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Daily Current Affairs: Economy, Defence & Public Health
📅 Date: 2 January 2026 (Friday)
Welcome to your daily analysis. Today's update covers a massive surge in global copper prices, significant defence developments regarding the Pralay and Oreshnik missiles, and a crucial health ban on a popular painkiller. We also celebrate the silver jubilee of India's flagship rural road scheme. Let's dive deep into these stories.
1. Economy: Copper Prices Hit All-Time High
The global commodities market witnessed a major shift in December as Copper prices recorded a fresh all-time high. The benchmark price climbed to over $12,000 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange (LME), signaling strong industrial demand and potential supply constraints.
About Copper (The Red Metal)
Copper (Symbol: Cu) is not just a metal; it is the backbone of modern civilization. It has been used by humans for over 10,000 years.
- Occurrence: It is one of the few metals found in nature in a directly usable metallic form (native copper). However, it is mostly extracted from minerals like Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, and Bornite.
- Key Properties: High thermal and electrical conductivity, malleability (can be hammered into sheets), and ductility (can be drawn into wires).
- Eco-Friendly: It is 100% recyclable without any loss of quality.
Major Reserves & Applications
Global Leaders: Chile is the undisputed leader in copper production, followed by Australia, Peru, and Russia.
Indian Reserves:
- Madhya Pradesh: Malanjkhand mine (Largest open-pit copper mine in India).
- Rajasthan: Khetri and Jhunjhunu belt.
- Jharkhand: Singhbhum copper belt.
Why is the price rising? Copper is critical for the green energy transition. It is heavily used in Electric Vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and solar panels, alongside traditional uses in wiring and plumbing.
Copper FAQs
2. Science & Tech: 'PathGennie' Software
The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced a breakthrough in computational biology with the development of PathGennie.
- What is it? A new open-source software designed for scientific simulations.
- Developer: Created by the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences.
- Application: It specializes in simulating drug-protein interactions. This is crucial for the pharmaceutical industry as it helps researchers predict how a potential drug molecule will behave in the human body, speeding up drug discovery and reducing costs.
PathGennie FAQs
3. Geopolitics: Russia's Oreshnik Missile
Tensions in Eastern Europe have escalated as Russia announced that its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles have entered active service in Belarus. This is significant because Belarus shares borders with NATO members Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.
About Oreshnik Missile
- Type: Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
- Range: Capable of hitting targets between 2,000 to 5,000 km.
- Speed: It travels at hypersonic speeds (Mach 10), making it extremely difficult for standard air defense systems to intercept.
- Capability: It can carry multiple nuclear warheads independently targeting different locations (MIRV technology).
Oreshnik Missile FAQs
4. Public Health: Ban on Nimesulide
The Government of India has taken strict action to ensure patient safety by prohibiting the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of all oral formulations containing Nimesulide above 100 mg with immediate effect.
Why was it banned?
Nimesulide is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) introduced in 1985. While effective for pain relief and fever, it has a controversial safety profile.
- Hepatotoxicity: The primary reason for the ban is its potential to cause severe liver damage.
- Side Effects: Long-term use can also lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and renal (kidney) failure.
- Global Context: Nimesulide has already been banned or restricted in several other countries, particularly for pediatric use, due to these risks.
Nimesulide FAQs
5. Defence: Pralay Missile Test
Boosting India's tactical battlefield capabilities, the DRDO successfully carried out a salvo launch of two indigenous Pralay missiles.
Key Specifications
- Type: Short-range, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile. Being "quasi-ballistic" means it can change its path mid-air to defeat enemy interceptors.
- Range: 150 km to 500 km.
- Payload: Can carry 500-1,000 kg warheads.
- Deployment: Launched from a mobile launcher, making it highly versatile for border defense.
Pralay Missile FAQs
6. Government Schemes: 25 Years of PMGSY
The year 2025 marks the Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary) of one of India's most transformative rural schemes: the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
PMGSY at a Glance
- Launched: 25 December 2000 (Birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee).
- Objective: To provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations.
- Funding Pattern:
- 60:40 (Centre:State) for general states.
- 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states.
Current Status (PMGSY-IV): Under the fourth phase (2024–29), the government aims to construct 62,500 km of roads to connect 25,000 new habitations, ensuring the benefits of development reach the last mile.
7. Aviation: India to get 3 New Airlines
The Indian skies are set to get busier. The Government has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to three new airlines: Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress.
- Timeline: Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2026.
- Focus: These will operate as low-cost and regional airlines, aiming to connect smaller cities (Tier-2 and Tier-3) under the UDAN scheme.
- Market Impact: This move is aimed at breaking the current market duopoly. Currently, IndiGo (~65%) and the Air India Group (~27%) control over 90% of domestic traffic. New players are expected to bring competitive pricing and better connectivity.
That concludes today's detailed analysis. From the depths of copper mines to the heights of ballistic missiles, staying informed is key. Happy Learning!