Current Affairs - August 9, 2024 Current Affairs

Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren recently introduced the 'Upasthiti' Portal, a system designed to monitor the daily attendance of healthcare professionals through biometric verification. This initiative is aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare services across the state. The portal will help ensure that doctors, para-medical staff, and other employees are present as required, thus supporting the goal of 24x7 operations and the availability of specialized surgeries in district hospitals. This step reflects the state's commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and efficiency.

Starting August 15, schools in Haryana will greet students with "Jai Hind" instead of "Good Morning" to promote patriotism and national pride. This change, directed by the Haryana Directorate of School Education, aims to reinforce a sense of unity and national identity among students, especially as they participate in Independence Day celebrations. "Jai Hind," a phrase popularized by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, is emblematic of India's sovereignty and historical struggle for freedom, and its use in schools is intended to strengthen these values among young learners.

Nagasaki Day is observed annually on August 9th, marking the date when the city of Nagasaki, Japan, was devastated by an atomic bomb in 1945. This day serves as a sombre reminder of the destructive power of nuclear weapons and the importance of global peace and disarmament. The bombing of Nagasaki occurred just three days after Hiroshima, making it the second and last use of nuclear weapons in warfare, underscoring the significance of this date in history.

The 2,700-year-old Etruscan cult temple, or Oikos, was discovered at the Sasso Pinzuto necropolis in Tuscany, Italy. This archaeological find is significant because it provides insights into the ancient Etruscan civilization, which flourished in central Italy between the Tiber and Arno rivers. The Etruscan civilization had a profound influence on Roman culture and society. The discovered temple, part of a larger necropolis with over 120 chamber tombs, offers valuable information about Etruscan religious practices and architectural styles, highlighting their connection to funerary rites and symbolic elevations.

Aman Sehrawat won the bronze medal in the men’s 57kg wrestling category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Competing at the Champ de Mars arena, Sehrawat demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience throughout the tournament. After securing victories in earlier rounds and a setback in the semifinal, he triumphed in the bronze medal bout against Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz. This accomplishment continued India's successful streak in Olympic wrestling, following Ravi Kumar Dahiya's silver medal win in the same weight class at the Tokyo Olympics.

Boeing appointed Robert “Kelly” Ortberg as its new CEO on August 8, succeeding David Calhoun. Ortberg, previously the CEO of Rockwell Collins, takes over during a challenging period for Boeing, which is dealing with substantial financial losses, including a $1.4 billion loss in the second quarter, and various safety, production, and legal issues. His appointment is part of Boeing's effort to stabilize and recover from its current difficulties.

Setu, owned by Pine Labs, has launched the UPISetu platform in collaboration with Axis Bank. UPISetu is designed to enhance the UPI payment ecosystem, offering a range of services such as QR code payments, Autopay, EMI options, and Third-Party Validation. The partnership with Axis Bank underscores the bank's commitment to advancing digital payment solutions and supporting the digitization efforts of businesses in India.

The Indian women’s national volleyball team secured the gold medal at the 4th CAVA Women’s Volleyball Nations League 2024 by defeating Nepal in the final with a score of 3-2 sets. This victory marked India's second CAVA title and demonstrated their strong presence in international volleyball. The tournament took place at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the final match drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Neeraj Chopra secured the silver medal in the men's javelin throw event at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a season-best throw of 89.45m. Although he was the reigning Olympic champion, Chopra was unable to defend his title, as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem took the gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97m. Chopra's silver-medal performance further solidifies his status as one of the top javelin throwers globally.

Tan Su Shan has been appointed as the first female CEO of DBS, set to take over in March 2025. With 35 years of experience in banking, including leadership roles at Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, Tan’s appointment marks a significant milestone for DBS. She is the first "homegrown" leader to succeed the outgoing CEO Piyush Gupta, reflecting the bank's commitment to continuity and internal talent development.

Praveena Rai has been approved by SEBI as the new Managing Director and CEO of the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). With over 20 years of experience in payments and banking, Rai previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Her extensive background in transaction banking, retail banking, and commercial banking makes her a strong candidate for leading MCX. Her appointment follows the departure of the former CEO, PS Reddy, who concluded his term in May 2024.

The West Bengal government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has launched an initiative to encourage fathers to actively support and promote breastfeeding. This program, facilitated by Anganwadi workers, aims to enhance family involvement in breastfeeding, thereby improving exclusive breastfeeding rates during the first six months of a child's life. The initiative underscores the importance of family support, starting from conception, to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and child.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated annually on August 9th to honour and recognize the unique cultures, challenges, and contributions of indigenous communities globally. This day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting indigenous rights and preserving their cultural heritage. In 2024, this observance falls on a Friday, allowing for extended events and discussions centred around the theme of protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact.