Current Affairs GK 9th July 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 09 July, 2024

1. PM MODI TO RECEIVE RUSSIA’S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOUR FOR “OUTSTANDING SERVICE” –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi ceremoniously presented with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, which was bestowed on him in the year 2019 at St Catherine’s Hall of the Moscow Kremlin.
• The order was presented to the Prime Minister of India for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly ties between the two countries.
• The Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, Russia’s highest civilian honor, was initially bestowed upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. However, the formal presentation ceremony is now set to take place on Tuesday at the historic St Catherine’s Hall in the Moscow Kremlin. This prestigious award, established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, is only granted for the most exceptional civilian or military service to the Russian state.
• The order is named after Saint Andrew, who is revered as the first apostle of Jesus and is considered the patron saint of Russia. Its rich history and selective bestowal make it a symbol of the highest recognition in Russian society and international relations.

2. MAHARASHTRA WINS BEST AGRICULTURE STATE AWARD FOR 2024 –

• The 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee has announced that Maharashtra has won the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024. The announcement was made by the committee headed by Justice P Sathasivam, former Chief Justice of India and Governor of Kerala.
• Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, will receive the award on July 10, 2024, at a function in New Delhi.
• Maharashtra secured this prestigious award due to its innovative agricultural and rural initiatives. The state government’s policies and high-impact developmental projects have significantly contributed to agricultural and rural prosperity.

Key highlights of Maharashtra’s agricultural innovations:

1. Sustainable development policies focusing on environmental protection and food security
2. Launch of the country’s largest bamboo mission covering 21 lakh hectares
3. Plans to establish a green belt spanning 1.20 lakh acres in Nandurbar district
4. Target to enhance irrigation capabilities across 17 lakh hectares through 123 projects

3. PHILIPPINES AND JAPAN STRENGTHEN SECURITY TIES WITH NEW AGREEMENT –

• The Philippines and Japan have taken a big step in their security relationship. They signed a new deal that allows their military forces to enter each other’s countries more easily. This comes at a time when there are growing concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
• It’s a deal that makes it easier for military forces from both countries to visit each other. It helps with military cooperation by simplifying the entry of foreign personnel and equipment.
• Philippine defense minister Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the deal. The signing happened in Manila, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. watching.
• This is Japan’s first such agreement in Asia. It will start working after both countries’ lawmakers approve it.

4. INDIA UNVEILS INDIGENOUS LIGHT TANK ‘ZORAWAR’ –

• India has unveiled the ‘Zorawar’ light tank, developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro, aimed at bolstering military capabilities in high-altitude environments. Designed within a record two-year timeframe, the tank features advanced weaponry and protection systems, including a 105mm rifled cannon and composite modular armor. Named after General Zorawar Singh, the tank is slated for extensive trials before potential deployment in Ladakh, Sikkim, or Kashmir.
• The ‘Zorawar’ tank, powered initially by a 750 HP Cummins engine with plans for a domestic replacement, boasts a sophisticated turret from John Cockerill with electro-optical cameras and anti-tank guided missiles. It integrates advanced systems like a Remote-Controlled Weapon system (RCWS) and is designed for amphibious operations, enhancing maneuverability across varied terrains.

5. NEERAJ CHOPRA TO LEAD 28-MEMBER SQUAD IN PARIS OLYMPICS –

• A 28-member Indian athletics team, led by men’s javelin throw defending champion Neeraj Chopra, will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced on June 04. Chopra made history three years ago by becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to win a medal at the Olympics, that too a gold.
• This time, the Indian javelin throw ace will have Olympic debutant Kishore Jena for company in his pet event.
• The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and officially branded as Paris 2024, is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 26 July (the date of the opening ceremony) to 11 August 2024 in France, with some competitions starting on 24 July. Paris is the main host city, with events held at 16 other cities spread across Metropolitan France, plus one subsite in Tahiti—an island within the French overseas country and overseas collectivity of French Polynesia.