1 Sunita Williams will pilot the Boeing Starliner spacecraft
Veteran Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams is preparing for her third space mission on the International Space Station (ISS) . She will pilot Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on the inaugural crewed flight, known as the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, launching on May 6, 2024 .
- Launch vehicle: United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket
- Launch site: Space Launch Complex-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
- Crew: Sunita Williams (pilot) and Barry “Butch” Wilmore (commander)
- Mission duration: approximately 9 days (docking to ISS on May 8, return to Earth around May 15)
2 Ishaq Dar becomes the new Deputy PM of Pakistan
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country with immediate effect . Dar’s appointment was announced when PM Shehbaz Sharif has gone to Saudi Arabia to participate in the World Economic Forum. Ishaq Dar is considered a confidant of Nawaz Sharif. He has also been the Finance Minister several times in the previous governments of Pakistan. Ishaq Dar is ethnic Kashmir. That means Ishaq Dar’s ancestors lived in Kashmir Valley.
3 Tamil Nadu conducts Nilgiri Tahr survey
The Tamil Nadu government is conducting a three-day synchronous survey of the state animal Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) . The objective of this survey is to estimate the population of the endangered species that once roamed the Anamalai and Nilgiri landscapes. Representatives of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will be observers in the exercise. The survey is being conducted in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and IUCN. The habitats in Tamil Nadu are divided into 13 forest divisions, 100 forest beats and 140 potential blocks, with greater emphasis on areas bordering Kerala. The bounded-count method will be used in all areas, while the double observer method will be additionally employed in large contiguous landscapes with prominent populations such as Grass Hills National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Silent Valley National Park and Eravikulam National Park.
4 Iran unveils kamikaze drone similar to Russian Lancet
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has introduced a new kamikaze drone that resembles Russia ‘s Lancet drone . This drone, which has not yet been publicly named, is designed for targeted strikes, similar to those seen in the Ukraine conflict. Like the Lancet, the Iranian drone claims a flight duration of 30 to 60 minutes and can carry a payload of 3 to 6 kg while covering a distance of up to 40 km. Equipped with electro-optical systems and a built-in warhead, it is optimized for ambush combat.
5 Government ties up with SBI Card and telecom companies to tackle OTP frauds
The Home Ministry has joined hands with SBI Cards and select telecom operators to address the growing issue of one-time password (OTP) frauds . In view of the increasing phishing attacks targeting bank customers, a solution is being developed to alert individuals about possible OTP theft. Under this initiative, the government is currently testing geolocation tracking solutions in partnership with banks. The goal of this technology is to track both the registered address and the delivery location of the OTP. If significant differences are found between the two locations, customers will receive alerts warning of potential phishing attempts.
6 Hitachi Payment Services introduces upgradeable ATMs in India
Hitachi Payment Services has unveiled new upgradeable ATMs in India , allowing banks to adapt their machines into cash recycling machines (CRMs) as per emerging needs. Manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, these ATMs provide flexibility and efficiency to banks, potentially revolutionizing the Indian ATM industry.
7 Release of the book titled “The Winner’s Mindset” written by Shane Watson
Talented Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was among the players present at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Phillip Hughes was hit by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match . The promising opening batsman, who represented Australia in 26 Tests and 25 ODIs, tragically passed away two days later. This tragic incident had a deep impact on Watson, as he grappled with the fear that the same fate might befall him – just one ball was enough. However, Watson overcame this emotional turmoil and emerged as a better cricketer, which is a testament to his resilience and mental toughness. In his book “ The Winner’s Mindset ”, Watson shares the insights and strategies that enabled him to conquer his fears and reach new heights in his cricket career.
8 India’s e-commerce market will be the world’s third largest by 2030
Invest India predicts a bright future for India’s e-commerce industry , with , projecting a massive growth potential of up to $325 billion by 2030 . This growth coincides with the digital economy expected to reach $800 billion in the same time frame. India, with 881 million users, has the world’s second largest internet user base, according to Invest India. This positions India to become the third largest online retail market by 2030, driven by a rapidly growing internet user base and a thriving digital economy. The report foresees a future where India will lead the online shopping charge with an estimated 500 million shoppers by 2030.
9 Maheshwari Chauhan won silver in Shotgun Olympic Qualification Championship, secured quota for Paris Olympics 2024
In women’s skeet, Maheshwari Chauhan won the silver medal in the Shotgun Olympic Qualification Championship in Doha , Qatar to qualify for Paris Olympics 2024 for India. the quota . Out of six shooters in the final, only four shooters were eligible to achieve the quota. Once Kazakhstan’s Asem Orinbay lost fifth place and Azerbaijan’s Rigina Meftakhetdinova finished sixth, the two Olympic quotas for Maheshwari and qualification leader Victoria Larsson of Sweden were confirmed. This is the 21st Olympic quota for India in shooting and the 5th in shotgun.
10 6th Asian Carrom Championship: Indian players won men’s and women’s doubles titles
Indian players won the men’s and women’s doubles titles in the 6th Asian Carrom Championship in Maldives . In the men’s doubles final, India’s pair of Mohammad Gufran and K Srinivas defeated Maldives’ Ismail Azmin and Hassan Nazim 25-15 and 25-16. India’s Akanksha Kadam and Shiny Sebastian in women’s doubles defeated India’s Rashmi Kumari and K Nagajotthi 21-25, 25-17, 25-17 in the final.
11 V Senthilkumar won Batch Open Squash title
National men’s squash champion Velavan Senthilkumar beats Melvil Scimanico of France in Batch Open Challenger Squash to win the title. This was Indian Velvan Senthilkumar’s eighth PSA (Professional Squash Association) title. The Batch Open was organized in collaboration with the Professional Squash Association, the governing body of global squash, and the host country French Squash Federation from 24-28 April 2024 at the Jeu de Palm, Paris, France. World number 58 Velavan Senthilkumar defeated Melvil Scimanico of France in straight sets 11-6, 11-9 and 11-9. Earlier in the semi-finals, Senthilkumar defeated Andy Ling of Hong Kong to compete for the title with Melvil Scimanico.
12 International Dance Day 2024: 29 April
International Dance Day , celebrated every year on 29 April , stands as a global tribute to the art of dance. Conceived by the Dance Committee of the International Theater Institute (ITI) , an essential partner of UNESCO in the field of performing arts , the day commemorates the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810) , considered the progenitor of modern ballet . Are distinguished in.