AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (11^th Sept 2024)

Philippines and Vietnam strengthen defense ties

GS 2: International Relations: Dispute over South China Sea

Why is it in the news?

• In late August, Vietnam and the Philippines agreed to strengthen their defense ties and enhance collaboration on maritime security.
• This agreement was formalized during a visit by Vietnam’s Defense Minister Phan Van Giang to Manila, where he met with Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro.
• Both countries signed “letters of intent” to improve maritime and disaster response efforts and pledged to resolve disputes peacefully under international law. Moreover, an official security agreement is anticipated by the end of the year.
• This move comes amid escalating tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

More about the news

• Despite the agreement, experts suggest that the deepening of defense ties between Vietnam and the Philippines might be largely symbolic at this stage. Experts view the move as a preliminary step that may gain significance if ASEAN member states form a unified front against China’s maritime policies.
• Some argue that the diplomatic engagement as positive but notes that the current military impact is limited due to the disparate naval capabilities and infrequent joint exercises.
• The South China Sea dispute centres on China’s extensive claims over the area, through which $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually. The sea is also rich in oil, natural gas, and fish stocks. However, countries like Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan dispute China’s claims.

• A 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidated China’s broad claims, but Beijing rejected the decision. Further, recent confrontations between China and the Philippines have included accusations of aggressive actions, overshadowing efforts to manage disputes through new communication channels.
• The US has pledged to defend the Philippines against any South China Sea aggression, maintaining a mutual defense treaty since 1951. For the Philippines, establishing a defense agreement with Vietnam is also strategic in countering China’s attempts to divide ASEAN.
• Vietnam, which also has a long-standing dispute with China over the South China Sea, has adopted a cautious approach since 2011, focusing on diplomatic management to avoid escalation.
• Vietnam has been actively building and fortifying islands in the disputed area, though China has not yet obstructed these activities as it has with the Philippines.
• Despite the ongoing disputes, Vietnam continues to strengthen partnerships within and beyond ASEAN while maintaining a balanced relationship with Beijing.

The Grave threat from Antimicrobial Resistance

GS 3: Science and Technology: Tackling AMR

Why is it in the news?

• The grave threat from antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been highlighted by recent findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which identified E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii as the most common resistant pathogens in patient samples from tertiary care centres.
• Ahead of the September 26 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first guidance on antibiotic pollution from manufacturing. The WHO warns that such pollution could undermine global antibiotic effectiveness.

More about the news

• AMR occurs when pathogens evolve to survive despite the presence of antimicrobial drugs, often due to misuse or overuse of antibiotics. This can lead to the development of “superbugs” that are resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics, making simple infections difficult to treat. As AMR grows, patients may face longer hospital stays and higher treatment costs.
• There are several factors that contribute to the rise of AMR. Many individuals in India misuse antibiotics for viral infections, driving up resistance. To counter this, improving hygiene, increasing vaccination rates, and enhancing infection prevention are essential.
• Doctors also need to avoid overprescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics and should focus on using specific treatments based on diagnostic tests. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies must address antibiotic pollution from manufacturing, as outlined in the WHO’s new guidelines, to prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.
• In India, E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have shown significant reductions in susceptibility to carbapenems, a class of strong antibiotics. Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii remains high, with an 88% resistance to carbapenems.
• Hence, addressing AMR effectively will require prevention measures, education for doctors, and stricter regulations on pharmaceutical manufacturing waste.

Polaris Dawn mission

GS 3: Science and Technology: Spacewalk

Why is it in the news?

• The Polaris Dawn mission, which aims to achieve the world’s first private spacewalk, launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida.
• The crew includes billionaire Jared Isaacman, retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel Scott Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis.
• This mission is the first of three under the Polaris Program, designed by Isaacman and SpaceX to advance technologies for future Mars missions.

More about the news

• A spacewalk, or extravehicular activity (EVA), involves astronauts performing tasks outside a spacecraft in space. The first spacewalk was conducted by Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov on March 18, 1965.
• Today’s spacewalks, typically done outside the International Space Station (ISS), last between five to eight hours and serve various scientific and technical purposes.
• Astronauts use spacesuits and safety tethers or the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) system to avoid drifting into space.
• The Polaris Dawn mission aims to reach about 1,400 km altitude, surpassing the Gemini XI mission’s 1966 record. This altitude places the crew within the Van Allen radiation belts, allowing research on spaceflight and radiation effects on health.
• The mission also includes a spacewalk on the third day, during which Isaacman and Gillis will exit the Dragon capsule, while Poteet and Menon manage safety tethers and monitor the mission.
• The spacewalk’s primary goal is to test SpaceX’s new EVA spacesuits, which feature cameras, heads-up displays, and improved thermal management. After the spacewalk, the capsule will be repressurized.
• The crew will also conduct 40 scientific experiments, including capturing X-ray images with natural space radiation and testing laser-based communication via SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network.

ANI’s defamation suit against Wikipedia 

GS 2: Miscellaneous

Why is it in the news?

• The Asian News International (ANI) has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation, the parent organization of Wikipedia alleging that Wikipedia’s description of the news agency as a government propaganda tool is defamatory. ANI is seeking ₹2 crore in damages for this portrayal.

More about the news

• The Wikipedia page for ANI has undergone significant revisions since 2020.
• Initially, ANI was described as a “pro-India fake news network,” but the description evolved to state that ANI “served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent central government,” and was involved in distributing materials from fake news websites and misreporting events. ANI claims this description is defamatory and has resulted in their lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation.
• On August 20, the Delhi High Court ordered the Wikimedia Foundation to provide details about three users who made the contested edits. This move aims to identify the individual editors.
• The Wikimedia Foundation generally does not disclose user information outside the U.S., and the court has threatened to block Wikipedia in India if the Foundation does not comply.
• While Wikipedia allows almost anyone to edit its pages, though some contentious topics are restricted to experienced and registered users. Further, the site’s community sets editorial norms, focusing on neutrality, notability, and reliable sources.
• Despite these guidelines, Wikipedia has faced criticism for alleged ideological biases, including claims of a progressive slant. Moreover, Wikipedia faces legal challenges globally.
• In Russia, Wikipedia editors have been targeted with arrests and intimidation, while in Germany, the Foundation was ordered to remove certain content.
• In the U.S., Wikipedia frequently faces lawsuits but often wins due to strong legal protections for web platforms. Further, Wikipedia’s Creative Commons license allows content to be mirrored and censored according to government demands, as seen with Russian adaptations.
• While Wikipedia is blocked in China and faces restrictions in other regions, it has managed to avoid widespread blocking in most countries.
• India currently lacks a procedure for blocking specific Wikipedia articles, but there is a potential for a complete block if the court’s demands are not met.

PM Modi chairs first meeting of the National Research Fund Board

GS 2: Miscellaneous

Why is it in the news?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened the inaugural meeting of the Governing Board of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in New Delhi.
• Modi described the meeting as a new beginning, emphasizing the importance of overcoming obstacles in the research ecosystem and setting ambitious targets. He highlighted the need for research to focus on solving existing problems with solutions tailored to Indian needs.

More about the news

• The Governing Board decided to launch a ‘hub and spoke model’ program, pairing emerging research universities with established institutions for mentorship.
• Further, the board discussed various strategic interventions, including enhancing India’s global positioning in key sectors, aligning research and development with national priorities, promoting inclusive growth, and bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications through industry-aligned translational research.
• The ANRF was established as a funding body to boost science and engineering research in India, aiming to improve upon existing funding mechanisms. It seeks to establish a ₹50,000 crore corpus, with ₹36,000 crore expected from non-government sources. For the current financial year, the ANRF has been allocated ₹2,000 crore in the Union Budget.
• The 15-member Governing Board includes Romesh Wadhwani, an American billionaire of Indian origin and former CEO of Symphony Technology Group, as its only industrialist representative.