4.5/5
Current Affairs 12 April 2024
1. Lindy Cameron,UK’s First Woman High Commissioner to India
- Lindy Cameron, a distinguished Oxford University alumna and former CEO of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, has been appointed as the first
woman high commissioner to India. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in UK-India relations, coming 70 years after India appointed its first high commissioner to London. - Cameron’s career spans diverse roles, including service in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. With a background in international development, she has held senior positions in the UK government, notably as director general for country programmes.
Foot Note:
About UK:
Capital: London
Prime minister: Rishi Sunak
Government: Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
2. India ranks third with 67 unicorns in the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2024
- In 2024, the global unicorn landscape witnessed significant
developments and challenges, as outlined in the Hurun Global Unicorn Index. While the United States maintained its lead with 703 unicorns and China followed with 340, India ranked third with 67 unicorns. - India, once a burgeoning hub for startups, witnessed a notable decline in unicorn creation for the first time since 2017, according to the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2024. Despite ranking third globally with 67 unicorns, India experienced a slowdown attributed mainly to a lack of investment, despite robust stock market performance.
3. Asian Development Bank raises India's GDP growth to 7% for FY25
- The Asian Development Bank has increased India's GDP
growth forecast for FY25 to 7% from the earlier 6.7%. And for FY26, the ADB has projected it to expand to 7.2%. The 2024-25 fiscal's growth estimate is lower than the 7.6% that was projected for FY23. - Growth will be driven primarily by robust investment demand and improving consumption demand. Inflation will continue its downward trend in tandem with global trends. To boost exports in the medium term, India needs greater integration into global value chains, ADB further noted.
Foot Note:
About Asian Development Bank:
ADB/Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
Founded: 19 December 1966
President: Masatsugu Asakawa
4. International Day of Human Space Flight observed on 12th April
- The UN General Assembly, in its resolution of 7 April 2011,
declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight. On 4 October 1957 the 1st human-made Earth satellite Sputnik I was launched into outer space, thus opening the way for space exploration. - On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the 1st human to orbit the Earth, opening a new chapter of human endeavour in outer space.
5.PhonePe Partners with eSewa, HAN Pokhara to Promote UPI in Nepal
- PhonePe, in collaboration with eSewa and the Hotel
Association of Nepal (HAN) Pokhara, is set to promote UPI during the Fewa New Year Festival in Nepal. The festival, spanning from April 11-14th, is a celebrated event attracting both locals and Indian tourists, offering cultural experiences and culinary delights. - Expressed excitement about the partnership and emphasized the focus on merchant education and awareness to drive UPI adoption in Nepal.
Foot Note:
About Nepal:
Capital: Kathmandu
President: Ram Chandra Poudel
Prime Minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal
6. Former NFL Star O.J. Simpson Dies of Cancer at Age 76
- O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star who was acquitted of
murdering his ex-wife and her friend in a televised trial that gripped the nation, has died of cancer, according to his family. He was 76. - Simpson was born in San Francisco and raised in public housing, going to a local community college before transferring to the University of Southern California. He was part of the school’s national championship in 1967 and earned the Heisman Trophy the next year.
7. IIT Bombay ranks 45th in QS World University Rankings 2024.
- The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has secured
the 45th rank in Engineering and Technology in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject for 2024. With an overall score of 79.1 out of 100, the institute has improved on its 2023 performance in the same subject by two places. - The results were released on Wednesday by the QS, a UK based ranking agency. Apart from engineering and technology, the premier technology institution from the city has been ranked in other subject areas too such as Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Management, Humanities and Social Sciences among all.
8.India will post defence attaches in several African countries.
- India will appoint new defence attaches in the African countries
of Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and Djibouti. Furthermore, India will post defence attaches in the Philippines, Armenia, and Poland as well. - 16 defence attaches from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force will assume their new positions in these countries. India sealed a $375 million deal with the Philippines in defence.
9. Former New Zealand Legspinner Jack Alabaster Passes Away at 93
- New Zealand Cricket (NZC) took to social media to announce
the demise of former legspinner Jack Alabaster, who passed away. night at the age of 93 in Cromwell, United Kingdom. NZC expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Alabaster as a “champion of Southland and @OtagoCricket” who played 21 Tests for New Zealand from 1955 to 1972, taking 49 wickets at an average of 38.02. - Alabaster is considered one of the best spinners to have represented New Zealand. During his 17-year international career, he was part of the team that achieved the country’s first four Test victories. Alabaster made 143 first-class appearances for Otago, claiming 500 wickets.
10. Israel Deploys C-Dome Defense System Against Aerial Threat Near Eilat
- In a significant development, Israel deployed its ship-mounted
defense system, the C-Dome, for the first time against a suspicious aerial target near the southern city of Eilat. The incident occurred following an alert in the area, which had previously been targeted by missile fire from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The C-Dome, a naval adaptation of the Iron Dome, successfully intercepted the target, marking its maiden operational use. - On April 8, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported an alert in the vicinity of Eilat, a region previously subjected to missile threats from Yemeni Houthi rebels. Subsequently, IDF naval forces detected a suspicious aerial target entering Israeli airspace.
Foot Note:
About Israel:
Capital: Jerusalem
Prime minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
President: Isaac Herzog
2 likes |
0 comment
