CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 & 16 January, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 & 16 January, 2026

1. GLOBAL RISKS REPORT 2026 –

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the Global Risks Report 2026, based on its Global Risks Perception Survey.
• The Report identifies cybersecurity as the most significant risk for India in 2026.

Key Highlights from the Report

• Top Global Risk: Geoeconomic confrontation emerges as the single biggest global risk in 2026.
• It overtakes State-based armed conflict and extreme weather events.
• Trend Shift: Geoeconomic confrontation has risen two positions compared to last year to rank first.
• State-based armed conflict has fallen to second position.

Technology-Related Risks Rising:

• Misinformation and disinformation rank 5th globally (7% respondents).
• Adverse outcomes of AI technologies enter the top 10 at rank 8.
• Cyber insecurity ranks 9th globally, reflecting heightened digital vulnerabilities.

2. BRICS 2026 –

• Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar formally launched the BRICS 2026 Presidency logo, theme and official website in New Delhi.
• India officially assumed the BRICS presidency from Brazil on January 1, 2026, marking its fourth term in this role. India had previously held the Chairship in 2012, 2016, and 2021.

Previous 5 Presidency and Themes

• 2025- Brazil Presidency: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
• 2024- Russia Presidency: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security”
• 2023- South Africa Presidency: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism”
• 2022- China Presidency: “Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development”
• 2021- India Presidency: “BRICS @ 15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus”

India’s Key Priorities for BRICS 2026

• Resilience: India plans to strengthen cooperation in critical areas like agriculture, health, disaster risk reduction, energy, and supply chains.
• Innovation: India will focus on leveraging the role of startups, MSMEs, and emerging technologies in addressing development challenges.
• Cooperation and Sustainability: India will emphasize climate action, clean energy, and sustainable development, while ensuring that these efforts are fair and sensitive to national circumstances.

3. US FREEZES IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING FOR 75 COUNTRIES UNDER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION –

• In a major tightening of immigration rules, the United States has announced a blanket suspension on immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. The decision, taken by the Trump administration, applies only to permanent immigration and has no fixed end date. The move signals a sharp shift in US immigration policy with wide global implications.

Why in News?

• The United States has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, starting January 21, 2026, as part of a sweeping immigration restriction under the Trump administration.

About US Decision

• The Trump administration has ordered an indefinite freeze on immigrant visas, which are meant for individuals seeking to live and work permanently in the US.
• The suspension is based on nationality, not individual applications, and affects countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
• Importantly, the decision does not apply to tourist, business or temporary work visas, narrowing its scope strictly to permanent residency pathways.

Reason Behind the Visa Suspension

• According to the US State Department, the decision uses long-standing legal authority that allows visa denial if applicants are likely to depend on government welfare.
• However, for the first time, this authority is being applied as a blanket nationality-based suspension.
• State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the freeze aims to prevent abuse of America’s immigration system and protect public resources under an “America First” approach.

4. ANDHRA PRADESH TO HOST WORLD’S LARGEST GREEN AMMONIA PROJECT AT KAKINADA –

• India’s clean energy transition received a major boost as Andhra Pradesh is set to host the world’s largest green ammonia project at Kakinada. Developed by AM Green, the project involves a $10-billion investment and aims to position India as a global exporter of green ammonia while supporting climate goals and energy security.

Why in News?

• Andhra Pradesh will host the world’s largest green ammonia project at Kakinada, with AM Green planning phased commissioning up to 2030 and targeting India’s first green ammonia exports to global markets.

Project Overview and Investment Plan

• The project is being developed by AM Green through the conversion of an existing ammonia-urea complex at Kakinada.
• With a total planned investment of $10 billion, the facility will have a final production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
• Phased commissioning is planned, with 0.5 MTPA by 2027, 1.0 MTPA by 2028, and full capacity by 2030, making it the largest such project globally.

5. BHARAT ELECTRICITY SUMMIT 2026: INDIA TO HOST GLOBAL POWER SECTOR MEET IN MARCH –

• India is preparing to host a major global event in the power sector with the announcement of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026. The four-day conference-cum-exhibition will focus on clean energy transition, resilient electricity systems and global cooperation. The summit reflects India’s growing leadership in the global energy landscape and its shift from energy scarcity to energy abundance.

Why in News?

• The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 will be held from 19-22 March 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, as announced by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal.

About Bharat Electricity Summit 2026

• Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 is a global conference-cum-exhibition for the power and electricity sector.
• It is being organised to showcase India’s leadership in the global energy transition while addressing challenges across generation, transmission, distribution, storage and smart consumption.
• The summit will bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia and civil society, providing a common platform to deliberate on the future of electricity systems and sustainable energy pathways.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, that was recently seen in news, is located on which hill range ?

1. a) Vindhya
2. b) Aravalli
3. c) Shivalik
4. d) Satpura

Q2.   The Global Risk Report 2026 was released by which organization ?

1. a) World Bank
2. b) International Monetary Fund
3. c) United Nations Development Programme
4. d) World Economic Forum

Q3.   What is the ‘Miyawaki method’ that was recently seen in news ?

1. a) A technique of terrace farming
2. b) A method of urban waste management
3. c) A method of dense afforestation in small areas using native species
4. d) A technique of hydroponic cultivation

Q4.   With reference to the origin of the World Bank, consider the following statements:

1. The World Bank emerged from the Bretton Woods Conference held in 1944.
2. Its legal foundation lies in the Articles of Agreement of the International Development Association (IDA).
3. The World Bank initially focused on reconstruction in Europe after World War II.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: The World Bank originated at the Bretton Woods Conference (July 1944).
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The legal foundation is the Articles of Agreement of IBRD, not IDA.
• Statement 3 is correct: Initial focus was post-WWII European reconstruction.

Q5.   Which of the following States were identified as Leaders among Large States in EPI 2024 ?

1. Maharashtra
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Gujarat
4. Kerala

          Select the correct answer using the code below:

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1, 3 and 4 only
3. c) 1, 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Leader Large States:
• Maharashtra
• Tamil Nadu
• Gujarat
• Uttar Pradesh
• Andhra Pradesh
• Kerala is not listed among the leaders.

Answer Key