President Droupadi Murmu held extensive discussions with her Timor-Leste counterpart Jose Ramos-Horta on enhancing bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
President Droupadi Murmu reached Timor-Leste, on the last leg of her three-nation visit, after concluding her visit to New Zealand and Fiji.
She was accorded a ceremonial reception and guard of honour in the Presidential Palace, Dili.
About Timor Leste or East Timor:
It is an island country in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands, at the southern extreme of the Malay Archipelago.
Dili is the capital and largest city.
It is bounded by the Timor Sea to the southeast, the Wetar Strait to the north, the Ombai Strait to the northwest, and western Timor (part of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara) to the southwest.
Malay Archipelago:
It is the archipelago between Mainland Southeast Asia and Australia
It is situated between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
It comprises over 25,000 islands and islets.
It is the largest archipelago by area and fifth by number of islands in the world.
It includes Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia (specifically East Malaysia), Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.
2.Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV)
Why in the news?
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda, in response to questions in the Lok Sabha, said the government was actively considering the launch of the HPV vaccination programme as recommended by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group.
The HPV vaccination is aimed at preventing cases of cervical cancer.
About Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV):
It is a group of more than 200 related viruses, of which more than 40 are spread through direct sexual contact.
Among these, two HPV types cause genital warts, and about a dozen HPV types can cause certain types of cancer.
More than 95% of cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus.
Transmission:
It is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) globally.
It also spreads through skin-to-skin contact.
Once infected, most people do not develop any symptoms, thereby not being aware that they have the virus.
Most of the time, the body can find and clear out HPV. But if the virus stays in the body for a long time, it can cause cancer.
Getting vaccinated against HPV helps prevent cancer in men and women.
HPV Vaccination:
The HPV vaccine is a series of shots that can protect you from an HPV infection.
It prevents HPV infections that can progress to cancer or genital warts.
It is more efficacious if given between the age group of 9-26 years.
Once a person gets HPV, the vaccine may not be as effective.
The HPV vaccine isn't given during pregnancy.
Cervical Cancer:
It starts in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus.
Causes
Various strains of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection which can affect the skin, genital area and throat.
3.Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
Why in the news?
India and Maldives have signed an agreement to introduce the Unified Payments Interface in the archipelago nation, which will have a positive impact on its tourism sector.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during Jaishankar's three-day official visit to the Maldives.
About Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
It is a digital and real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
It was launched on April 11, 2016.
It is designed to enable peer-to-peer inter-bank transfers through a single two-click factor authentication process.
Unlike traditional methods, UPI simplifies transfers using the recipient's UPI ID, be it a mobile number, QR code, or Virtual Payment Address, eliminating account numbers.
It eliminates the need to enter bank details or other sensitive information each time a customer initiates a transaction.
A consistent UPI transaction PIN across apps enhances cross-operability, enabling 24/7 transactions.
It operates as a digital public infrastructure, allowing seamless interactions for all players, including merchants and customers, without transaction costs.
It uses technologies like the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) and the Aadhaar-Enabled Payment System (AEPS) to ensure that payments between accounts go smoothly.
It facilitates push (pay) and pull (receive) transactions and even works for over-the-counter or barcode payments, as well as for multiple recurring payments such as utility bills, school fees, and other subscriptions.
It also works with "Peer-to-Peer" requests, which can be scheduled and paid for based on need and convenience.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
It is an umbrella organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
It is an initiative of the RBI and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, to create a robust Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India.
The ten main promoter banks of NPCI are Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank Limited, Bank of India, HSBC, Citibank, and HDFC Bank Limited.
It has been incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Company with an intention to provide infrastructure to the entire banking system in India for physical as well as electronic payment and settlement systems.
It is focused on bringing innovations to retail payment systems through the use of technology to achieve greater efficiency in operations and widen the reach of payment.
The regulatory board of the NPCI, headquartered in Mumbai, includes nominees from the RBI along with nominees from ten core promoter banks.
Immediate Payment Service (IMPS):
It is a mode of money transfer from one bank account to another in the Indian banking system.
It enabled 24x7x365 real-time, interbank, electronic money transfers when there was only NEFT and RTGS facilities available in India.
Citizens could access the facility through multiple channels, such as mobile phone, ATM, the internet, and SMS.
4.Sea Lions
Why in the news?
Researchers in Australia used sea lions equipped with cameras and trackers to explore the ocean floor, capturing footage of marine life and mapping habitats.
Eight female sea lions from two colonies recorded 90 hours of footage, covering over 500 kilometers.
This innovative approach helps scientists understand sea lion behavior and habitats while minimizing human intervention in ecosystems.
About Sea Lions:
These are marine mammals that belong to the family Otariidae.
These are known for their semi-aquatic lifestyle, spending a significant amount of time both on land and in the water.
They have a streamlined body with a large head and a long, flexible neck.
They typically have a brown or tan coat, and adult males develop a thick mane of hair around their necks.
They inhabit rocky shorelines, islands, and sandy beaches.
They can be found in various regions, including the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
They are carnivorous and primarily feed on fish, such as herring, anchovies, sardines, and squid.
Currently, there are six subspecies of sea lions:
Australian sea lions
California sea lions
Galapagos sea lions
New Zealand sea lions
South American sea lions
Steller sea lions
Mammals:
These are a diverse group of animals that belong to the class Mammalia.
They are characterized by several key features like having mammary glands, hair or fur covering their bodies and most mammals give birth to live young, as opposed to laying eggs.
5.Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Why in the news?
Along with cases of viral fevers including dengue which are rising in the city, there is another disease that is doing rounds currently i.e. hand, foot and mouth disease, a highly contagious but relatively innocuous disease.
It is a routine disease seen every year around this time but it is quite painful for children and requires isolation and special care.
About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease:
It is a viral infection common in young children that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and diaper area.
It can affect people of all ages, but it usually occurs in children under age 5.
It is caused by viruses from the non-polio Enterovirus genus.
These viruses can spread from person to person through direct contact with unwashed hands or surfaces contaminated with faeces.
These viruses can also be transmitted through contact with a person’s saliva, stool, or respiratory secretions.
Its symptoms include:
Fever
Sore throat
Feeling sick
Painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks
Rash on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks. The rash is not itchy, but sometimes it has blisters
Fussiness in infants and toddlers
Loss of appetite
In most cases, the infection will go away without treatment in 7 to 10 days.
Doctors may recommend certain treatments to help ease symptoms until the disease has run its course. These can include:
Prescription or over-the-counter topical ointments to soothe blisters and rashes
Pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve headaches
Medicated syrups or lozenges to ease painful sore throats
Children shouldn’t be given aspirin to children for viral infections as it can lead to Reye’s syndrome in children.
Reye's syndrome
A child's blood sugar level typically drops while the levels of ammonia and acidity in his or her blood rise.
The liver may swell and develop fatty deposits.
Swelling may also occur in the brain, which can cause seizures, convulsions or loss of consciousness.
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