a four-bladed, twin-engine helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) for the United States Army.
• First flown in 1975 and introduced in 1986, it is designed for all-season and night operation.

Thailand extends visa-free entry period for Indian, Taiwanese Tourists

• Thailand recently extended the visa waiver initiative for tourists from India and Taiwan, which is now effective till November 11, 2024.
• Under the scheme, eligible tourists can now stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa, increasing the previous allowance of only 15 days.

Important tourist attractions in Thailand:

• Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Bangkok): The former residence of the Thai king and the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.
• Wat Arun (Bangkok): Also known as the Temple of the Dawn, this iconic temple is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
• Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak, Amphawa): Traditional Thai market where vendors sell goods from boats on canals.
• Ayutthaya Historical Park: The ruins of the ancient capital of Siam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Phi Phi Islands: A group of picturesque islands in the Andaman Sea, famous for their beaches and limestone cliffs.
• Phuket: Thailand's largest island, known for its beaches, nightlife, and tourist attractions like the large Buddha statue.
• Chiang Mai: A city in northern Thailand famous for its temples, night markets and elephant sanctuaries.
• Sukhothai Historical Park: The ruins of the first capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Khao Yai National Park: Thailand's first national park, known for its diverse wildlife, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

Dry Aral Sea

A recent study showed that the drying up of the Aral Sea has led to the formation of the Aralkam Desert, making Central Asia 7% dustier.

Other facts:

• The Aral Sea, once the world's fourth largest lake, dried up in Soviet Central Asia in the 1960s, leading to serious environmental consequences such as increased dust and pollution. This may result in affecting air quality and changing overall weather patterns and increasing surface air pressure in the Aral region.
• This can increase winter Siberian temperatures and reduce summer Central Asian temperatures.
• The dust could speed up the melting of glaciers, increasing the water crisis in the region.
• The Aral Sea was fed by two great rivers of Central Asia – the Amu Darya (from the Pamir Mountains) and the Syr Darya (from the Tien Shan mountain range).

Other similar examples:

• Lake Urmia in Iran and Lake Hamoun on the Iran-Afghanistan border have also shrunk and become strong local sources of dust.

Thalassemia Day

• Every year 8th May is celebrated as World Thalassemia Day.
• The theme of 2024 is “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassemia Treatment for All.”

History of World Thalassemia Day:

• In the year 1994, World Thalassemia Day was first established by Panos Anglezos, founder of Thalassemia International Federation (TIF).
• Every year since 1994, the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) has organized a variety of activities for International Thalassemia Day.

Thalassemia:

• This is a group of hereditary (genetic) blood disorders that reduce the body's ability to produce hemoglobin, an important protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
• People with thalassemia inherit genes from one or both parents that cause this low production. The severity of the condition depends on the specific type and the number of genes inherited.

There are two main types of Thalassemia:

• Alpha Thalassemia: This type is caused by a deficiency in the production of alpha globin, one of the protein chains that make up hemoglobin.
• Beta Thalassemia: It is caused by homozygous mutation of the beta-globin gene (beta-zero thalassemia), resulting in complete absence of beta chains.

Border Roads Organization (BRO)

• Border Roads Organization (BRO) celebrated its 65th raising day.

About BRO:

Ministry: It works under the Ministry of Defence.

Establishment: It was established in 1960. It was formed for the construction and maintenance of roads in the border areas of India. Its first project was Project Tuskar (new name Vartak) in the eastern region.

Work:

• It has built road infrastructure along the Indian borders as well as in India's neighboring friendly countries (such as Bhutan, Myanmar and Afghanistan).
• Besides, roads have also been constructed in some other states including Bihar, Maharashtra.
• Supports the Indian Army by constructing and maintaining roads in strategic areas (forward zones) in case of national emergency and during war.
• Maintains airfields for the Indian Air Force.

India's first Astrotourism Expedition 'Nakshatra Sabha'

• Recently, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has partnered with Starscapes, a leading astro-tourism company, to launch Nakshatra Sabha, a new initiative to provide an immersive astro-tourism experience to the people.

Other facts:

• Nakshatra Sabha will be organized from June 1 to June 3 at George Everest, Mussoorie (Uttarakhand).
• In this event, a series of Astro Tourism programs will be organized at various places in Uttarakhand.
• The initiative aims to bring together astronomy enthusiasts and travelers to witness the wonders of the universe.
• Nakshatra Sabha will promote activities like star gazing, special solar observations, astrophotography competition.
• Apart from seminars and webinars with experts, dark sky potential sites in Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Chamoli districts will be covered.
• The aim of this campaign is to provide training and skill development opportunities to the local youth and create new employment opportunities.

India and Bhutan 5th Joint Customs Group Meeting

• The 5th Joint Customs Group (JGC) meeting between India and Bhutan was held in Leh, Ladakh from 6-7 May, 2024.

Other facts:

• The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Surjit Bhujbal, Special Secretary and Member, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Government of India and Shri Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance of Bhutan.
• Opening of new land customs stations and notifying new trade routes, development of infrastructure, automation and digitalization of transit processes, prevention of smuggling, coordinated cross border management, pre-arrival exchange of customs data etc. were discussed in this meeting. Issues were discussed.
• India is Bhutan's top trading partner in terms of both imports and exports.
• India's trade with Bhutan currently stands at over $1,615 million, which is about 80% of Bhutan's total trade.