Current Affairs - August 16, 2024 Current Affairs

A UN fact-finding team, led by Volker Turk, is set to be deployed to Bangladesh to investigate alleged human rights abuses during the political turmoil that led to former Prime Minister Hasina’s ousting. This move follows discussions with the interim government, which agreed to cooperate. The probe aims to scrutinize atrocities reported during the student-led protests, including the detention and alleged torture of hundreds in police custody. The UN's involvement underscores the international community's concern over human rights violations in Bangladesh during this period of political instability.

Sweden reported its first case outside Africa of a more dangerous variant of mpox, known as the Clade 1b subclade, which has been causing a severe global outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023. The Swedish public health agency confirmed the case in Stockholm, which was contracted during a visit to Africa where the outbreak is concentrated. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently considers the risk of transmission in Sweden to be very low due to the country’s high vaccination rate against mpox.

The Union Cabinet approved three metro rail projects worth Rs 30,765 crore on Friday, including two corridors of Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-3 (BMRP) worth Rs 15,611 crore, set to be operational by 2029, and the Swargate-to-Katraj Underground Line Extension of the existing PCMC-Swargate Metro Line of the Pune Metro Phase-I project worth Rs 12,200 crore operational by 2029. Additionally, the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project Corridor was approved with an estimated cost of Rs 12,200 crore to be funded by various sources, including the Government of India, Maharashtra, and private investments. This development aims to enhance urban connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and promote economic growth in Karnataka and Maharashtra, addressing the need for efficient and reliable public transportation systems in these regions.

Poland's conservative leader, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, declared on Friday an intention to host the 2040 or 2044 Summer Olympic Games. Following President Andrzej Duda's earlier announcement, this marks Poland's bid to host the Olympics for the first time in its history. This bid could mark an important milestone for the nation in the world of international sports, especially considering Poland's lack of experience in hosting the Games. However, the bid faces challenges, including the need to build new stadiums and infrastructure, which could pose significant financial implications.

The Centre has appointed Punya Salila Srivastava as the new Health Secretary, replacing Apurva Chandra upon his superannuation. In a reshuffle, Rajesh Kumar Singh is set to be the new Defence Secretary, while Katikithala Srinivas takes over as Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary. Deepti Umashankar has been appointed as Secretary to the President, and Vivek Joshi transitions to the Department of Personnel and Training. This appointment comes amidst ongoing discussions on the National Health Mission, including the implementation of a national electronic medical records system.

Thirty-eight farmers from Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur, known for their expertise in producing value-added coarse grain products, were invited to join the Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony at Delhi’s Red Fort. This initiative reflects recognition of their contributions and the government’s support for coarse grain-based food items, aiming to promote local products and celebrate national pride through their participation in the event.

Typhoon Ampil, the third major typhoon this year, is threatening Japan, causing widespread cancellations of flights and train services during the major holiday week, as it heads towards the archipelago after Tropical Storm Maria. The typhoon, expected to hit Tokyo and the Pacific coast on Friday and Saturday, has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and train services, significantly impacting travel plans. With gusts up to 180km/h and warnings of floods, officials urge safety measures as the weather agency predicts violent gusts, floods, and landslides in eastern regions. This typhoon season is particularly intense, with climate change influencing storm behaviour, intensifying, and lasting longer over land, posing significant challenges to Japan's preparedness and response efforts.

ULFA (Independent), an outlawed group, has claimed responsibility for placing 24 bombs across Assam. These bombings occurred in various districts, including Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Darrang, Golaghat, and Tinsukia. As of now, no bombs have been recovered by the security forces. Bomb disposal squads are actively searching for explosives in the affected areas, and security forces, including police and military, are on alert. The group's email asserts that the lack of explosions was due to "technical failure," but this claim has not been officially confirmed by the government or other authorities.

The Election Commission plans to hold 47 by-polls in one go due to logistical reasons, as stated by Chief Election Rajiv Kumar. The decision to hold the elections in one phase was influenced by recent landslides and floods, particularly in Kerala’s Wayanad, where the Lok Sabha seat is affected. The bypolls are scheduled to take place within six months, following a period during which vacancies arose from resignations and disqualifications, such as those in Uttar Pradesh. The Commission is waiting for improved weather conditions to proceed with the elections across the affected areas.

Bangladesh has called back ambassadors to the US, Russia, Japan, Maldives, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, and ordered them to return to Dhaka. This action follows an announcement by the country's Foreign Ministry on August 14. The ambassadors are to leave their current posts immediately. This comes amidst the ongoing investigation by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the 1971 war with Pakistan.

R N Agarwal, known for his significant contributions to India's missile development and his leadership at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), died at 84. Agarwal, who received the Padma Bhushan, played a crucial role in India's missile development. As the director of ASL, his efforts were instrumental in initiating the Agni missile programme under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMP). His contributions were pivotal to India's missile capabilities, including the Agni series of missiles and the BrahMos missile system.

Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, commence their Premier League campaign against Chelsea. Guardiola will be absent for star midfielder Rodri, who returned from an injury. Despite this setback, Manchester City remains optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming season, with Guardiola highlighting the team's readiness and expressing satisfaction with the roster.

India's Davis Cup singles and doubles teams are set to face Sweden in an intense World Group I tie. Top player Sumit Nagal has rejoined the team after missing the Pakistan tie, while Ashutosh Singh has taken over as the new coach, following Rohit Rajpal's decision to captain the side. Despite Yuki Bhambri's top ranking as a doubles player, his absence from the squad has been notable. India's team, led by Rohit Rajpal, faces a tough match against Sweden's strong lineup, with the first singles and doubles matches scheduled for August 23 in Stockholm.

Vantara, India’s first-of-its-kind animal rescue and rehabilitation centre founded by Anant Ambani and supported by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation, aims to restore balance and preserve biodiversity in India. Located within the Jamnagar Refinery Complex, Vantara spans 3,000 acres, offering state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and research centres. Over 2,000 species, including over 200 elephants, have been rescued, show

The Delhi Metro celebrated a significant milestone on August 13 by recording its highest-ever passenger count, with 72.38 lakh passengers travelling through its extensive network of over 393 km and more than 288 stations. This achievement surpasses previous records set in February and throughout August 2023. The Delhi Metro has become the most visited public transport system globally, underscoring its importance as a vital mode of travel in India's bustling capital city.

The Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has partnered with CONCACAF to promote football in North America, ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The agreement aims to bolster CONCACAF's football programs and events, with an emphasis on youth development and women's football. The PIF's investments in various sports, including global football, tennis, and golf, underscore its commitment to sports and global partnerships. Despite controversies, such as its involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the PIF seeks to advance its sports portfolio and expand its influence in international sports.

BSA Motorcycles, the UK company, has launched its first model in India, the Classic Legends-owned Gold Star 650. The bike represents a significant milestone for BSA's presence in the Indian motorcycle market. It is available for pre-order with a starting price of Rs 2.99 lakh and a top model at Rs 3.34 lakh. The Gold Star 650 features a 652cc engine, Brembo brakes, Pirelli tyres, and digital-analogue instrumentation, offering a blend of traditional design with modern performance. This launch signifies a major entry for BSA into the Indian motorcycle market, offering a piece of motorcycling history with a modern twist.

Nalin Prabhat, a 1992 IPS officer, was appointed as Special Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police and will assume his role as Director General after R R Swain's retirement on September 30. Prabhat, known for his decorated career and extensive service, has previously headed the CRPF's Kashmir region deployment and the Andhra Pradesh anti-Naxal force. His tenure as Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG) was curtailed, and he was ordered to be de-cadred to AGMUT, with an inter-cadre deputation from Andhra Pradesh, before assuming his current position.

The Bangladesh crisis has significantly impacted Kolar's tomato farmers, who face steep losses due to the sudden halt in exports to Bangladesh and reduced demand from Indian markets. Kolar, known as Asia's second-largest tomato market, has been forced to sell its high-quality tomatoes locally for much lower prices. Farmers are concerned about their livelihoods as prices have plummeted by 60%.

The Kolkata Police have arrested 25 individuals for vandalizing the RG Kar Hospital amid protests by women in West Bengal. Investigators have noted the emergency ward, intensive care unit, and other areas were damaged. The police are examining evidence, including the sequence of events captured on camera and the profiles of arrestees, to determine if there was a pre-arranged attack or if the protests evolved spontaneously. The investigation continues to assess if the protests were coordinated or if they evolved spontaneously, with a focus on whether there was a deliberate act of vandalism by the individuals involved.

The Mizoram Football Association (MFA) honoured the Reliance Foundation for its contributions to football development in Mizoram. The Reliance Foundation's initiatives—Reliance Foundation Young Champs, Naupang League, and Youth Sports—have significantly impacted youth football, leading to a surge in local talent and interest in football. MFA acknowledged the foundation's work in transforming the football ecosystem in Mizoram and beyond.

The Rajabai Clock Tower, resembling London’s Big Ben, stands tall in Mumbai. Built in 1878 by the wealthy broker Premchand Roychand Jain for £5,000, its construction was a testament to his commitment to his blind mother’s needs. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the tower, now a World Heritage Site, was originally intended to help Jain’s mother, Rajabai, time her meals with the bell's chimes. Over the years, it has become a symbol of Mumbai's architectural and historical legacy, featuring only a single chime to mark time.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the announcement of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly election, which was a significant development following the revocation of Article 370. He emphasized it as a crucial step towards strengthening democracy and fostering development in the region, emphasizing a new era of governance under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Additionally, Shah welcomed polls in Haryana, attributing the last decade's progress to the BJP government's initiatives, including job creation and welfare schemes. The elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana are significant milestones in the political landscape of India, reflecting the government's efforts to consolidate its position in these states.

In Maharashtra, the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides financial assistance of Rs 1500 per month for a year to single women aged 18-40, has faced criticism over its high publicity costs. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has raised concerns that Rs 199.81 crore is being spent on promoting this scheme, despite only a few women receiving the first instalment. The state government's spokesperson defended the expenditure as necessary for public awareness, citing past practices where similar sums were allocated for schemes like Maharashtra's Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Maharashtra Nirmulan Vikas Yojana. Wadettiwar's comments highlight the tension over government resource allocation, questioning the prioritisation of funds for advertising rather than direct aid.