Zardoszi, CAATSA, USA’s Withdrawal from WHO, Golden Birdwing, CogX Awards and etc.
UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 08-07-2020
Zardoszi
- Zardozi work is a type of embroidery predominant in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- It is a type of heavy and elaborate metal embroidery on a silk, satin, or velvet fabric base.
- It was patronized by the Mughals that involves weaving metallic threads.
- Designs are often created using gold and silver threads and can incorporate pearls, beads, and precious stones.
- However, in recent times craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and silk thread.
- It is used as decoration for a wide range of applications, including clothes, household textiles, and animal trappings.
- Historically, it was used to adorn the walls of royal tents, scabbards, wall hangings and the paraphernalia of regal elephants and horses.
CAATSA
- Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), aims at taking punitive measures against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
- It was passed in the backdrop of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.
- It primarily deals with sanctions on the Russian oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions.
- It empowers the US President to impose at least 5 of 12 listed sanctions enumerated in Section 235 on persons engaged in a “significant transaction” with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors.
- If implemented stringently, it would impact Indian defence procurement from Russia.
- It would also affect purchase of spares, components, raw materials and other assistance.
- The bulk of India’s military equipment is of Soviet/Russian origin including the nuclear submarine
- INS Chakra,
- Kilo-class conventional submarine,
- Supersonic Brahmos cruise missile,
- MiG and Sukhoi fighters,
- Mi helicopters,
- Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
USA’s Withdrawal from WHO
- USA administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
- Although the pullout won’t take effect until next year, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration if circumstances change.
- The measure has been taken after USA’s disappointment with WHO’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and accused of bowing to Chinese influence.
- Under the terms of the withdrawal, the U.S. must meet its financial obligations to the WHO before it can be finalized.
- The U.S., which is the agency’s largest donor and provides it with more than $400 million per year, currently owes the WHO some $200 million in current and past dues.
WHO
- It is an UN agency responsible for global public health.
- It was founded in 1948 and based in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It aims to "promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable"
- It involves in vaccination campaigns, health emergencies and supporting countries in primary care
- Funded by a combination of members' fees based on wealth and population and voluntary contributions.
Golden Birdwing
- A Himalayan butterfly named Golden Birdwing is India’s largest butterfly with a wingspan of 194mm.
- The hitherto largest Indian butterfly was Southern Birdwing, recorded by Brigadier Evans in 1932.
- The female Golden Birdwing was recorded from Didihat in Uttarakhand, the largest male was from the Wankhar Butterfly Museum in Shillong.
- The female of the species golden birdwing is marginally larger than Southern Birdwing (190mm).
- But the male golden birdwing is much smaller (106 mm).
- Wingspan of a butterfly is measured from the center of the thorax to the tip of the forewing apex and then double the result.
- The smallest butterfly is the Quaker (Neopithecops zalmora) with a wingspan of 18 mm.
CogX Awards
- CogX is a prestigious Global Leadership Summit and Festival of AI and Emerging Technology held annually in London.
- The awards are given out to the best-of-the-best in AI and emerging technologies across the world.
- MyGov is the world’s largest citizen engagement platform.
- It facilitates two-ways communication between the Government and Citizen and facilitates participatory governance in India.
- MyGov, JioHaptik Technologies Limited and WhatsApp team collaborated to develop AI enabled MyGov Corona Helpdesk.
- AI enabled MyGov Corona Helpdesk bagged two awards under categories of Best Innovation for Covid-19 - Society and People’s Choice Covid-19 Overall Winner.
Source: The Hindu, AIR
