Prelims Current Affairs includes Nobel Peace Prize , India and Israel Cooperation in Fisheries, United Nations Gender Award, India’s First Green Ammonia Project, Halda Festival, European Union Leaders as Republic Day Chief Guests and Pufferfish Poisoning

AWARD

1.  NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Current Context: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado stated that she is willing to offer her Nobel Peace Prize medal to the United States President.

ABOUT NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

• Origin: Established through the Will of Alfred Nobel.
• Purpose: It is awarded to the person who has done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, reduction or abolition of standing armies, and promotion of peace.
• Awarding Authority: Norwegian Nobel Committee.
• Year of First Award: 1901.
• Components of the Prize: A gold medal, A diploma, A cash award of eleven million Swedish crowns
• Medal Specifications:

1. Made of eighteen carat gold
2. Weight is one hundred ninety six grams
3. Diameter is six point six centimetres

• Indian Nobel Peace Prize Awardees:

1. Mother Teresa in 1979
2. The Fourteenth Dalai Lama in 1989
3. Kailash Satyarthi in 2014

INTERNATIONAL

2. INDIA AND ISRAEL COOPERATION IN FISHERIES

Current Context: India and Israel signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent to strengthen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture.

ABOUT ISRAEL

• Region: West Asia, Levant region.
• Land Borders: Lebanon in the north, Syria in the north east, Jordan in the east, Egypt in the south west
• Maritime Boundaries:

1. Mediterranean Sea in the west
2. Red Sea through the Gulf of Aqaba in the south

• Important Water Bodies:

1. Jordan River along the eastern boundary
2. Sea of Galilee, a major freshwater source
3. Dead Sea, the lowest point on land surface of Earth

AWARD

3. UNITED NATIONS GENDER AWARD

Current Context: Indian Army Major Swathi Shantha Kumar from Bengaluru has won the United Nations Secretary-General’s Award in the Gender Category for her work under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

About

• United Nations Mission: United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
• Project Title: Equal Partners, Lasting Peace.
• Focus Areas of the Project:
• Strengthening gender-responsive peacekeeping.
• Improving community outreach in conflict-affected areas.
• Enhancing participation of women in local peacebuilding processes.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• Awarding Authority: United Nations.
• Announced By: The United Nations Secretary-General, currently António Guterres.
• Nature of Award: Annual recognition.
• Purpose:
• To recognise outstanding contributions by United Nations personnel, peacekeepers, and teams.
• To encourage leadership, innovation, and accountability within United Nations missions.

ENVIRONMENT

4. INDIA’S FIRST GREEN AMMONIA PROJECT

Current Context: India has begun construction of its first green ammonia project at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

• Developer: AM Green.
• Total Investment: Ten billion United States dollars.
• Production Capacity: One point five million tonnes per year.
• Global Significance: Largest green ammonia facility in the world.
• Phased Commissioning:
• Five lakh tonnes by 2027
• Ten lakh tonnes by 2028
• Fifteen lakh tonnes by 2030
• Energy Source: Solar and wind based renewable power.
• Employment Impact: Thousands of jobs during construction and operation phases.

HIMACHAL NEWS

5. HALDA FESTIVAL

Current Context: Traffic and tourism restrictions were imposed in Sissu area of Lahaul and Spiti due to the Halda festival.

ABOUT HALDA FESTIVAL

• Region: Lahaul Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
• Nature: Traditional New Year festival.
• Deity Worshipped: Shashikar Apa, the goddess of wealth.
• Time of Celebration: January or February around Magh Purnima.
• Significance: Marks the beginning of the agricultural season and prayers for good harvest.

MISCELLANEOUS

6. EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS AS REPUBLIC DAY CHIEF GUESTS

Current Context: The Presidents of the European Union Council and the European Union Commission will attend India’s 77^th Republic Day celebrations as Chief Guests.

EUROPEAN UNION COUNCIL

• Established: 1958.
• Function: Represents governments of member states and adopts European Union laws.
• Composition: Ministers of member states according to subject discussed.
• Presidency: Rotates every six months among member states.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION

• Established: 1958.
• Function: Proposes legislation, implements policies, and manages the European Union budget.
• Composition: One Commissioner from each member state.
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

MISCELLANEOUS

7. PUFFERFISH POISONING

Current Context: Scientists have confirmed the first reported case of pufferfish poisoning in India.

ABOUT PUFFERFISH

• Scientific Order: Tetraodontiformes.
• Common Names: Toadfish, balloonfish, patkafish, and fugu.
• Habitat: Bottom dwelling and omnivorous in nature.
• Distribution in India:
• Western Ghats
• River basins of Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi
• Ecological Importance:
• Many freshwater species are endemic
• Presence indicates healthy river ecosystems
• Indian Status:
• Eight genera and thirty two species recorded
  Conservation Status: Vulnerable according to International Union for Conservation of Nature

PUFFERFISH POISONING

• Toxin Responsible: Tetrodotoxin.
• Nature of Toxin: One of the most powerful naturally occurring neurotoxins.
• Mode of Action: Blocks sodium channels in nerves.
• Health Impact: Paralysis, respiratory failure, and death.

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos