CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Recently in Visakhapatnam, five individuals fell unconscious and were hospitalized while transferring acetanilide bags from one container to another.
• About Acetanilide:
  • Acetanilide is a synthetic organic compound with the molecular formula C8H9NO. It is also referred to as N-phenylacetamide, acetanil, or acetanilid. This compound appears as a white, odorless solid. It is chemically related to acetic acid. Acetanilide was first introduced for therapeutic use in 1886 as a drug for reducing fever. Its pain-relieving properties were discovered shortly after, making it a common alternative to aspirin for treating ailments like headaches, menstrual cramps, and rheumatism. However, excessive or long-term use of acetanilide can lead to toxic side effects, as it disrupts hemoglobin's function—the oxygen-carrying component of blood. In the body, acetanilide is mainly metabolized into acetaminophen (paracetamol), which has largely replaced acetanilide in medical use due to its lower risk of causing blood disorders. Acetanilide is also utilized as an intermediate in the manufacture of dyes, rubber, and various chemicals.

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• The Union government has recently announced plans to create foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zones in eight states: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
• About Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD):
  • Foot-and-mouth disease is a severe and highly contagious viral illness affecting livestock, which has a considerable economic impact. It primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, swine, sheep, and goats, but does not impact horses, dogs, or cats. Animals raised intensively are more prone to FMD compared to traditional breeds. This disease is classified as a transboundary animal disease (TAD), significantly impacting livestock production and disrupting both regional and international trade in animals and animal products. FMD poses no threat to human health or food safety and is distinct from hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is a common childhood illness caused by a different virus. The causative agent of FMD is an aphthovirus from the Picornaviridae family. There are seven distinct strains (A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1) that are endemic in various regions around the world. Immunity to one strain does not confer protection against other strains or subtypes.
  • Transmission: FMD virus is present in all secretions and excretions from infected animals. These animals expel large amounts of aerosolized virus, which can spread to other animals through respiratory or oral routes. Although FMD is rarely fatal in adult animals, young animals often experience high mortality rates.
  • Symptoms: FMD is marked by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Blisters that rupture can cause severe lameness and make animals reluctant to move or eat. Other common symptoms include fever, depression, excessive salivation, loss of appetite, weight loss, stunted growth, and decreased milk production, which may persist even after recovery. The disease leads to significant production losses, and while most animals recover, they may be left weakened and debilitated. FMD was the first disease for which the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly known as OIE) granted official recognition. Vaccines are available for FMD but must be tailored to the specific type and subtype of the virus involved in the outbreak.

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• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has recently recommended the imposition of an anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil imported from China.
• About Anti-Dumping Duty:
  • An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff levied by a government on foreign imports believed to be sold below their fair market value. Dumping occurs when a company exports a product at a price significantly lower than what it charges in its home market. The duty is set to match the difference between the normal cost of the product in the importing country and the market value of comparable goods in the exporting country or other producing nations. This measure aims to shield domestic businesses and markets from unfair competition posed by such undervalued imports. The primary goal of an anti-dumping duty is to counteract the trade-distorting effects of dumping and to restore fair trading conditions. The World Trade Organization (WTO) permits the use of anti-dumping measures to ensure fair competition, provided there is clear evidence of significant harm to domestic industries. The affected country’s government must demonstrate that dumping has occurred, quantify the extent of the pricing discrepancies, and show the resultant harm or potential harm to its domestic market. While anti-dumping duties are designed to protect local businesses and markets, they can also result in higher prices for domestic consumers. In India, the final decision on whether to impose such duties is made by the Ministry of Finance.

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• The International Buddhist Confederation, in partnership with the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, recently hosted a two-day International Conference on the Life and Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava at Nalanda, Bihar.
• Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, was a prominent figure in Buddhist tradition who lived in the eighth century in ancient India. Revered as a key founder of Tibetan Buddhism, he arrived in Tibet in 749 A.D. He is renowned for spreading the teachings of Lord Buddha throughout the Himalayan region, including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Tibet. A Tantrist and a member of the Yogācāra sect, he also taught at Nalanda, a major center for Buddhist studies in India. Guru Padmasambhava is known for integrating various cultural elements, including Yogic and Tantric practices, meditation, art, music, dance, magic, folklore, and religious teachings.
• Key Facts about the International Buddhist Confederation:
  • The International Buddhist Confederation, based in New Delhi, is a global organization that provides a unified platform for Buddhists worldwide. Founded with the support of the highest Buddhist religious authorities, it currently encompasses over 320 member organizations, both monastic and lay, across 39 countries.