Daily Current Affairs and News Analysis 09-03-2025

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but serious viral disease, recently in the news due to the death of Gene Hackman’s wife.

HPS is caused by several strains of hantavirus, primarily transmitted through contact with rodent excretions (urine, droppings, saliva). Transmission is not person-to-person. Rarely, bites or scratches can cause infection.

Initial symptoms mimic the flu: fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue. Respiratory symptoms may develop, leading to life-threatening lung and heart problems. The mortality rate is approximately 38% if respiratory symptoms appear.

There is no specific cure for HPS. Early medical attention is crucial for managing severe disease.

HPS is a zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals to humans).

The incubation period is 9 to 33 days, averaging 14-17 days.

Diagnosis can be challenging as symptoms overlap with other illnesses. A blood test is the most reliable diagnostic method.

HPS is considered a rare disease, with a relatively small number of cases reported annually in the US, though New Mexico and Colorado have seen higher incidence rates.

India Procures T-72 Tank Engines: The Ministry of Defence signed a $248 million deal with Russia’s Rosoboronexport to procure 1000 HP engines for the T-72 tank.

Engine Upgrade: This upgrade will replace the current 780 HP engines, improving the T-72’s battlefield mobility and the Indian Army’s offensive capabilities.

“Make in India” Initiative Boost: The deal includes Transfer of Technology (ToT) to the Heavy Vehicle Factory in Avadi, Chennai, for local engine production, supporting the “Make in India” initiative in the defence sector.

T-72’s Significance: The T-72 is a mainstay of the Indian Army’s tank fleet. India has a substantial number of T-72 tanks in service.

Tank Features: T-72 tanks are equipped with a 125mm D-81 smoothbore gun, machine guns, and offer layered armor protection. They also have an automatic loading system for a high rate of fire.

Global Presence: The T-72 is a widely used main battle tank worldwide, manufactured in multiple countries and serving in numerous armies.

New Deep-Sea Predator Discovered: A new species of amphipod, Dulcibella camanchaca, has been found in the Atacama Trench.

Hadal Zone Predator: It’s the first known predatory amphipod in the hadal zone (depths exceeding 6,000 meters).

Unique Hunting Behavior: Unlike most deep-sea creatures that scavenge, D. camanchaca actively hunts using specialized appendages.

Extreme Adaptation: It thrives in freezing temperatures and pressures over 1,000 times that at sea level.

Size and Name: Approximately 4 centimeters long; “Dulcibella” is a literary reference, while “camanchaca” means “darkness” in some South American languages, reflecting its habitat.

Scientific Significance: This discovery provides insights into life’s adaptation to extreme environments, potentially relevant to the search for extraterrestrial life.

Conservation Implications: The discovery highlights the importance of deep-sea exploration and conservation, especially given threats from deep-sea mining and climate change.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) is an international treaty banning the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. Adopted in 2008, it has 112 member states.

Lithuania recently withdrew from the CCM, citing security concerns related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is the first withdrawal from the convention.

Human rights groups strongly criticized Lithuania’s decision, warning of increased civilian casualties. They argue the convention effectively protects civilians from indiscriminate harm.

Lithuania’s justification is that possessing cluster munitions enhances its defense capabilities against Russia. They plan to implement measures to minimize civilian harm from any potential use.

The decision raises concerns about a potential trend of other nations reconsidering their commitment to humanitarian disarmament treaties, especially amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Other major powers, including the US, Russia, China, India, Ukraine, and Israel, are not members of the CCM.

Cluster munitions are weapons that disperse smaller explosives over a wide area, posing significant risks to civilians due to unexploded ordnance.

Global Authority: The IPCC is the leading international scientific body assessing climate change, established by the UN and WMO in 1988.

Seventh Assessment Cycle: The IPCC is currently working on its seventh assessment cycle.

Scope of Work: The IPCC assesses the scientific, technical, and socio-economic information related to climate change, including its human-induced causes, potential impacts, and solutions.

Role in Policy: The IPCC provides scientific information to governments for developing climate policies.

Report Outputs: The IPCC produces comprehensive reports, including assessment reports, special reports, and methodology reports. These reports are critical for international climate negotiations.

Assessment Process: The IPCC does not conduct new research. It evaluates published, peer-reviewed scientific literature, drawing on the expertise of volunteer scientists.

Working Groups: The IPCC has three working groups:

• WG1: Physics of Climate Change.
• WG2: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.
• WG3: Climate Change Mitigation.

Upcoming Reports: The Seventh Assessment cycle includes a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and a report on Short Lived Climate Forcers.

Significance: The IPCC reports guide government and business actions, informing climate policy decisions and actions to transition towards clean energy.

The Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) compensates developing nations for climate change impacts like rising sea levels and extreme weather.

Established at COP27 (2022), it aims to provide financial aid for both economic and non-economic losses.

Developing countries, especially small island states, pushed for the LDF, arguing developed nations bear responsibility for climate change’s effects.

Approximately $750 million has been pledged, with the US initially contributing $17.5 million.

The US unexpectedly withdrew from the LDF’s governing board, causing significant concern.

The US’s withdrawal is viewed as a setback for climate justice and a blow to vulnerable nations already suffering from climate-related disasters.

Critics highlight the US’s historical role in greenhouse gas emissions and its responsibility to contribute to global climate reparations.

The LDF’s future is uncertain following the US’s withdrawal, raising concerns about funding and support for affected nations.

The World Bank is the interim trustee, managing the fund for four years.

The LDF is meant to operate from January 1, 2025.

Enforcement Directorate Action: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized a business jet at Hyderabad airport in connection with a ₹850 crore Ponzi scheme probe against Falcon Group (Capital Protection Force Pvt. Ltd.) and its promoters.

The Alleged Scheme: Falcon Group allegedly collected ₹1,700 crore from investors promising high returns through a fraudulent invoice discounting scheme. ₹850 crore was repaid, leaving approximately 6,979 investors unpaid.

The Jet’s Role: The ED believes the jet was purchased with “proceeds of crime” from the Ponzi scheme. The jet, owned by Kumar’s private charter company, was used by CMD Amar Deep Kumar to flee the country.

What is a Ponzi Scheme: A Ponzi scheme is an investment scam where early investors are paid with money from later investors, creating an illusion of profit and promising high returns with minimal risk.

Legal Framework in India: Ponzi schemes are illegal in India, banned under the Prize Chit and Money Circulation (Banning) Act, 1978, and the Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019. The Enforcement Directorate also investigates these schemes under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Similarities to Pyramid Schemes: Both Ponzi and pyramid schemes rely on recruiting new investors/participants to pay earlier ones but collapse when recruitment slows.