Current Affairs

North Korea launches long-range ballistic missile toward waters between Korean Peninsula and Japan

Hours after firing a short-range weapon from the Pyongyang area, North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile toward the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to the Japanese Defence Ministry, it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the potential capability of reaching anywhere in the US. The launch took place in the early hours today.

In response to the launches, South Korea said the launches are a grave provocation that threatens international peace. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also denounced the launches as not only a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions but also a threat to the peace and stability of the region.

The back-to-back launches came after South Korea and the US agreed to strengthen their joint nuclear deterrence capabilities in response to North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats.



Indian doctors of Army Hospital successfully conducts India's first Bone Marrow Transplant

In an extraordinary medical achievement, doctors in the Department of Hematology & Stem Cell Transplantation at the Army Hospital R&R have successfully conducted a life-saving Bone Marrow Transplant (commonly known as BMT) for a child diagnosed with a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder.
The groundbreaking procedure, performed on Master Sushant Paudel, has opened new doors of hope for children and families facing similar challenges.

Master Sushant Paudel, 7 years of age son of Sepoy Pradip Paudel, was diagnosed with ARPC1b, a very rare form of immunodeficiency at one year of age, a condition that severely compromised his immune system making him prone to repeated life-threatening infections, and other complications. The patient was referred to AHRR 06 months back but did not have a HLA matched sibling donor. The Hematology team at Army Hospital R&R, embarked on an arduous journey to find a suitable donor and orchestrate a meticulously planned bone marrow transplant.



Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launches maiden Indian Winter Arctic Expedition

Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju launched the maiden Indian Winter Arctic Expedition here on Monday.

This maiden winter expedition is comprised of four scientists, who will visit the Arctic region to make atmospheric observations during the night and carry out auroral studies and changes in sea ice.

Now, India will have a year-long presence at Himadri, the country's Arctic research station located in Spitsbergen in Norway, as it has in the Antarctic, near the South Pole.



Reading session at Pune book festival sets world record

In a display of literary fervour, the Pune Book Festival 2023 began on a note of extraordinary achievement which brought together families and secured a position in the Guinness World Records.

The expansive SP College grounds on Tilak Road bore witness to a record-breaking gathering of 3,066 participants, surpassing the previous record for the ‘most parents reading to their children.’

The focal point of the literary spectacle was the collective endeavour of parents and children engrossed in a synchronised reading of ‘Nisargacha Nash Karu Naka’ (Do not destroy nature) by Kshipra Shahane.



KPIT Tech launches sodium-ion battery tech

KPIT Technologies has launched its sodium-ion battery technology through which its customers can reduce import dependency on core battery materials. It has several use-cases for automotive and mobility, especially for electric two and 3-wheelers and CVs and has applications in stationary deployments as well as in marine and defence sectors. “The technology completely reliant on Earth’s abundant raw materials, is another testament to KPIT‘s commitment towards the sustainable mobility ecosystem,” Ravi Pandit, chairman, KPIT Tech said.TNN



DGCA grants licence for Ayodhya Airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Thursday granted an aerodrome licence for the Ayodhya Airport, which will see its inaugural flight on December 30.

The Airports Authority of India has developed the airport at a cost of ₹350 crore, and the DGCA permit comes ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration next month.

The passenger terminal building at the yet-to-be-inaugurated airport, called Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram International Airport, can accommodate up to 500 passengers during peak hours.

The airport runway is suitable for narrowbody flights such as the Airbus A320 family of aircraft and Boeing 737s. It is also equipped with an Instrument Landing System, which will allow flight operations at night and in low-visibility conditions.



The Barracuda: India’s fastest solar-electric boat sets sail for sustainable future

In a move towards eco-friendly maritime transportation, the Barracuda, India’s fastest solar-electric boat, was ceremoniously launched at the Navgathi Panavally Yard in Alappuzha.

This cutting-edge vessel was jointly developed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Navalt.

The launch ceremony was attended by Sanjay Kumar Singh, General Manager of Mazagon Dock, Sandith Thandasherry, CEO of Navalt, Devi Nair, Addl. General Manager, MDL and Hemant Rathod, Deputy General Manager, MDL.

The Barracuda, named after the swift long fish, is designed by Navalt for workboat purposes. With a top speed of 12 knots and a range of 7 hours on a single charge, the 14-metre long and 4.4-metre wide vessel harnesses twin 50 kW electric motors, a marine-grade LFP battery, and 6 kW solar power.



Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath Awarded Visionary Leader Icon 2023

Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd proudly announces the remarkable achievement of its esteemed Chairman, Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, who has been honored with the Visionary Leader Icon Award of the Year 2023 by the Advocates Association For Social Responsibility And Awareness (AASRAA). The prestigious award was presented at the 5th National Summit held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on 24th Nov 2023.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including National Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohith Kumar Singh, Founder Chairman of AASRAA Sulthan Habib Ali, renowned cine actors Ali, and the All India Representatives and State Heads of AASRAA. The Visionary Leader Icon Award was presented to Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath by N Satyanarayana, Chairman of Telangana RERA, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and his commitment to social responsibility and to AASRAA.



Mumbai professor bags Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm prize

Professor Savita Ladage from Mumbai’s Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, received the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of her contributions to chemistry education.

Prof. Ladage bagged the award for her advocacy of the significance of chemical education. Her efforts include mentoring chemistry educators and spearheading impactful teacher and student programs that advance chemistry education in the country.



Haryana’s Manish Narwal continues to impress; bags second individual gold in shooting

Kasthuri Rajamani from Tamil Nadu muscled her way to gold in the elite 67kg event of the Khelo India Para Games powerlifting competition in New Delhi on Thursday.

Having represented India in the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in October, Kasthuri came up with a massive effort of 100 kg in her third attempt to seal gold. She was a runaway winner ahead of silver medallist Parul Gohil of Gujarat (64 kg) and Punjab’s Sumandeep, who won bronze with 57 kg.

In the elite 73 kg category, Reshma Mogil from Gujarat was a clear winner with a lift of 72 kg. The silver was won by Sahista of Delhi, who lifted 58 kg while the bronze medal went to Maya from Rajasthan, at 57 kg.

The 80 kg section saw Punjab’s Gursewak Singh in stunning form, improving with every attempt. He began with 162kg, went on to lift 166 kg and then finished with 171kg to win gold. Abdul Salam from Kerala won silver with 155kg while Delhi’s Honey Dabas settled for bronze with a best effort of 152kg.