30 April 2025 Current Affairs

Russia’s Strategic Interests in Crimea

• Trump Suggests Crimea Will Remain with Russia, Blames Obama for Handing Region to Putin in Time Interview.
• Trump Urges Ukraine to Accept Peace Deal Acknowledging Russia’s 2014 Annexation of Crimea.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly rejected Any Deal that involves ceding Ukrainian Territory, emphasizing that such an agreement would violate Ukraine’s Constitution.
• Commentators argue that accepting Trump’s proposal would be disastrous for Ukraine, as it could embolden Russia to eventually conquer all of Ukraine.
• Furthermore, such a concession might set a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes, notably China, regarding territorial ambitions, such as over Taiwan.

Crimea

• Crimea was part of Russia for centuries before being transferred to Ukraine in 1954 by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.
• After Ousting of Pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014 by a Pro-Western Movement in Ukraine, Russian Forces swiftly Occupied Strategic Locations in Crimea.
• By Mid-March, Crimea was formally annexed by Russia following a Declaration of Independence and a request to join Russian Federation.

Strategic Importance of Crimea

• Geographic Significance: Crimea holds immense strategic value due to its geographic location, benefiting both Russia and the region itself.
• Russia’s Historical Quest for Warm Water Ports: Russia's Arctic Coastline Limits Winter Port Access, Driving Centuries-Long Quest for Warm Water Ports.
• Black Sea – Russia’s Gateway to Mediterranean: Russia's Key Access to Mediterranean, with Control of Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits Crucial for Naval and Economic Interests.
• Sevastopol: Sevastopol's Deep-Water Port in Crimea Key to Hosting Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Unlike Other Shallow Ports.
• Post-Soviet Disputes and Agreements: After Soviet Union's Collapse, 1997 Kharkiv Pact allowed Russia to retain its Naval Base in Sevastopol.
• This lease was extended until 2042, but Russia unilaterally ended agreement during its 2014 Annexation of Crimea.

Russia’s Strategic Motives for Annexation

• Securing Sevastopol: Renewed Lease in 2010 was opposed by New Ukrainian Leadership.

- Russia feared losing access to Naval Base in Sevastopol if Ukraine consolidated power.

• NATO Expansion Fears: Kremlin was alarmed by Prospect of Ukraine joining NATO, which would place Alliance on Russia’s Black Sea Border, undermining Russian Security Interests in what was once a "Soviet Lake".
• Crimea as a Launchpad for Invasion: Control over Crimea was seen as essential for Any Future Military Action in Ukraine.

- 2022 Invasion was partly enabled by Russia’s Fortified presence in Peninsula.

World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day (April 25) 2025: Theme 'Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite' Focuses on Reinvestment and Innovation in Malaria Fight.

Malaria

• Caused By: Plasmodium Parasite
• Transmitted to Humans by infected Female Anopheles Mosquitoes.
• There are 5 Plasmodium Species that cause Malaria in Humans. P. Falciparum is Deadliest while P. Vivax is Most Widespread.
• Other Species: P. Malariae, P. Ovale, P. Knowlesi.

1. Related Facts  

• In 1880, French physician Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran discovered Protozoan Parasite Plasmodium as Cause of Malaria.
• Ronald Ross proved transmission through Anopheles Mosquitoes.
• In 2015, Youyou Tu was awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of Artemisinin, which is derived from Sweet Wormwood Plant, Artemisia Annua.

2. RTS,S/ASO1 (Mosquirix)

• 1st Malaria Vaccine.
• Type: Recombinant Protein Vaccine which means it includes DNA from More than One Source.
• Developed By: GlaxoSmithKline, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

3. R21 Vaccine

• 2nd Malaria Vaccine.
• Developed By: Oxford University
• Manufactured By: Serum Institute of India

Efforts Made to Contain Malaria: Global

• WHO Global Malaria Program: To reduce Malaria Case Incidence and Mortality Rates by at least 40% by 2020, at least 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030.
• WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016–2030 aims to reduce malaria cases and deaths by at least 90% by 2030, eliminate malaria in ≥35 countries by 2030 and prevent resurgence in malaria-free countries.
• E – 2025 Initiative (2021): Under this, WHO has identified 25 Countries, with potential to eradicate Malaria by 2025. 

1. Related Facts

• 11 Countries have been certified by WHO as Malaria – Free: UAE, Morocco, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan,
• Paraguay, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Argentina, El Salvador

​Efforts Made to Contain Malaria: India

• National Framework for Malaria Elimination 2016-2030: Addresses Vector-borne Diseases, including Malaria, through Prevention and Control Measures. India’s aim is to be Malaria – Free by 2027 and to Eliminate disease by 2030.
• Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India): Established by Indian Council of Medical Research, collaborates with partners on Malaria Control Research. 
• High Burden to High Impact Initiative: Initiated in 4 States (West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh) in 2019 to focus on Malaria Reduction through Insecticidal Net Distribution. 
• National Malaria Control Programme: Launched in 1953 to address severe impact of malaria. 

WHO

• Founded in 1948
• Members: 194 States
• Director – General: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
• HQ: Geneva (Switzerland)

World Pandemic Treaty

WHO Set to Ratify Historic Pandemic Treaty at May Assembly, Second Legally Binding Accord After 2003 Tobacco Control.

World Pandemic Treaty

• Established in 2021.
• Aim: To Draft and Negotiate a Convention, Agreement or Other International Instrument to Strengthen Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.
• Objective: Prevention Strategies, Preparedness Capacities, Resilience of Health Systems, Equitable Access to Pandemic-related Resources.

Need For a Global Pandemic Treaty

• Unequal Vaccine Distribution During COVID – 19
• Preventable Loss of Lives
• Systemic Failures in Global Response
• A Call for Coordinated Global Action

Key Provisions of Draft Treaty

• Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System: It establishes a framework for sharing pathogens and ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments derived from them.
• Pandemic Prevention via One Health Approach: Treaty encourages integrated surveillance of human, animal, and environmental health.
• Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Promotes sharing of technology, knowledge, and skills to enhance R&D and production across diverse geographies.
• Health Workforce Mobilisation: Proposes a global pool of trained and multidisciplinary professionals for rapid pandemic response.
• Coordinated Financial Mechanism: Sets up a fund or mechanism to support preparedness and emergency response, especially in lower-income countries.
• Resilient Health Systems: Calls for strengthening core health infrastructure, preparedness drills, and public health communication systems.
• Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network: Establishes a coordinated mechanism for uninterrupted supply and distribution of essential health commodities.

Current Frameworks to Deal with Pandemics

1. International Health Regulations (2005): Legally Binding International instrument coordinated by WHO.

• Requires Countries to Detect, Assess, Report and Respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern.
• Example: COVID - 19 was declared a PHEIC under IHR in 2020.

2. Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN): Network of over 250 Institutions coordinated by WHO.

• Provides Rapid Deployment of Experts during Outbreaks.
• Example: Mobilized Teams for Ebola, Zika and COVID – 19 Responses.

Safeguarding Taj Mahal

Supreme Court Orders NEERI to Assess Environmental Impact of Glass Industries on Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal

• Commissioned By: 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
• Chief Architect: Ustad-Ahmad Lahori
• Construction started in 1631 AD and completed in 1648 AD.
• Situated on Right Bank of Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
• In 1983, UNESCO inscribed Taj Mahal on World Heritage List.
• Renowned as one of 7 Wonders of the World.
• Declared a Centrally Protected Monument of National Importance in 1920.
• Managed By: Archaeological Survey of India.

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

• Established in 1958.
• Premier Research Institute under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
• Plays a vital role in Environmental Management, Pollution Control and Sustainable Development through R&D, Policy Development and Technology Innovation. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology
• HQ: Nagpur

Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)

• Defined Area of 10,400 sq km around Taj Mahal.
• Purpose: To protect Monument from Pollution. 
• Comprises Monuments including 3 World Heritage Sites: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
• Brought into focus by Supreme Court’s 1996 Judgment (M.C. Mehta vs Union of India), which banned Use of Coal/Coke by Industries in Zone and mandated a shift to Cleaner Fuels like natural gas.

Arun-III Hydro Power Project

Indian Minister Visits Arun-III Hydro Power Project in Nepal, a Landmark in Bilateral Energy Cooperation.

Arun-III Hydro Power Project

• Nepal’s Largest Hydro-Electric Facility (900 MW).
• Implemented By: Arun-III Power Development Company (SAPDC), a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of India's Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (Joint Venture between Government of India and Government of Himachal Pradesh).
• Located on Arun River in Sankhuwasabha (Nepal).

Sea of Marmara

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Istanbul, Epicenter in Sea of Marmara.

Sea of Marmara

• Small Inland Sea entirely enclosed within Trans-Continental Boundaries of Turkey.
• Acts as a Natural Divider Asian and European Parts of Turkey.
• Connects to Black Sea in North-East via Bosphorus Strait
• Connects to Aegean Sea in South-West through Dardanelles Strait.
• Functions as a Transitional Zone between Black Sea and Mediterranean.
• India Unveils First Full-Stack Quantum Computer ‘QpiAI-Indus’ on World Quantum Day.

- World Quantum Day, Launched in 2021, Celebrates Planck’s Constant (4.14 × 10⁻¹⁵ eVs) and Raises Awareness on Quantum Science & Technology

- UN has declared 2025 as "International Year of Quantum Science and Technology".

• India Observes National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, Marking 73rd Constitutional Amendment 1992 Establishing Local Governance System.
• Mahuadanr (Jharkhand): India’s First and Only Wolf Sanctuary Explores Link Between Tribal Culture and Wolf Behavior.