18 August 2025 Daily Current Affairs

1. Earthquake Jolts Tonga Islands: A Wake-up Call for Pacific Resilience

Context:  On 18th August 2025, an earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck the Tonga Islands Region in the South Pacific Ocean. While the Pacific region is no stranger to seismic events due to its geographical placement along the infamous “Ring of Fire,” each tremor of this magnitude rekindles concerns around disaster preparedness, climate vulnerability, and geopolitical resilience for island nations like Tonga.

Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is a sovereign Polynesian nation comprising an archipelago of 169 islands, out of which only 36 are inhabited. Its geographical uniqueness, coupled with fragile ecosystems and dependence on maritime security, makes it especially vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes, cyclones, and tsunamis.

Details:

Geography of Tonga

• Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Tonga is part of the Polynesian subregion.
• Neighbouring nations include Fiji to the west, Cook Islands to the east, and Samoa to the north.
• The islands are grouped into three clusters:
  1. Tongatapu (South) – largest group, also houses the capital Nukuʻalofa.
  2. Ha‘apai (Center) – relatively less populated, but geologically significant with Kao Island (highest point of Tonga).
  3. Vava‘u (North) – known for tourism and coral ecosystems.

The western islands constitute the Tongan Volcanic Arc, composed of volcanic origin, whereas the eastern islands are non-volcanic, consisting of coral limestone and sand formations. The terrain is mostly flat with uplifted coral and volcanic underlayers, which also explains the frequent seismic activity.

The Earthquake Event

• Magnitude: 6.2 on the Richter scale.
• Epicenter: Tonga Islands Region, within the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide, making it one of the world’s most seismically active zones.
• Impact: Though no immediate reports of large-scale destruction have emerged, such tremors heighten the risk of aftershocks, tsunamis, and coral reef damage.

Historical Vulnerability

• In January 2022, Tonga witnessed one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in modern history — the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai volcanic explosion. It generated a massive ash plume reaching space, triggered tsunamis across the Pacific, and disrupted global communications due to undersea cable damage.
• Tonga frequently suffers from cyclones, rising sea levels, and coral bleaching, apart from earthquakes. The combination of geological and climatic risks places its economy and people in constant vulnerability.

Conclusion:

The 6.2 magnitude earthquake in the Tonga Islands may not have triggered a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, but its implications extend far beyond immediate tremors. It symbolizes the fragility of Pacific island nations, which stand at the intersection of seismic risk, climate change, and geopolitical vulnerability.For Tonga, every seismic jolt is more than a natural event — it is a wake-up call for global attention towards sustainable development, resilient infrastructure, and climate adaptation. Strengthening international disaster cooperation, investing in resilient housing and communication systems, and expanding regional early warning networks are essential.

The Tonga earthquake also underscores a broader truth: while large continents can absorb shocks, small island nations live on the edge of survival with every natural disaster. 

2. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal Awarded to Leaders of Operation Sindoor

Context:  On the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, the President of India conferred the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) upon seven senior military leaders who spearheaded Operation Sindoor. This marks a historic recognition of leadership in one of India’s significant military operations, underlining the medal’s prestige as the nation’s highest wartime distinguished service decoration.Instituted on 26 June 1980, the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal stands as a symbol of exemplary command, exceptional devotion to duty, and extraordinary service during war, conflict, or hostilities. Unlike gallantry awards that honor acts of courage in battle, the SYSM honors strategic and distinguished wartime leadership—a crucial recognition in modern warfare where decision-making often defines victory.

Details

About the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal

• Institution Date: 26 June 1980.
• Objective: To recognize “distinguished service of the most exceptional order during war, conflict, or hostilities.”
• Eligible Personnel:
  • All ranks of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • Personnel of Territorial Army, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces, lawfully constituted Armed Forces.
  • Nursing officers and members of Armed Forces Nursing Services.
  • The medal can also be awarded posthumously.

Design Features

• Shape & Size: Circular, 35 mm in diameter, made of gold gilt.
• Obverse Side: State Emblem of India with the inscription “SARVOTTAM YUDH SEVA MEDAL” in English.
• Reverse Side: A five-pointed star symbolizing valor and honor.
• Ribbon: Golden color with a single red vertical stripe at the center, dividing it into two equal parts.
• Bar System: If awarded again, a bar is attached to the medal ribbon. For each bar, a miniature insignia approved by the Government is added when the medal is worn alone.

Difference from Gallantry Awards

• Gallantry awards like Param Vir Chakra or Maha Vir Chakra honor acts of bravery and courage in face of the enemy.
• Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal specifically acknowledges distinguished service of high order by senior leadership during wartime situations. It highlights command responsibility, operational vision, and strategic contribution to India’s defense.

Recent Award for Operation Sindoor

• Seven recipients were honored in 2025 for their role in Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes mission where coordinated leadership played a decisive role.
• The recognition highlights India’s tradition of honoring not just frontline bravery but also behind-the-scenes leadership, which ensures planning, strategy, and execution at the highest levels.
• The awards also symbolize a message to the armed forces: wartime excellence is not limited to individual courage but extends to collective, distinguished leadership.

Conclusion: The conferment of the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal to the leaders of Operation Sindoor on the eve of Independence Day reflects India’s deep respect for its military leadership. It highlights how modern warfare is not just fought on the battlefield, but also in strategy rooms, command centers, and policy decisions that shape outcomes.

3. Discovery of Phoenix roxburghii: A New Palm Species in India

Context: In a significant botanical breakthrough, researchers have identified a new palm species named Phoenix roxburghii, in honor of William Roxburgh, widely regarded as the “Father of Indian Botany.”

This discovery adds to India’s rich biodiversity heritage, highlighting the ongoing importance of field research in documenting plant species, many of which remain unknown even today. The finding also draws attention to the ecological and economic role of palms, a group of plants crucial to both ecosystems and human livelihoods.

Details

About Phoenix roxburghii

• Height: Grows up to 12–16 metres tall, making it taller than many other Phoenix species.
• Morphological Features:
  • Shares similarities with Phoenix sylvestris (the Indian date palm).
  • Distinctive Traits: Taller solitary trunk, larger leaves and leaflets, musty-scented staminate flowers, and larger obovoid orange-yellow fruits.
• Habitat: Found across India’s eastern coast, Bangladesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Pakistan.

Family and Classification

• Belongs to the Arecaceae (Palmae) family — a single family of monocotyledonous flowering plants under the order Arecales.
• Palms are generally evergreen plants that can grow as shrubs, trees, or climbing woody vines called lianas.

Global Distribution of Palms

• Widely distributed across America, Asia (India to Japan and Australia), the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands, and parts of Africa and Madagascar.
• While palms are globally diverse, their commercial importance is concentrated in a few species.

Economic and Ecological Importance

• Globally Significant Palms:
  • Coconut (Cocos nucifera): Vital for food, oil, fiber, and coastal protection.
  • African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis): A leading source of vegetable oil and fat worldwide.
• Ecological Role: Palms contribute to soil stabilization, provide habitats for birds and insects, and are integral to tropical ecosystems.
• Phoenix roxburghii’s Potential: Though not yet commercially exploited, its distinct morphology suggests possible future horticultural, ecological, or cultural value.

Why This Discovery Matters

• Reinforces India’s status as a biodiversity hotspot.
• Strengthens research in taxonomy and conservation biology, especially in the era of climate change where identifying and preserving native species is critical.
• Honors William Roxburgh, whose pioneering documentation of Indian flora laid the foundation of botanical research in the subcontinent.

Conclusion: The discovery of Phoenix roxburghii is more than a botanical milestone; it is a reminder that India’s landscapes still hold countless hidden species waiting to be documented. The recognition of this palm underlines the importance of systematic taxonomy, field exploration, and biodiversity conservation in safeguarding ecological balance.

4. Genetically Engineered E. coli as Self-Powered Chemical Sensors

Context: In a groundbreaking development, researchers have demonstrated that genetically engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria can be transformed into self-powered chemical sensors that directly interface with electronic devices.

This innovation represents a significant step in the intersection of synthetic biology, bioengineering, and electronics, showing how living organisms can be adapted for advanced sensing technologies. Such developments not only revolutionize the way we detect environmental toxins or medical conditions but also highlight the expanding role of microbes in biotechnology.

Details

About Escherichia coli (E. coli)

• Belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family.
• Morphology: Rod-shaped bacterium.
• Natural Habitat: Found in the intestines of humans and animals.
• Dual Nature:
  • Harmless strains: Aid digestion and vitamin production.
  • Pathogenic strains: Cause illness. Some produce Shiga toxin, leading to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections.

Diseases Caused by Pathogenic E. coli

• Common Symptoms: Persistent or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting.
• Illnesses Linked:
  • Diarrheal diseases (food and waterborne).
  • Urinary tract infections.
  • Respiratory illness and pneumonia.
• Transmission: Contaminated food, water, or contact with fecal matter.
• Most cases are self-limiting, requiring rest and hydration. Severe cases, however, may need medical intervention.

The New Breakthrough: Bioelectronic Sensors

• Concept: Genetically modified E. coli are engineered to function as biosensors that generate their own power while detecting specific chemicals.
• How It Works:
  • E. coli are altered to produce an electric signal when they encounter target substances (e.g., toxins, pollutants, disease biomarkers).
  • These signals can be read directly by electronic devices, creating a real-time detection system.
• Significance:
  • Eliminates need for external power supply.
  • Provides direct, rapid, and precise monitoring of chemical environments.
  • Can be applied in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and food safety.

Conclusion: The transformation of E. coli into self-powered chemical sensors marks a new frontier in biotechnology. While E. coli is traditionally associated with disease and contamination, this breakthrough illustrates how genetic engineering can repurpose a well-known bacterium into a tool for human benefit.

From safeguarding food and water security to enabling advanced medical diagnostics, this innovation has far-reaching implications. However, as with all biotechnological advances, responsible use, strong safety protocols, and regulatory oversight will be crucial.

5. India’s Push Towards Green Ammonia

Context:  In a landmark development for India’s clean energy transition, Larsen & Toubro’s green molecules arm, L&T Energy Greentech, has secured the tender to build India’s largest green hydrogen plant at Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s (IOCL) Panipat refinery.

This move is a critical step toward India’s broader climate goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and promoting green hydrogen and ammonia as alternative energy carriers.

Details:

Ammonia and Its Environmental Impact

• Conventional ammonia (Grey ammonia):
  Produced from natural gas. For every 1 tonne of ammonia, about 2 tonnes of CO₂ are emitted.
  This makes the conventional ammonia industry a major contributor to industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
• Green ammonia:
  Produced using green hydrogen obtained via electrolysis of water, powered by renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro).
  It combines green hydrogen with nitrogen from the atmosphere through the Haber-Bosch process under high temperature and pressure, yielding carbon-free ammonia.

Why Green Ammonia Matters

1. Agriculture:

• Ammonia is a critical input for fertilisers, supplying nitrogen necessary for crop growth.
• Transition to green ammonia ensures food security without compromising on sustainability.

2. Industrial Applications:
   • Used in synthetic fibres, explosives, dyes, nitric acid, and pharmaceuticals.
   • Shifting to renewable ammonia reduces the industrial carbon footprint.
3. Energy Transition Role:
   • Shipping & Locomotives: Can replace diesel and marine fuels.
   • Power Generation: Used as a clean-burning fuel source for electricity.
   • Hydrogen Carrier: Since ammonia is easier to transport and store compared to hydrogen, it acts as a strategic enabler for the hydrogen economy.

India’s Green Hydrogen & Ammonia Push

• National Hydrogen Mission (2021): Targets production of 5 MMT (million metric tonnes) of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
• Industrial Policy Shift: IOCL, NTPC, and private companies like L&T, Reliance, and Adani are investing heavily in renewable hydrogen and ammonia plants.
• Global Market: India aims to position itself as a major exporter of green ammonia, especially to energy-starved markets like Japan and Europe that seek carbon-neutral fuels.

Conclusion

The commissioning of India’s largest green hydrogen plant at Panipat refinery marks a transformational milestone in the country’s energy transition journey. By linking green hydrogen production with green ammonia synthesis, India is not just addressing its domestic energy and agricultural needs but also positioning itself as a future exporter in the global green fuel market.Green ammonia provides the dual advantage of ensuring food security through sustainable fertiliser production while also decarbonising industries and heavy transport sectors. However, the road ahead requires policy clarity, financial incentives, and technological advancements to bring down production costs and make green ammonia commercially viable.

6. Earthquake of Magnitude 5.7 Strikes Sulawesi, Indonesia

Context:  Recently, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi island in Indonesia, raising concerns about the island nation’s recurring seismic vulnerability. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where frequent tectonic movements trigger earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

Details

About Sulawesi

• Formerly known as Celebes, Sulawesi is the 11th largest island in the world with an area of about 1.8 lakh sq. km.
• Geographically, it is part of the Greater Sunda Islands.
• It consists of four interconnecting peninsulas, surrounded by major landmasses: Borneo (west), Philippines (north), Maluku Islands (east), Flores & Timor (south).
• The terrain is mountainous, hosting active volcanoes, rich rainforests, and 13 freshwater lakes (including Lake Matano, the deepest in Southeast Asia).
• Highest peak: Ratenkombola (Mario), 3,455 m.
• Population: Diverse ethnic groups including Toraja, Buginese, Makassarese, Minahasan, Mori, and Gorontalese.
• Largest city: Makassar, an economic hub and port city.

Earthquake Dynamics

• Sulawesi lies in a complex tectonic setting, where the Eurasian, Pacific, and Australian plates interact.
• This subduction zone makes the island prone to frequent earthquakes and tsunamis.
• The 2018 Sulawesi earthquake & tsunami killed over 4,000 people, underlining the catastrophic risks in the region.

Implications

• While this recent quake (5.7 magnitude) did not cause large-scale damage, it serves as a warning for future seismic risks.
• Indonesia’s recurring disasters show the importance of early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and regional cooperation in managing natural hazards.
• For India, such events offer lessons in disaster preparedness, community-based resilience, and urban planning in seismic zones.

Conclusion:  

The Sulawesi earthquake is not an isolated incident but part of a larger geological reality of the Ring of Fire nations. It highlights the delicate balance between natural geography, human settlements, and disaster management capacity. Strengthening resilience and preparedness remains the only long-term solution for such vulnerable regions.