National News
Satellite Insights: Expansion of Glacial Lakes in the Indian Himalayas
The Himalayan Mountains, known as the “Third Pole” for their vast glaciers, are experiencing significant changes due to global climate shifts. Glacial retreat leads to the formation and enlargement of lakes, posing risks like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Monitoring these changes is challenging but essential for understanding environmental impacts and managing risks.
India’s Largest Climate Clock Unveiled at CSIR HQ for Earth Day Celebration
In celebration of Earth Day, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) recently unveiled India’s largest Climate Clock at its headquarters in New Delhi. This initiative underscores CSIR’s commitment to raising awareness about climate change and its adverse impacts.
International News
Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference: Bhutan’s Earth Day Initiative
On Earth Day 2024, Bhutan is spearheading the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference. With a goal of mobilizing $1 billion over a decade, the conference aims to preserve tiger habitats critical for biodiversity and supporting millions of people.
Appointments News
India’s Gita Sabharwal Appointed as UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has appointed Gita Sabharwal of India as the new UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. Sabharwal assumed her post on Monday, bringing with her nearly three decades of experience in development, supporting climate transition, sustainable peace, governance, and social policy, while leveraging digital technology and data to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Naima Khatoon Breaks Glass Ceiling, Becomes First Woman Vice-Chancellor of AMU
In a historic move, President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Professor Naima Khatoon as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), breaking a century-old glass ceiling. The appointment, seen as part of the BJP government’s outreach to Muslim women, comes days ahead of the second phase of the Lok Sabha election.
Banking News
Razorpay and Airtel Payments Bank Introduce UPI Switch: Revolutionizing Payment Infrastructure
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Razorpay and Airtel Payments Bank have unveiled the UPI Switch, a cutting-edge cloud-based infrastructure designed to revolutionize the landscape of digital payments. This innovative product promises to enhance success rates by 4-5% and handle an impressive 10,000 transactions per second (TPS), offering businesses unprecedented efficiency and scalability.
BharatPe Introduces BharatPe One: Revolutionizing Payment Solutions
In a significant move, BharatPe has unveiled BharatPe One, an innovative all-in-one payment device set to redefine digital transactions. This cutting-edge product integrates POS, QR, and speaker functionalities into a single device, promising unparalleled convenience for merchants and customers alike.
PayU Receives RBI’s In-Principle Approval as Payment Aggregator
In a significant development, PayU, the digital financial services provider, has obtained the coveted in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as a Payments Aggregator (PA) under the Payment Settlements Act, 2007. This approval, after a year-long process, marks a pivotal moment for PayU’s operations in India.
Ranks and Reports News
UNFPA Report Highlights on India’s Population
In its recent report titled “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope,” the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) sheds light on India’s demographic landscape. With a current estimated population of 1.44 billion, India maintains its status as the most populous country globally. Notably, 24% of this vast populace falls within the age bracket of 0-14 years, indicating a significant youth demographic.
Gems & Jewellery Export Trends in FY23-24: A Detailed Overview
In the fiscal year 2023-24, India experienced a significant decline in its gems and jewellery exports by 14.94%, amounting to US$32.02 billion compared to US$37.6 billion in the previous year. The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) released provisional data highlighting this downturn.
Sports News
Chahal to Bumrah: Top 10 Highest Wicket-Takers in IPL History
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a stage for numerous bowling exploits, and several bowlers have etched their names in the record books with their outstanding performances. As the 2024 edition of the IPL unfolds, let’s take a look at the top 10 highest wicket-takers in the history of the tournament. Yuzvendra Chahal, the wily leg-spinner from Rajasthan Royals, stands tall as the highest wicket-taker in IPL history.
Saurav Ghosal Bids Farewell to Professional Squash
Indian squash Player, Saurav Ghosal, the nation’s premier player, has announced his retirement from professional squash. The 37-year-old’s decision marks the end of an illustrious career that spanned over two decades, during which he achieved numerous milestones and brought glory to the country.
Awards News
The Laureus World Sports Awards 2024 Announced
The prestigious 2024 Laureus Sports Awards ceremony, held in Madrid, was a grand celebration of the world’s best athletes and their remarkable achievements. The event honoured several sporting icons who have left an indelible mark on their respective disciplines. Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, etched his name in the annals of Laureus history by becoming the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the fifth time.
Books and Authors News
A book titled ‘Heavenly Islands of Goa’ released by Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
In a remarkable literary odyssey, P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, the Governor of Goa, has embarked on a mission to unveil the state’s rich natural heritage through a series of captivating books. His latest offering, “Heavenly Islands of Goa,” is a testament to his dedication to preserving and promoting the state’s lesser-known facets.
Important Days
National Panchayati Raj Day Observed on April 24th every year
National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated annually on April 24th to commemorate the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system in India. This decentralized form of governance, introduced by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1993, aimed to empower local self-governing bodies, known as Gram Panchayats, at the village level.
International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2024
Every year on April 24th, the world observes the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace. This significant occasion seeks to reaffirm the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, particularly the commitment to resolving disputes among nations through peaceful means.
24th April CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR
