Current Affairs 6th April 2024
Welcome to your one-stop shop for staying informed! Today’s edition of Current Affairs dives into the headlines for April 6, 2024. From international news to scientific advancements, we’ve got you covered. Buckle up and get ready to explore the most pressing issues of the day on this Current Affairs 6th April 2024.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1) NexCAR19: President Murmu Launched India’s 1st Indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy
On April 4, 2024, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, launched India’s first home-grown Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, ‘NexCAR19 (Actalycabtagene autoleucel)’ for cancer treatment at an event held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
India is now among the first developing countries to have its own CAR-T and gene therapy platforms.
Developers:
- It was created through a collaboration between IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai, in conjunction with industry partner Immunoadoptive Cell Therapy Private Limited (ImmunoACT).
ImmunoACT is an IIT Bombay incubated company.
- Atharva Karulkar, Dr. Alka Dwivedi, and a team led by Dr. Rahul Purwar, Associate Professor at IIT Bombay, designed and developed the NexCAR 19.
Drs. Hasmukh Jain and Gaurav Narula, along with their teams at TMH, led clinical investigations and translational studies.
- CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization), Government of India (GoI), has approved NexCAR19 for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas and leukemia.
CAR-T cell therapy modifies a patient’s own T-cells to target and destroy cancer, especially blood cancers. T-cells are immune system fighters designed to kill. This one-time treatment aims for a permanent cure, skipping multiple chemo sessions. It’s designed for B-cell lymphomas resistant to standard chemo. While expensive globally, India’s NexCAR19 offers a 90% cheaper option, making it the world’s most affordable CAR-T therapy. The US first approved these therapies in 2017, targeting CD19 protein on leukemia and lymphoma cells.
Participants include Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, IIT Bombay Director Subhasis Chaudhuri, and Tata Memorial Centre Director Sudeep Gupta, among others.
Click here to read from source
2) Adani Green Energy becomes the first Indian company to surpass 10,000 MW of renewable energy.
Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) has become the country’s first company to have over 10,000 megawatts (MW), or 10 gigawatts (GW), of renewable energy capacity in its operational portfolio.
AGEL achieved this feat by commissioning 2,000 MW of solar capacity in Khavda, Kutch, Gujarat.
Key Points:
- AGEL added 2,848 MW to its operational portfolio in Fiscal Year 2023-24 (FY24).
- AGEL’s operational portfolio totals 10,934 MW, including 7,393 MW of solar, 1,401 MW of wind, and 2,140 MW of wind-solar hybrid capacity.
- According to AGEL, its 10,934 MW operational portfolio will power more than 5.8 million homes and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 21 million tonnes per year.
AGEL is building a 30,000 MW solar plant, the world’s largest renewable energy plant, in Khavda, Gujarat, with the goal of achieving 45 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
About Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL):
AGEL creates, owns, and operates utility-scale grid-connected solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy projects.
- Chairman – Gautam Adani
- Headquarters – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Click here to read from source
3) Sagar Kavach 01/24: Coastal Security Exercise Conducted in Lakshadweep
Sagar Kavach 01/24, a two-day coastal security exercise involving all maritime security agencies, was held in the Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep from April 1 to 2, 2024.
The exercise involved assets from the Indian Navy (IN), Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs, and other security agencies.
The exercise demonstrated improved preparedness, reaction mechanisms, and surveillance capabilities through collaboration among coastal security stakeholders.
Note: The first edition of 2024’s State Level Biannual Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach (01/24) for Kerala and Mahe (a part of the UT of Pondicherry) took place from March 20 to 21, 2024.
Click here to read from source
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
4) Singapore, Denmark and U.S. are the Best Places in the world to Conduct Business: EIU’ BER 2024
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) published its Business Environment Rankings (BER) 2024, which evaluated 82 countries across 91 critical indicators across 11 categories to determine the best places to do business.
Singapore maintains its top position for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Denmark and the United States (US), which are ranked second and third in the world to conduct business, respectively.
India ranked 51 on the list, with a score of 1.08.
Assessment:
The report ranked the improvement in the business environment for the period from 2019-2023 to 2024-28.
List of Top 5 Countries to Conduct Business
|
Rank |
Country |
Score |
|
1 |
Singapore |
8.56 |
|
2 |
Denmark | 8.41 |
|
3 |
US |
8.40 |
|
4 |
Germany |
8.35 |
|
5 |
Switzerland |
8.33 |
| 51 | India |
1.08 |
Big Improvers:
- Greece, Qatar, and India have made significant progress in creating favorable business environments worldwide.
India ranks third among the world’s most improved business environments, with strong economic growth and increased foreign investment expected.
- Vietnam, Thailand, Belgium, Sweden, India, and Costa Rica have made notable improvements.
Biggest Deterioration:
- China, Bahrain, Chile, and Slovakia have all seen significant declines in their business environments.
- China’s significant drop of 11 spots places it as the world’s biggest loser, reflecting challenges in its business landscape compared to last year.
Key Points:
- Singapore’s appeal stems from its political stability and government support for domestic private-sector technological progress.
- Denmark has strong macroeconomic fundamentals and excellent infrastructure.
- The United States provides favorable market opportunities with minimal restrictions on foreign trade and investment.
Other top-ranked countries are Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Finland.
- Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea are also in the global top 20, thanks to recent regional free trade agreements.
Click here to read from source
5) India to lose 5.8% of daily working hours amid heat stress in 2030 as UNESCAP report
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) published a report titled “Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2024: Boosting affordable and longer-term financing for Governments”.
- According to the report, rising temperatures are expected to cost India approximately 5.8% of its daily working hours by 2030.
- The report stated that climate change may result in increased agricultural subsidies, as farm subsidies account for 20% of total farm income in India.
About United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP):
It is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
- Executive Secretary: Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
- Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand
- Established: 1947
- Members – 53 members and 9 associate members
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6) UNDP Report on Small Island Digital States Highlights Digital Transformation for Small Island Developing States
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) published a report titled “Small Island Digital States: How Digital Can Catalyse SIDS Development,” which emphasized the transformative potential of digital for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The report emphasises the importance of digitalization in the development of SIDS.
- Digital transformation necessitates long-term planning, strategic thinking, and dedicated funding.
- Efforts in the digital direction must continue and accelerate in order to effectively address the challenges facing the global island community.
About the Report:
- The UNDP Global SIDS Team has worked with more than 30 national governments to develop, implement, and scale up digital solutions.
- This report is based on insights gained from technical collaborations, the implementation of digital projects, UNDP Digital Readiness Assessments, and primary data from a global survey of SIDS youth.
UNDP carried out comprehensive Digital Readiness Assessments in more than 15 SIDS to identify key digital opportunities and priorities.
- The report follows the structure of the UNDP Digital Transformation Framework, which consists of five core pillars and related sub-pillars: connectivity, government, regulation, economy, and people.
A new report highlights the urgent need for digital innovation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) due to their isolation and climate vulnerability. It emphasizes a collaborative effort by policymakers, businesses, and citizens to leverage digital tools effectively. Stakeholders can explore AI, 5G, and IoT to address challenges. SIDS are ready to champion digital solutions, advocating for a fair transition with data protection via a data hub. They are shaping global digital efforts for an inclusive digital future, actively building national strategies and embracing innovative solutions.
About Small Island Developing States (SIDS):
SIDS are a distinct group of 39 states and 18 Associate Members of the United Nations Regional Commissions who face unique social, economic, and environmental challenges.
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BANKING & FINANCE
7) RBI Delays Currency Derivative Regulations to Curb Speculative Trading to May 3, 2024
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deferred the implementation of Exchange Traded Currency Derivatives (ETCD) regulations by a month, to May 3, 2024, in order to reduce speculative trading. This is based on market feedback and recent developments.
Key Points:
According to the regulations, only traders with underlying forex exposure are permitted to trade in currency derivatives, such as futures contracts, which help companies hedge against currency risk.
- Postponing the regulations provides short-term relief amid concerns about potential trading volume declines.
- The regulatory framework for exchange-traded currency derivatives remains consistent with the RBI’s overall foreign exchange management policy.
- The revised rules are consistent with the RBI’s efforts to stabilize the rupee, particularly ahead of India’s bond inclusion in global indexes in June.
- Indian stock exchanges, including the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange), have directed member brokers to follow RBI notifications, which limit currency derivative trades to hedging purposes after April 5, 2024.
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ECONOMY & BUSINESS
(current affairs 6th April 2024)
8) NTPC Shuts 220 MW Barauni Thermal Power Station Stage-I Project in Bihar (current affairs 6th April 2024)
NTPC Limited (formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation), India’s leading power utility, has announced the permanent closure of its Barauni Thermal Power Station Stage-I (2×110 MW) in Bihar, effective March 31, 2024. The closure includes two units (Units 6 and 7) and all Auxiliary systems except CHP, Switchyard, Ash Dyke, and Township.
NTPC, founded in 1975, has a total installed capacity of 75,418 MW (including joint ventures (JVs)) and aims to reach 130 gigawatts (GW) by 2032.
In December 2018, NTPC acquired Bihar’s Barauni Thermal Power Station (720 MW) from the Bihar State Power Generation Company.
The coal-based power station consists of two stages: Stage I (2×110 MW) and Stage II (2×250 MW).
Note that NTPC is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power.
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AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
(current affairs 6th April 2024)
9) Goenka among Seven Indians Named in ‘Young Global Leaders Community: The Class 2024’ by WEF (current affairs 6th April 2024)
World Economic Forum announced the “Young Global Leaders 2024” in Geneva. This year, 7 Indians made the cut from South Asia’s 11 honorees. Shashwat Goenka, Vice Chairman of RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, joins Arjun Bhartia (Jubilant Group Director), Priya Agarwal Hebbar (Vedanta Non-Executive Director), and Adwaita Nayar (Nykaa Fashion CEO) under the “Business” category. Social entrepreneurs Sharad Vivek Sagar (Dexterity Global) and Richa Bajpai (Campus Fund) were also recognized. Rounding out the Indian contingent is actress Bhumi Pednekar in “Arts, Culture, and Sports.” This prestigious community includes nearly 90 global changemakers under 40, tackling issues like public health, economics, technology, and sustainability. Young Leaders are categorized across academia, arts, business, social good, media, public service, and social entrepreneurship.
About World Economic Forum(WEF):
- Founder and Executive Chairman: Prof. Klaus Schwab
- Managing Director(MD): Saadia Zahidi
- Headquarters: Cologny, Geneva Canton, Switzerland
- Established: 1971
Click here to read from source
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
(current affairs 6th April 2024)
10) Astrid Schomaker of Germany Appointed as Executive Secretary of CBD (current affairs 6th April 2024)
António Guterres, Secretary-General (SG) of the United Nations (UN), has appointed Astrid Schomaker of Germany as the 8th Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
With this appointment, she becomes the CBD’s first Executive Secretary from Germany.
David Cooper of the United Kingdom (UK), CBD’s Acting Executive Secretary (since February 2023), will continue in that role until Schomaker takes over.
David Cooper succeeded Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, who was appointed Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Astrid Schomaker is expected to take on her role ahead of the CBD Conference of the Parties (COP 16) summit, which will be held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024.
Key Tasks:
- Schomaker’s primary responsibility is to put the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a biodiversity strategy adopted in 2022, into action.
- She will prioritise the Biodiversity Plan’s four goals: protecting and restoring, prospering with nature, sharing benefits fairly, and investing and collaborating.
- She will also oversee the CBD Secretariat’s work and facilitate the Parties’ negotiations on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).
About Astrid Schomaker:
- Schomaker’s primary responsibility is to put the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a biodiversity strategy adopted in 2022, into action.
- She will prioritise the Biodiversity Plan’s four goals: protecting and restoring, prospering with nature, sharing benefits fairly, and investing and collaborating.
- She will also oversee the CBD Secretariat’s work and facilitate the Parties’ negotiations on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).
Click here to read from source
Click here to read: Current Affairs 5th April 2024
11) Former Deputy Governor of RBI, Rakesh Mohan, Appointed to WBG’s Economic Advisory Panel (current affairs 6th April 2024)
The World Bank has appointed Rakesh Mohan, former Deputy Governor (DG) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to the World Bank Group’s Economic Advisory Panel.
Key Points:
- WBG’s Economic Advisory Panel will be chaired by Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government at the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom (U.K.).
- Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior President for Development Economics, will co-chair the panel.
- Each panel member will serve for two years.
The panel will assist and advise WBG on their objectives, research, agenda, and actions.
About Rakesh Mohan:
- Currently, he is the President Emeritus of the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) in New Delhi, Delhi.
He currently serves as a part-time member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC). - He previously served as the RBI’s Deputy Governor from September 2002 to October 2004, and again from July 2005 to June 2009.
- From 2001 to 2002, he served as the Indian government’s Chief Economic Advisor (CEA).
- He was Vice-Chairman of the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), which is based in Delhi.
- From 2012 to 2015, he served as the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C., USA.
- In 2010, he joined Nestle India as executive director.
Noteworthy Work:
Mohan wrote the book ‘India Transformed: 25 Years of Economic Reforms’, which was published by Penguin Random House in 2017.
About World Bank Group(WBG):
- President: Ajay Banga
- Headquarters: Washington D.C. , U.S.A.
- Establishment: 1944
Click here to read from source
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(current affairs 6th April 2024)
12) SFC & DRDO Successfully Flight-Tests New Generation Ballistic Missile “Agni-Prime” (current affairs 6th April 2024)
On April 3, 2024, Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the New Generation Ballistic missile Agni-Prime (Agni-P) from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
The flight test met all of the trial objectives, demonstrating its dependable performance.
About Agni-Prime (Agni-P):
- It is a two-stage surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a canister of solid propellant.
- It is outfitted with a dual redundant navigation and guidance system.
- It has a range of 1000 to 2000 kilometres.
- It is the sixth variant of the Agni series missiles developed by the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. Other five missiles developed under IGMDP include Prithvi, Trishul, Nag, Agni, and Akash.
- The Agni-Prime missile stands 10.5 metres (m) tall and has a diameter of 1.2 metres. It can carry warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.
Additional Information:
In March 2024, DRDO successfully tested the Agni-5 missile with MIRV (Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology as part of the Divyastra mission.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):
It is the Research and Development (R&D) wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- Chairman: Dr. Samir Vankatpati Kamat
- Headquarter: New Delhi, Delhi
Click here to read from source
13) Indian Army begins Induction of Akashteer Control & Reporting Systems (current affairs 6th April 2024)
The Indian Army has begun implementing indigenous ‘Akashteer Control & Reporting Systems’ to improve its air defense capabilities. This will allow the Indian Army’s defence units to work together more effectively.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) developed the project for the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The first batch of Control Centers was deployed from BEL Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh (UP) on April 4, 2024.
Background:
In March 2023, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1982 crore contract with BEL to purchase the Automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System ‘Project Akashteer’ for the Indian Army.
Key features:
- The Akashteer Project aims to automate air defence control and reporting by digitizing processes.
- It is designed with a special emphasis on mobility and resilience, which improves operational capabilities even in challenging communication environments.
- It will enable the army to monitor low-level airspace in combat zones and effectively manage ground-based air defense weapons.
- By combining radar and communication systems at all levels into a single network, Akashteer improves situational awareness and control. This aids in dealing with enemy threats and keeping the aircraft safe in hazardous environments.
About Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL):
BEL is a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence.
- Chairman & Managing Director(CMD) – Bhanu Prakash Srivastava
- Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Establishment – 1954
Click here to read from source
14) Korea’s ‘Artificial Sun’ Sets Record For Sustaining Plasma At 100 Million Degree Celsius (current affairs 6th April 2024)
South Korea’s superconducting fusion device, the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), also known as the “artificial sun” at the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE), broke a world record in the nuclear fusion experiment by maintaining a plasma loop at 100 million degrees Celsius for 48 seconds.
Tests conducted between December 2023 and February 2024 demonstrated sustained high temperatures that surpassed the previous record of 30 seconds set in 2021. This is seven times hotter than the core of the sun.
KSTAR remained in high confinement mode (H-mode), a stable plasma state, for more than 100 seconds.
At 100 million degrees Celsius, heavy hydrogen isotopes in the plasma fuse, releasing energy similar to the mechanism that generates energy at the Sun’s core.
Nuclear fusion seeks to replicate the reaction that powers the sun and other stars by fusing two atoms to release massive amounts of energy.
Note:
- KSTAR plans to maintain plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees for 300 seconds by 2026.
- The temperature of the Sun’s core is 15 million degrees Celsius.
Click here to read from source
15) IAF Receives First Indigenous Crash Fire Tender (current affairs 6th April 2024)
On April 3, 2024, the Indian Air Force (IAF) received the first indigenously designed and developed Crash Fire Tender.
It was manufactured by an Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) firm based in Noida (Uttar Pradesh-UP) under a Rs 291 crore contract. The CFT was delivered within 14 months of the contract.
The IAF has been making steady progress toward self-reliance and Atmanirbharat, with the goal of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Indian Air Force is also working with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop the latest fifth-generation advanced medium combat aircraft, such as the light combat Tejas.
Note: On March 28, 2023, LA5033, the first aircraft in the Tejas Mk1A Aircraft series, took off from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) factory in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Click here to read from source
SPORTS
(current affairs 6th April 2024)
16) Mirabai Chanu Becomes the Only Indian Weightlifter to Qualify for Paris Olympics (current affairs 6th April 2024)
Mirabai Chanu booked her ticket to Paris! Competing at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand (March 31-April 11), she secured the only Indian weightlifting spot for the 2024 Olympics. Finishing third in Group B of the women’s 49kg category (12th overall), Chanu lifted a total of 184kg. This achievement met the qualification criteria – participation in two mandatory events (including the 2023 World Championships) and three other qualifiers. Currently ranked second in the Olympic Qualification Ranking, only the top ten lifters in each weight class will qualify for Paris, making Chanu well-positioned for her third Olympic appearance.
About Mirabai Chanu:
Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan.
She became the second Indian weightlifter, after Karnam Malleswari, to win an Olympic medal.
- In 2018, she received the Padma Sri award for sports.
- She received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2018.
Mirabai Chanu will compete in her third Olympics, following Rio 2016 (Brazil) and Tokyo 2020 (Japan).
Bindyarani Devi of India wins bronze medal at the 2024 IWF World Cup. Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam, an Indian weightlifter, won bronze in the non-Olympic women’s 55kg category at the 2024 IWF World Cup.
- Kang Hyon Gyong (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) won gold, while Mihaela Cambei (Romania) won silver.
- To finish third, she lifted 196kg (83kg snatch and 113kg clean and jerk).
Mirabai Chanu and Bindyarani Devi were the only two Indians competing at the IWF World Cup 2024.
Click here to read from source
IMPORTANT DAYS
(current affairs 6th April 2024)
17) 61st National Maritime Day – April 5 2024 (current affairs 6th April 2024)
National Maritime Day (NMD) is observed annually on April 5 in India to highlight the importance of the maritime sector in the development of the Indian economy, global trade, and cross-border economic exchange.
The day also commemorates the maiden voyage of India’s first Swadeshi ship, the SS Loyalty (owned by the Scindia Steam Navigation Company), from Mumbai (Maharashtra) to London (United Kingdom) on April 5, 1919.
The 61st National Maritime Day is observed on April 5, 2024.
Merchant Navy Week 2024 (National Maritime Week) takes place from March 30 to
April 5, 2024, coinciding with National Maritime Day 2024.
The theme for National Maritime Day/Merchant Navy Week 2024 is “Sustainable Shipping: Challenges and Opportunities.”.
Background:
- National Maritime Day was established by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India.
- The first National Maritime Day was observed on April 5, 1964.
Click here to read from source
18) International Day of Conscience 2024 – April 5 (current affairs 6th April 2024)
The United Nations (UN) International Day of Conscience (IDC) is observed annually on April 5 around the world to raise awareness about the importance of cultivating a culture of peace with love and conscience through local, national, and regional customs.
IDC aims to recognize the importance of human conscience and the desire for a better world.
The 5th International Day of Conscience is observed on April 5, 2024.
Background:
- On July 25, 2019, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/73/329 titled “Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience” and declared April 5th of each year as International Day of Conscience.
The resolution was initiated by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- The first-ever International Day of Conscience was observed on April 5, 2020.
Click here to read from source
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