Current Affairs 19/01/2024

HS Prannoy - Won a bronze medal in the men's singles at the 2023 BWF World Badminton Championships.

In badminton, India's ace shuttler HS Prannoy had to settle for a bronze medal as he registered a loss to Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semifinals of the ongoing Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships yesterday. Prannoy went down to world number three and three-time Junior champion Vitidsarn by 21-18, 13-21, 14-21. Prannoy had stormed into the semi-final of the BWF World Championships after defeating World Number 2 and the defending champion Viktor Axelsen at Kuala Lumpur on Friday. With this win, World Number 7 Prannoy assured a bronze medal for India by beating the home favourite Axelsen in three games 21-13, 15-21, 16-21.This is India's 14th medal at the World Championships.

Navy breaks tradition with mixed marching contingent on 26 jan parade.

· The Indian Navy is set to feature a mixed marching contingent, including both men and women Agniveers, at the Republic Day Parade. 

· The Navy's tableau for 2024 will focus on two contemporary themes — "Nari Shakti," highlighting the role of women in the armed forces, and "Aatmanirbharta," emphasizing self-reliance and indigenization. 

 · The Parade will consist of 144 men and women Agniveers.

International Space Station completes 20 years

The International Space Station (ISS) which was launched from Earth on November 20, 1998, has completed 20 years orbiting the Earth. International Space Station (ISS) has been in the space for 20 years now and while the space station was launched on a Russian rocket, the ISS has been part of quite a lot of memorable moments in the history of mankind’s journey into space. The International space station was launched a single cargo module in 1998, however, it has now become an expansive as well as one-of-a-kind research facility placed orbiting the Earth.

The Houthis’ Escalation in the Red Sea: Causes and Consequences

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, seeking revenge against Israel, intensify attacks on Red Sea ships. US and UK respond with strikes. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, citing revenge against Israel for its actions in Gaza. This has prompted the US and UK to launch strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, leading to concerns about a broader regional conflict. The attacks have disrupted global trade routes, raising fears of a significant impact on the world economy. Impact on Global Economy 

 o Houthi actions disrupt major shipping, affecting oil and gas giants and prompting economic concerns. 

 o Multinational efforts aim to safeguard maritime trade, highlighting the geopolitical significance of the Red Sea.

On January 19, 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government unveiled the world's tallest statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

The Andhra Pradesh government will unveil the world's tallest statue of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar on Friday. The mammoth statue’s inauguration is scheduled for 6 pm today

According to the AP government, the BR Ambedkar statue has been erected at Swaraj Maidan grounds in Vijaywada. Andhra government has called it the, “Statue of Social Justice".

Today’s History: 19^th January

• In 1990, the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir took place due to increasing insurgency and calculated attacks on the Kashmiri Pandits.
• In 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia joined the United Nations.
• In 2001, the American cult film Donnie Darko, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Richard Kelly, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
• In 2012, the US government shut down the famous file-sharing service Megaupload after its founder and several other people associated with it were charged with violating antipiracy laws.
• In 2013, NASA’s Curiosity Rover discovered calcium deposits on the surface of Mars.

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