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March 06, 2020 | Issue 25 Our Website: https://www.curioustimes.in uriousTimes Curated News For The Curious CURIOUS TIMES WEEKLY Age-Appropiate Content School Curriculum-Aligned News Non-Sensational News 11-year-old ‘Star Wars’ fan gets an R2-D2 bionic arm ZSI says 457 species of birds and animals migrate to India annually Date : Mar 4 , 2020 | Image Credit : Wikimedia Commons Date : Mar 3 , 2020 | Image Credit : Twitter, @Gaianismo Isabella Tadlock, an 11-year-old girl, recently got something she always India’s biodiversity is a unique treasure, not just for mankind but also the dreamt of – a bionic arm to help her bend her fingers and pick things up. animal world. Our country plays host to 457 migratory species every year. Even better, it’s coloured like the droid R2-D2 from the Star Wars films, of which Isabella is a big fan. Ÿ The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) had for the first time compiled a list of migratory species of India under the Conservation of What is a bionic arm? Migratory Species (CMS). It had put the number at 451. It is a special type of artificial arm for handicapped people. It senses when Ÿ Six species were added later. They are the Asian elephant, great the person’s muscle moves and acts the fingers accordingly. Indian bustard, Bengal florican, oceanic white-tip shark, urial and What is Isabella’s story? smooth hammerhead shark. Ÿ Isabella was born without her left arm below her elbow while her Globally, more than 650 species are listed under the CMS. India, with over right hand also did not have fingers. 450 species, thus plays a very important role in their conservation. Ÿ Ÿ After surgery, she got 3 fingers and a thumb on her right hand, but Birds make up the bulk of migratory species. Their number stands at without her left hand, she was unable to do many things like riding a 380. bike or swinging on monkey bars. Ÿ They include the bird families: Muscicapidae (small insectivores), Accipitridae (raptors or birds of prey), Anatidae (ducks) and Ÿ Then, Isabella and her family came across the ‘Hero Arm‘ – the shorebirds (found near the seas). world’s first medically certified 3D-printed bionic arm. However, as it was very expensive, they asked for public donations online. Ÿ The estimate of mammal species has risen to 46 after the Asian elephant and the Urial were added to the list. Then, Mark Hamill, the actor who plays ‘Luke Skywalker’ in the Star Wars films saw her online plea and he also helped raise them to raise the money Ÿ Vespertilionidae (bats) make up the largest group of migratory needed. mammals, while dolphins come in second. Isabella is very excited and happy about her new arm! Ÿ Fishes make up another important group of migratory species. Ÿ This includes 12 sharks and 10 ray fish. Adding the oceanic white- tip shark and smooth hammerhead shark to the list took the total number of migratory fish species to 24. Ÿ 7 reptiles, which include 5 species of turtles and the Indian gharial and saltwater crocodile, are among the CMS species found in India. Quote of the week Word to know Jubilation “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” Noun | joo-buh-ley-shuhn Dr. Seuss a joyful or festive celebration. Write to us at [email protected] 1 March 06, 2020 | Issue 25 Our Website: https://www.curioustimes.in uriousTimes Curated News For The Curious CURIOUS TIMES WEEKLY Age-Appropiate Content School Curriculum-Aligned News Non-Sensational News Citroen unveils ‘Ami’ – an electric car you don’t need Government permits airlines to provide in-flight a license to drive Wi-Fi services to passengers Date : Mar 4 , 2020 | Image Credit : Twitter@gvslondon Date : Mar 3 , 2020 | Image Credit : Youtube Recently, French carmaker Citroen unveiled a new, 100% electric car A while ago, we read about the aeroplane food restaurant. which they have named ‘Ami’. Now apart from enjoying the yummy food, one can also use internet What are the features of the Ami? services while travelling by flight. Ÿ The Ami is very small and almost looks like a washing machine! The Government of India has permitted airlines to provide in-flight Wi- Fi services to passengers. Ÿ It has two seats and a maximum speed of just 45 kilometres an hour. Ÿ This permission is currently only applicable to the airlines operating Ÿ Its battery can be charged in 3 hours, but you can drive it for only up in India. to 70 km before it needs charging again. Ÿ As per the notification, the pilot-in-command* can allow the Ÿ The Ami has been built with as few unique parts as possible. The body passengers to use the internet via Wi-Fi on board. parts used for the front end are exactly like those used in the back. Ÿ The service will work on laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc which is in The right door is also exactly like the left door. aeroplane or flight mode. Ÿ It has been designed to be repaired quickly and easily when needed. Ahead of the announcement, Vistara Airlines announced plans to What is special about the Ami? provide in-flight broadband service by March 2020. Ÿ Ÿ Under the laws of France and some other European countries, the Vistara will offer access to in-flight connectivity only on certain international routes. Ami qualifies as ‘a type of vehicle that does not require a license to drive‘. Ÿ The aircraft with the in-flight broadband service are Dreamliners (Boeing 787 aircraft) and Airbus 321 aircraft. Ÿ So, in France, even children as young as 14 can drive the Ami without a license. The minimum age limit is 16 in other European countries. Ÿ Domestic customers on these planes can also use the service when they are in the Indian airspace. The Ami costs about US$ 6600 (much cheaper compared to the usual With this, Vistara will be the first domestic carrier to provide in-flight cost of new cars). broadband for passengers. *Pilot-in-command – responsible for flight operation and safety during the journey Did You Know Joke Pokes According to statistics from airlines, it can be What’s green and can fly? up to 40% safer to sit in the back of the plane than in the front. Super Pickle! Write to us at [email protected] 2 March 06, 2020 | Issue 25 Our Website: https://www.curioustimes.in uriousTimes Curated News For The Curious CURIOUS TIMES WEEKLY Age-Appropiate Content School Curriculum-Aligned News Non-Sensational News My Expressions COVID 19 – Take precautions, don’t panic. Date : 5 March 2020 As of 4-February 2020, 27+ cases of coronavirus have been reported in India. Worldwide there are over 90,000 cases. About 3% of the people diagnosed with coronavirus have actually died from it. What are the symptoms of coronavirus? Cough, high fever and difficulty in breathing are the most common symptoms associated with coronavirus infection. People with stronger immunity are able to fight the virus before it presents any symptoms. If you or anyone around you observe that you have any of these symptoms, its best to get a thorough check-up done and avoid stepping out of your house unless really required. What are the precautions that one should take to reduce the chances of contracting coronavirus? Ÿ You should wash your hands, both the front and back, rubbing vigorously. Wash your hands number of times in a day. Ÿ Wear a mask in crowded public spaces. They keep away large aerosol particles. Ÿ While coughing and sneezing use a tissue paper. It would be better than a handkerchief. Ÿ Avoid handshakes. Ÿ Avoid travel, if you can. Destinations with high cases should be avoided completely. Ÿ If you have severe symptoms than normal cough and cold check with your doctor immediately. Is there a need to panic? The important thing is that we don’t spread panic and rumors. Check for official information only. Yes, the virus can spread easily. But most of those who died due to COVID 19 have had a prior chronic illness, such as long- standing diabetes, lung disease, cancer etc. The World Health Organisation (WHO) doesn’t consider this outbreak as severe as some of these in the past, because the mortality of the worldwide cases is not as many. It is best to be careful and mindful of what we are doing and what we are exposed to. The people who contracted are our fellow beings, be considerate. Do not spread panic. Take care of yourselves, family and friends. Write to us at [email protected] 3 March 06, 2020 | Issue 25 Our Website: https://www.curioustimes.in uriousTimes Curated News For The Curious CURIOUS TIMES WEEKLY Age-Appropiate Content School Curriculum-Aligned News Non-Sensational News NASA announces hiring of astronauts for upcoming Major General Madhuri Kanitkar becomes Moon mission 3rd woman Lt. General of India Date : Mar 4 , 2020 | Image Credit : Wikimedia Commons Date : Mar 2 , 2020 | Image Credit : Twitter Curious Readers, today we have a very interesting news for you from We read about the recent Supreme Court declaration on permanent NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). commissions for women Army officers. It has announced that it is looking to select some new astronauts! In another step towards gender equality in the military, Major General Madhuri Kanitkar has created history by becoming the third woman What is the reason for this announcement? Lieutenant-General (Lt. General). Ÿ NASA needs more astronauts for its planned missions to the Moon She is also the first paediatrician* to get the second-highest rank in the (by 2024) and to Mars (by 2030).