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1. The civil war in Sudan, reignited by recent offensives between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), stems from a power struggle between SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). Rooted in historical conflicts, including two major civil wars and the genocide in Darfur, the situation worsened after the 2019 overthrow of Omar al-Bashir. Ongoing ethnic tensions, foreign interference, and a continuous flow of weapons exacerbate the conflict, undermining peace efforts like the 2022 transitional agreement and failed ceasefire negotiations.
2. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Their research on the roundworm C. elegans revealed how the lin-4 microRNA suppresses the gene lin-14, impacting developmental timing. MicroRNAs are crucial for regulating protein production, and abnormalities in their function are linked to diseases like cancer. While current clinical applications are limited, ongoing research holds significant potential for future medical advancements.
3. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized India for eliminating Trachoma as a public health issue. Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, can lead to irreversible blindness if untreated and is categorized as a neglected tropical disease. Historically a major cause of blindness in India, efforts began with the National Trachoma Control Program in 1963. Through the National Program for Control of Blindness and the WHO SAFE strategy, Trachoma's impact reduced from 5% to less than 1%. India was declared free from infective Trachoma in 2017, with ongoing surveillance confirming its elimination as a public health problem.
4. The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities organized a National Meet for World Cerebral Palsy Day (WCPD) on October 6. WCPD, initiated in 2012, unites individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) globally to advocate for equal rights and opportunities. The 2024 theme, “Uniquely CP,” highlights that disability does not define a person's identity. CP, the most common childhood motor disability, mainly arises from congenital causes, while acquired cases are less frequent. Although there is no cure, treatments can improve symptoms and quality of life. The National Trust aims to create an inclusive society for Persons with Disabilities.
5. Recently, Morocco experienced an unusual deluge of rainfall that flooded its palm trees and sand dunes, attributed to the northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This shift led to equatorial-like downpours in the Sahara, triggered by a powerful extratropical cyclone sweeping through northwestern Africa. Such cyclones develop outside the tropics and can bring significant rainfall. The repositioning of the ITCZ may be linked to record-high ocean temperatures and climate change. The Sahara, the world's largest hot desert, spans approximately 4,800 km in length and occupies about 31% of Africa, covering 11 North African nations.