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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 1. Global Peace Index ▪ Why in news: India slips to 141 in annual Global Peace Index; Iceland retains top spot ▪ The Global Peace Index(GPI) 2019 has been released. ▪ India has been ranked at 141 among 163 countries. ▪ The ranking of India in 2018 was the 136th . ▪ The GPI is a report produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) and developed in consultation with an international panel of peace experts from peace institutes and think tanks with data collected and collated by the Economist Intelligence Unit. ▪ The GPI measures ongoing domestic and international conflict, safety and security in society, and the degree of militarisation in 163 countries and territories by taking into account 23 indicators. ▪ The index ranked Iceland as the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008. ▪ Other countries at the top of the Global Peace Index(GPI) are New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, and Denmark. ▪ Afghanistan has been ranked as the least peaceful country in the world replacing Syria which is now the second least peaceful. ▪ The report has also said that India along with the Philippines, Japan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Pakistan are the nine countries with the highest risk of multiple climate hazards. ▪ The report also says that the US, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and India are the top five countries with the largest total military expenditure.
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POLITY 1. Jnanpith Award ▪ Why in news: 54th Jnanpith Award ▪ Renowned English fiction writer Amitav Ghosh was recently felicitated with 54th Jnanpith Award. ▪ He is the 1st English language writer to become a Jnanpith laureate. ▪ The Jnanpith Award is one of the prestigious literary honours in the country. ▪ It was instituted in 1961 by Bharatiya Jnanpith trust founded by the Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain family that owns the Times of India newspaper group. ▪ It is bestowed upon any Indian citizen who writes in any 22 official languages of India mentioned in VIII Schedule of Constitution of India and English. ▪ Prior to 1982, the award was only given for a single work by a writer. ▪ But after 1982, the award is given for lifetime contribution to Indian literature. ▪ Initially English language was not considered for the Award but after 49th Jnanpith Award, English language was added to the list of languages for consideration. ▪ The award carries cash prize of 11 lakh rupees, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom. ▪ G. Sankara Kurup was the first recipient (1965). ▪ In 2007 Krishna Sobti won the award.
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GEOGRAPHY 1. Strait of Hormuz ▪ Why2. in ) news: Two tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman ▪ Recently,two tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman. ▪ The ship were carrying oil and other transporting a cargo of chemicals near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. ▪ The US has blamed Iran for the attacks on the tankers. ▪ However,Iran has dismissed the claims and said that Iran has no connection with the explosions. ▪ The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran. ▪ It links the Persian Gulf north of it with the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Arabian Sea beyond. ▪ On the north coast lies Iran, and on the south coast the United Arab Emirates and Musandam, an exclave of Oman. ▪ It is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, with the shipping lane just 3 km wide in either direction. ▪ It is considered as world’s most important oil artery. ▪ Almost a fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait. ▪ According to data from analytics firm Vortexa some 17.2 million barrels per day (bpd) pass through it. ▪ OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq export most of their crude via the Hormuz Strait. Qatar, the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, sends almost all of its LNG through the Strait. ▪ The US Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, is tasked with protecting commercial shipping in the area.
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DEFENCE & SECURITY 1. Varunastra ▪ Why in news: India set to join heavyweight torpedo club ▪ The Indian Navy has decided to induct the indigenously developed heavyweight torpedo “Varunastra” into its arsenal. ▪ This will put India in a group of only eight countries that have the capability to manufacture heavyweight torpedoes ▪ Torpedo is self-propelled underwater missile, launched from a submarine, surface vessel, or airplane and designed for exploding upon contact with the target. ▪ Varunastra has been developed by the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NTSL), Visakhapatnam. ▪ NTSL is a premiere laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). ▪ Varunastra can be launched from ships and submarines. ▪ It can also be launched from ashore. ▪ It is equipped with one of the most advanced automatic and remote- controlled guidance systems. ▪ The weapon system uses its own intelligence in tracing the target. ▪ It is seven to eight metres long, weighs 1,500 kg and has a diameter of 533 mm. ▪ When fired it can travel at 40 knots, or 74 kmph. ▪ The operational range is 40 km and it can carry a warhead weighing 250 kg.
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#prelimsfacts
➢ Chinese President Xi Jinping was conferred with Manas Order of the First Degree, the highest national award in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
➢ EducationUSA- app launched by United States India Educational Foundation and the US embassy that gives comprehensive and latest information about studying in the United States.
➢ The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors. The theme is - Blood Donation and Universal Access to Safe Blood Transfusion The main aim is to use as a component of achieving universal health coverage.
➢ Dell emerged as the most trusted brand in India in 2019, according to the report of TRA Report 2019. Around 31% Brand Trust Index (BTI) difference from Dell, an auto brand Jeep attained a dramatic entry in the second spot.
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