Current Affairs

Thomas & Uber Cup 2024: China inflict double agony on Indonesia to clinch men's, women's titles

China completed a Thomas and Uber Cup double Sunday as both men’s and women’s teams beat Indonesia to win their respective world team championship finals in Chengdu. The men, who won 3-1, lifted China’s first Thomas Cup since they beat Japan in 2018 – and their 11th in all.

But it meant agony again for 14-time winners Indonesia, who lost their second successive final after falling to India two years ago in Bangkok. In the women’s event, Indonesia had earlier been powerless to prevent a flawless China lifting the Uber Cup for a record-extending 16th time with a 3-0 victory. The next most successful women’s nation are Japan, who have won the Uber Cup six times.



Sunita Williams set for third space flight

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test will launch Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore on Tuesday on their third space mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The astronauts will launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex-41 on May 7 at 8.04 am IST. After docking, they will spend roughly a week aboard the orbiting laboratory.

“We are all here because we are all ready. Our friends and family have heard about it and we’ve talked about it and they are happy and proud that we are part of the process to fix it all,” the BBC quoted Williams as saying



Russia Announces Tactical Nuclear Weapons Exercise Amid Tensions

Russia today announced to hold a military exercise that will include practice for the use of tactical nuclear weapons after what the defence ministry said were provocative threats from Western officials.

The Ministry said that the exercise was ordered by President Vladimir Putin and would test the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to perform combat missions.

It was the first time that Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, though its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.

The Russian announcement appeared to be a warning to Ukraine’s Western allies about becoming more deeply involved in the more than two-year war. Some of Ukraine’s Western partners have previously expressed concern about stoking the conflict amid fears it could spill beyond Ukraine into a war between NATO and Russia.



Tejaswin Shankar Wins Men’s High Jump Event At USATF Festival

India’s Tejaswin Shankar clinched victory in the men’s High Jump event at the USATF Festival in Tucson, Arizona, USA on Sunday. The National record holder Tejaswin cleared 2.23 metres in his first attempt to secure the top spot at the World Athletics Continental Tour – Silver event. With this jump, he equaled his season-best effort.

Earnie Sears of USA finished second, while Roberto Vilches of Mexico was third. Another Indian athlete, Sarvesh Kushare cleared 2.13m to finish fifth.



World Red Cross Day 2024

World Red Cross Day is an annual observance held on May 8th to honour the humanitarian work and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The day serves as an opportunity to highlight the vital humanitarian values and activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. These organisations play a crucial role in providing aid and assistance to people affected by various natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other crises globally.

By observing World Red Cross Day, individuals and communities can show their support for the Red Cross’s tireless efforts to alleviate suffering and promote compassion, solidarity, and humanity during times of great need.



Isro working on semi-cryogenic engine that uses liquid oxygen kerosene

Isro on Monday said it is developing a 2,000 kN (kilonewton) thrust semi-cryogenic engine working on a Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Kerosene propellant combination for enhancing the payload capability of Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and for future launch vehicles.

Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is the lead centre for the development of semi-cryogenic propulsion systems with the support of other launch vehicle centres of Isro.

The successful ignition of a semi-cryo pre-burner is a major accomplishment of Isro in the development of semi-cryogenic propulsion systems, the space agency said.

The assembly and testing of the propulsion modules were done at the Isro propulsion complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri.



IIT Madras-backed startup launches India's first indigenously designed microcontroller chip

Moving one step closer to a fully homegrown chip, an Indian startup has successfully designed country’s first indigenously-built microcontroller semiconductor that can offer a cheaper option to consumer electronics goods makers and digital infrastructure in India, providing a boost to New Delhi’s Make-in-India push in the electronics sector.

Mindgrove Technologies, which is backed by Peak XV Partners-backed and incubated by IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and IIT Madras Incubation Cell, launched India’s first commercial high-performance SoC (system on chip) named Secure IoT, the firm said in a statement on May 6.



Piyush Chawla becomes second highest wicket-taker in Indian Premier League history

Mumbai Indians bowler Piyush Chawla became the second-highest wicket-taker in the history of Indian Premier League during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday.

The 35-year-old had 183 wickets under his belt before the clash and needed a solitary wicket to achieve this feat.

Chawla claimed the wicket of Rinku Singh in the very first ball he bowled in the match to get to his 184th IPL wicket. He overtook former Chennai Super Kings pacer Dwayne Bravo to sit second in the leaderboard.

Rajasthan Royals’ Yuzvendra Chahal sits comfortably at the top with a whopping 200 wickets, a feat he achieved against Hardik Pandya’s men last month at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. RR went on to win the game by nine wickets.



Washington boy becomes world's first person to receive newly approved sickle cell therapy

Kendric Cromer from Washington has become the first person in the world to receive commercially licensed gene therapy for sickle cell disease.

Kendric Cromer, a 12-year-old kid from a suburb of Washington, has become the first person in the world to receive commercially licensed gene therapy for sickle cell disease.

According to the New York Times, Kendric's successful therapy provides hope to around 20,000 people in the United States who suffer from sickle cell disease. However, it also emphasises the difficulties patients confront in obtaining novel sickle cell medications.



Bhavesh Gupta, Paytm COO and President, resigns

Paytm's President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bhavesh Gupta has resigned from the company, citing personal reasons.

In a regulatory filing, One97 Communications, Paytm's parent company, said on Saturday that Gupta decided to take a career break due to personal reasons. He was overseeing Paytm's payments and lending businesses.

As part of the company reshuffle, Gupta will be transitioning to an advisory role, offering guidance for Paytm’s growth initiatives until the end of the year.