CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Nihon Hidankyo, the organization dedicated to the welfare of the survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki—known as the hibakusha—has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
• About Hibakusha:
  • Hibakusha is the term used in Japan to refer to those who survived the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the atomic bomb named Little Boy on Hiroshima. Just three days later, a second bomb, called Fat Man, was dropped on Nagasaki. By the end of that year, over 200,000 people had lost their lives as a direct consequence of these bombings. Many others survived with severe injuries, earning the designation hibakusha, which means "people affected by the bomb."
  • The term niju hibakusha refers to the more than 160 individuals who experienced both bombings. As of now, the official count of surviving hibakusha is 106,825, according to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, with an average age of 85.6 years.
  • The Japanese government provides various forms of support to hibakusha, including medical allowances. However, discrimination persists in Japan against both hibakusha and their descendants. There is a widespread belief that these individuals may be physically or psychologically compromised, and that the effects of radiation could be hereditary or contagious.

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• World Food Day is observed every year on October 16 to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
  • The FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that spearheads global efforts to eliminate hunger. It is the oldest permanent specialized agency of the UN, established in October 1945.
  • Mandate: The FAO aims to enhance nutrition, boost agricultural productivity, improve living standards in rural communities, and foster global economic development.
  • The organization coordinates government and technical agency efforts in initiatives related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and the management of land and water resources.
• Other Functions:
  • Conducts research and provides technical assistance for projects in various countries.
  • Runs educational programs through seminars and training centers.
  • Maintains information and support services, including compiling statistics on global production, trade, and consumption of agricultural goods.
  • Publishes various periodicals, yearbooks, and research bulletins.
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
• Members: The FAO has 194 Member States and the European Union as a member organization.
• Funding: The organization receives all of its funding from its member countries.
• In situations of scarcity or conflict, the FAO typically does not engage directly in food relief efforts; these responsibilities are usually assigned to the World Food Program within the UN framework.
• Key Reports Published by the FAO: These include The State of the World's Forests (SOFO), The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO), and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI)

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• Climate change is impacting Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand, leading to a gradual annual shrinkage of the lake.
• About Roopkund Lake:
  • Roopkund, often referred to as the "Lake of Skeletons," is a glacial lake located in Uttarakhand. It sits at an elevation of 16,500 feet at the base of Mt. Trishul in the Garhwal Himalayas. The lake spans just 130 feet in width and remains covered in ice for most of the year, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks and verdant meadows.
  • Mystery: The nickname "Lake of Skeletons" comes from the numerous human skeletons hidden beneath its waters, some still bearing preserved flesh. These remains become visible when the snow melts in the surrounding area. Dating back to approximately the 9th century AD, these skeletons have sparked various theories regarding their origin and the circumstances of their deaths.
  • A 2019 study conducted by researchers from India, the US, and Germany challenged the notion that the skeletons belonged to a single group who died in one event. Instead, the study suggested that the remains represent genetically diverse individuals who perished over a span of up to 1,000 years.

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• India has recently finalized an agreement with the US to procure 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles.
• About the Hellfire Missile:
  • The AGM-114 Hellfire missile is a widely utilized short-range air-to-ground (and sometimes air-to-air) laser-guided, subsonic tactical missile, employed by the United States military and over 30 allied nations.
  • The development of the AGM-114 Hellfire began in 1972 to fulfill the US Army’s need for a helicopter-launched anti-tank missile capable of countering Soviet armored forces.
  • This missile is designed to engage a variety of targets, including armored vehicles, tanks, bunkers, radar systems, antennas, communications equipment, soft targets, and even hovering helicopters. It is particularly favored for use with several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the MQ-1B Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and MQ-1C Grey Eagle.
• Features:
  • Length: 1.62 meters
  • Diameter: 17.7 cm
  • Wingspan: 0.71 meters
  • Weight: Between 45.4 kg and 49 kg, including an 8 kg to 9 kg multipurpose warhead
  • Propulsion: Single-stage solid-propellant rocket motor
  • Maximum velocity: 950 mph
  • Range: 7-11 km
• The AGM-114R, also known as Hellfire Romeo, represents the latest variant in the Hellfire II missile family. It consolidates the capabilities of all previous Hellfire II models and can be launched from various platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, surface ships, and ground vehicles.
• This missile employs a semi-active laser guidance system and features an integrated blast fragmentation sleeve warhead, enabling it to effectively engage targets that would have previously required multiple Hellfire variants for destruction.

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• Recently, the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Employment unveiled the upgraded e-Migrate portal and mobile app.
• This online platform, launched by the Government of India, aims to facilitate and oversee the migration of Indian workers seeking employment abroad. It seeks to create a safe and transparent environment for migrant workers by providing various services, including access to information, documentation support, a helpline, integration with other services, and awareness campaigns. The initiative promotes safe and legal pathways for Indian migrants.
• The enhanced e-Migrate portal is in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 10, which advocates for orderly and responsible migration.
• Features:
  • The upgraded platform includes 24/7 multilingual helpline support and a feedback feature to ensure timely resolution of issues faced by workers overseas, particularly in the Gulf region.
  • The revamped system is integrated with Digilocker, allowing for secure, paperless document submission. Additionally, a collaboration with Common Service Centres (CSCs) will extend immigration services to rural areas in local languages, improving accessibility.
  • Furthermore, the platform serves job seekers by providing a comprehensive marketplace for overseas employment opportunities.