Researchers from IIT Madras and NASA are studying multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens, particularly Enterobacter bugandensis, on the International Space Station (ISS). 

• It is a prevalent nosocomial (hospital acquired infection) pathogen found on surface within ISS. 
• Enterobacter species are on the WHO priority list for developing new antimicrobials.

Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Pathogens

• Pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites, etc. that causes disease) that have become resistant to antimicrobial drugs like antibiotics, antifungal etc. 
• They occur either naturally through genetic changes or may get accelerated due to the misuse or overuse of antimicrobials. 

In a recent joint statement, BRICS Ministers for Foreign Affairs emphasized the need to discuss a legal multilateral instrument on PAROS.

About PAROS Treaty

• In 2008, draft treaty submitted to the Conference on Disarmament aims to refrain State Parties from placing objects carrying any type of weapon into orbit, installing weapons on celestial bodies, and threatening to use force against objects in outer space.
• It would complement and reaffirm the importance of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

Research has found that Snow leopards also eat plants despite being carnivorous. 

About Snow Leopards

• Habitat: Inhabits mountains of Central and South Asia with 12 snow leopard range countries including India.
  • Currently, there are around 718 snow leopards in India. 
  • Their distribution coincides closely with distribution of their principal prey, ibex and blue sheep (bharal).
• Snow leopard is the state animal of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
• Characteristics: Have short forelimbs and long hind limbs for traversing in rugged mountainous environments.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I 

High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera onboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) captured images of a mysterious pit on the side of an ancient volcano on Mars.

About MRO

• Launched in 2005, it is the second longest-lived spacecraft to orbit Mars.
• Objective: To gain better knowledge of distribution and history of water on Mars.
• It’s telecommunications systems provide a crucial service for Martian spacecraft, serving as the first link in a communications bridge back to Earth.

Quality Council of India (QCI) celebrates World Accreditation Day, a global initiative to promote the value of accreditation (formal recognition of meeting established quality standards). 

About QCI

• QCI is a non-profit organization registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. 
• It was established as a National body for Accreditation in 1996.
• QCI was set up through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model as an independent autonomous organization.
• The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion designated as the nodal point for all matters connected with quality and QCI.

Heatwave events have reopened discussions on inclusion of heatwave as notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.

About Notified Disasters

• DM Act 2005 provides for allocation and utilization of resources from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
  • Money in these funds can be utilized only for response and management of notified disasters. 
• Presently, there are 12 Notified Disasters including Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloud burst, pest attack, frost & cold wave.
  • In 2020, government treated Covid-19 as notified disaster as a special one-time dispensation.

Bilateral Japan – India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) 2024 commenced at Yokosuka in Japan.

• This is the eighth edition, since its inception in 2012.

Indian Army launched Vidyut Rakshak Monitoring System as part of its modernisation drive.

About Vidyut Rakshak

• Vidyut Rakshak is an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled integrated generator monitoring, protection and control system.
  • IoT is a network of interrelated devices that connect and exchange data with other IoT devices and the cloud.
• Indigenously developed by the Army Design Bureau (ADB).
• It integrates and automates operation of multiple generators from a single system remotely