Prelim Bits 25-11-2023 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Israel- Hamas Deal

Recently, the mediation efforts facilitated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States between Israel and Hamas resulted in an agreement for a humanitarian pause for 4 days, subject to extension.

• Deal – 50 hostages could be freed in return for 150 Palestinian women and teenagers in Israeli detention.
• Israeli warplanes would not fly over southern Gaza for 6 hours each day.
• Each day of the pause, Israel and Hamas will receive lists of the hostages and prisoners to be released.
• Mediation – Qatar, the US, Egypt, etc.
• Implementation - International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) would be designated to receive the hostages.

ICRC is an independent and neutral organization whose mandate stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It was established in 1863 to help people affected by conflict and armed violence and promote the laws that protect victims of war.

• Opposition to ceasefire – Israel, and its allies opposes ceasefire as it will allow Hamas to regroup.

References

1. Indian Express| Israel- Hamas Deal
2. Indian Express| Humanitarian Pause vs. Ceasefire

Pneumonia

Recently, World Health Organization (WHO) has requested China for a detailed report of a widespread outbreak of an undiagnosed pneumonia like respiratory illness affecting children.

• Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs.
• Causes – Infectious agents like viruses, bacteria and fungi
  • Bacteria – Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  • Virus – Respiratory syncytial virus
• Transmission - By direct contact with infected people via air-borne droplets (cough or sneeze) and through blood, especially during and shortly after birth.
• Pathology – Alveoli (air sacs) are filled with pus and fluid, making breathing painful and limits oxygen intake.
• Symptoms – Wheezing is more common in viral infections.
• Severely ill may be unable to feed or drink and may experience unconsciousness, hypothermia and convulsions.
• Risk factors – Pre-existing illness like HIV, children and old age people who are above 65 years of age.

Pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide.

• Treatment - Pneumonia caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics, amoxicillin tablets is used as 1^st line of treatment.
• Prevention – It can be prevented by immunization (vaccines), adequate nutrition, and by addressing environmental factors.

References

1. Down To Earth| Mysterious pneumonia like illness in China
2. WHO| Pneumonia
3. Cleavelandclinic| Image

Hornbill Festival

The 24^th Hornbill Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, music and dance will be held in Nagaland’s misty mountains in 2023.

• It is an annual event which is called as the festival of festivals.
• Origin – It began in 2000 and is named after hornbill, a bird that symbolises beauty and grace in Naga folklore and ritual.
• Held at – The heritage village of Kisama, Nagaland.

December 1 is Nagaland Statehood Day, thus the hornbill festival begins on that day and goes on for 10 days.

• Aim – To revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.
• It unites 16 Naga tribes of Nagaland to celebrate in colourful costumes, pulsating rhythm, and musical stories.
• 24th Edition, 2023 – It will host a wrestling championship, dance competition, exhibition, food festival among others.
• Partner Countries – USA, Germany and Columbia

The Great Indian Hornbill is the State bird of both Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.

References

1. The Hindu| 24^th edition of Hornbill Festival
2. Hornbillfestival| Festivals of Nagaland

Onattukara Sesame

Onattukara Vikasana Agency in Kerala, plans to increase the area under sesame cultivation to 2,000 hectares from current 600 hectares.

• Grown in – 3 districts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Pathanamthitta in Kerala
• The Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) acquired the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2023 for its medicinal value and quality.
• Onattukara Vikasana Agency – It is the registered owner of the GI-tagged sesame seeds with Agriculture Minister of Kerala as its Chairman.
• Geographical uniqueness – The specific climate and nutrients of the soil of the region is generating medicinal value for the oilseeds
  • It contains high levels of Vitamin E and antioxidants and also contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid.
• Medicinal property - From the 18th century, Ayurvedic doctors’ utilised Onattukara sesame oil for the treatment of diseases related to rheumatism and to protect the skin.

Other GI tagged agricultural products from Kerala includes, Marayur jaggery, Chengalikodan nendran banana, Central Travancore jaggery, Kaipad rice, etc.

Reference

The Hindu| Expanding the cultivation of Onattukara Sesame

E-prime Layer

According to a new study, Earth core's mysterious new layer was formed due to surface water diving deep.

• Inner Earth – It has 4 primary layers
  • Inner core (innermost layer)
  • Outer core
  • Mantle (middle layer)
  • Crust (outermost layer)
• E-prime layer – It is the new enigmatic layer which is formed at the Earth's outer core as a result of surface water penetrating deep into the planet.
• It is more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) thick, relatively slim compared with other sections of Earth's interior.

• Formation

• Impact – Modifications in the liquid metallic layer could potentially result in reduced density and altered seismic characteristics.
• Significance – The transformed layer in the core holds significant implications for the interconnected geochemical processes linking surface water cycles with the deep metallic core.

Reference

Hindustan Times| Formation of new layer in Earth’s Outer Core