Todays in History (December 19th, 1927)

• On this day, revolutionary freedom fighters Ram Prasad ‘Bismil’, Ashfaqulla Khan and Thakur Roshan Singhwere hanged to death by the British government for their involvement in the Kakori train robbery case.

Summary of Today’s News

India Hosted Anti-Terrorism Meeting of SCO

• India’s National Security Council Secretariat held meeting with Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)

What is Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure-SCO?

• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) headquartered in Tashkent.

• “SCO-RATS” is a permanent body of the Sanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
• It is promoting coordination and interaction between the SCO member states as per as the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism are concern.
• The main functions of SCO-RATS are information sharing.

U.S. approved First CRISPR based Gene Therapies to Treat Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

• Casgevy and Lyfgenia, first cell-based gene therapies, have been approved for treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in patients 12 years of age and older.
  • SCD (inherited blood disorder that can be debilitating and lead to premature death)
• Casgevy is also approved by UK to treat both SCD and beta thalassemia (inherited blood disorder that reduces production of hemoglobin).
  • beta thalassemia (inherited blood disorder that reduces production of hemoglobin)
• CRISPR-Cas9 is used to modify gene function, to change genetic code or edit DNA at particular locations.

Kakrapar-4 nuclear reactor attains criticality

• Criticality is a condition in nuclear reactor operations where the number of neutrons produced by fission reactions is sufficient to sustain a self-sustaining chain reaction.
• Kakrapar (located in Gujarat) is the largest indigenous nuclear power reactor

Akash Weapon System (AWS)

• During Air Force Exercise Astrashakti-2023, India became the first country to demonstrate engaging four aerial targets simultaneously at 25 km range using single firing unit.

Vijay Diwas

• Vijay Diwas or Victory Day is commemorated on December 16, marking the end of the 1971 Indo-Pak War and the liberation of Bangladesh.
• On 16 December 1971, around 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army in Dhaka.
• Before 1971, Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan, which was known as ‘East Pakistan’.