NATIONAL:
1. Indian Historical Records Commission
Why in news: Indian Historical Records Commission adopted new logo and motto
Key points:
• The design for logo and motto submitted by Shaurya Pratap Singh from Delhi was selected by the IHRC.
• The pages in the shape of lotus petals represent IHRC as the resilient nodal institution for maintaining historical records.
• The Sarnath pillar in the middle represents India’s glorious past.
• Its brown colour theme reinforces the organization’s mission of preserving, studying and honouring India’s historical records.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Ban on Tiktok
Why in news: US President Joe Biden signed Bill to ban Tiktok
Key points:
• US President Joe Biden has signed the bill that could ban TikTok.
• China’s ByteDance has been given nine months to remove the Tiktok app from the market or sell the app to a US company.
• The law was passed in response to worries that TikTok might provide the Chinese authorities access to user data.
2. Subianto Declared Indonesia’s President-Election
Key news: Prabowo Subianto declared Indonesia’s President-Elect amid controversy
Key points:
• Indonesia’s electoral commission officially declared Prabowo Subianto as the president-elect.
• Earlier, the country’s highest court had rejected challenges to his landslide victory lodged by two losing presidential candidates.
3. NASA’s Solar-Powered Spacecraft
Why in news: NASA launched a groundbreaking space mission utilizing solar sail technology
Key points:
• This space mission was launched from New Zealand deploying the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket.
• The primary objective of the mission is to demonstrate the effectiveness of solar sail propulsion.
• It will pave the way for future missions with reduced reliance on heavy propulsion systems.
REPORT/INDICES:
1. India’s Clean Energy Transition: Report
Why in news: Karnataka and Gujarat Lead India’s Clean Energy Transition
Key points:
• This report has been prepared by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember.
• It evaluates the progress of India’s clean electricity transition at the state level.
• Karnataka and Gujarat continue to excel in integrating renewable energy sources and decarbonizing their power sectors.
• Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh need to enhance renewable energy deployment and strengthen distribution companies.
2. Passport Affordability Rankings
Why in news: Indian Passport second cheapest, UAE tops
Key points:
• A recent study ranked the Indian passport as the second cheapest globally, with the UAE passport being the most affordable.
• The study has been conducted by Australian firm Compare the Market AU.
• According to the study, Mexico holds the title for the most expensive passport, followed closely by Australia.
ECONOMY:
1. FEMA Regulations for Direct Listing on International Exchanges
Why in news: RBI introduces FEMA Regulations for Direct Listing on International Exchanges
Key points:
• These regulations aim to streamline foreign exchange transactions and reporting procedures, offering companies greater flexibility in utilizing funds raised through overseas listings.
2. World's Top Telco in Data Traffic Consumption
Why in news: Jio Surpassed China Mobile to Lead Global Telco Industry in Data Traffic
Key points:
• Reliance Jio, the telecom leader in India, has outpaced China Mobile to become the world’s largest mobile operator by data traffic consumption.
• It has a subscriber base of 481.8 million, including 108 million on its True5G Standalone network.
IMPORTANT DAY:
1. World Intellectual Property Day 2024
Why in news: World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26th
Key points:
• World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
• This day is dedicated to promoting the role of intellectual property (IP) in stimulating innovation and creativity.
• The official theme for World Intellectual Property Day 2024- ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity‘.
• The origins of WIPO can be traced back to 1883 when the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property was signed.
2. International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2024
Why in news: International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2024 is observed on April 26th
Key points:
• This day is dedicated to remembering the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and raising awareness about this catastrophic event.
• On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine (formerly part of the Soviet Union) exploded, releasing a massive radioactive cloud into the atmosphere.
• It exposed approximately 8.4 million people to harmful nuclear radiation.
AWARDS/HONOURS:
1. NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge
Why in news: Indian Students bagged prestigious awards at NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge
Key points:
• The KIET Group of Institutions from Delhi-NCR bagged the “Crash and Burn” award.
• The Kanakia International School from Mumbai received the “Rookie of the Year” award.
• The Human Exploration Rover Challenge is an annual engineering competition organized by NASA, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
STATE/UT:
1. Soil Health and Fertility Scheme
Why in news: Bihar was awarded a certificate of appreciation for 'best performing state' under soil health and fertility scheme,
Key points:
• The certificate was presented by the ministry of agriculture and farmers' welfare, Government of India.
• The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme was introduced in the year 2014-15.
• It is a comprehensive programme for soil sampling, testing and generation of SHCs was launched to assist state governments to issue the health cards to all farmers of the country.
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