Today in History (October 23rd, 1906)
Gertrude Ederle, the American swimmer, was born on October 23, 1906. She is best known for her historic achievement in 1926 when she became the first woman to successfully swim across the English Channel. Ederle was not only a pioneer in women’s swimming but also one of the most prominent American sports figures of the 1920s.
Summary of Today’s News
How bat genomes provide insights into immunity and cancer
Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight and possess relatively long lifespans and exceptional resistance to diseases, including cancer. They have gained notoriety as reservoir hosts for deadly viruses, including coronaviruses, Nipah, and Ebola. Scientists have delved into bat genomes to uncover their distinct immune systems, with unique genes and interferon-related responses that protect them from clinical diseases caused by these viruses.
Canada’s actions are in violation of Vienna Convention, says Jaishankar
Canada’s recent withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India, along with the suspension of walk-in services at its consulates in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh, has raised concerns about the safety and security of Indian diplomats in Canada. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the significance of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, stating that the inability of Canada to ensure safety and security for Indian diplomats challenges a fundamental aspect of this convention.
Army to start phasing out Cheetah, Chetak helicopters from 2027Top of Form
The Indian Army is set to phase out its aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters starting in 2027 upon completion of their total technical life. The plan is to replace them with indigenous Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs). Efforts to replace the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters have been ongoing for more than a decade.
Two experiments conducted by ISRO paved way for Gaganyaan Test Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone in its quest to launch humans into orbit with the Test Vehicle Abort Mission (TV-D1) flight. During this test, an unmanned crew module was launched on a small rocket, simulating an emergency abort command and safely returning the module to Earth. This is a crucial step for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send humans into orbit.
