Table of Contents
National News
India’s Tree Cover Loss Since 2000: Insights from Global Forest Watch
The Global Forest Watch reveals that India has experienced significant tree cover loss since 2000, totaling 2.33 million hectares. This loss includes both natural disturbances and human-induced factors, impacting the country’s carbon balance and climate change.
International News
Kuwait’s New Prime Minister: Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Kuwait’s Emir has appointed Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as the new Prime Minister following the resignation of Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Sheikh Ahmad, born in 1952, brings extensive experience in finance and government, having held various ministerial positions.
Appointments News
BharatPe Appoints Nalin Negi as Chief Executive Officer
BharatPe, the fintech company that has been making waves in the Indian payments landscape, has officially elevated Nalin Negi as its chief executive officer. This move comes 15 months after Negi took charge as the company’s interim CEO and chief financial officer, during a period of significant upheaval and transition.
SPACE India named Sanjana Sanghi as its Brand Ambassador
Since its inception in 2001, SPACE India has been on a mission to integrate Astronomy and Space Science into school curricula nationwide, inspiring over 1.5 million students across 1,000 schools. The organization has been instrumental in demystifying rocket science and making space education accessible to all.
Banking News
RBI’s Ban on Bank of Baroda World App: Strengthening Measures Against Cyber Fraud
In response to a surge in cyber fraud incidents, including the Bank of Baroda World app scam, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) halted Bank of Baroda’s customer onboarding on its ‘BoB World’ mobile app in October 2023. The Finance Ministry is now proposing stringent measures to combat such frauds, focusing on enhancing cybersecurity and bolstering financial institutions’ due diligence practices.
Fitch Affirms SBI and Canara Bank Ratings at ‘BBB-‘
Fitch Ratings has upheld the long-term issuer default rating (IDR) of “BBB-” for both the State Bank of India (SBI) and Canara Bank. The agency also maintains a “stable” outlook for these state-run lenders. Despite variations in risk appetite and loan growth patterns, both banks exhibit adequate capacity for fulfilling their financial commitments.
Economy News
IMF Raises India’s GDP Forecast and Global Growth Projection for 2024-25
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2024-25 upwards by 30 basis points to 6.8%, citing strong domestic demand. This projection, while robust, falls slightly below the Indian government’s forecast of 7%. Additionally, the IMF raised its global growth projection for 2024 by 10 basis points to 3.2%, highlighting the resilience of the world economy amidst challenges.
Introducing CDP-SURAKSHA: Revolutionizing Horticulture Subsidies
The Indian government has launched CDP-SURAKSHA, a groundbreaking digital platform aimed at streamlining the distribution of subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP). This initiative comes amidst the significant contribution of the horticulture sector to India’s agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA), with consistent growth in crop production over the years.
Business News
Mahindra Susten’s ₹1,200 Crore Hybrid Renewable Energy Project in Maharashtra
Mahindra Susten, a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group, enters the hybrid renewable energy sector with a ₹1,200-Crore project in Maharashtra, combining 101 MW wind and 52 MW solar capacity. The project aims to generate 460 million kWh of clean energy and offset 420,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Awards News
World Economic Forum names Nykaa’s Adwaita Nayar as a 2024 Young Global Leader
The World Economic Forum has named Adwaita Nayar, the co-founder of Nykaa and CEO of Nykaa Fashion, as a ‘2024 Young Global Leader’. This prestigious recognition highlights Nayar’s remarkable achievements as a change-maker and entrepreneur, solidifying her place among the most influential young leaders in the world.
Ram Charan Honored with an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Vels University
In a prestigious ceremony, Vels University in Chennai conferred an honorary doctorate in literature upon renowned Indian actor Ram Charan. This distinguished recognition celebrates Charan’s remarkable contributions to the world of cinema and his profound impact on audiences across the globe.
Ranks and Reports News
Delhi’s IGI Airport Ranks Among Top 10 Busiest Airports Globally
The Airports Council International (ACI) World recently released its rankings for the busiest airports worldwide in 2023. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport secured the tenth position, handling 7.22 crore passengers annually. This marks a significant progression from its 2019 ranking of 17th place, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sports News
Dharamsala to get India’s first ‘hybrid pitch’
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in Dharamshala has become the first BCCI-accredited venue to install a state-of-the-art ‘hybrid pitch’. This new technology is set to transform the game, as future international and IPL matches will be played on this innovative track.
Important Days
World Hemophilia Day 2024, Date, History and Theme
World Hemophilia Day is an annual observance held on April 17th to raise awareness about hemophilia, a rare and inherited bleeding disorder. This year, the theme for World Hemophilia Day 2024 is “Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders.” This article will explore the history, significance, and importance of this important health observance.
Obituaries News
Renowned Carnatic Musician K.G. Jayan Passes Away at 90
K.G. Jayan, a towering figure in Carnatic music and Malayalam cinema, passed away, at his residence in Thripunitura, Kerala. He was 90 years old. The legendary musician had been battling various age-related ailments.
IAF Veteran Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Majithia Passes Away at 103
Squadron Leader Dalip Singh Majithia, the oldest living pilot of the Indian Air Force, passed away at the age of 103. Majithia’s life was a testament to a lifetime of service, adventure, and a deep love for aviation.
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