- INTERNATIONAL
EU WEST ASIA ENVOY TO PUSH FOR TWO STATE SOLUTION
- The two-state solution is crucial for resolving the Israel[1]Palestine conflict and ensuring global peace.
- It envisions an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel, living in peace and security.
- Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected this solution, complicating the peace process.
- The European Union (EU) plays a significant role in the West Asia peace process, consistently supporting the two-state solution.
- The EU’s diplomatic, economic, and political influence is vital in mediating and facilitating dialogue between Israel and Palestine.
- Despite Netanyahu’s opposition, Sven Koopmans, the EU’s West Asia peace envoy, believes the two-state solution remains achievable.
2. ENVIRONMENT
KERALA ISSUES GUIDELINES ON AMOEBIC BRAIN INFECTION
- Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and lethal central nervous system infection caused by free-living amoebae, primarily Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.”
- Another organism, Vermamoeba vermiformis, has also been identified in one of the recent cases.
- Key Characteristics:
- Causative Organisms: Naegleria fowleri: Found in warm freshwater bodies like lakes and rivers.
- Vermamoeba vermiformis: Another free-living amoeba found in the human environment.
- Mode of Infection: The amoeba enters the body through the nasal passages, typically when individuals dive or jump into contaminated water. It then travels to the brain, causing severe brain swelling and tissue destruction.
- Symptoms: Early symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, progressing rapidly to stiff neck, seizures, altered mental status, and coma.
- Fatality: The infection is almost always fatal, with death occurring within days of symptom onset.
- Technical Guidelines Issued by the Health Department
- Prevention: – Avoid Stagnant Water: Avoid diving and jumping into stagnant water bodies, especially during warm weather when the amoeba is more likely to thrive.
- Use of Nose Plugs: When participating in water-related activities, use nose plugs to prevent water from entering the nasal passages.
- Public Awareness: Educate the public about the risks associated with swimming in warm freshwater bodies and the importance of preventive measures.
- Diagnosis: Early Detection: Healthcare providers are advised to consider PAM in patients presenting with symptoms of acute meningitis, especially if there is a history of recent freshwater exposure.
- Laboratory Testing: Diagnostic tests include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, where the presence of amoebae can be detected through microscopy, culture, or molecular methods such as PCR.
- Treatment: Drug Regimen: The optimal treatment approach is uncertain, but it generally includes a combination of amoebicidal drugs with good in-vitro activity capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.
- Commonly used drugs include: Amphotericin B: An antifungal with amoebicidal properties.
- Miltefosine: An anti-leishmanial drug that has shown some efficacy against Naegleria fowleri.
- Rifampin: An antibiotic that may be used in combination with other drugs.
- Azithromycin: An antibiotic with potential amoebicidal activity.
- Supportive Care: Intensive medical care to manage symptoms and complications, including measures to reduce brain swelling
3. BILATERAL
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOTH QUAD AND BRICS
- India’s engagement with both the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) reflects its strategic balancing act in the complex global geopolitical landscape.
- Quad: Strategic and Security Dimensions
- 1. Geopolitical Security: – Countering China: The Quad has a clear geopolitical security objective aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. This is particularly important given China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Maritime Security: India has emphasized the importance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, as evidenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-level event on ‘Enhancing Maritime Security’ during India’s presidency of the UNSC in August 2021.
- 2. Techno-Economic Collaboration: Supply Chain Resilience: The Quad is working on reorienting global supply chains, particularly for critical technologies such as semiconductors, digital infrastructure, and health. This is crucial for reducing dependency on China.
- Developmental Security: The Quad’s focus on areas like digital, telecom, health, and power underscores the intersection of development and security, which aligns with India’s broader strategic vision.
- 3. Enhanced Bilateral Relations: U.S. Partnership: India’s participation in the Quad has strengthened its bilateral relations with the U.S., enhancing cooperation in various strategic sectors.
- 4. AUKUS and Military Dynamics: AUKUS Impact: The formation of AUKUS (Australia, U.K., U.S.) has added a military dimension to the Indo-Pacific security architecture. While this aligns with India’s strategic interests, India maintains a cautious stance, emphasizing that Quad is not an “Asian NATO.”
- BRICS: Multilateral and Economic Dimensions
- 1. Reforming Multilateralism: Reformed Multilateralism: India has been a strong advocate for reforming the multilateral system, a vision articulated by Prime Minister Modi at the 10th BRICS summit in 2018. This includes pushing for reforms in global institutions like the United Nations.
- 2. Economic Cooperation: – New Development Bank (NDB): BRICS initiatives like the NDB and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement have been pioneering efforts to provide financial support to member countries and reduce dependency on Western financial institutions.
- 3. Balancing Global Influence: Countering Western Dominance: BRICS serves as a platform for India to engage with major emerging economies and counterbalance Western dominance in global affairs. This is particularly relevant in the context of the Ukraine war and the shifting global power dynamics.
- 4. Managing China’s Influence: China’s Grandstanding: India’s participation in BRICS is also a strategic move to counter China’s attempts to use the grouping to push its worldview on the Global South. India’s engagement ensures that BRICS does not become a tool for Chinese hegemony.
- 5. Expansion and Inclusivity: BRICS Expansion: While India has been cautious about expanding BRICS, the inclusion of new members could potentially dilute China’s influence if managed strategically. India’s active participation is crucial to steer BRICS in a direction that aligns with its interests.
4. NATIONAL
INDIA IS MOVING AHEAD WITH VISION OF DEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE
- World Heritage Committee Meeting in India
- First Time Hosting: India is hosting the World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time. This is a significant event as it places India at the center of global heritage discussions.
- Role of the Committee: – The World Heritage Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention
- It defines the use of the World Heritage Fund
- It allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties
- It also decides on the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List
- India’s Vision: Development and Heritage
- “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”: This phrase translates to “development as well as heritage.” It signifies India’s commitment to balancing modern development with the preservation and promotion of its rich cultural heritage.
- Return of Heritage Items – 350+ Heritage Items have been brought back to India recently. This is a significant achievement in the realm of cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation
- International Cooperation: The return of heritage artifacts is seen as a display of global generosity and respect for history. It underscores the importance of international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage. Northeast India’s ‘Maidam’
- Nomination to UNESCO World Heritage List: The historic ‘Maidam’ from Northeast India has been nominated to enter UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This would be the first heritage site from Northeast India to secure the status of Cultural World Heritage.
- India’s 43rd World Heritage Site: If accepted, this would be India’s 43rd World Heritage Site, highlighting the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
- Technological Developments and New Discoveries – Sinauli Discoveries: The discovery of a “4,000-year-old horse-driven chariot” in Sinauli, Uttar Pradesh, is a significant archaeological find. It emphasizes the need for new perspectives and technologies to understand India’s ancient history
5. INTERNATIONAL
BANGLADESH SUPREME COURT SCALES BACK JOBS QUOTA AMID UNREST
- Reason for protests — The protests in Bangladesh are primarily driven by dissatisfaction with the quota system for government job applicants.
- This system has been a contentious issue for years, with many arguing that it unfairly benefits certain groups at the expense of merit-based candidates.
- The Quota System— The quota system in Bangladesh was originally designed to ensure representation for various marginalized groups in government jobs. The system allocated a significant percentage of government jobs to specific categories such as: Freedom Fighters’ Descendants: A large portion of the quota was reserved for the descendants of those who fought in the 1971 Liberation War.
- Women: A certain percentage was reserved for female candidates.
- Ethnic Minorities: Quotas were also set aside for ethnic minority groups.
- Disabled Individuals: A portion was reserved for people with disabilities
- The Indian interests affected by the situation in Bangladesh, include: – Safety and Security of Indian Citizens: The unrest in Bangladesh has led to over 4,500 Indian students returning to India due to safety concerns.
- Border Security: The Border Security Force (BSF) is on high alert to deal with any situation arising from the violence in Bangladesh. There are concerns about security challenges along the 856 km border shared by the Indian state of Tripura and Bangladesh.
- Political Stability and Diplomatic Relations: The violence and political instability in Bangladesh could affect India’s geopolitical interests and stability in the region.
- Economic Interests: Political instability in Bangladesh could impact trade and economic relations between the two countries. The disruption could affect businesses and investments linked to both nations.
- Regional Stability: The broader impact of instability in Bangladesh could affect regional stability in South Asia, influencing India’s foreign policy and strategic interests in the region.
ONE LINER
- External Affairs Minister inaugurated India’s first overseas People’s Dispensary (Jan Avshati Kendra) in Mauritius
- Tamil Nadu (78) ahead of the national average (71) in health poverty alleviation, education – Information in NITI Aayog report
