2024

Current Affairs

The blue-blooded sea creature on Odisha’s coastline

Context—In August this year, for the first time in over a century, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), in collaboration with the Odisha Forest Department, began tagging horseshoe crabs.

Key facts related to Horseshoe crabs:

A horseshoe crab's blood has a blue to blue-green color when exposed to the air. The blood is blue because it contains a copper-based respiratory pigment called hemocyanin.
As fossils show, it has survived 445 million years without undergoing any morphological change.
It belongs to a class called Merostomata, living fossils, or those organisms that haven’t changed in millennia.
IUCN Category – Data deficient
Listing of the crab in the Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Distribution - There are four species of horseshoe crab: the mangrove (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda), which inhabits the coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia; the Atlantic or American (Limulus polyphemus), found along the Atlantic coast of the United States and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico; the coastal (Tachypleus gigas), also native to South and Southeast Asia; and the tri-spine (Tachypleus tridentatus), found in Southeast and East Asia. India is fortunate to have two species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda and Tachypleus gigas, both found along the Odisha coast.

Bengaluru to switch to AI-powered traffic signals

Context: In order to deal with the increasing traffic congestion the Bengaluru Traffic Police has planned to go for artificial intelligence enabled real-time adaptive traffic signals for major cross roads. The move is part of the Bengaluru Adaptive Traffic Control System (BATCS), a technology initiative designed to streamline traffic flow and reduce manual intervention at traffic signals.

Bengaluru Adaptive Traffic Control System (BATCS)

The Bengaluru Traffic Police has rolled out Bengaluru Adaptive Traffic Control System (BATCS) technology for traffic management since May 2024.
BATCS uses a real-time Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered traffic signal control system.
- The system dynamically adjusts signal timings based on real-time traffic densities/conditions, using inputs from camera sensors placed near junctions.
- This ensures optimal traffic flow, minimising delays and providing smoother travel experiences for commuters.
BATCS enables centralised monitoring and control of traffic signals from a central command centre.
- Signals along major traffic corridors are synchronised to create ‘green waves’, allowing vehicles to pass through multiple junctions without stopping, thereby reducing travel time and improving fuel efficiency.
- The system also prioritises emergency vehicles and has the potential for future integration with pedestrian and public transport needs.

Significance:

The BATCS system represents a significant leap forward from other traffic management systems which lacked real-time adaptability. This initiative will enhance the efficiency of city-wide traffic management and reduce the burden on personnel who manually manage signals.
- Bengaluru, known for heavy congestion and a high number of private vehicles, is home to one of the highest concentrations of vehicles in India.
- With two-wheelers accounting for around 60% of the city’s traffic, managing such a diverse mix of vehicles on the road has become increasingly challenging for the authorities.

Real Time Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS):

Intelligent traffic management systems incorporated with advanced technologies like AI.

Working:

Sensors (Infrared or video camera) are installed at intersections. These sensors collect real-time data of traffic volume, traffic speed and position of vehicles (using GPS technology).
Collected data is sent to a central command centre. Then the data is processed using Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning techniques to understand the traffic condition and predict the future traffic pattern.
Traffic Signal is dynamically adjusted based on the data analysis.

New sedimentary rock made from slag is a carbon-trapping champ

Context - In a recent study in the journal Sedimentologika, researchers documented a new kind of sedimentary rock made from coastal slag deposits in the U.K.

What is slag?

It is a composite material containing metal oxides and silicon dioxide and is a by-product of the steelmaking process in the iron and steel industries.
Slag is a major component of artificial ground.
The lithification process hardens industrial waste, including slag, into sedimentary rocks, creating artificial ground.
When these sedimentary rocks weather over time, they release sediments into the environment.
Because the rocks are infused with industrial waste, their sediments often contain toxic metals that contaminate soil, water, and air.

What is a sedimentary rock?

Sedimentary rocks are formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms. They form from deposits that accumulate on the Earth's surface. Sedimentary rocks often have distinctive layering or bedding.

Clastic Sedimentary Rocks: made up of pieces (clasts) of pre-existing rocks. Pieces of rock are loosened by weathering, then transported to some basin or depression where sediment is trapped. If the sediment is buried deeply, it becomes compacted and cemented, forming sedimentary rock. Eg – shale.
Biologic sedimentary rocks form when large numbers of living things die. Chert is an example for this type of rock, and this is one of the ways limestone can form. Limestone can also form by precipitating directly out of the water.

Kuchipudi Dance

Context: Nearly 1,500 Kuchipudi dancers from various parts of the country took part in the finals (Brahmanjali) of the International Traditional Dance Congress at MGM Park in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

About Kuchipudi Dance:

Introduction:

Originally performed by a group of actors going from village to village, known as Kusselavas, Kuchipudi derives its name from the Andhra village of Kusselavapuri or Kuchelapuram.
Siddhendra Yogi, in the 17th century, formalized and systematized the tradition. He authored ‘Bhama Kalapam’ and many other plays.
With the advent of Vaishnavism, the dance form became a monopoly of the male Brahmins and began to be performed at temples.
Stories of Bhagavat purana became a central theme of the recitals, and the dancers came to be known as Bhagavathalus.
The dance form gained prominence under the patronage of the Vijayanagar and Golconda rulers.
Lakshminarayan Shastry, in early 20th century, brought in new practices such as solo recitals and female participation
It is similar to Bharatnatyam but has its own features.

Important features:

Includes difficult foot movements, and is generally a team performance.
Most of the Kuchipudi recitals are based on stories of Bhagwata purana but also have a secular theme.
There is a predominance of Shringaara rasa.
Each principal character introduces itself on the stage with a ‘daaru’, which is a small composition of dance and song, specifically choreographed for the revelation of each character.
The dance involves all three components of classical dances: Nritta, Nritya and Natya.
The performance has:
- Sollakath or Patakshara: The Nritta part, where movement of the body is made.
- Kavutvams: The Nritya part which involves extensive acrobatics. It may also be performed as Nritta(pure dance).
In a Kuchipudi recital, the dancer may combine the role of a singer into himself/herself as well. Hence, it becomes a dance-drama performance.
Both Lasya and Tandava elements are important in the Kuchipudi dance form.
Apart from group performances, there are popular solo elements as well in Kuchipudi:
- Manduk Shabdam: Tells the story of a frog.
- Balgopala Tarangam: The dancer performs with his/her feet on the edges of a brass plate and balancing a pot of water on the head or a set of diyas.
- Jala Chitra Nrityam: In this item, the dancer draws pictures on the floor with his or her toes while dancing.
Performance is generally accompanied with Carnatic music.
Violin and Mridangam are the principal musical instruments and the recital of the performance is in Telugu language.

Global Digital Compact: advancing digital innovation in a sustainable fashion

Context: In the recently concluded ‘Summit of the Future’ organised by the United Nations, member countries adopted the ‘Global Digital Compact’ (GDC).

What is Global Digital Compact?

The GDC is not a binding law but a diplomatic instrument with a set of shared goals for governments, institutions, firms, and other stakeholders to bear in mind.
Once there is greater adherence, the terms of the compact may become soft laws in each country.
The GDC rests on the idea that digital technologies are dramatically changing our world.
While they offer potential benefits for societies and for our planet — by enabling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — they also pose serious challenges and concerns.
The GDC is a collaborative project with the objective of ensuring human oversight of technologies in ways that advance sustainable development.
Building on the norms of international law, the Universal Declaration of Human rights, and the UN 2030 Agenda, among others, the GDC proposes global cooperation in the governance of data and digital technologies
To meet the Compact’s goals, UN member countries have committed to establish two panels — an ‘Independent International Scientific Panel on AI [Artificial Intelligence]’ and a panel for ‘Global Dialogue on AI Governance’.

What is digital goods and services?

To address the digital divide, the GDC proposes “digital public goods” that will include open-source software, open data, and open AI models, plus adherence to privacy and best practices

Challenges in GDC

Openness in the context of the digital public infrastructure may be limited by contractual requirements such as non-disclosure, confidentiality, and protection of intellectual property.
It asked for self-regulation by digital technology company which in the past remains ineffective.
The GDC recognises interoperable data governance as essential to foster innovation and promote economic growth, but this may amplify risks in the absence of effective personal data protection and privacy laws.
The GDC does bat for “data flow with trust” but many countries have refused to accept this idea because it goes against the spirit of digital sovereignty.

In sum, the GDC may not result in a paradigm shift in the world’s governance of digital technologies, but it can facilitate significant and tangible outcomes if member states take it seriously.

Rani Lakshmi Bai and the Revolt of 1857

Context: Civic agencies told the Delhi High Court that the installation of a statue of freedom fighter Rani Lakshmi Bai at Shahi Idgah Park in Sadar Bazar has not in any manner endangered the rights of people who offer prayers there.

About Rani Laxmibai

post card in memory of 1857, Rani Lakshmi bai

Introduction:

Lakshmibai Newalkar, the Rani of Jhansi widely known as Rani Lakshmibai was the Queen of the princely state of Jhansi in the Maratha Empire from 1843 to 1853 by marriage to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar.
She was one of the leading figures in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, who became a national hero and symbol of resistance to the British rule in India for Indian nationalists.
She led the successful defence of Jhansi against Company allies, but in early 1858 Jhansi fell to British forces under the command of Hugh Rose.
She died in June 1858, during the British counterattack at Gwalior.

Roots and upbringing:

Born in the town of Banares (now Varanasi) into a Marathi Karhade Brahmin family.She was named Manikarnika Tambe.
Her father was a Commander during the war of Kalyanpranth and he worked for Peshwa Baji Rao II.

History of Jhansi (1842–1857)-Loss, and struggle against British annexation:

Manikarnika was married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, and was afterward called Lakshmibai (or Laxmibai) in honour of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and according to the Maharashtrian tradition of women being given a new name after marriage.
In September 1851, she gave birth to a boy, later named Damodar Rao, who died four months after birth.
The Maharaja adopted a child called Anand Rao, the son of Gangadhar Rao's cousin, who was renamed Damodar Rao, on the day before the Maharaja died.
The adoption was in the presence of the British political officer who was given a letter from the Maharaja instructing that the child be treated with respect and that the government of Jhansi should be given to his widow (Laxmibai) for her lifetime.
After the death of the Maharaja in November 1853, because Damodar Rao (born Anand Rao) was an adopted son, the British East India Company, under Governor-General Lord Dalhousie, applied the Doctrine of Lapse, rejecting Damodar Rao's claim to the throne and annexing the state to its territories.
In March 1854, Rani Lakshmibai was given an annual pension and ordered to leave the palace and the fort.

What was the Doctrine of Lapse?

*The Doctrine of Lapse was an annexation policy followed widely by Lord Dalhousie when he was India's Governor-General from 1848 to 1856.
*According to this, any princely state under the direct or indirect (as a vassal) control of the East India Company where the ruler did not have a legal male heir would be annexed by the company
*As per this, any adopted son of the Indian ruler could not be proclaimed as heir to the kingdom. This challenged the Indian ruler's long-held authority to appoint an heir of their choice.

Rani Lakshmibai in the Revolt of 1857

May 10, 1857: The Indian Rebellion started in Meerut. When news of the rebellion reached Jhansi, Rani asked the British political officer, Captain Alexander Skene, for permission to raise a body of armed men for her protection.
In June 1857, rebels of the 12th Bengal Native Infantry seized the Fort of Jhansi and persuaded the British to lay down their arms. The sepoys threatened to blow up the palace where the Rani lived.
The sepoys left Jhansi and obtained a large sum of money from the Rani.
The Rani's forces defeated an attempt by the mutineers to assert the claim to the throne of a rival prince Sadashiv Rao (nephew of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao) who was captured and imprisoned.
There was then an invasion of Jhansi by the forces of Company allies Orchha and Datia with the intention to divide Jhansi between themselves.
The Rani appealed to the British for aid but it was now believed by the governor-general that she was responsible for the massacre against Europeans in Jhansi and no reply was received.
She set up a foundry to cast cannon to be used on the walls of the fort and assembled forces including some from former feudatories of Jhansi.

Rani’s defence of Jhansi, escape, and battles until last encounter:

When the British forces finally arrived in March 1858, they found the Jhansi fort was well defended and the fort had heavy guns which could fire over the town and nearby countryside.
Hugh Rose, commanding the British forces, demanded the surrender of the city and if this was refused it would be destroyed.
Rani defended Jhansi against British troops when Sir Hugh Rose besieged Jhansi on 23rd March 1858.
The bombardment of Jhansi was met by heavy return fire and the damaged defences were repaired.
The defenders sent appeals for help to Tatya Tope, an important leader of the 1857 Indian Rebellion and an army of more than 20,000, headed by Tatya Tope, was sent to relieve Jhansi but they failed to do so when they fought the British.
During the battle with Tatya Tope's forces, part of the British forces continued the siege.
The Rani withdrew from the palace to the fort and after taking counsel decided that since resistance in the city was useless she must leave and join either Tatya Tope or Rao Sahib (Nana Sahib's nephew).
As per the legend, with Damodar Rao on her back she jumped on her horse from the fort and escaped.
At Kalpi (in U.P.), she joined additional rebel forces, including Tatya Tope.
They occupied the town of Kalpi and prepared to defend it.
On 22 May British forces attacked Kalpi and the forces commanded by Rani herself were defeated.
The leaders (the Rani of Jhansi, Tatiya Tope, and Rao Sahib) fled and came to Gwalior and joined the Indian forces who now held the city (Maharaja Scindia fled to Agra from the battlefield at Morar).
They rebel forces occupied the city without opposition and proclaimed Nana Sahib as Peshwa of a revived Maratha dominion with Rao Sahib as his governor in Gwalior.
On June 17^th, in Kotah-ki-Serai, Gwalior, a squadron under Captain Heneage, fought the large Indian force commanded by Rani Lakshmibai.
In this engagement, Rani was fatally wounded resulting in her death.
The British captured the city of Gwalior. In the British report of this battle, Hugh Rose commented that Rani Lakshmibai is ‘the most dangerous of all Indian leaders.’

About Jhansi Fort:

Location: Uttar Pradesh
Built in 1613 by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo (1606-27) of Orchha on a rocky hill called Bangra/Bangira in the town of Balwantnagar (presently known as Jhansi).
Stretching over a massive 15 acres, the walls of the fort, constructed with granite, are a formidable barrier.
The fort is surrounded by a deep moat, which was once filled with water, to thwart enemy advances.
The fortification comprises ten gates (Darwazas), each with its own unique story and architectural style, including the Khandero Gate, Datia Darwaza, Unnao Gate, and Orchha Gate among others.
The Ganesh Mandir, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is where Rani Laxmi Bai is believed to have married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar.
The Kadak Bijli cannon, mounted on a tower, is a symbol of the military prowess of the fort. It was used in the battle of 1857 and stands as a testament to the intense warfare that took place.

What is Inflation Targeting?

Inflation Targeting is a monetary policy framework wherein the Central Bank of a country focuses only on maintaining the rate of Inflation within a targeted range.

It was first adopted by New Zealand and subsequently, a large number of countries including India have been following inflation targeting as their core element of monetary policy.

In case of India, the inflation targeting was introduced through the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement signed between the RBI and Government in 2015.

As per terms of the agreement, RBI's primary objective would be to maintain price stability, while keeping in mind the objective of growth. The RBI is required to maintain a rate of inflation of 4% with a deviation of 2% i.e. inflation has to be maintained between 2% to 6%.

What Are Benefits of Inflation Targeting?

Spur investment rate: Flexible inflation target (4+2) would help in achieving sustainable price levels in the markets and as a result may increase savings rate in the economy. This may spur investment rate in the economy leading eventually to higher GDP growth.
Promotes export competitiveness: Stable price levels in an economy keeps a check on input prices of goods and services produced in the economy. This maintains the competitiveness of our goods in export markets thereby promoting export growth and reducing current account deficit.
Increase Foreign investments: Improved transparency in inflation targeting reduces investor uncertainty allowing them to predict changes in interest rates, and anchors inflation expectations. This will lead to an increased foreign portfolio and direct investments in the longer run.
Clear Policy Signal to Markets: The Inflation targeting explicitly states as to what would be the targeted rate of inflation in an economy. Such explicitly mandated targets bring in more clarity and predictability with respect to the rate of inflation and monetary policy formulation.
Autonomy and Accountability of RBI: As per the Monetary policy framework agreement, the RBI has been given complete autonomy in maintaining the rate of inflation within the mandated targets. If the RBI fails to maintain the Inflation within the target, then it would be required to submit in writing the reasons for its failure. Such a provision enables the RBI to enjoy autonomy and at the same time, enables the Government to have enhanced accountability over the actions of the RBI.
Empirical Evidence: Inflation targeting has been quite successful in some of the advanced economies such as the UK, New Zealand etc. These advanced economies have been able to maintain moderate rates of inflation for a much longer time leading to increased macro-economic stability.

What are Problems and Challenges with Inflation Targeting?

Disregards the Multi-faceted role of RBI: In a developing country like India, it is not practical for the central bank to focus exclusively on inflation without taking into account the larger development context. The RBI needs to balance between growth, price stability and financial stability.
Inflation-growth Dichotomy: Controlling inflation requires following contractionary monetary policy. However, such a policy would lead to an increase in rate of interest on loans leading to decrease in investment and consumption expenditure causing a decline in GDP growth rates. For example, during 2013-2015, the higher interest rates in the country on account of higher rate of inflation had led to decrease in the GDP growth rates.
Poor Monetary Policy Transmission: The Inflation targeting is more suited to the developed economies since the monetary policy transmission in such economies is quite efficient. However, in case of India, the monetary policy transmission is quite inefficient and this can in turn reduce the effectiveness of Inflation Targeting. In response to the cumulative hike in repo rate of 250 basis points during May 2022 to October 2023, banks have revised their marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) only by 152 basis points.
Supply Side Constraints: Controlling the money supply only alters demand-side inflation and not inflation arising out of supply-side constraints. E.g. rise in prices of vegetables, pulses highlight supply side constraints which are out of the purview of the RBI and hence they continue to erode household savings.
No Clear link between Price Stability and Financial Stability: Prior to 2008 Global Financial Crisis, advanced economies were able to maintain moderate rate of inflation for a long term mainly due to adoption of Inflation Targeting. It was believed that Inflation targeting was responsible for overall macroeconomic stability of the country. However, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis has clearly proved that price stability alone cannot lead to financial stability and the excessive focus of the Central banks on price stability may lead to neglect of other crucial functions such as regulation leading to the economic crisis.
Empirical Evidence against Inflation Targeting in India: The RBI was able to maintain a stable rate of Inflation within the mandated range before pandemic. However, in spite of a stable rate of Inflation, the Indian economy faced challenges on multiple fronts. The GDP growth rate reduced to 25 quarter low of 5% for the first quarter of financial year 2019-20. The unemployment increased to a 45-year high of 6.1%. There was a contraction in the manufacturing activity as evident in declining IIP. The agriculture sector stared at agrarian distress. All these clearly highlight that the inflation targeting has failed to promote growth and development.

Conclusion

Post-Global Financial crisis, the dominant view around the world is that flexible inflation targeting, rather than pure inflation targeting is more efficient for monetary policy formulation. During times of extraordinary shocks (e.g., pandemics or financial crises), central banks could temporarily adjust their inflation target to allow for more economic flexibility.
Additionally, strengthening policy coordination with the government and undertaking structural reforms in the agriculture and transport sector will help India address inflationary pressure due to supply-side shocks.

Food adulteration

Context: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a show-cause notice to a Tamil Nadu-based firm, which supplied ghee to the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh, for allegedly providing substandard product to the temple.

About Food adulteration

It is the intentional or unintentional addition of substances to food that can make it harmful to consume. These substances, known as adulterants, can be added to increase the quantity, reduce the cost, or improve the appearance of food.

Common types of adulterants :

Milk is often adulterated with water, detergent, fat, and even urea.
Preservatives such as nitrites (used in cured meats)and benzoates (used in soft drinks and pickles), lead to digestive issues and long-term health problems.
Tea leaves are commonly mixed with similarly colored leaves, some of which are inedible.
Cornstarch, sawdust, and flour are used as fillers in spices.
Antibiotics and hormones such as estrogen and testosterone in meat and poultry to promote growth, but excessive consumption can lead to antibiotic resistance and hormone imbalances.
Khoya is adulterated with paper, refined oil, and skimmed milk powder.
Pesticides (like DDT and organophosphates) in fruits and vegetables, heavy metals like lead and mercury in seafood, and industrial pollutants in food packaging.
Foreign substances such as insects, dirt, or other foreign substances can accidentally contaminate food during processing or storage.
Arhar dal is usually adulterated with metanil yellow.

Reason behind ghee adulteration:

High price of milk fat: Milk-derived fats from cow and buffalo milk cost around Rs 460-470 per kg, with ghee production and packaging raising the price to Rs 485-495 per kg. This high cost incentivizes adulteration to cut production expenses.
Price differential between milk and vegetable fats: Vegetable fats, such as refined palm, soybean, sunflower, and rapeseed oils, are significantly cheaper, ranging from Rs 120-150 per kg. The vast price difference between milk fats and vegetable fats encourages manufacturers to mix the latter into ghee to increase profits.
Scarcity of milk fat: Milk fat is relatively scarce, as dairies prioritize selling liquid milk and producing other products like curd and lassi . Only limited availability of milk is available for the manufacture for production of ghee, further increases its value and drives adulteration.
Profit motive of dairies: Large dairy cooperatives and private players prefer selling ghee in retail consumer packs rather than in bulk, as it fetches higher profits. Some dairies also use milk fat for ice cream production, which offers better returns. This reluctance to sell ghee in bulk pushes organizations to seek cheaper, often adulterated, alternatives.
Lower demand and competition: Sales of ghee from companies like Patanjali have decreased significantly in recent years, putting additional pressure on manufacturers to cut costs, potentially through adulteration.

Laws deal with food adulteration:

Under Indian Constitution, the adulteration of foodstuffs and other items falls in the Concurrent List.
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: It is a comprehensive legislation dealing with various aspects with respect to the regulation of food safety.
- Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is established under Section 4 of the Act to supervises and regulates food safety and standards.
- It prohibits any person to operate any food business without a license.
- The law prohibits producing, selling, and distributing contaminated or counterfeited foods.
- The Act also imposes a penalty for the possession of adulterant.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Impose penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for food adulteration, with stricter punishments for hazardous food practices.

Marburg virus: Explained

Context: The deadly Marburg virus could overwhelm Rwanda’s fragile healthcare system. Since the east African country reported the first Marburg case late last month, at least 46 individuals have been infected and 12 Marburg deaths reported.

About Marburg virus

Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD), a genetically unique zoonotic RNA virus.
MVD is a severe hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus). Though caused by different viruses, the two diseases are clinically similar. Both diseases are rare and have the capacity to cause outbreaks with high fatality rates ranging from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks.
The first known outbreak of the virus occurred in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, hence the name and in Belgrade, Serbia, when laboratory workers were exposed to infected monkeys imported from Uganda. Since then, other outbreaks have occurred, primarily in Africa.

Transmission:

Initially, human MVD infections were caused by prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by colonies of Rousettus bats, most notably the Egyptian fruit bat.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Marburg also spreads through human-to-human transition both directly (through contact with blood and other bodily fluids of infected people) and indirectly (through surfaces and materials like bedding, clothing, etc. contaminated with these fluids).

Symptoms:

The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, and symptoms include high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Muscle aches and pains are a common feature.
Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. Diarrhoea can persist for a week. The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing “ghost-like” drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces, and extreme lethargy.
Many patients develop haemorrhagic symptoms (bleeding), often in many places including the digestive system (faeces and vomit often come with fresh blood), the nose, gums, and vagina. Haemorrhage leads to most MVD fatalities, with death in fatal cases occurring 8 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms, usually of severe blood loss and shock.

Diagnosis

It can be difficult to clinically distinguish MVD from other infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever and other viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Confirmation that symptoms are caused by Marburg virus infection are made using the antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antigen-capture detection tests, serum neutralization test, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, electron microscopy and virus isolation by cell culture.

Treatment:

There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available for Marburg virus disease. Treatment primarily involves supportive care like rehydration, pain management, and treating symptoms.

Nations with mineral reserves needed for energy transition

Context:The world’s energy system is mainly powered by fossil fuels. The transition to a low-carbon one will shift its underpinnings away from coal, oil, and gas to the minerals needed for solar, wind, nuclear, and other technologies.

Which countries have such mineral reserves that can be mined?

world data on minerals for a clean and green energy

Bauxite: Primary source of aluminum. Essential for wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, electrolyzers, and transmission cables.

Chromium: Key for geothermal and concentrated solar power. Used in wind turbines, and for radiation shielding in nuclear power plants.

Cobalt: Used in consumer electronics, catalysts for the oil industry, resistant metal alloys, critical components in many lithium-ion battery technologies.

Copper: Critical element in solar photovoltaics, wind power, battery storage, and electricity grids.

Graphite: Key component of battery anodes and therefore important for the transition to electric vehicles, and stationary batteries for balancing electricity grids.

Lithium: Core component of lithium-ion batteries.

Manganese: Widely used in solar and wind power, and in lithium-ion batteries for electric cars.

Molybdenum: Has a very high electrical conductivity but expands little when exposed to heat.

Nickel: Key component in the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries in electric cars.

Rare earths: Used in wind power for permanent magnets.

Silver: It’s most important role in clean energy is in solar photovoltaics and electric vehicles.

Uranium: Primary fuel for nuclear energy production.

The status of the civil war in Sudan

Context: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a major offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and Bahri. Thus, the war which was quiet for a few months has gained momentum again.

Who are involved in the war and situation thereof

It started as a power rivalry between the military heads of the SAF and the RSF, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Hamdan Dagalo respectively.
The Conflict which started in capital city of Khartoum has spread to Omdurman, Bahri, Port Sudan, El Fasher and the Port Sudan cities, as well as the Darfur and Kordofan states.
In August, the UN declared famine in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur which hosts nearly 5,00,000 IDPs.
The UN- Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee says that 14 regions in the Greater Darfur, South and North Kordofan, and Jazeera states face conditions similar to Zamzam.
According to the latest UN-backed IPC initiative, 25.6 million people, more than half of Sudan’s population, face “crisis or worse” levels of food insecurity.

Why war still continues?

Firstly, both warring parties are adamant about gaining ground and legitimising their power. The SAF claims to be the legitimate government, with the UN just about recognising their claims, although it came to power through a coup in 2021.
- The RSF, a former Arab militia known as Janjaweed, seeks alliances from several Arab countries to support its claim to power.
Secondly, Sudan has been under the UN arms embargo, since the 2004 Darfur crisis, which has recently been extended for another year. However, the embargo has not blocked the flow of weapons.
Thirdly, the war has become complex with the involvement of multiple actors and issues.
It began as a military rivalry has now evolved through ethnic lines, involving several regional ethnic militias. Arab and non-Arab militias have taken sides with the RSF and the SAF respectively.
Fourthly, the SAF has accused the UAE and previously Russia’s Wagner Group of supporting the RSF. Although the Wagner group and the RSF have rejected any direct military engagement.

Status of peace measures

Nine rounds of U.S.-Saudi ceasefire efforts failed; recent talks saw no attendance. Mistrust persists, limiting negotiation progress, while media attention and access to conflict zones remain restricted.

Regional implications

Over 2 million people have sought refuge in neighboring countries (Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia).
Overflowing refugee camps raise concerns in Europe about migration attempts.
Increased ethnic clashes along borders (South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea).
Violence in Abyei region and clashes in El Fashaga reported.
War jeopardizes South Sudan's oil pipeline to the Red Sea.

There is an increasing fear that the military rivals will divide the country, leading to a plight similar to that of Libya’s. Sudanese people have started to live with the war, and with much attention given to Gaza and Ukraine, the war in Sudan will continue to rage on the sidelines.

Air Force plans to procure 12 early warning aircraft

Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is short of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, a critical force multiplier, is looking for the procurement of 12 new aircrafts.

Major Highlights:

The IAF is planning to acquire 12 new Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircrafts under two different programmes.
- One of them is a follow-on order of six AEW&C systems mounted on Embraer aircraft.
  - IAF already operates three Netra AEW&C systems mounted on Embraer aircrafts.
  - These aircrafts will be purchased from Embraer, while DRDO Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) will be doing the necessary modifications to their equipment.
- Another order pertains to six AEW&C systems under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that would be mounted on Airbus A-321 aircraft.
  - The AEW&C mounted on the Airbus aircraft would provide 300-degree coverage.

Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System:

Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) is a force multiplier system that uses advanced radars for detection & tracking enemy/hostile aircrafts/ UAVs etc. from a considerable distance (primarily long-distance).
The systems use advanced communication equipment to share real-time data with operators onboard and on ground to identify, assess the threat and take actions to guide specific interceptors (fighter jets or surface-to-air missiles) towards the airborne threats to neutralise them.
Significance: In Indian context, AEW&C systems can play a vital role to maintain national airspace security, especially along the China and Pakistan border.

Presently, India operates two types of AEW&C systems:

Netra AEW&C:
- Indigenous system developed by DRDO in collaboration with IAF.
- Mounted on Embraer ERJ-145 jets.
- Netra provides 240-degree coverage of airspace.
- Range over 200 kms.
Phalcon AWACS:
- India presently operates three Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS).
- The Israeli-made system is mounted on top of an IL-76 transport aircraft.
- Provides 360-degree radar coverage.
- Detects aircraft at ranges exceeding 400 kilometres.