CURRENT-AFFAIRS

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• A remarkable discovery has been made in the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (Sagar district) as the elusive four-horned antelope, also known as Chousingha, has been spotted for the very first time in this area, previously recognized as Nauradehi Sanctuary.
• Here's a brief overview of the Four-Horned Antelope:
• Scientific Name: Tetracerus quadricornis
• Distribution: Endemic to India and Nepal, they inhabit regions from the northern foothills of the Himalayas to the southern Deccan Plateau.
• Habitat: Preferring open, dry, deciduous forests in hilly landscapes, they seek areas with ample grass or dense undergrowth, often near water sources.
• Physical Features: Sporting a yellowish-brown to reddish coat, these slender creatures boast small legs and a concise tail. Their defining characteristic is the possession of four horns, a rarity among bovids. Only males develop horns, with one pair situated between the ears and the other on the forehead.
• Behavior: Primarily diurnal and solitary, they may occasionally be seen in loose groups of three to four individuals.
• Conservation Status: Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, these antelopes face various threats to their populations, including habitat loss and fragmentation.
• The sighting of this unique antelope in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve underscores the importance of preserving and protecting the diverse ecosystems within such reserves to ensure the survival of vulnerable species like the four-horned antelope.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• In the United Kingdom, a group of researchers has recently pioneered groundbreaking non-invasive measurement techniques and innovative analysis methods aimed at deciphering the progression of diseases like Huntington's disease (HD). These advancements allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of potential treatments or lifestyle modifications on individuals affected by HD.
• Here's some insight into Huntington’s Disease:
• Nature of HD: It's an inherited condition characterized by the gradual degeneration and demise of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This degeneration significantly impairs various functional abilities, leading to a combination of movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders.
• Types of HD: There are two main forms of HD: adult-onset, which is more prevalent and typically manifests symptoms in the individual's mid-30s or 40s, and early-onset, affecting a smaller subset of individuals and beginning either in childhood or during the teenage years.
• Underlying Cause: HD stems from a genetic mutation within the HTT gene, responsible for encoding a protein called huntingtin crucial for neuronal function. Mutations lead to an abnormal expansion of a DNA sequence within the gene, resulting in the production of huntingtin proteins with excessively repeated amino acid sequences. The severity and onset age of HD correlate with the extent of this expansion.
• Symptoms: The manifestation of HD encompasses a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms, including mood swings, cognitive impairment, uncontrollable jerky movements, and difficulties in speech, swallowing, and mobility.
• Treatment: Unfortunately, there's currently no cure for HD, nor any definitive means to halt its progression. Treatment strategies primarily focus on managing symptoms to enhance quality of life and maintain functional abilities for as long as possible.
• The development of these non-invasive measurement techniques and analytical methodologies marks a significant stride in the ongoing battle against HD, offering hope for improved understanding, management, and potentially, future therapeutic interventions.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has recently introduced a groundbreaking addition to its arsenal with the unveiling of the Air LORA, an air-launched variant derived from the renowned Long-Range Artillery (LORA) ballistic missile.
• Here's a glimpse into the features of Air LORA:
• Design and Development: Crafted by the skilled engineers at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Air LORA represents a sophisticated advancement in long-range air-to-ground missile (AGM) technology.
• Mission Capability: Tailored for precision strike missions against high-value and heavily fortified targets, including command centers, air force installations, infrastructure, and naval vessels situated in densely populated coastal regions.
• Warhead Flexibility: Equipped with a robust warhead offering diverse configurations, Air LORA empowers air forces to engage enemy targets from extended distances beyond the reach of adversarial air defenses.
• Survivability: Engineered for resilience, Air LORA boasts advanced immunity against interference, thanks to its cutting-edge INS/GNSS navigation system and formidable anti-jamming capabilities. This enables uninterrupted operation even in adverse weather conditions and fiercely contested battle zones.
• Ease of Integration and Operation: Designed for seamless integration onto various airborne platforms, Air LORA offers a user-friendly interface, featuring straightforward fire-and-forget functionality and autonomous operation.
• Mission Success Rate: Renowned for its exceptional performance, Air LORA achieves a remarkably high mission success rate, owing to its supersonic velocity, combat-proven GNSS anti-jamming system, precisely controlled terminal trajectory, and a formidable 90° attack angle.
• The introduction of Air LORA underscores Israel Aerospace Industries' commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions for modern warfare scenarios, enhancing the operational capabilities of air forces worldwide.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The recently constituted Cabinet has taken a decisive step towards the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by approving the construction of an additional 3 crore rural and urban houses, aimed at addressing the housing needs of the populace across the nation.
• Here's an overview of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana:
  • Objective: PMAY is a credit-linked subsidy scheme launched with the primary objective of providing affordable housing to individuals belonging to low and moderate-income groups throughout India.
  • Expansion Decision: The newly formed government has greenlit a proposal to extend the reach of PMAY by facilitating the construction of an additional 3 crore rural and urban houses, thus bolstering its impact on housing accessibility nationwide.