Current Affairs

World Hemophilia Day 2024

World Haemophilia Day, observed annually on April 17 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WHF), aims to raise awareness about the rare genetic bleeding disorder. This global event provides a platform to educate people about haemophilia and other bleeding disorders while also encouraging improved accessibility for those affected. Its primary goals include raising funds to support patients.

Haemophilia can cause continuous bleeding both internally and externally, due to the absence of blood clotting proteins. As of now, while there is no cure for this condition, various treatments are available to manage the condition. As we observe World Haemophilia Day, let’s explore its theme, history, symptoms, causes and types of this disorder.



'SCOPE Social Interaction Centre'- first-ever PSUs’ club inaugurated

The Public Sector Day 2024 was observed on April 10, which was celebrated through a glittering event at SCOPE Complex New Delhi. On this occasion, the first-ever PSUs’ Club, "Scope Social Interaction Centre" was successfully delivered to SCOPE. The project has been executed by NBCC Services Limited (NSL), a subsidiary of Navratna CPSE, NBCC (India) Limited.

During the occasion, "Scope Social Interaction Centre" was inaugurated amidst esteemed dignitaries, including Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman of SCOPE; Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Vice Chairman of SCOPE; Atul Sobti, DG of SCOPE; KP Mahadevaswamy, CMD of NBCC (India) Limited; BK Sokhey, Chairperson of NBCC Services Ltd. and other senior dignitaries from various PSUs.



BEL signs MoU with IIT Mandi for co-operation in various fields

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, for co-operation in Research and Technology/Product Development — in the areas of Semiconductors, Quantum Technologies and Drones.

The MoU aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and IIT-Mandi.

It will support indigenisation of products/solutions being supplied by BEL to its customers and is in line with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.



India, Mauritius sign protocol to amend tax treaty

India and Mauritius have signed a protocol to amend the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA), which included a principal purpose test (PPT) to decide whether a foreign investor is eligible to claim treaty benefits.

Tax experts said a new article has been added to the protocol “Article 27B Entitlement to Benefits”. The amended protocol was signed on March 7 and made public now.

The introduction of the PPT aims to curtail tax avoidance by ensuring that treaty benefits are only granted for transactions with a bona fide purpose.



Salman Rushdie to release 'Knife' memoir recounting stabbing

British-American author Salman Rushdie releases his memoir "Knife" on Tuesday, recounting the harrowing experience of being stabbed at a public event in 2022 and how he overcame the near-fatal ordeal.

Rushdie lost sight in one eye after the attack by a knife-wielding assailant, who jumped on stage at an arts gathering in New York state.

The Indian-born author, a naturalized American based in New York, has faced death threats since his 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses" was declared blasphemous by Iran's supreme leader.



England spin great Derek Underwood dies aged 78

Derek Underwood, the most successful spin bowler in England’s Test cricket history, has died at the age of 78, his former county Kent announced on Monday.

Underwood took 297 wickets in 86 Tests with his distinctive brand of brisk left-arm spin and was noted for being particularly effective on uncovered pitches, which were in use for much of a 24-year first-class career that ran from 1963 to 1987.

He famously bowled England to a Test victory over arch-rivals Australia at The Oval in 1968 on such a surface, taking 7-50 when a draw had seemed inevitable.



SPACE India welcomes Bollywood’s millennial star Sanjana Sanghi as its Brand Ambassador

As the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) formulates the narrative of space sector advancement and captures the imagination with ambitious space missions, SPACE India serves the purpose of fueling curiosity while inculcating scientific temperament at grassroots level through education in Astronomy and Space Science.

Founded in 2001, SPACE India has inspired over 1.5 Million students and facilitated the integration of Astronomy and Space Science into the curriculum of 1,000 schools pan India, nurturing a new generation of space enthusiasts and scholars. It has played a remarkable role in refuting myths surrounding rocket science. It has ensured that space education is accessible, affordable, and inclusive for people from all walks of life. With a rich legacy spanning over 24 years in Astronomy, Space Science and STEM education, SPACE India has consistently pursued its purpose while keeping it aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).



HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala becomes first Indian venue with hybrid pitch technology

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has always been at the forefront of adopting technological advancements in cricket. Recently, HPCA, the governing body of cricket in the state, has taken an exciting initiative to introduce hybrid pitch technology into their practice facilities.

This move will ensure that the practice pitches are of top-notch quality, as traditional surfaces cannot withstand rigorous training schedules and tend to deteriorate quickly, limiting valuable practice opportunities for players.



At 50, Senior Bureaucrat Wins National Powerlifting Medals, Breaks Records

While majority of world thinks of early retirement at 50, a senior woman bureaucrat in Delhi has proven that when it comes to fitness, age is just a number and you can continue to be on the top with hard work and dedication. Meet Ekta Vishnoi, Deputy Director General at Sports Authority of India (SAI) and woman behind the now well established Fit India Movement. While she is has already made in the world of fitness, she is now making even bigger waves in the world of Powerlifting having won multiple medals and broken records at the recently concluded National Senior Powerlifting Championship in Hyderabad.

At 50, Vishnoi competed with girls half her age and won a Silver in deadlift with best lift of 165kg and a Bronze overall with best lifts of 132.5 kg in squat, 70 kg in bench press and 165 kg in deadlift. With these lifts, she also broke all records of Master 2 category in the competition.



Delhi airport slips one rank to become 10th busiest across the globe in ACI 2023 ranking

The Delhi airport, also known as Indra Gandhi International (IGI) airport has been ranked among the top 10 busiest airports across the globe for 2023. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport topped the list followed by Dubai and Dallas airports at the second and third position, according to the ranks prepared by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

Among the top ten busiest airports five are alone from the US. The biggest jump in the top 10 rankings was recorded for Tokyo Haneda, leaping from 16th position in 2022 to the 5th spot in 2023.