Current affairs 07 July 2024

Neeraj Chopra to lead India's 28-member squad in Paris Olympics.

• The Athletics Federation of India unveiled a 28-member contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics, headlined by Olympic and world men's javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra.
• The squad includes 17 men and 11 women athletes, featuring prominent names like Asian Games champions Avinash Sable and Tajinderpal Singh Toor, as well as sprint hurdler Jyothi Yarraji.

Global Cereal Production Hits Record High in 2024.

• FAO forecasts global cereal production to reach 2,854 million tonnes in 2024, an all-time high.
• Increased maize yields in Argentina, Brazil, Turkiye, and Ukraine offset declines in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Southern Africa.
• World cereal utilization to rise to 2,856 million tonnes, with rice production hitting a record 535.1 million tonnes.

ADB to build 400 MW Solar Power Plant in Gujarat.

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and ENGIE group have signed a long-term loan agreement to construct and operate a 400MW solar PV power plant in Surendranagar District, Gujarat, India.
• ADB was the mandated lead arranger for the loan totaling 14.6 billion Indian rupees (approximately $175.9 million).
• ENGIE group operates in 31 countries.

World’s Oldest Known Cave Painting Found in Indonesia.

• A 51,200-year-old cave painting of a wild pig and human-like figures was found in a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, now the oldest known cave art.
• The painting surpasses the previous record by 10,000 years, showcasing early narrative storytelling in visual art.
• The method used for dating involves laser analysis of calcium carbonate crystals on the pigment.

133rd Durand Cup Expands to New Venues.

• Two new cities, Jamshedpur and Shillong, along with Kolkata and Kokrajhar, will host the 133rd edition of the Durand Cup.
• The 133rd edition shall see 24 teams divided into six groups.
• A total of 43 matches would be played in a round-robin league-cum-knockout format, with the finals scheduled at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata.