Current Affairs

PARIS OLYMPICS 2024

Why in the News?

Javelin Throw

Neeraj Chopra secured silver at the Paris Olympics in men's javelin throw with a best of 89.45 meters. Arshad Nadeem made history for Pakistan, winning gold with an Olympic record throw of 92.97 meters, becoming the first Pakistani to claim an individual Olympic gold.

About Neeraj Chopra

• He is an Indian track and field athlete who specializes in the javelin throw.
• He is from Khandra, Haryana.
• Awards
  • Arjuna Award - 2018
  • Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) 2020
  • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award – 2021
  • Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) - 2022
  • Padma Shri (fourth highest civilian honor) - 2022
• Achievements
  • Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Gold medal with a throw of 87.58 meters.
  • 2022 World Athletics Championships: Silver medal, becoming the first Indian male athlete to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships.
  • Asian Games 2018: Gold medal with a throw of 88.06 meters.
  • Commonwealth Games 2018: Gold medal

Neeraj Chopra, Indian Athlete

Javelin Throw It is a track and field event in which an athlete throws a spear-like object called a javelin as far as possible. It is one of the oldest athletic disciplines with roots tracing back to ancient Greece where it was part of the original Olympic Games. It was introduced into the modern Olympic Games in 1908 for men and in 1932 for women. Jan Zelezny (Czech Republic): Considered the greatest javelin thrower of all time, he holds the men's world record of 98.48 meters and has won three Olympic gold medals.

Men’s Hockey

• The Indian hockey team has claimed a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics after defeating Spain 2-1.
• The medal is India hockey team’s 13th in history and second straight bronze at the Games after Tokyo 2020.
• Captain: Harmanpreet Singh
• PR Sreejesh: India's star goalkeeper announced his retirement from international hockey.

Indian Hockey Team

Hockey Hockey is a team sport played on a field or an indoor surface, involving two teams of eleven players (field hockey) or six players (ice hockey) who aim to score goals by hitting a ball or puck into the opposing team’s net. Objective: Score goals by hitting a small, hard ball into the opponent's goal. Game Duration: Typically, two halves of 35 minutes each. The Indian Hockey Hockey in India Federation (IHF) was only formed in 1925, one year after the formation of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). First international tour: New Zealand, 1926 India has eight gold medals in Olympics, a record till today. Major Dhyan Chand He was the poster boy of Indian hockey for decades. His birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. The Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports is a national sporting honor named after the hockey legend.

NAGASAKI DAY 2024

• It is annually observed on 9th August.
• It marks the devastating atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan by the United States during World War II in 1945.

Events

• Pearl Harbor Attack (December 7, 1941): Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii led to the U.S. entering World War II.

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• U.S. Declares War on Japan (December 8, 1941): The U.S. officially joins the war. Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. shortly after.

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• Japanese Expansion (1941-1942): Japan rapidly conquers Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines and Singapore.

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• Doolittle Raid (April 18, 1942): The U.S. conducts a symbolic air raid on Tokyo, boosting American morale.

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• Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942): The U.S. decisively defeats Japan, marking a turning point in the Pacific War.

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• Guadalcanal Campaign (August 1942 - February 1943): The U.S. wins its first major offensive against Japan, gaining strategic momentum.

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• Island Hopping (1943-1945): The Allies capture key islands, moving closer to Japan.

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• Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 23-26, 1944): The U.S. defeats the Japanese fleet, enabling the liberation of the Philippines.

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• Iwo Jima (February 19 - March 26, 1945): The U.S. captures Iwo Jima, providing a base for attacks on Japan.

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• Okinawa (April 1 - June 22, 1945): A brutal battle that brings the Allies closer to mainland Japan.

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• Potsdam Declaration (July 26, 1945): Allies demand Japan’s unconditional surrender, warning of dire consequences.

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• Hiroshima Bombing (August 6, 1945): The U.S. drops the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing tens of thousands.

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• Soviet Declaration of War (August 8, 1945): The Soviet Union invades Japanese-occupied Manchuria.

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• Nagasaki Bombing (August 9, 1945): The U.S. drops a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, leading to further devastation.

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• Japan’s Surrender: Japan announces its surrender, formally ending World War II on September 2, 1945.
• Key Details
  • Bomb Name: Fat Man
  • Bomb Type: Plutonium-based nuclear bomb
  • Aircraft: B-29 bomber named "Bockscar," piloted by Major Charles Sweeney

JAPAN Location: Island nation in East Asia Main Islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku Capital: Tokyo Currency: Japanese yen (¥) Official language: Japanese Political System: Constitutional Monarchy with a Parliamentary government Emperor: Naruhito Prime Minister: Fumio Kishida It is on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes and tsunamis. Major Brands: Toyota, Sony, and Nintendo Location of Japan

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 2024

• It is annually observed on 9th August to commemorate the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.
• Establishment: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared this day in 1994.
• Theme 2024: Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.
• Approximately 200 Indigenous Peoples live in remote forests across various countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Venezuela
• Mashco Piro are believed to be the largest uncontacted tribe on Earth.
• There are 705 ethnic groups officially recognized as "Scheduled Tribes" In India.

ANTARCTICA’S DEEP-WINTER HEATWAVE

Why in the News?

For the second time in two years, a record-breaking heatwave is sweeping through Antarctica at the height of its winter season. Ground temperatures have been 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal on average since mid-July and up to 28 degrees higher on certain days.

About the Heatwave

• In East Antarctica, temperatures currently range between -25°C to -30°C, where usual deep-winter temperatures are -50°C to -60°C.
• Causes
  • Weakened Polar Vortex: The polar vortex, which traps cold air over Antarctica, has been disturbed by large-scale atmospheric waves. This disturbance allowed cold air to escape and warmer air to enter, raising temperatures.
  • Ice Sheet Loss: Antarctica has already lost 280% more ice mass in recent decades compared to the 1980s and 1990s.

Antarctica

• Location: Antarctica is the Earth's southernmost continent, located almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle. It is surrounded by the Southern Ocean.
• Discovered: 1820
• It is the fifth largest and the coldest continent on earth.
• It holds about 60% of the world’s freshwater.
• It is a hub for scientific research, particularly in climate change, glaciology, and astronomy.
• The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, designates the continent as a scientific preserve and bans military activity. It has been signed by 54 countries.

Map of Antarctica

NOBEL LAUREATES

Why in the News?

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government on Thursday, following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5 amid violent protests. The oath was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the presidential palace in Dhaka. But he will not be the first Nobel laureate to lead his country.

Nobel Laureates Who Became Heads of their country

• Lester B. Pearson
  • Nobel Peace Prize: 1957, for resolving the Suez Crisis.
  • Leadership: Prime Minister of Canada (1963-1968)
• Lech Watesa
  • Nobel Peace Prize: 1983, for non-violent struggle for free trade unions and human rights in Poland.
  • Leadership: President of Poland (1990-1995)
  • Achievements: Led the Solidarity movement, ending communist rule in Poland.
• Aung San Suu Kyi
  • Nobel Peace Prize: 1991, for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.
  • Leadership: State Counsellor of Myanmar (2016-2021)
  • Achievements: Led Myanmar’s transition from military rule to partial democracy, but later faced criticism for her role in the Rohingya crisis.
• Nelson Mandela
  • Nobel Peace Prize: 1993, jointly with Frederik Willem de Klerk, for peacefully ending apartheid.
  • Leadership: President of South Africa (1994-1999)
  • Achievements: First Black president of South Africa, key figure in ending apartheid and establishing a democratic government.
• José Ramos-Horta (East Timor):
  • Nobel Peace Prize: 1996, for working towards a peaceful resolution in East Timor.
  • Leadership: President of East Timor (2007-2012, 2022-present), Prime Minister (2006-2007).
  • Achievements: Played a crucial role in East Timor's independence from Indonesia.
• Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh):
  • Nobel Peace Prize: 2006, for efforts in creating economic and social development through microcredit.
  • Leadership: Set to lead Bangladesh’s interim government in 2024.

General Knowledge

Eminent Personalities in News Today

Name	Designation	Image
V. Anantha Nageswaran	Chief Economic Advisor
Shaktikanta Das	RBI Governor
Muhammad Yunus	Interim Prime Minister, Bangladesh
Mohammed Shahabuddin	President, Bangladesh
Kiren Rijiju	Minister of Minority Affairs
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu	Minister of Civil Aviation
Himanta Biswa Sarma	Chief Minister of Assam