7 new members in Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP)

Context:  The World Economic Forum’s initiative, GPAP, has included Seven new countries—Angola, Bangladesh, Gabon, Guatemala, Kenya, Senegal, and Tanzania—in the partnership.

About Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP)

• GPAP is a platform by the World Economic Forum to turn commitments on plastic pollution into real action.
• Launch: Officially launched in September 2018 at the Sustainable Development Impact Summit.
• Goal: Accelerate global efforts to address the growing plastic pollution crisis.
• Collaboration: Brings together governments, businesses, and civil society to act at national and global levels.
• GPAP focuses on creating a circular plastics economy, where plastic is reused, recycled, and managed more sustainably.
• The initiative also contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
  • as plastic production and waste management account for a significant portion of global emissions, including potent methane gases from landfills
• Significance of GPAP’s Expansion
  • Global Impact: The partnership’s growth strengthens the fight against plastic pollution.
  • Sustainability and Growth: Encourages a circular economy, equitable growth, and environmental resilience.

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Eurodrone

Context:  India has joined the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS), commonly known as the Eurodrone programme, as an observer state.

About Eurodrone Programme

• The Eurodrone is a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). 
• It is a four-nation initiative involving Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
• Conceived as a “European Programme for European Sovereignty,”
  • The initiative was founded in 2022 and passed its preliminary design review (PDR) in 2024.
• Managed by: The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR)
• Objectives
  • Mission Capabilities: Designed for long-endurance missions, including:
    • Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR)
    • Maritime surveillance
    • Anti-submarine warfare
    • Airborne early warning
• Features:
  • Data Security: Ensures exclusive and secure data handling for users.

Strategic Importance of India’s Participation

• Defence Cooperation with Europe: Strengthens India’s defence ties with Europe.
• Complementary Projects:
  • C-295 aircraft production in India (by Tata and Airbus).
  • Rafale M fighter jets for naval use.
  • Expected contracts for Scorpené-class submarines.
• Shared Defence Goals: Aligns with Europe’s collective strategy to reduce reliance on US and Israeli drones like Reaper and Heron.

KaWaCHaM

Context: Kerala Chief Minister has recently launched KaWaCHaM, one of the world’s fastest weather alert systems 

• KaWaCHaM is designed to enhance rescue and rehabilitation efforts during extreme weather events driven by climate change.

About KaWaCHaM

• KaWaCHaM’ stands for Kerala Warnings Crisis and Hazards Management System
• KaWaCHaM is an advanced disaster warning system that integrates alerts, sirens, and global weather models to improve the state’s early disaster preparedness and public safety.
• Developed By: Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA)
• Data Source: KaWaCHaM collects data from various sources like,
  • Weather networks such as India Meteorological Department, INCOIS, and CWC, private and public agencies, social media networks, and the Internet. 
• Funding: The initiative was funded by the National Disaster Management Authority and the World Bank as part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.
• Headed By: KaWaCHaM will be headed by the state emergency operation centre and will operate at the taluk (subdistrict) level and cover all vulnerable areas
• Key Features:
  • Single Framework: Kerala will integrate all early warning systems into a framework that disseminates knowledge, issues warnings, monitors developing crises and ensures responses.
  • Roles: Hazard assessment, alert issuance, and action planning according to threat levels.
  • Coverage: The warnings will cover sea attacks, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and extreme heat.
  • Colour coded Sirens: The project aims to install 126 sirens and strobe lights across kerala. Each siren has three colours ie. red, yellow, and orange in the strobe light and is equipped with eight loudspeakers.
    •  These sirens can broadcast warnings up to 1,200 metres away and provide essential information about emergency camps and safety precautions.
  • The system will include pre-recorded voice messages and audio alerts to provide various warnings.

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Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Context: Pune city has observed an outbreak of the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder with 59 people diagnosed.

About Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

• It is a rare neurological condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness, numbness or even paralysis.
  • It affects the peripheral nerves, which control muscle movement, pain signals, and temperature and touch sensations.
• Target: The disease  can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects people between 30 and 50.
• Symptoms:  It may start with infections such as respiratory illness or a gastrointestinal infection followed by weakness in the face and then down the body.
• Causes:
  • Diarrhea or a Respiratory Infection: Infection with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, which causes diarrhea, is one of the most common triggers of GBS.
  • Viral infections: Some people with GBS have had the flu or infections with cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Zika virus or other viruses.
  • Vaccines: GBS can also be caused after vaccination, however it is rare.
  • Surgery: Very rarely, GBS can develop after any surgery.
• Diagnosis: The condition is diagnosed by conducting a physical exam ie. nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) to measure the nerve’s ability to send a signal. 
  • A doctor may also analyse the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord.
• Treatment: There is  no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome but some treatment options include,
  • Plasma Exchange (plasmapheresis): Plasma exchange filters out the antibodies in your plasma that are attacking your nerves.
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG): It  involves intravenous (IV) injections of immunoglobulins to attack invading organisms.

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