DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 10, 2024

Indian and Sri Lankan Armies to Commence Joint Exercise 'Mitra Shakti

Tags: Defence

The 10th edition of the joint military exercise "Mitra Shakti" between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies will begin on August 12, 2024, at Maduruoya in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province.

An Overview of the News

• The exercise will conclude on August 25, 2024, and focuses on fostering cooperation and enhancing interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces.

Participating Forces

• 120 soldiers from the Indian Army’s Rajputana Rifles (Raj Rif) will participate, joining an equal number of troops from Sri Lanka Army’s Gajaba Regiment.

• The Gajaba Regiment is known for its elite operational expertise.

Exercise Focus

• This year’s exercise will focus on joint operations in semi-urban environments.

• The operations are aligned with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, addressing actions regarding threats to peace and security.

Objectives and Significance

• "Mitra Shakti" aims to improve operational proficiency through the exchange of skills, experiences, and best practices.

• The exercise is designed to enhance the armies’ capabilities in counter-terrorism and urban warfare.

• It plays a crucial role in strengthening defense ties and improving coordination between the Indian and Sri Lankan armed forces.

Previous Edition Highlights

• The 9th edition of "Mitra Shakti" was held at Aundh Military Station in Pune, India, involving the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment.

• The previous exercise included the use of drones, counter-unmanned aerial systems, securing helipads, and conducting casualty evacuations during counter-terrorist operations.

Pine Labs & Axis Bank Launch 'UPISetu' – India’s First UPI-Focused Payments Platform

Tags: Economy/Finance

Pine Labs-owned Setu, an API infrastructure provider, in collaboration with Axis Bank, has launched UPI-Setu, India’s first UPI-focused payments platform for businesses and developers.

An Overview of the News

• The platform supports various UPI services including Third-Party Validation (TPV), Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs), UPI Autopay, and basic QR code payments.

• Offers enhanced dispute resolution, instant cashback and refunds, as well as bank and brand offers, all through API integration.

• Merchants can create custom payment links or QR codes for both one-time and multiple payments.

Additional Highlights:

• In May 2024, Setu introduced Sesame, India’s first Large Language Model (LLM) specifically designed for the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.

Company Overview: Pine Labs is an Indian company specializing in point-of-sale and payment systems, headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Tunisian President Saied Replaces Prime Minister Hachani with Kamel Madouri

Tags: International News

Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani on Wednesday without providing an explanation.

An Overview of the News

• Hachani was replaced by Kamel Madouri, who was serving as the social affairs minister since May.

• Ahmed Hachani had replaced Najila Bouden as Prime Minister in August 2023, who was also removed without a specific reason.

Political Context

• President Kais Saied, elected in 2019, carried out a power grab in 2021.

• He amended the Tunisian constitution, significantly increasing the powers of the presidency while reducing the authority of the parliament.

• Saied is seeking re-election, with the next elections scheduled for October 6.

• He submitted his official candidacy and stated that his campaign aims to "establish a new republic."

About Tunisia

• Capital - Tunis

• Official languages - Arabic

• Currency - Tunisian dinar (TND)

• President - Kais Saied

• Prime Minister - Kamel Madouri

World Lion Day: A Tribute to the Majestic Lion

Tags: Important Days

Celebrated on August 10th, World Lion Day was initiated by Big Cat Rescue, a renowned sanctuary dedicated to big cats.

An Overview of the News

• The day aims to raise global awareness about the declining lion population and the need for their conservation.

• It serves as a reminder of the vital role lions play in maintaining ecological balance and the importance of their protection.

• The official theme for World Lion Day 2024 is “Celebrating the King of the Jungle”.

Project Lion: Securing the Future of Asiatic Lions

• Announced in 2020, Project Lion focuses on long-term conservation efforts for Asiatic lions, particularly in the Gir Forest.

• Key components include habitat improvement, advanced monitoring technologies, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts.

• The Gujarat Forest Department plays a vital role in these efforts, ensuring safe habitats and prompt emergency responses.

International Big Cats Alliance: A Global Conservation Effort

• Launched in April 2023, the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) unites 97 range countries in the mission to conserve big cats, including lions.

• The alliance promotes international cooperation, sharing knowledge and resources to enhance conservation strategies globally.

Advanced Technologies and Initiatives in Lion Conservation

• Modern ICT tools like GPS-based tracking, automated sensor grids, night vision, and GIS-based real-time monitoring are integral to lion conservation.

• The Greater Gir Concept expands protected habitats beyond Gir National Park, while habitat improvement measures ensure resources for lions.

• Enhanced protection mechanisms include the creation of a Wildlife Crime Cell, Task Force, and safety enhancements like covering open wells.

Background of World Lion Day

• World Lion Day was founded in 2013 by Big Cat Rescue, the largest accredited lion sanctuary.

• Co-founded by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who aimed to address the decline of lion populations and their threats.

• The Jouberts launched the Big Cat Initiative (B.C.I.) with "National Geographic" in 2009.

• In 2013, they combined efforts to protect wild big cats under one unified mission.

Abhinav Bindra Awarded Olympic Order by IOC in Paris

Tags: Sports News

Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic Gold medalist, received the prestigious Olympic Order from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

An Overview of the News

• The award was presented at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris and is the highest honor given by the IOC for extraordinary contributions to the Olympic Movement.

Historic Achievements

• Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the men’s 10m air rifle event.

• He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win a World Championship Gold in Air Rifle Shooting.

• Throughout his career, Bindra won over 150 individual medals and was awarded the Blue Cross, the highest honor by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), in 2018.

Post-Retirement Contributions

• Bindra chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and continues to serve as a member of the IOC Athlete Commission and Education Commission.

• His commitment to the sport extends beyond his competitive career, with significant contributions to the development of sports and athletes globally.

Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT)

• Bindra founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit organization focused on supporting grassroots athletes in India through advanced sports science technology.

• The foundation plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of athletes in India.

Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP)

• Under Bindra’s leadership, the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) was launched in Odisha in 2022 and Assam in 2023, in partnership with the IOC's Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH).

• OVEP aims to instill core Olympic values in over 11,000 schools, impacting more than 1 million children, with a goal of reaching 13 million schoolchildren by 2025, positioning India as a leader in values-based education.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

• Non-governmental sports organization

• Based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

• Governs National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

• Oversees the worldwide Olympic Movement.

  • Formation - 23 June 1894

  • Founders - Pierre de Coubertin, Demetrios Vikelas

  • Headquarters - Olympic House, Lausanne, Switzerland

  • President - Thomas Bach

Aman Sehrawat Becomes India's Youngest Olympic Medalist with Bronze in Wrestling at Paris 2024

Tags: Sports

Aman Sehrawat won the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57kg wrestling event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

An Overview of the News

• At 21 years and 24 days old, he became India's youngest Olympic medalist, surpassing PV Sindhu's record from Rio 2016.

• Aman Sehrawat, an Asian champion, defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz with a 13-5 scoreline to secure the bronze.

• This victory marked India’s first wrestling medal at Paris 2024 and their sixth overall medal at the Games.

India’s Wrestling Legacy at the Olympics

• India’s wrestling medal tally at the Olympics now stands at eight, with two silver and six bronze medals.

• Aman had previously defeated Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Ravi Kumar Dahiya in the national trials to represent India at Paris 2024.

Overall Performance and Historical Context

• Aman Sehrawat’s medal makes Paris 2024 India’s second-most successful Olympics in terms of medal count, with six medals.

• His journey included victories over top wrestlers, though he was defeated by Rei Higuchi of Japan in the semi-finals.

Indian Medalists at Paris 2024

• Manu Bhaker: Bronze (Women's 10m Air Pistol Shooting)

• Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh: Bronze (Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol Shooting)

• Swapnil Kusale: Bronze (Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Shooting)

• Indian Hockey Team: Bronze (Men's Hockey)

• Neeraj Chopra: Silver (Men's Javelin Throw)

• Aman Sehrawat: Bronze (Men's 57kg Wrestling)

Summer Olympics 2024

• The 2024 Summer Olympics are officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.

• Branded as Paris 2024, the event is scheduled to take place from 24 July to 11 August 2024.

• The opening ceremony occurred on 26 July 2024.

• Paris is the main host city.

• Events will be held in 16 additional cities across Metropolitan France.

• There will also be one competition venue in Tahiti, French Polynesia.