1. Houston Zoo Administers First-Ever mRNA Vaccine to Combat Deadly EEHV in Elephants
Tags: Environment International News
Tess, a 40-year-old Asian elephant at Houston Zoo, received the first-ever dose of an mRNA vaccine to prevent elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) 1A.
An Overview of the News
The vaccine was created by virologists at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM).
Tess was vaccinated on Tuesday, June 18.
Effectiveness will be measured by antibody levels in her blood and monitoring for side effects.
The dosage for Tess was based on studies with mRNA vaccines in horses.
Collaboration and Contributions
The vaccine is the result of a long-term collaboration between the Houston Zoo and Dr. Paul Ling at BCM’s Department of Virology and Microbiology.
Contributors include Jessica Watts, a graduate student in Dr. Ling’s laboratory, and Dr. Jeroen Pollet at Texas Children’s Hospital and the National School of Tropical Medicine at BCM.
Research funded by the Houston Zoo, a private foundation, International Elephant Foundation (IEF), and Colossal Biosciences.
Global Impact
The protocol developed at the Houston Zoo and BCM is utilized globally for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating EEHV.
The collaboration has saved elephant lives worldwide and is essential for the long-term survival of elephant populations.
Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV)
It is also known as Elephantid betaherpesvirus 1 (ElHV-1), is a type of herpesvirus.
EEHV can cause a highly fatal hemorrhagic disease when transmitted to young Asian elephants.
In African elephants, related forms of these viruses are generally benign, sometimes causing small growths or lesions.
Some types of EEHV can cause a highly fatal disease in Asian elephants, with up to 80% mortality in severely affected individuals.
The disease can be treated with the rapid application of antiviral drugs.
Treatment with antiviral drugs has been effective in about a third of cases.
About Houston Zoo
Location: Houston, Texas, United States
Date Opened: September 1922
Size: 55 acres (22 hectares)
Situated Within: Hermann Park
Number of Animals: Over 6,000
Number of Species: More than 900
Annual Visitors: Around 2 million
Ranking: Second most visited zoo in the United States (surpassed only by the San Diego Zoo)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
2. Yaël Braun-Pivet Re-Elected as Speaker of French National Assembly
Tags: Person in news International News
Yaël Braun-Pivet from Emmanuel Macron's centrist party has been re-elected as the speaker of the National Assembly in France with 220 votes.
An Overview of the News
The election was closely contested, with veteran communist lawmaker André Chassaigne receiving 207 votes after three rounds of voting.
The re-election follows recent elections that left no single group with a majority in the lower house of parliament.
The National Assembly, France's influential lower house of parliament, convened to elect a speaker after chaotic snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron resulted in a hung legislature.
National Assembly (France)
The National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) is the lower house of the French Parliament.
It operates under the Fifth Republic.
The upper house is the Senate (Sénat).
Legislators in the National Assembly are known as députés.
"Député" means "delegate" or "envoy." The term is similar to "deputy" in other parliamentary systems.
Founded - 4 October 1958
About France
President: Emmanuel Macron
Prime minister: Gabriel Attal
Capital: Paris
Currency : Euro
3. European Parliament approves Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission
Tags: Person in news International News
The European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second five-year term as President of the European Commission.
An Overview of the News
Von der Leyen received 401 votes in the 720-seat chamber, surpassing the majority required to maintain her position.
In the secret ballot, 284 members voted against her.
Von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament, outlining her priorities for the next five years.
She committed to continuing the European Green Deal, aiming to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
She pledged to reduce emissions by 90 percent by 2040.
Substantial investments in infrastructure and industry, particularly in energy-intensive sectors, were announced.
Von der Leyen also pledged to continue supporting Ukraine.
About Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen
Leyen, born 8 October 1958, is a German politician.
She has been the 13th president of the European Commission since 2019.
Served in Angela Merkel's cabinet from 2005 to 2019, most recently as federal minister of defence.
Member of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the European People's Party (EPP).
Elected as EPP's Spitzenkandidat for the 2024 European Parliament elections on 7 March 2024.
Re-elected to head the Commission in July 2024.
4. Metsola Becomes First Female President to Secure Second Term in European Parliament
Tags: Person in news International News
Roberta Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament on July 16, 2024, for another two and a half years, extending her term until 2027.
An Overview of the News
Metsola became the first woman to win a second term as President of the European Parliament.
Election Details: She secured 562 out of 699 votes, achieving an absolute majority in the first round and defeated Irene Montero, who received 61 votes.
Metsola's Background and Career:
First Election: Elected as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2013, becoming one of Malta's first female MEPs.
Re-elections: Re-elected as MEP in 2014 and 2019.
Vice-Presidency: Became the first Maltese First Vice-President of the European Parliament in November 2020.
Acting President: Served as acting President following the death of David Sassoli on January 11, 2022.
Full Presidency: Elected as President on January 18, 2022, for the second half of the 9th legislative term.
Past Presidents: Third woman to hold the position, following Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).
Metsola's Roles and Contributions:
Committee Work: Served as the EPP Group's Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (2017-2020).
Legislative Contributions: Was the Parliament's rapporteur on the European Border and Coastguard Regulation in 2019.
Journalist Protection: Co-authored a report on protecting journalists in the EU from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.
About European Union (EU)
EU Presidency (July-December 2024): Hungary
European Council President: Charles Michel (until December 2024)
European Commission President: Ursula von der Leyen
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
5. India and Marshall Islands Strengthen Ties with MoU on Community Projects
Tags: International News
On July 15, 2024, India and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) signed an MoU at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, Japan.
An Overview of the News
The agreement is part of India's strategic Pacific outreach efforts.
It aims to strengthen bilateral ties under the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).
Key Signatories and Attendees:
Signatories included Kalani R. Kaneko, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of RMI, and Sibi George, India's Ambassador to Japan and RMI.
RMI President Dr. Hilda C. Heine was present during the signing.
The RMI delegation included officials like Alexander Carter Bing and Isabela Silk, while Indian officials included Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
Focus Areas and Projects:
The MoU covers four Community Development Projects (CDPs) in RMI.
Projects include a community sports center in Ailuk Atoll, an airport terminal on Mejit Island, and community centers at Arno and Wotje Atolls.
Focus areas of cooperation include healthcare, affordable medicines, education, capacity building, renewable energy, and clean water facilities.
About Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands are a vast archipelago of volcanic islands and coral atolls located in the central Pacific Ocean, situated between Hawaii and the Philippines.
Bikini Atoll, in the northwest, once used as a ship graveyard post-World War II, is now renowned as a popular site for wreck diving.
Majuro Atoll, the capital and largest settlement of the islands, is located nearby.
Kalalin Pass, near Majuro Atoll, features a vibrant coral reef teeming with diverse marine life.
Capital - Majuro
Currency - United States Dollar
Continent - Oceania
Official languages - Marshallese, English
6. Bangladesh Joins Colombo Security Conclave as 5th Full Member
Tags: International News
Bangladesh officially became the 5th full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), joining India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Maldives.
An Overview of the News
The announcement was made during the 8th Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) meeting of the CSC, hosted virtually by Mauritius on July 10, 2024.
Seychelles participated as an Observer state.
Historical Context:
Mauritius became the 4th member of the CSC during the 5th meeting held in Male, Maldives, in March 2022.
The 6th NSA-level meeting was held in Mauritius in December 2023.
Key Dignitaries:
India: Represented by Pankaj Kumar, Deputy National Security Adviser (Internal Affairs).
Bangladesh: Represented by Lt. General Mizanur Rahman Shameem, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division, Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Maldives: Represented by Major General (Retired) Hamid Shafeeg, DNSA.
Mauritius: Represented by Yoidhisteer Thecka, Principal Coordinator Security Matter in PMO.
Sri Lanka: Represented by General LHSC Silva, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Secretariat of the CSC: Represented by Acting Secretary Commodore AD Weerasinghe.
Seychelles: Delegation led by Lt. Colonel Michael Hollanda, Commander of Land Force, Seychelles Defence Forces.
Future Meetings:
The 7th National Security Adviser (NSA)-level meeting of the CSC will be hosted by India in 2025.
Review of Previous Decisions:
Member nations reviewed decisions from the 7th DNSA level meeting hosted virtually by the Maldives on July 12, 2023, and the 6th NSA-level meeting.
Progress of activities under the Roadmap of Activities for 2023-24 of the CSC was also reviewed.
About CSC:-
Established: 2011 as a trilateral maritime security group (India, Sri Lanka, Maldives).
Renamed: 2020 as Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) to expand maritime cooperation.
Aim: Promote regional cooperation and shared security for littoral nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Secretariat: Established in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2021.
About Bangladesh:-
Capital: Dhaka
Official Language: Bengali
Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
Borders: India, Myanmar
National Day: 26th March
National Symbols: Shapla (water lily), Royal Bengal tiger
National Anthem: Amar Sonar Bangla (‘My Golden Bengal’)
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
President: Mohammad Shahabuddin
7. KP Sharma Oli sworn in as Nepal PM
Tags: Person in news International News
KP Sharma Oli took oath as Nepal PM on 14 July.
An Overview of the News
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Shital Niwas, the main building of Rashtrapati Bhavan in Kathmandu at 10:45 am IST.
A group of ministers were also inducted into the Cabinet along with Oli.
Oli was appointed PM for the third time to lead the new coalition government.
He will replace Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who lost the trust vote in the House of Representatives on 12 July.
Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Oli from the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML)-Nepali Congress (NC) alliance as the new PM.
Oli presented the signatures of 165 members of the House of Representatives - 77 of which were from his party and 88 from the NC.
About Nepal
The kingdom of Nepal was established by the Shah dynasty.
It is a landlocked country in South Asia.
President - Ram Chandra Paudel
Capital - Kathmandu
Currency - Nepalese Rupee
8. India-UAE Strengthen Defense Ties in 12th Joint Committee Meeting in Abu Dhabi
Tags: International News
The 12th India-UAE Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting took place in Abu Dhabi on July 9, aiming to enhance defense relations.
An Overview of the News
The Indian delegation, led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, met with UAE counterparts led by Brigadier General Staff Jamal Ebrahim Mohamed Almazrooqi.
Discussions included training cooperation, joint military exercises, defense industrial partnerships, and research and development initiatives.
Both sides emphasized exchanging subject matter experts to benefit from shared knowledge and experience.
Maritime security and other regional security concerns were key topics of discussion.
Separate staff talks between the navies and armies focused on enhancing operational synergies.
Bilateral Engagements
Joint Secretary Prasad engaged in bilateral discussions with UAE officials, including Ali Abdulla Al Ahmed and the CEO of Tawazun Economic Council.
The meeting aimed to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2006, contributing to stability in the Middle East and South Asia.
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Location: It is located in Western Asia.
Geographical Boundaries: It shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Maritime Borders: It also has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in the UAE, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslim.
Capital - Abu Dhabi
Official language - Arabic
Government - Federal Islamic parliamentary elective semi-constitutional monarchy
President/Crown Prince - Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
India-UAE Relations:- |
Diplomatic Relations: India and the UAE established diplomatic ties in 1972, which were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2015 and further strengthened with a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2017. These milestones marked deeper cooperation in various sectors. Economic Relations: Bilateral trade between India and the UAE soared to USD 85 billion in 2022-23, making the UAE India's third-largest trading partner and a significant export destination. Both countries aim to enhance this further, with targets set for merchandise and services trade. Cultural Exchange: With over 3.3 million Indians residing in the UAE, cultural ties are robust. Indian cinema, music, and cultural festivals are popular in the UAE, fostering mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. Technological Collaboration: The introduction of the RuPay card in the UAE and the establishment of a Rupee-Dirham settlement system illustrate advancing fintech collaboration, enhancing ease of transactions and financial connectivity between the two nations. Strategic Partnerships: Beyond economic and cultural ties, India and the UAE collaborate strategically on regional issues and initiatives like energy security and economic corridors, demonstrating shared interests and mutual support in regional stability and development. |
9. Dubai Hosts 4th India-GCC Food and Beverage Meet
Tags: International News
Dubai hosts the fourth edition of the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Buyers Sellers Meet on Food and Beverages.
An Overview of the News
The event brings together key players from the food and beverage industry across India and GCC countries.
Organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India, it aims to boost trade relations and showcase innovative Indian products to the GCC market.
Thirty-six Indian companies and 170 buyers from GCC countries are participating.
The meet serves as a crucial platform for Indian exporters to display their diverse product range and forge valuable business connections.
Leading regional retailers such as LuLu Group, Choithrams, and Nesto are among the prominent participants.
Highlights
K. Kalimuthu, Consul (Trade and Commerce) at CGI Dubai, highlighted the growing trade relations between India and the UAE.
He noted that bilateral trade reached over $85 billion last year.
Kalimuthu emphasized the potential for growth in the processed food segment, stating that nearly two-thirds of UAE’s imports from India come from fresh items like rice, wheat, meat, fresh vegetables, and special foods, while only one-third comes from processed and packaged foods.
About GCC
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (Gulf Cooperation Council)
Regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union
Members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Founders: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman
Founded: 25 May 1981, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Location: It is located in Western Asia.
Geographical Boundaries: It shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Maritime Borders: It also has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in the UAE, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslim.
Capital - Abu Dhabi
Official language - Arabic
Government - Federal Islamic parliamentary elective semi-constitutional monarchy
President/Crown Prince - Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Important facts about UAE
Rivers: No rivers in the UAE
AI Minister: First country to appoint a minister for artificial intelligence
National Animal: Arabian Oryx
Tallest Hotels: Six of the world’s tallest hotels are in the UAE
Government: Absolute monarchy
Royal Families: Each emirate is ruled by a separate royal family
National Symbol: Falcon
Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain
Religion: Muslims 76%, Christians 19%
Currency: Dirhams
National Day: 2 December
10. Sanath Jayasuriya Appointed Interim Head Coach of Sri Lanka Men's Cricket Team
Tags: Person in news International News
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as the interim head coach of the men’s national team.
An Overview of the News
Jayasuriya will hold the position until the completion of the upcoming tour of England.
Sanath Jayasuriya steps in to replace Chris Silverwood, who resigned following Sri Lanka's disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The team finished third in Group D, managing only one win in four games during the T20 World Cup.
Jayasuriya's Background
Prior to the T20 World Cup, Jayasuriya was part of Sri Lanka's contingent as a Cricket Consultant.
He has previously served Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as a selector.
Jayasuriya currently holds the role of full-time Cricket Consultant for SLC.
Sanath Jayasuriya has played 586 matches for Sri Lanka across all formats.
He accumulated an impressive 21,032 runs and took 440 wickets in his career.
Chris Silverwood's Tenure
Chris Silverwood’s coaching tenure included a T20 Asia Cup triumph in 2022.
Under Silverwood, Sri Lanka also secured a runner-up position in the 50-over Asia Cup in 2023.
The team achieved several victories in bilateral series during his tenure.
Upcoming England Tour
Sri Lanka will travel to England for a three-match Test series.
The first Test will be played in Manchester, starting on 21 August.
The second and third Tests will be held in London, at Lord's and The Oval respectively.
