CURRENT-AFFAIRS

​​​​​​​Sammy Basso, recognized as the longest-living survivor of the rare genetic disorder progeria, sadly passed away at the age of 28.

• About Progeria:
  • Progeria, formally known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, is an exceedingly rare and progressive genetic condition that causes children to age at an accelerated pace. This disorder results from a small genetic mutation and is estimated to affect 1 in 4 million newborns globally.
  • Infants with progeria often appear healthy at birth, but signs of premature aging typically emerge within their first one to two years. Their growth rate decreases significantly, and they fail to gain weight as expected. Importantly, progeria does not impact cognitive abilities or brain development.
• However, the rapid aging process leads to distinct physical traits, including:
  • Baldness
  • Prominent eyes
  • Wrinkled, aged skin
  • A thin, beaked nose
  • A disproportionately small face relative to head size
  • Loss of subcutaneous fat
• As children with progeria grow older, they develop health issues typically associated with individuals aged 50 and above, such as bone loss, arterial hardening, and heart disease. Unfortunately, the condition is always fatal, with heart complications or strokes being the primary causes of death for most affected children. The average life expectancy for those with progeria is around 15 years, although some may live into their late teens or early twenties.
• Currently, there is no cure for progeria, but a medication called lonafarnib has been found to slow the disease's progression.

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• Tragically, several individuals, including a child, lost their lives while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to England, as reported by the French Interior Minister.
• About the English Channel:
  • The English Channel is a narrow extension of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the southern coast of England from the northern coast of France. It connects to the North Sea at the Strait of Dover in the east. The term “English Channel” has been in use since the 18th century; prior to that, it was commonly referred to by the English as the “Narrow Sea.” The French call it “la Manche,” which translates to "the Sleeve," reflecting its elongated shape.
  • Covering an area of approximately 29,000 square miles (75,000 square kilometers), it is the smallest of the shallow seas that form the continental shelf of Europe. The channel stretches about 350 miles (560 kilometers) in length, with a maximum width of 150 miles (240 kilometers) and a minimum width of just 21 miles (34 kilometers). Its average depth is 63 meters, making it a relatively shallow waterway.
  • The climate in the region is temperate maritime, characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Key islands in the channel include the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, which comprise Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark.
  • As one of the world's busiest shipping routes, the English Channel serves as a vital link between southern England and northern France, facilitating up to 20% of global maritime trade and connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea.

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• Iran recently launched over 180 ballistic missiles, including its hypersonic medium-range Fattah-2, in a significant offensive intended to challenge Israel’s air defenses.
• About Fattah-2:
  • Fattah, meaning "conqueror" in Farsi, is a hypersonic ballistic missile developed by Iran. It represents an upgraded version of the country’s first domestically produced hypersonic ballistic missile, also named Fattah.
• Features:
  • Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV): The missile is equipped with a warhead that can maneuver and glide at hypersonic speeds.
  • Propulsion: It utilizes a liquid-fuel rocket engine capable of adjusting thrust force for enhanced control.
  • Range and Speed: This precision-guided, two-stage missile can strike targets within a 1,500-kilometer range at speeds reaching Mach 15 (approximately 18,522 km/h).
  • Dimensions: Fattah-2 measures about 12 meters in length and can carry up to 200 kilograms of explosives.
  • Evasion Capabilities: The missile can execute significant trajectory changes in flight, allowing it to evade defense systems.
  • Control Mechanisms: While it can accelerate outside of the Earth's atmosphere, its aerodynamic control surfaces provide steering capability within the atmosphere.

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• The Pakistan government has recently prohibited the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), an organization advocating for the rights of ethnic Pashtuns, labeling it a threat to national security.
• About Pashtuns:
  • Pashtuns—also known as "Pathans" or "Pakhtuns"—are an ethnic group predominantly found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They mainly inhabit the region between the Hindu Kush mountains in northeastern Afghanistan and the northern areas of the Indus River in Pakistan.
  • The Pashtuns in Pakistan are separated from their Afghan counterparts by the Durand Line, a boundary established during the late 19th century that divided British India from Afghanistan. Pashtuns constitute the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, making up 40-50 percent of the population, and historically held the name "Afghan" before it came to refer to all natives of present-day Afghanistan.
  • They are primarily united by the Pashto language, which is an official language in Afghanistan. Many Pashtuns are also proficient in Farsi (Persian), often using it in trade contexts. Shared cultural elements include Sunni Islam and the Pashtunwali code, which outlines ethical behavior and customs.
  • Kinship plays a central role in Pashtun society, with each tribe comprising kinsmen who trace their lineage through a male bloodline to a common ancestor. Tribes are further divided into clans, subclans, and extended patriarchal families.
• Occupation:
  • Most Pashtuns are sedentary farmers, balancing agriculture with animal husbandry, while some engage in migratory herding and trade. A notable number of Pashtuns serve in the military, and a smaller fraction holds political positions.