The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued its first Purple Notice through Interpol.

About Purple Notice

• A Purple Notice is one of eight types of alerts issued by Interpol.
• Purpose: It is specifically designed to provide information on the modus operandi, objects, devices, and concealment methods used by criminals.
• Other notices: Red, yellow, blue, Black, green, Orange, Silver Notice (pilot phase).
  • INTERPOL–United Nations Security Council Special Notice: Issued for entities and individuals who are the targets of UN Security Council Sanctions Committees.

Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tripura are  top performers in their respective groups in State Energy Efficiency Index 2024(sixth edition).

About State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI)

• Developed by: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in association with the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).
• Purpose: The index assesses the energy efficiency performance of 36 States and Union Territories (UTs) supporting data-driven monitoring, best practice sharing, and healthy competition.
• States are classified into four performance categories: Front Runners (>60%), Achievers (50-60%), Contenders (30-50%), and Aspirants (<30%). 
  • The State Energy Efficiency Action Plans initiated by BEE, are crucial in integrating energy efficiency into the most energy-intensive sectors.

Thailand has granted  work rights to long-term refugees Karenni and Karen from Myanmar.

About Karen

• The Karen are a large and dispersed ethnic group of Southeast Asia. 
• They trace their origins to the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, or Tibet.

About Karenni

• Minority group in Myanmar, also known as the Red Karen or Kayah.

Recently,Emerging Leaders Panel Discussion was held under Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) at kochi 

About IONS 

• It is a voluntary initiative launched by Indian Navy.  
• Aim: To increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region 
• Its inaugural session was held in 2008 in New Delhi 
• Membership: 25 members and 9 observers
  • Eligibility -A nation state with permanent territory or border with Indian Ocean and which maintains a Navy or maritime agency 
  • Chair of IONS will be rotated every 2 years.India to chair during 2025-27

Recently , a government-appointed panel has recommended the Supreme Court to ban a exotic tree species called Conocarpus.

About Conocarpus (buttonwood or damas)

• Origin - It has 2 species:-
  • One is native to the coastal areas of tropical America, and parts of West Africa  and 
  • The other is found in arid coastal zones of Somalia and Yemen and across eastern and northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Why planted in India - It is an ornamental plant and provides green canopy in and is tolerant to heat, salinity, air ,dust pollution and needs minimal maintenance.
• Concerns 
  • Threat to biodiversity: offers little sustenance for native insects, birds, or mammals and is invasive. (also known as “green desert”)
  • Threat to ecosystem: excessive groundwater consumption
  • Public health:  Allergenic pollen
• Earlier Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have banned it.

Recently, UNTOC and UNCAC have been invoked by India in the extradition request of a fugitive offender. 

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC)

• A UN treaty to combat transnational organized crime, adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003.
• It is supplemented by three protocols targeting human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and illicit firearms manufacturing and trafficking.

• UNTOC ( also known as Palermo Convention), it is the only global, legally binding instrument through which governments commit to act and cooperate against organized crime.  

• The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) serves as Secretariat to UNTOC.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)

• The only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument, adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003.
• Covers a wide range of corruption forms, including bribery and embezzlement.
• It focuses on prevention, criminalization, international cooperation, and asset recovery.

The Indian Army evacuated stranded CRPF personnel and civilians from flood-hit Madhopur Headworks after heavy discharge from Ranjit Sagar Dam.

About Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam)

• Location: Near Pathankot, on the Punjab–Jammu & Kashmir border
• River: Ravi
• Purpose: Provides irrigation and hydroelectric power to Punjab and neighbouring states

The Prime Minister nominated two people as new members of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and renominated three existing members for three years.

About National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Head: NDMA is headed by the Prime Minister of India, is the apex body for Disaster Management in India. 
• Under: Mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005. 
• Mandate: To lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management. 
• Vision: To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, pro-active, technology driven and sustainable development strategy