Current Affairs

BRAIN-EATING AMOEBA

Why in the News?

Kerala has reported its fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri.

About Naegleria Fowleri

• It is a free-living microscopic amoeba.
• It is found in warm freshwater bodies, such as lakes, rivers, hot springs and inadequately chlorinated swimming pools.
• It thrives in stagnant or slow-flowing water.
• It is a non-communicable disease.
• Pathway
  • The amoeba typically enters the body through the nose when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater.
  • It then travels to the brain destroying its tissues further causing a devastating infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).
• Symptoms: Stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to surroundings, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations. The infection progresses rapidly, often leading to death within about 5 days.
• The highest risk areas are warm freshwater sources, especially in hot climates.

Naegleria Fowleri

AMRUT 2.0

Why in the News?

As part of the AMRUT 2.0 initiative, cities will launch projects valued at Rs 5,000 crore to enhance water supply, sewage systems and rejuvenate water bodies and parks. This effort aligns with the government's 100-day agenda in its third term, focusing on sustainable urban development.

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

• Launched: 2015
• Objective: Improve basic urban infrastructure and quality of life.
• Focus Areas
  • Water Supply: Universal coverage and efficient management.
  • Sewerage and Septage: Effective waste management.
  • Storm Water Drainage: Reduce urban flooding.
  • Urban Transport: Enhance public and non-motorized transport.
  • Green Spaces: Develop and maintain parks and open areas.
• Coverage: 500 cities, including all with a population over one lakh and notified municipalities.
• Achievements
  • Added 1.1 crore household water tap connections.
  • Installed 85 lakh sewer connections.
  • Over 4 crore people benefited.

About AMRUT 2.0

• It focuses on enhancing sewage and septic management, making cities water secure, and preventing sewage discharge into rivers.
• Aim
  • Achieve 100% water supply coverage in 4,800 urban local bodies with 2.68 crore tap connections.
  • Ensure 100% sewage and septage coverage in 500 AMRUT cities with 2.64 crore connections.
• Approach
  • Adopt circular economy principles.
  • Conserve water bodies.
  • Implement data-led governance and integrate global technologies.
  • Conduct 'Pey Jal Survekshan' to encourage competition among cities.
• Scope: Expand coverage from 500 to 4,800 cities. Benefit over 10.5 crore people with 26.8 million tap connections.
• Funding: Central assistance of Rs 66,750 crore (2021-2026) with a total outlay of Rs 2.99 lakh crore.
• Current Progress: As of July 25, this year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) reported:
  • 4,065 projects worth Rs 77,317.40 crore have been awarded, out of 8,205 projects valued at Rs 1.82 lakh crore.
  • 4,410 projects worth Rs 1.05 lakh crore are in the stages of tendering or DPR preparation.
  • About 50% of the awarded projects are focused on water supply, sewage, and septage management.
  • Additional projects are being executed for water body rejuvenation, park development, groundwater recharge, and urban flood management under AMRUT 2.0.

100-Day Agenda As part of the 100-day agenda, cities are set to commission 500 MLD of sewage treatment capacity and 150 MLD of water treatment capacity, which will benefit around 8 lakh households. Additional Initiatives Implementation of the Delhi Master Plan 2041. Establishment of eight new greenfield cities, each with Rs 1,000 crore in funding, as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.

ASTRA MISSILES

Why in the News?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has given clearance to the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to produce 200 Astra air-to-air missiles for its Su-3O and LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.

About

• The project, valued at over ₹2,900 crore, received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
• The production clearance was granted during a visit by Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad.
• They are set to be integrated with both the Russian-origin Su-30MKI and the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft, enhancing their operational effectiveness.
• It aims to achieve a range of approximately 130 km. Efforts are going on to develop a long-range variant with a strike capability of up to 300 km.

About Astra Missile

• It is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed for mounting on fighter aircraft.
• It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Performance
  • Weight: 154 kg
  • Range: 80 to 110 kilometers in head-on engagements
  • Speed: Capable of reaching 4.5 Mach, approaching hypersonic speeds.
  • Utilizes an inertial guidance system with a fiber optic gyroscope.
  • Terminal guidance is provided through active radar homing.
  • Offers "Lock on Before Launch" (LOBL) and "Lock on After Launch" (LOAL) options.
  • Powered by advanced solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) engine technology.
  • Boasts high reliability and a very high "Single Shot Kill Probability" (SSKP).
  • Operates under all weather conditions, day or night.

Astra Missile

SHEIKH HASINA

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, amid escalating protests and violence against her government. The unrest has resulted in over 300 deaths and thousands of arrests over the past weeks.

About the Protest

• In 1972 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of Sheikh Hasina, introduced a 30% quota in civil service and public sector jobs for descendants of the 1971 war independence participants.
• In response to protests, Sheikh Hasina abolished all job reservations in October 2018.
• The High Court reinstated the quotas in June 2024, sparking renewed protests.
• Even when the Supreme Court intervened to reduce the quota, the protests had already evolved into a broader movement against Hasina’s government.
• Government’s Response
• Suspended internet services.
• Declared a three-day national holiday with a “shoot-on-sight” order.
• Hasina’s labeling of protesters as ‘razakar’ (traitors) intensified the situation.
• Protest Movement
• Student group "Students Against Discrimination" launched the Long March to Dhaka to demand Hasina's resignation.
• Violent clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in nearly 100 deaths.

People enter the Gana Bhaban, the residence of Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina Full Name: Sheikh Hasina Wazed Party: Awami League Prime Minister: 1996-2001, 2009-2014, 2014-2018, and 2018-2024

She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and its first president.

Bangladesh Capital: Dhaka Currency: Bangladeshi taka Borders: India and Myanmar

General Knowledge

World Craft Council (WCC)

• Established: 1964
• Headquarters: Kuwait
• Founded by: Aileen Osborn Vanderbilt Webb, Margaret M. Patch and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
• Mission: To promote the preservation, protection, and development of traditional crafts.
• It is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation affiliated with UNESCO.
• Five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America
• Recent Development: Srinagar city has been designated as WCC-World Craft City. This designation is expected to reopen Kashmir’s historical linkages with craft centers in Central Asia and Iran.

Logo of WCC