Current Affairs 25 April 2024 & Test | Latest News & Updates

National

Delhi’s Waste-to-Wonder Concept at G20 Park Supports PM’s Sustainable Future Vision.

India proposes building a G20 park in Delhi to symbolize global unity in development. PM Modi oversees its concept development. The park, themed “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” will be at the Shanti Path and Ring Road junction. Sculptures representing G20 countries’ national animals and birds will be made using recycled materials. The Lalit Kala Academy will oversee artwork creation. Each sculpture’s metal pieces will measure 5-7 feet by 4-5 feet.

Sonowal, a Union Minister, opens Shipping Ministry’s tech division in TN.

Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC) at the Discovery Campus of IIT-Madras. This center aims to foster Make In India technology solutions for the sector and drive overall growth. The Discovery Campus, established in February 2018 on a 163-acre area of IIT Madras, is situated in Thaiyur, approximately 36 km away from the main campus in Guindy.

PM Modi will launch India’s inaugural Water Metro service in Kochi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India’s first water metro during his two-day visit to Kerala. The water metro connects 10 islands around Kochi using battery-operated electric hybrid boats. This new transportation system offers seamless connectivity between the islands and the city, providing a convenient travel experience similar to traditional metro systems. It’s especially beneficial for urban areas like Kochi.

International

A Chamber of Commerce will be established between India and Ukraine.

In the coming months, a new India-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce will be formed to boost business connections. It aims to enhance investment and collaboration, particularly in infrastructure and power sectors, with support from the Ukrainian government. This initiative followed a visit to India by Emine Dzhaparova, Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister.

India plans to build a refinery in Mongolia by 2025.

Mongolia is set to complete its first oil refinery by 2025, funded by a $1.2 billion soft loan from India. This development is significant due to Mongolia’s reliance on Russia for energy imports. With the refinery, Mongolia aims to meet 70% of its domestic energy needs.

Key Points for Competitive Exams:

• Capital of Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar
• Prime Minister of Mongolia: Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene
• Currency of Mongolia: Tugrik

Udai Tambar, an Indian-origin CEO, serves on a racial justice advisory board in New York City.

Udai Tambar, an Indian-American CEO focused on youth development, is among fifteen experts chosen for New York City’s new racial justice advisory board. He leads the New York Junior Tennis and Learning organization and has been appointed to the board.

State

BRO erects signboard labeling Mana as the ‘First Indian Village’.

Mana village in Uttarakhand, once known as the last Indian village, will now be recognized as the “first Indian village.” The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has put up a signboard at the village entrance to reflect this change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi backed Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s claim that Mana is the country’s foremost village, with plans to extend this recognition to other border villages. During his visit to Mana in October last year, PM Modi emphasized that areas previously seen as the nation’s border’s end should now symbolize the start of its prosperity.

Gujarat marks 20 years of PM Modi’s Swagat Initiative.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced that the last week of April will be celebrated as “Swagat Saptah” to mark 20 years since the launch of the SWAGAT initiative by Narendra Modi during his time as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2003. SWAGAT aimed to address citizen grievances through a technology-based system. Every last Thursday of the month, the Chief Minister, along with officials, personally attends to citizen complaints.

Today, Bengaluru is ready to experience Zero Shadow Day throughout the city.

On Tuesday, April 25, Bengaluru, India’s tech hub, will experience a rare event called “Zero Shadow Day,” as per the Astronomical Society of India (ASI). During this time, vertical objects in the city won’t cast shadows because the sun will be directly overhead. It’s expected to happen around 12:17 PM and will be brief. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Koramangala, Bengaluru, is ready to observe it, and citizens citywide are excited to witness this unique event.

Appointments

Mahavir Singh Phogat is now the Chairman of MMA 1.

Mahavir Singh Phogat, the renowned wrestler and coach, has been named Chairman of the MMA-1 Federation. He will lead efforts to advance mixed martial arts (MMA) in India, particularly by discovering and supporting emerging talent in the sport. Mohamedali Budhwani, president of the MMA1 Federation, extended a request to Phogat to take on the role, which he graciously accepted.

Banking

RBI simplifies provisioning rules for urban cooperative banks.

The RBI has simplified the rules for how urban cooperative banks (UCBs) set aside funds for standard assets. Previously, UCBs were grouped into different tiers, but now they all follow the same rules. This change came after the RBI reclassified UCBs in December 2020.

The RBI fined four cooperative banks Rs 44 lakh.

The RBI fined four cooperative banks Rs 44 lakhs for breaking rules. The penalties are for not following regulations properly and don’t judge the legitimacy of any deals between the banks and their customers, according to the RBI.

Science and Technology

ISRO’s PSLV-C55 launched and put two Singapore satellites into orbit successfully.

Two Singaporean satellites, TeLEOS-2 and Lumelite-4, were successfully launched into orbit by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Additionally, seven other payloads were attached to the PS4 upper stage for experiments, as reported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Defence

India launched Operation Kaveri to evacuate its citizens from Sudan.

India launched Operation Kaveri to bring its citizens home from Sudan, which is experiencing unrest. According to a tweet by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the operation is ongoing, and about 500 Indians have reached Port Sudan. This operation is India’s latest effort to rescue its citizens and those of friendly nations from conflict areas.

Summits and Conferences

India, Iran, and Armenia have formed a new trilateral partnership to enhance their regional ties.

The first meeting between the Foreign Ministries of India, Armenia, and Iran happened in Yerevan. Mnatsakan Safaryan from Armenia, Seyed Rasoul Mousavi from Iran, and JP Singh from India led their delegations at the meeting.

Schemes

The Civil Aviation Ministry launched UDAN 5.0 to improve connectivity to remote areas even more.

UDAN 5.0 aims to enhance rural and regional connectivity by accepting airline proposals for various routes. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated the process of accepting bids for this round.

Important Days

World Malaria Day was observed on April 25, 2023.

World Malaria Day (WMD) is celebrated annually on April 25 to acknowledge worldwide endeavors in battling malaria. Its goal is to raise awareness about malaria’s severe effects and to gather support and resources for programs aiming to control and prevent the disease in affected regions. This day encourages collaboration among individuals, organizations, and governments to recommit to eradicating malaria, a preventable and treatable illness. In 2023, World Malaria Day’s theme will be “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”.

International Delegate’s Day is celebrated on April 25th, 2023.

Every April 25th, we observe International Delegate’s Day to honor the delegates at the United Nations. They represent their governments and collaborate within the UN to tackle global issues and promote cooperation.

World Day for Laboratory Animals 2023 was observed on April 24th.

April 24th marks World Day for Laboratory Animals, aiming to stop animal suffering in labs and promote advanced non-animal methods in research. Lab animals, like mice sharing over 98% DNA with humans, are used in biomedical and cosmetic research. The day was established over four decades ago by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) and has gained significant support since then.

Obituaries

Tarek Fatah, a Pakistani-Canadian journalist, has died.

Tarek Fatah, a Pakistani-Canadian journalist known as a “Midnight’s Child” for being born shortly after Pakistan’s independence in 1949, has died at 73 from cancer. He was noted for criticizing Islamic extremism, the Pakistani establishment, and advocating for queer rights. Born in Karachi after his parents moved from Bombay, he studied biochemistry at the University of Karachi before becoming a leftist activist and later transitioning to journalism. His daughter announced his death on social media.