Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th April 2025) - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

U.S. Military Presence at Panama Canal Facilities

Why in News?

• Recently, an agreement was reached that allows U.S. military troops to deploy to various facilities along the Panama Canal. This arrangement enables military personnel to conduct essential training and exercises at sites managed by Panama, while explicitly prohibiting the establishment of new U.S. military bases in the region, which could lead to local dissent. The canal plays a crucial role in global trade, facilitating approximately 40% of U.S. container traffic.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. military can conduct training in Panama but cannot establish new bases.
• The Panama Canal is vital for U.S. container traffic and global trade.
• The agreement is part of a strategy to counter Chinese influence in the region.

Additional Details

• Historical Context: The Panama Canal was constructed by the United States and remained under U.S. control until its transfer to Panama in 1999, marking a significant shift in regional power dynamics.
• Current U.S. Military Strategy: The new agreement allows for a flexible U.S. military presence, aimed at reassuring allies and deterring threats to the canal's operations amidst rising Chinese influence.
• China's Reaction: China has expressed significant opposition to U.S. military activities in Panama, arguing these actions threaten regional stability. They are also reviewing a $23 billion port deal that could challenge their interests.
• Economic Implications: The canal is responsible for about 5% of global maritime traffic, making its control crucial for U.S. national security; any disruptions could have severe economic impacts.
• Local Political Dynamics: The Panamanian government is balancing its sovereignty over the canal with local sentiments against foreign military presence, complicated by recent audits revealing potential financial mismanagement in port contracts.
• Future Prospects: The future of U.S.-Panama relations is uncertain, with both countries and China likely to continue vying for influence, affecting regional stability.

The recent military agreement represents a pivotal moment in U.S.-Panama relations and reflects broader geopolitical tensions, particularly with China. The outcome of this agreement and the associated port deals will be critical for the future of the region.

Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme

Why in News?

• The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme, previously known as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal, was renamed in September 2021. This centrally sponsored initiative is designed to provide hot cooked meals to students enrolled in Government and Government-aided schools, covering all school days from Balvatika to Class VIII. The scheme effectively addresses the dual challenges of hunger and education, emphasizing nutritional support and enhancing school attendance.

Key Takeaways

• The scheme aims to improve the nutritional status of children in Government and Government-aided schools.
• It encourages school attendance among disadvantaged groups.
• Nutritional support is extended during summer vacations in drought and disaster-affected areas.

Additional Details

Financial Aspects: The material cost for midday meals has recently increased by 9.5%, leading to an additional ₹954 crorefor the financial year 2025-26. The revised cost per student per day is:

• Balvatika and Primary Students: ₹6.78 (up from ₹6.19)
• Upper Primary Students: ₹10.17 (up from ₹9.29)

Nutritional Requirements:The scheme prescribes specific nutritional needs:

• Balvatika and Primary Students: 20g of pulses, 50g of vegetables, and 5g of oil.
• Upper Primary Students: 30g of pulses, 75g of vegetables, and 7.5g of oil.

Data and Monitoring: The Labour Bureau of the Ministry of Labour monitors inflation for food items under the PM-POSHAN scheme using the Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL), compiled with monthly prices from 600 villages across 20 states.

Scale of the Scheme: Approximately 11.20 crore students benefit from the PM-POSHAN scheme, which operates in 10.36 lakh schools. The scheme aims to enhance school participation and provide essential nutritional support. The Centre also supplies about 26 lakh Metric Tonnes of food grains through the Food Corporation of India.

Cost Breakdown:The total cost per meal, which includes food grains, is approximately:

• ₹12.13 for Balvatika and primary classes.
• ₹17.62 for upper primary classes.

The Centre fully covers food grain costs, including subsidies and transportation.

In conclusion, the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme plays a crucial role in ensuring that children in Government and Government-aided schools receive adequate nutrition, which is essential for their educational success and overall development.

BM-04 Short-Range Ballistic Missile

Why in News?

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently unveiled the BM-04, an advanced short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), at a defence exhibition held in Hyderabad. This missile is specifically developed to bolster India's conventional strike capabilities, particularly in the context of its strategic operations against Pakistan.

Key Takeaways

• The BM-04 missile is 10.2 metres long and 1.2 metres in diameter, weighing 11,500 kg.
• It features a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and can strike targets up to 1,500 km away.
• This missile carries a conventional warhead weighing 500 kg, with a precision of just 30 metres CEP.

Additional Details

• Canisterised Launch System: The BM-04’s canisterised design allows for rapid deployment and reduces launch preparation time by pre-mating the warhead with the delivery system. It can be easily transported using a six-wheel indigenous transport erector launcher (TEL).
• Technological Advancements: Incorporating a hypersonic re-entry vehicle enhances the missile's ability to evade enemy air defence systems, making it effective against time-sensitive targets like missile launchers and command centres.
• The BM-04 signifies a strategic shift in India’s military doctrine, emphasizing a pre-emptive strike posture aimed at enabling precision strikes on critical military infrastructure in Pakistan.
• This missile enhances India’s conventional counterforce capability, allowing for deep deployment within Indian territory, thus complicating adversary targeting of launch sites.
• Future upgrades of the BM-04 will incorporate new technologies, ensuring its continued effectiveness against emerging threats and helping India maintain a robust military stance in the region.

In summary, the introduction of the BM-04 missile represents a significant advancement in India's military capabilities, emphasizing the importance of precision and rapid deployment in contemporary warfare. This development is part of a broader strategy to establish an Integrated Rocket Force (IRF) aimed at addressing regional security challenges.

India Launches Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk

Why in News?

• The Government of India has recently introduced the Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk to aid stakeholders in navigating the intricacies of international trade amid shifting tariff regulations. This initiative, announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, responds to the evolving trade landscape characterized by new tariff measures and increased import pressures.

Key Takeaways

• The helpdesk aims to support stakeholders with import and export challenges.
• It will address issues like import surges and dumping.
• The initiative includes assistance with EXIM clearance, logistics, and regulatory compliance.

Additional Details

• Monitoring Global Trade: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is actively tracking changes in global trade, including tariff adjustments and export challenges, to provide timely assistance to affected businesses.
• Impact of US Tariffs: The recent tariffs imposed by the United States, including a 10 percent tariff on most trading partners and a 125 percent tariff on China, have disrupted global trade dynamics and intensified the trade war between the US and China.
• Opportunities for Indian Businesses: As Chinese firms face increased tariffs, Indian manufacturers may find opportunities to attract businesses looking to relocate to countries with lower tariffs, potentially boosting India's position in the global market.
• The helpdesk will coordinate with various ministries and state agencies to comprehensively address trade-related issues.

This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing India's capabilities to manage international trade challenges, providing essential support to businesses navigating a complex global market.

Impact of Pharmaceuticals on Atlantic Salmon Behaviour

Why in News?

• A recent study has uncovered that wild Atlantic salmon exhibit increased swimming speeds due to the contamination of rivers with human pharmaceuticals. This surprising finding is primarily linked to drugs like clobazam, which have been shown to modify the behavior of salmon during their migration. Although this might initially seem beneficial, it raises significant concerns regarding the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Key Takeaways

• Pharmaceuticals are contaminating rivers mainly through human waste.
• Over 900 different substances, including antidepressants and painkillers, have been found to affect wildlife behavior.
• Juvenile salmon exposed to clobazam demonstrated improved navigation through hydropower dams.
• Altered behaviors may disrupt predator-prey dynamics and ecosystem health.
• Addressing pharmaceutical pollution requires improved wastewater treatment and sustainable drug development.

Additional Details

• Pharmaceutical Pollution: Pharmaceuticals enter waterways predominantly via human waste. The detection of various medications globally indicates a broad environmental challenge.
• Behavioral Changes: Exposure to clobazam not only enhanced travel efficiency but also impacted social behaviors, making salmon bolder and potentially increasing their risk-taking.
• These changes could have cascading effects on various species within the ecosystem, particularly as the Atlantic salmon is already vulnerable due to factors such as overfishing and habitat degradation.
• Potential solutions include innovations in wastewater treatment and the development of drugs designed to decompose more readily in the environment.

In conclusion, while the faster migration of Atlantic salmon due to pharmaceutical exposure may seem advantageous, the long-term ecological implications could be dire. It is crucial to address the issue of pharmaceutical pollution to safeguard aquatic ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.

Surge in Paediatric Tuberculosis Cases in India

Why in News?

• The alarming rise in notified paediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases in India has become a significant public health issue. Recent statistics show a 38% increase in cases among children aged up to 14 years from 2020 to 2024. This escalation is attributed to various factors, including malnutrition and the ongoing repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key Takeaways

• Paediatric TB diagnoses have surged from 102,090 cases in 2020 to 141,182 in 2024.
• Malnutrition and Covid-19 are major contributing factors to this increase.
• Challenges in diagnosis and treatment, especially in cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
• The Indian government aims to eliminate TB by 2025, ahead of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Additional Details

• Paediatric TB: This refers to tuberculosis diagnosed in children aged 14 years or younger, which constitutes a significant portion of the TB burden in India.
• Factors Contributing to Increased Cases:Key issues include:
  • Malnutrition: Weakens children's immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections.
  • Transmission from Adults: TB often spreads from infected adult family members to children.
  • Covid-19 Pandemic Effects: Disruptions in healthcare may have reactivated latent TB infections.
• Diagnostic Challenges: Diagnosing TB in children is complicated by non-specific symptoms and the prevalence of extrapulmonary TB, which affects organs other than the lungs.
• Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis: The rise of MDR-TB and XDR-TB among children is concerning, with these forms requiring longer treatment and more costly medications.
• Government Initiatives: The Indian government is expanding BCG vaccination and improving access to rapid diagnostics to combat paediatric TB.
• Implementation Gaps: Despite having guidelines for treating paediatric TB, gaps exist due to a lack of trained healthcare professionals and limited access to diagnostic facilities.

The increase in paediatric tuberculosis cases poses a critical challenge for public health in India, necessitating urgent action and effective strategies to combat this rising epidemic.