Current Affairs

Scientists uncover Milky Way’s ancient building blocks, Shakti and Shiva

Astronomers have identified two ancient streams of stars - named after the Hindu deities Shakti and Shiva - that appear to be among the Milky Way's earliest building blocks, offering new insight into how our galaxy came together long ago.

These structures, found using observations from the European Space Agency's Gaia space telescope, may be relics of two distinct galaxies that merged roughly 12 billion years ago with the Milky Way's primordial pieces during the galaxy's infancy, the scientists said.

Shakti and Shiva are comprised of stars with similar chemical compositions that formed 12-13 billion years ago, the researchers said. Each of the structures has a mass about 10 million times greater than our sun.



Vinay wins gold at para powerlifting World Cup in Egypt

Vinay has secured victory at the Para Powerlifting World Cup held in Egypt. The 18-year-old athlete showcased his prowess by claiming the gold medal in the 59kg youth category, lifting an impressive 120kg weight on the third day of the competition.

Hailing from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Vinay has etched his name in history as the first para powerlifter from the state to achieve such a feat on the international stage, a release said. His dedication and talent have not only brought glory to his hometown and the country.



Maharashtra’s Naheed Divecha Won 2 Gold Medals In Indian Masters National Badminton Championship 2024 In Panchkula

Maharashtra’s Naheed Divecha has won two gold medals in the Indian Masters National Badminton Championship 2024 in Panchkula. Divecha, a member of the Bombay Gymkhana and associated with Shuttle Craze Academy clinched the Women’s 50 singles title by defeating Haryana’s Sunita Singh Panwar in straight sets yesterday.

Later, the duo of Naheed Divecha and Kiran Mokade grabbed the Mixed Doubles 50 title with an impressive win over the top-seeded Karnataka pair of Prabagaran Subbaiyan and Jayashree Raghu in straight sets.



Manorama Online CEO Mariam Mammen Mathew appointed DNPA chairperson

Mariam Mammen Mathew, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Manorama Online, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Digital News Publishers’ Association (DNPA) for a two-year term starting from April 1, 2024.

She will be succeeding Tanmay Maheshwari, the Managing Director (MD) of Amar Ujala. Mathew served as the vice-chairperson during Maheshwari’s chairmanship.

Expressing her gratitude, Mariam Mammen Mathew stated, “I am honoured to take on the role as chairperson of DNPA and contribute to the country’s digital media landscape. My main goal will be to amplify the scale, influence, and durability of digital news media entities. An integral part of this vision is embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to augment our capabilities and drive transformative change. Additionally, I am committed to nurturing a culture of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity within our organisation, which will play a pivotal role in reshaping the media landscape.”



G Sathiyan Creates History, Becomes 1st-Ever Indian To Win WTT Feeder Title

Star paddler G. Sathiyan has become the first-ever Indian to win a men's singles trophy at a WTT Feeder Series event in Beirut, Lebanon. He defeated compatriot Manav Thakkar 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4) on the final day of WTT Feeder Beirut 2024 on Thursday night.

Star paddler G. Sathiyan has become the first-ever Indian to win a men's singles trophy at a WTT Feeder Series event in Beirut, Lebanon.

He defeated compatriot Manav Thakkar 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4) on the final day of WTT Feeder Beirut 2024 on Thursday night.



M&M, Adani Total Energies join to set up EV charging infra across India

Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday said it has tied up with a unit of Adani Total Gas to establish electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the country.

The auto major and Adani Total Energies E-Mobility Ltd (ATEL) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard.

The MoU sets a roadmap for the creation of an expansive EV charging infrastructure across the country, it added.

Moreover, the partnership will also entail rolling out e-mobility solutions to provide seamless access to the charging network for the customers covering discovery, availability, navigation, and transactions, the Mumbai-based automaker said.



Neuralink's first brain chip patient plays chess with his mind

Elon Musk's brain chip startup Neuralink on Wednesday live-streamed its first patient playing an online chess game using the company's chip implant to move the mouse.

Neuralink is testing its brain implant technology for "people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts".

Reposting the video, Musk said, "Livestream of @Neuralink demonstrating “Telepathy” – controlling a computer and playing video games just by thinking."



US surgeons have transplanted a pig kidney into a patient

Doctors in Boston announced Thursday they have transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a 62-year-old patient.

Massachusetts General Hospital said it’s the first time a pig kidney has been transplanted into a living person. Previously, pig kidneys have been temporarily transplanted into brain-dead donors. Also, two men received heart transplants from pigs, although both died within months.

The transplant was done earlier this month. The patient, Mr. Richard ‘Rick’ Slayman of Weymouth, Massachusetts, is recovering well and is expected to be discharged soon, doctors said Thursday.



UN passes first global AI resolution

The UN General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution on AI, aiming to promote the safe and ethical development of AI technologies worldwide.

The resolution, co-sponsored by over 120 countries, was adopted unanimously by all 193 UN member states on 21 March. This marks the first time the UN has established global standards and guidelines for AI.

The eight-page resolution calls for the development of “safe, secure, and trustworthy” AI systems that respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It urges member states and stakeholders to refrain from deploying AI inconsistent with international human rights laws.



World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2024

Tuberculosis, an infectious disease that mainly affects lungs, is one of the leading killer diseases that led to 1.3 million deaths in 2022. Caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the disease spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit. Tuberculosis is preventable and can be treated with a combination of antibacterial medications for a period of six to 12 months.

TB bacteria is also capable to attack other parts of the body be it kidney, spine, or brain. However, not all people infected with tuberculosis end up developing symptoms and many people have latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.