[UPSC World]

Iran recently launched over 180 ballistic missiles, including the Fattah-2 hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile, in major offensive against Israel’s air defenses.

Iran’s Fattah-2 Hypersonic Missile

• The Fattah-2 missile, developed by Iran, is a new version of its first domestically made hypersonic ballistic missile, with a range of 1500 kilometers and a velocity of Mach 15.
• It is equipped with a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) warhead that can maneuver and glide at hypersonic speed, using a liquid-fuel rocket propellant and precision-guided two-stage missile.
• The missile can carry 200 kilograms of explosives, measuring 12 meters in length, and is capable of significant trajectory changes during flight to evade defense systems.
• It can accelerate outside the Earth’s atmosphere and has aerodynamic control surfaces for steering within the atmosphere.
• The Fattah-2 missile was used for the first time in combat, penetrating Israel’s air defense systems.
• The missile’s development aims to strengthen Iran’s deterrence capabilities, enhance security, and foster sustainable peace in the region.
• It features high speed, stealth design, and maneuverability, making it difficult to intercept due to unpredictable flight paths.
• The missile’s technological advancements position Iran as one of the few countries to possess hypersonic missile technology.

[UPSC World]

Major events that happened after Israel’s strike on Hezbollah ChiefIran’s Missile Attack on Israel

• Iran launched hundreds of drones and cruise missiles towards Israel in response to the strike.
• The attack killed a senior member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards and eight other officers.
• Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted many of the missiles.
• However, some missiles hit Israeli territory, causing damage and injuries.
• Iran threatened to launch more attacks if Israel retaliates.

Escalation of Conflict

• The conflict in West Asia has intensified, with the Israeli military shifting its focus from Hamas in Gaza to the more formidable Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• Hezbollah has launched several rockets into Israel, causing damage and injuries.
• Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
• The conflict has raised concerns of a wider regional war.
• The US, EU, and other countries have called for restraint and a peaceful resolution.

Israel Bans UNSG from Entering Country

• Israel banned United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres from entering the country and accused Guterres of “backing” Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.
• The move was seen as a significant escalation by Israel against the UN.
• Guterres had been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
• The ban has sparked widespread international criticism.

India’s Neutral Stance and Travel Advisory

• India has maintained a neutral stance on the Iran-Israel conflict, urging for de-escalation and peaceful resolutions.
• The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Iran and to stay vigilant.

Impact on Trade

• The conflict has led to a surge in shipping costs due to longer trade routes.
• Indian exporters have been impacted, especially those dealing in low-margin goods.
• The conflict has disrupted trade through the Suez Canal and Red Sea.
• India’s trade with Europe, the US, Africa, and West Asia has been affected.
• Exporters have called for government support to mitigate the impact.

Calls for Indian Shipping Line

• Indian exporters are urging the government to establish an Indian shipping line. The move would reduce reliance on foreign firms and benefit MSMEs.
• India’s outward remittance on transport services exceeded $109 billion in 2022.
• Exporters believe an Indian shipping line would reduce foreign shipping lines’ ability to dictate terms.
• The government is considering the proposal to establish an Indian shipping line.

[UPSC World]

The Supreme Court of India recently made the following observations regarding the Tirupati Laddu controversy:

• The Court criticized Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple.

• The Court questioned the propriety of Naidu’s statements, given that an investigation was already underway.

• The Court noted that the lab report did not ‘conclusively’ prove that the ghee used in the preparation of laddus was adulterated.

• The Court observed that Gods should be kept away from politics and that public statements on sensitive matters can affect the sentiments of devotees.

• The Court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to clarify whether the investigation should be continued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) or transferred to an independent agency.

• The Court also asked Mehta to seek instructions from the Union government on whether an independent investigation is required.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 3.

[UPSC World]

Ghee Adulteration in India: Reasons and Solutions

• The high cost of milk fat, priced at Rs 460-470 per kg(If bought at bulk), makes ghee prone to adulteration with cheaper foreign fats like palmolein, soyabean, and sunflower oil.

• India’s limited annual production of 4 lakh tonnes of milk fat, mostly used by dairies, increases the temptation to adulterate ghee.

• Large buyers like the Tirupati temple require significant amounts of ghee, pressuring suppliers to adulterate due to the need to supply large volumes.

• The 12% GST on ghee, compared to 5% on vegetable fat, makes ghee costlier and encourages adulteration.

• Reducing the 12% GST on ghee, butter, and milk fat can help prevent adulteration by making these products more competitive with vegetable fat and milk powder.

• The government can examine how the high cost of milk fat, limited availability, and tax anomalies contribute to ghee adulteration and address these issues to ensure food security.

[UPSC World]

What happened?

• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) found animal fat, including fish oil, beef tallow, and lard, in ghee samples used for Tirupati Laddus.
• The Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) detected adulteration with various fats, including plant-based and animal-based fats.

Existing Laws

• The Indian Penal Code (1860) penalizes food adulteration, but penalties are often minimal.
• The Food Safety and Standards Act (2006) aims to consolidate food safety regulations, but implementation is weak due to inadequate resources and oversight.

Implementation Gaps

• Despite robust standards, enforcement is lacking due to limited testing facilities and trained personnel.
• A study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found major brands of honey were adulterated with undetectable syrups, raising concerns about testing protocols.

Need for Baseline Data

• Biological variation in Indian cows requires baseline data for accurate results.
• Adulterants unique to local conditions need to be accounted for in testing protocols.
• Accurate interpretation of results relies on customized baseline data.

Way Forward

• Strengthen enforcement mechanisms by increasing resources for testing facilities and training personnel.
• Develop India-specific testing protocols based on baseline data to improve accuracy in detecting food adulteration.

Key Points

• The Tirupati Laddu controversy highlights the need for effective food safety regulations and enforcement.
• Adulteration is a significant concern in India, with weak implementation and inadequate resources.
• Baseline data specific to Indian conditions is crucial for accurate testing and interpretation of results.
• Strengthening enforcement and developing India-specific testing protocols can help address the issue of food adulteration.

[UPSC World]

Israel’s Strike on Hezbollah Chief

• The Israel Defense Forces have killed Hasan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed armed group and political party controlling much of southern Lebanon.
• Nasrallah played a key role in building Hezbollah into a potent force and was one of the most influential figures in the Middle East.
• Hezbollah was formed in 1982 as a Shia resistance group with support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon.
• The group’s core purpose is resistance against Israel, with the destruction of Israel stated in its manifesto.
• The latest conflict flared after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, leading to Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and the displacement of 70,000 Israelis.
• Nasrallah’s death eliminates one of Israel’s most significant military threats and marks a pivotal event in the conflict.
• Half of Hezbollah’s leadership council has been eliminated, significantly weakening the group’s decision-making and intelligence-sharing capabilities.
• The assassination of Nasrallah offers Lebanon a chance to reduce Hezbollah’s grip on the country and potentially ease its influence over national affairs.
• Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran are closely monitoring developments, and their responses will be crucial in determining whether the conflict escalates or de-escalates.
• India seeks stability in West Asia to resume connectivity projects and focus on regional prosperity, and is closely monitoring the situation.

[UPSC World]

Muhammad Yunus: Nobel Laureate and Microfinance Pioneer

• Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2006, has been appointed as the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government.
• He is a renowned economist and founder of Grameen Bank, which pioneered microfinance and provided over $34 billion in loans to nearly 10 million people.
• Yunus is credited with creating the concept of microcredit, offering small, collateral-free loans to poor entrepreneurs.
• He was born in 1940 in Chittagong and holds a PhD in economics from Vanderbilt University.
• Yunus’s relationship with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been strained since he considered starting a political party.
• He is facing legal challenges, including a six-month prison sentence for labor law violations and investigations into tax evasion and financial transactions.
• Despite this, Yunus remains a respected figure, known for his work in promoting economic and social development.
• He has received numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, and has held various influential positions, including a board member of the United Nations Foundation.
• Yunus’s appointment as chief adviser is seen as a significant development in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

[UPSC World]

Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic Disqualification

• Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics due to failing to meet the weight requirement.
• She weighed in at just over 100 grams above the limit, losing her chance at a confirmed silver medal.
• Vinesh had secured three consecutive victories, including a win over defending champion Yui Susaki, but gained weight during the day, resulting in her disqualification.
• Olympic wrestling weigh-ins take place in the morning, and wrestlers have 30 minutes to make weight on the first day and 15 minutes on the second day.
• The Olympics follow a strict weight restriction without any weight tolerance, unlike other international tournaments.
• Vinesh has struggled to cut weight for the 50kg category, having recently switched from the 53kg category.
• She typically weighs around 55-56 kg and has to cut to 50 kg on competition days, which has proven to be challenging.
• If Vinesh had been injured during the first day, she would have been exempt from the second weigh-in and could have salvaged a silver medal.
• However, since she was not injured, she was disqualified for failing to attend the second weigh-in.
• The incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with weight cutting in combat sports.

[UPSC World]

Customs Duty Hike on Laboratory Chemicals Withdrawn

• The Finance Ministry has withdrawn a proposed customs duty hike on imported laboratory chemicals, which was announced in the Budget 2024-25.
• The hike would have increased the cost of essential chemicals for scientific research and experimentation.
• Imported laboratory chemicals are crucial for experimental research across various scientific domains and the medical diagnostics industry.
• However, India lacks local demand to justify the production of niche chemicals, making imports necessary.
• The Budget documents had increased the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on imported laboratory chemicals from 10% to 150%, leading to a significant price hike.
• However, the Finance Ministry has now clarified that all imported laboratory chemicals, except undenatured ethyl alcohol, will be taxed at the original 10% customs duty rate.
• The government should invest in domestic manufacturing capabilities for niche and specialty chemicals to reduce dependency on imports and lower costs for research institutions.
• Additionally, import regulations for essential laboratory chemicals should be streamlined to ensure clear guidelines and minimal delays.

[UPSC World]

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Protests

• Sheikh Hasina has resigned as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister amid violent protests demanding her departure.
• The Bangladesh Army, led by General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has taken control and will establish an interim government.
• Hasina resigned and fled to India on a military aircraft, following weeks of anti-government protests that left at least 300 dead and hundreds injured.
• She received an ultimatum to flee the country and arrived at Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad.
• Hasina held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the present situation in Bangladesh and her future course of action.
• The Indian Air Force and other security agencies are providing security to Hasina.
• Speculation exists that Hasina might travel to London or Belarus.
• The peaceful student protest against the freedom fighter reservation of 30% in civil services galvanized into a nationwide movement due to the government’s heavy-handed approach.
• The attack on students by Awami League’s student wing and imposition of a strict curfew further inflamed tensions.
• Bangladesh made rapid economic progress under Hasina’s regime, but the pandemic and slowing global economy hit the garment industry, increasing unemployment and inflation.
• The Parliamentary elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 were controversial and non-participative, eroding democratic values.
• Hasina’s government relied on hard power to maintain control, creating a climate of fear and repression.
• The Digital Security Act 2018 was used to silence critics and stifle freedom of online expression.
• Rampant corruption and economic inequality fueled public discontent despite overall economic progress.
• The proliferation of bank scams and an expanding list of defaulters contributed to the growing discontent.