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1. Hiroshima Day is observed on August 6th to mark the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, by the US during World War II on August 6, 1945. The bomb, named "Little Boy," was dropped by the B-29 bomber Enola Gay, killing 70,000-80,000 people instantly, with many more succumbing to injuries and radiation later. On August 9, 1945, the US dropped a second bomb, "Fat Man," on Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. The decision to use the bomb was influenced by the anticipated high casualties from a planned invasion, “Operation Downfall.” Initiated in December 1941, the Manhattan Project developed the bomb under J. Robert Oppenheimer. The bombings led to the creation of treaties like the CTBT and the NPT to curb nuclear proliferation.
2. A recent SIT report on the deaths of 43 tigers in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Shahdol Forest Circle (2021-2023) has raised concerns about the effectiveness of wildlife protection measures in India. The report cites major issues such as lapses in investigations, inadequate evidence collection, and lack of accountability. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reported increasing tiger deaths: 96 in 2019, 106 in 2020, 127 in 2021, 121 in 2022, and a peak of 178 in 2023. In total, 628 tigers died between 2019 and 2024. As of 2022, India, with 3,682 tigers, houses about 75% of the global wild tiger population. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) is located in Madhya Pradesh, which includes Bandhavgarh National Park and Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary, is renowned for its high density of Royal Bengal Tigers.
3. Recent advancements in timekeeping include the development of nuclear clocks using thorium-229 nuclei and lasers, which offer unprecedented precision. Historically, timekeeping evolved from sundials and water clocks to hourglasses. Mechanical clocks followed, featuring early mechanical designs, astrarium for celestial tracking, and pendulum clocks. Modern advancements introduced electric clocks and quartz clocks, the latter providing widespread accuracy. Today’s atomic clocks use lasers and isotopes, with caesium clocks ensuring precision for Indian Standard Time (IST). Next-generation optical clocks use atoms like strontium or ytterbium for even greater accuracy. Nuclear clocks focus on atomic nuclei for ultra-high precision, with emission frequencies reaching 2,020 terahertz. In India, historical timekeeping combined water clocks and sundials, evolved with Islamic and colonial influences introducing advanced mechanical clocks.
4. On August 7, 2024, India celebrated the 10th National Handloom Day, marking the Swadeshi Movement's launch on this date in 1905, which promoted domestic handloom products as part of the independence struggle. Handloom fabrics, made from durable natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool, include unique products like Banarasi, Jamdani, Baluchari, and Madhubani. Government initiatives supporting the handloom sector include the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), which provides financial aid and marketing support, with plans to fund ₹30 crore for 10,000 looms; the Market Access Initiative (MAI), promoting handloom exports through market research and international marketing until March 2026; and the Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS), offering subsidized yarn and dyeing facilities until 2025-26. The Handloom Export Promotion Council (HPEC) also aids in boosting exports of handloom products.
5. A recent US District Court ruling has found Google guilty of monopolistic practices in search and text advertising, challenging its dominant position. This case highlights Google's extensive investments—over USD 26 billion annually—to maintain its default search engine status, with a dominant market share of 89.2% in general search services and 94.9% on mobile. In India, the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) has lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), alleging that Google’s dominance stifles competition and harms local businesses. ADIF, an industry body formed in 2020 to elevate India's digital startups, is particularly concerned about Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative potentially affecting the effectiveness of non-Google Demand Side Platforms in digital advertising. This scrutiny coincides with India’s discussions on a new Digital Competition Bill, 2024, designed to address anti-competitive practices, impose significant penalties, and regulate data use among group companies.