UPSC Daily Current Affairs | One Liners 28-08-2026

One Liners 28-08-2026

International Relations and Issues

Palestine Action

• US designates UK‑based Palestine Action as a foreign terrorist group, already banned by British government.
• Other Groups – Italy‑based Autistici/Inventati (A/I Collective) and pro‑Palestinian Masar Badil also declared terrorist organisations.

Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026‑2035

African health ministers have adopted the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026-2035.

• Target – Educate, employ and retain 3 million additional health workers by 2035.
• Goals – Raise density from 27 to 47 per 10,000; reduce unemployment from 27% to 13%.
• Strategy – “Plan, Train, Retain”: data‑driven planning, competency‑based training, improved retention.
• Quality – Address diagnostic gaps (62% correct diagnosis, 40% proper treatment).
• Country Targets – 80% adopt strategies and education reforms; 70% staffing norms; 100% report via workforce accounts.
• Impact – Raise Universal Health Coverage service index from 51 (2024) to 60 (2035).

Economy

World’s Fastest‑Growing Container Port

Jawaharlal Nehru Port emerges as world’s fastest‑growing container port.

• Ranking – Rises to 21^st position globally.
• Growth – Records 13.6% increase in container throughput in first half of 2026.
• Comparison – Outpaces all other ports in world’s top 30 for growth.
• Significance – From absent in global rankings to leading port; milestone for India’s maritime sector.

Environment

3 new elephant corridors in Tamilnadu

Three elephant corridors in the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary (Hosur Forest Division) have been submitted for recognition.

• Jawalagiri – Ulbanda – Thaggatti corridor (18.50 km)
• Jawalagiri – Panai – Anchetty corridor (20.90 km)
• Bilikkal – Jawalagiri corridor (2.20 km)
• These corridors fall into two landscapes divided by the Palghat gap and serve as a vital, viable connection for elephant movement.

Security

Sahyog Hop‑Tac 2026

2^nd edition of joint maritime exercise ‘Sahyog Hop‑Tac’ concluded off Chennai coast.

• Deployment – 8 Indian Coast Guard ships, 6 aircraft and Vietnam Coast Guard ship CSB 8002 participated.
• Objective – Refine tactical interoperability, streamline search‑and‑rescue operations, standardise emergency protocols.
• Leadership – Overseen jointly by DG, ICG and Vice Commandant, VCG.
• Significance – Strengthens bilateral maritime security, enhances operational expertise, reinforces Indo‑Pacific cooperation.

Delivery of Samarthak

Indian Navy receives first indigenous Multi‑Purpose Vessel (MPV) ‘Samarthak’, delivered by LandT Kattupalli.

• Role – Versatile trial and evaluation platform; capable of maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, offshore patrolling, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
• Name – ‘Samarthak’ means The Proponent; signifies dependable enabler of multiple missions.
• Indigenous Content – Built with over 75% indigenous material, reflecting Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Science

World’s First Pinhole Pupilloplasty Centre

Tamil Nadu CM inaugurates dedicated PPP centre at Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Chennai.

• Technique – Pinhole Pupilloplasty (PPP) developed by Amar Agarwal; bypasses corneal scars by creating small pinhole in clear cornea.
• Benefit – Blocks scattered light, improves focus on retina; enhances vision in corneal scars, irregular corneas, high aberrations.
• Need – 2–5 crore people await donor corneas globally; PPP offers alternative to transplant, avoids lifelong medication.
• Significance – Milestone in eye care, expands access to advanced microsurgical vision restoration.

AstraZeneca‑Amgen Asthma Drug

AstraZeneca said Tezspire met main goals in late‑stage trial for eosinophilic esophagitis.

• Tezspire – A monoclonal antibody that blocks a protein known as TSLP, which can trigger inflammation in conditions driven by eosinophils,
• Eosinophils – A type of white blood cell, as well as severe asthma.
• Result – Tezspire, developed with Amgen, significantly reduced inflammation in the oesophagus.
• Eased difficulty in swallowing compared with a placebo in patients suffering with eosinophilic esophagitis.
• The drug is already approved in the United States, European Union and other countries as an add-on treatment for severe asthma

Miscellaneous

First Certificate for 15‑Metre Sleeper Bus

The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) issues first compliance certificate for 15‑metre multi‑axle sleeper bus.

• Standards – Certified under Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), AIS‑119 and AIS‑153 provisions.
• Testing – Evaluated for safety, structural integrity, passenger accommodation and comfort.
• Significance – Marks milestone in certification of long‑format passenger vehicles in India.