KARNATAKA ISSUES

• The Karnataka government, through BWSSB, has launched the Annapoorna Scheme, India’s first initiative offering direct meal support to sanitation workers. Initially covering 700 workers, each receives ₹1,500 monthly via smart cards (Axis Bank) usable at food outlets of choice. Aimed at ensuring nutrition, dignity, and financial independence, it aligns with the Smart City vision. While praised as a humane model, unions demand broader inclusion since only ~1,400 workers benefit, excluding 3,000+ contract staff.

ECONOMY

• Unity Small Finance Bank, in partnership with BharatPe and NPCI, launched India’s first RuPay EMI-based credit card, the Unity Bank BharatPe Credit Card. It allows repayment in full or EMIs up to 12 months, with UPI linkage for wide acceptance. The card features zero fees, no foreclosure charges, rewards on EMI spends, and additional perks like lounge access and health check-ups. Available digitally via BharatPe app, it targets salaried and self-employed individuals, expanding organized credit access.

ENVIRONMENT

• A recent study on Maldives’ Mahutigalaa reef using coral microatolls has reconstructed 90 years of sea-level history (1930–2019). Findings show a rise of 30–40 cm, beginning in the late 1950s, earlier than previously assumed. Current rise (~4 mm/year) exceeds the global average (3.3 mm/year). This threatens low-lying islands like Maldives and Lakshadweep, with coral reefs stressed by ocean warming, El Niño, and IOD events. The study underscores microatolls’ value as natural sea-level markers.

SCEINCE

• A landmark study in Nature has provided direct evidence of the long-theorized onion-like shell structure of massive stars (>8 solar masses). Using data from the Zwicky Transient Facility, researchers observed supernova SN 2021yfj, detecting silicon and sulphur layers near the iron core. This confirms the concentric shell fusion model (H, He → C, O, Ne, Mg → Si, S → Fe). The finding also revealed a new, rare Type Ien supernova, deepening insights into stellar evolution and cosmic element formation.

INTERNATIONAL

• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has secured India’s first Interpol Purple Notice (Aug 21, 2025) to alert 196 member nations on trade-based money laundering (TBML) through shell entities. Unlike Red Notices, Purple Notices focus on methods, devices, and concealment techniques. Interpol, headquartered in Lyon (1923), issues eight notice types and serves as a platform for global police cooperation. India’s initiative reflects its growing role in international financial crime prevention and policy leadership.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

• Vrindavani Vastra, a 16th-century Assamese silk textile created under saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva, depicts Krishna’s life scenes and holds immense spiritual-cultural value. After traveling through Tibet and British collectors, it is now housed in the British Museum. For the first time, the museum has agreed to loan it to Assam in 2027 for 18 months. The loan requires a world-class textile museum in Guwahati, sovereign guarantees, and joint coordination between Indian and British institutions.
• The 67th Ramon Magsaysay Award—Asia’s prestigious honour for selfless service—will be presented on 7 November 2025 in Manila. Making history, Educate Girls, founded by Safeena Husain, became the first Indian organisation to win the award, recognised for empowering out-of-school girls in rural India and challenging cultural stereotypes. Other awardees include Shaahina Ali (Maldives) and Flaviano Antonio L Villanueva (Philippines). Each recipient will receive a medallion, a citation certificate, and a cash prize.
• In her first competition since the Paris 2024 Olympics, Mirabai Chanu won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Ahmedabad. Competing in the 48kg category, she lifted a total of 193kg (84kg snatch + 109kg clean and jerk), setting new Commonwealth Championship records in all three disciplines. This victory also secured her a direct qualification for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Other Indian lifters, including Soumya Sunil Dalvi, Dharmajyoti Dewgharia, and Payal, also won gold medals