Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 30 Jun 2023
- 4 min read
Banking on World Heritage: G-20 Currency Exhibition
India is hosting the "Banking on World Heritage" exhibition, showcasing currency notes from G-20 countries featuring UNESCO world heritage sites. The exhibition, held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, highlights the cultural significance of currency. It features Indian currency notes, including the ₹10 note with the Sun Temple, the ₹20 note with the Ellora caves, the ₹500 note with the Red Fort, and two ₹100 notes depicting the Kanchenjunga mountains and Gujarat's "Rani Ki Vav" stepwell. The event emphasizes that each currency note carries a country's cultural heritage. The G-20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union, with each member featuring their UNESCO world heritage sites on their currency notes.
Read more: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
Classification of Aspartame as a Possible Carcinogen
Recently, Aspartame, the world's most common artificial sweetener, has come under scrutiny as it is set to be declared a possible cancer-causing substance by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The IARC was created in 1965 by a resolution of the World Health Assembly, as the specialized cancer agency of the WHO. The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research. It comprises 27 member countries.
Aspartame is widely used in a variety of products, including soft drinks, gelatin, confectionery, desserts, and sugar-free cough drops.
Read more: Artificial Sweeteners
Ajay Banga, Recognized on "Great Immigrants" List
Ajay Banga, the president of the World Bank, has been included in the annual "Great Immigrants" list curated by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He became World Bank chief in June 2023 and is the first-ever Indian American to lead the institution.
The "Great Immigrants" initiative pays homage to the legacy of Andrew Carnegie( a Scottish immigrant) , recognizing exceptional individuals who have achieved success in America and inspire others to do the same, fostering a vibrant and resilient democracy.
Read more: World Bank
India and Tanzania Strengthen Defence Relations in JDCC Meeting
The second edition of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Tanzania took place in Arusha, Tanzania recently. The meeting focused on exploring collaborative opportunities to enhance security in the Indian Ocean Region. Both sides agreed on a five-year roadmap for defence cooperation, encompassing various initiatives such as customised training, capacity building, maritime cooperation, infrastructure development, and collaboration in defence equipment and technology.
Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa and includes the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia. The Maasai are a nomadic tribe who live in parts of Tanzania and Kenya. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest point is in Tanzania.
Read more: India and Tanzania Relations, Indian Ocean Region
