1. ARABIAN TRAVEL MART 2024
The Arabian Travel Market 2024, takes place in Dubai from May 6th to 9th, 2024, serves as a significant platform for the Ministry of Tourism under the Government of India to strengthen India’s presence in the Middle East Tourism market. The inauguration of the Incredible India pavilion by Counsel General of India to Dubai, Shri Satish Kumar Sivan, marks a momentous occasion. As part of their efforts, India has launched the “Cool Summers of India” campaign, promoting the country as a holistic destination throughout the year.
This edition of the ATM, the 31st in its history, emphasizes environmental responsibility in the travel and tourism industry, aligning with RX’s sustainability pledge. With over 2,300 exhibitors and representatives from more than 165 countries.
The event aims to empower innovation and transform travel through entrepreneurship, expecting a remarkable attendance of 41,000 individuals.
2. The inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League for the 2024-25 season
On May 8, 2024, the Asian Football Confederation officially announced that India will be participating in the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League 2024-25. Representing India at this prestigious event will be Odisha FC, the winners of the 2023-24 Indian Women’s League.
The tournament will witness the participation of 20 nations, all vying against each other for the coveted title.
In March, Odisha FC emerged as the champions of the 2023-24 Indian Women’s League. Earlier this year, Odisha FC secured the Indian Women’s League title with an impressive 6-0 victory over Kickstart FC in March.
3. The FWD-200B is India’s inaugural Bomber UAV aircraft
India’s first domestically produced bomber Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the FWD-200B, was recently revealed in Bengaluru by Flying Wedge Defence. This UAV, designed for medium-altitude operations and long-endurance flights, has the impressive capability to carry a payload of up to 100 kg. It combines advanced surveillance technology with precision strike capabilities, making it a formidable asset. The FWD-200B not only aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign imports but also positions the country as a leader in cost-effective drone technology.
The FWD-200B was meticulously manufactured at Flying Wedge Defence’s cutting-edge facility, spanning over 12,000 sq.ft on 1.5 acres of land in Electronic City.
Equipped with optical surveillance payloads and integrated with missile-like weapons, the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) of the FWD-200B enables precise air strikes.
With a maximum speed of 200 kts/370 kmph and an impressive endurance capacity of 12-20 hours, the FWD-200B is a highly capable UAV.
4. BSNL is set to introduce 4G services nationwide in India
BSNL is making preparations to launch nationwide 4G services starting in August 2024, aligning with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ policy by utilizing indigenous technology. The successful pilot tests conducted in Punjab demonstrated impressive speeds of 40-45 Mbps, thanks to the implementation of technology from TCS and C-DoT. To support the 4G network and future 5G services, BSNL is deploying over 112,000 towers.
During the pilot phase, BSNL officials achieved peak speeds of 40-45 megabits per second on the 4G network, utilizing the premium spectrum bands of 700 megahertz (MHz) and 2,100 MHz.
To facilitate the deployment of the 4G network, BSNL has awarded contracts worth approximately Rs 19,000 crore to TCS, Tejas Networks, and the government-owned ITI. These contracts will also allow for future upgrades to 5G technology.
It is worth noting that BSNL has been offering 4G-capable SIMs for the past 4-5 years, showcasing its commitment to providing advanced services to its customers.
5. Review On Global Electricity 2024
India has overtaken Japan to claim the position of the third largest solar power producer in 2023, as revealed in the recently published Global Electricity Review 2024 by the Global Energy think tank. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the progress in electricity transition. It highlights that solar energy accounted for 5.5% of the global electricity supply in 2023.
As per the report, solar power emerged as the primary source of electricity growth, contributing more than double the amount of new electricity generation compared to coal in 2023.
The anticipated expansion of clean electricity instills confidence in the prospect of a new era marked by a reduction in power emissions, with a projected 2% decline in global fossil fuel generation in 2024.
China is expected to play a significant role in the advancement of clean energy in 2023, responsible for 51% of the additional global solar generation and 60% of the new global wind generation.
6. The PoSH policy has been approved by AIFF
The Anti Sexual Harassment Policy, also known as the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) policy, has recently been approved by the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). This policy, which is based on the PoSH Act 2013, aims to create a safe and inclusive environment within the Football fraternity.
It is important to note that this policy has been carefully crafted and reviewed by the AIFF legal team.
The decision to implement this policy comes in the wake of allegations of physical abuse against Sharma, a member of the executive committee and the owner of the Himachal Pradesh-based football club Khad FC.
Two women footballers accused him of physically assaulting them on the night of March 28 while he was in a drunken state.
7. Shinkun LA tunnel construction is currently underway
The Border Road Organisation (BRO), responsible for road construction, is set to begin work on the Shinkun LA tunnel connecting Lahaul Valley and Zanskar Valley. This tunnel, situated at an elevation of 16,580 ft, will become the world’s longest high-altitude highway tunnel upon completion. Established on May 7, 1960, the BRO’s primary objectives are to safeguard India’s borders and enhance infrastructure in remote regions.
The construction of the Shinkun LA tunnel will offer year-round road access to Ladakh, serving as the most direct route to the border regions.
Moreover, it is anticipated to optimize the transportation of heavy equipment to key locations like Kargil, Siachen, and the Line of Control (LOC), effectively reducing travel distances by around 100 km.
Additionally, the tunnel’s traffic flow will not be susceptible to long-range artillery or missile attacks from either China or Pakistan.
8. The Global Biofuel Alliance has established a work plan consisting of three prongs
The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) was established by India during its G20 chairmanship to bring together governments, industries, and organizations in order to advance biofuels on a global scale. The main objectives of the alliance include setting international standards, sharing knowledge, and promoting the integration of biofuels into the global energy landscape. With the participation of 24 countries and 12 international organizations.
The GBA aims to drive economic development, create employment opportunities, and facilitate the transition to sustainable energy sources.
These objectives were agreed upon during a recent meeting of the alliance held on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil.
India has proposed three specific areas of focus to support biofuel trade, raise awareness about biofuels, and establish mechanisms to encourage greater adoption of biofuels.
9. Japan’s Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) initiative
The Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) project, a collaborative effort between the US and Japan, aims to construct a missile defence system to counter the threat of hypersonic missiles. These missiles pose a challenge in terms of tracking due to their high speed and maneuverability during flight. To address this, GPI will employ ship-launched missiles to intercept and destroy hypersonic missiles before they reach their intended targets.
The completion of this crucial project is projected to take place by the year 2032.In order to jointly develop a new type of missile capable of intercepting hypersonic weapons, the US and Japan will allocate more than $3 billion.
The GPI project is expected to be finalized during the 2030s, with Japan committing $1 billion towards its implementation.
The program was agreed upon by US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in August 2023.
10. The occurrence of Dengue Outbreak is associated with the temperature of the Indian Ocean
Recent research has revealed a possible connection between Indian Ocean temperatures and dengue outbreaks. Warmer Indian Ocean temperatures are associated with higher dengue cases, while cooler temperatures are linked to fewer cases. The Indian Ocean basin-wide index has shown correlations with outbreaks in both hemispheres, suggesting its potential as an early warning system for predicting dengue outbreaks and preparing public health responses.
The IOBW index has been identified as a key factor in predicting the magnitude and timing of dengue outbreaks in each hemisphere in the three months leading up to an outbreak.
The predictive ability of the IOBW index in forecasting dengue outbreaks is likely due to its impact on regional temperatures.
These findings suggest that the IOBW index could improve the lead time for dengue forecasts, resulting in better-prepared and more effective responses to outbreaks.
11. Neeraj Chopra secures the runner-up position at the Doha Diamond League
Despite achieving a season-best throw at the Doha Diamond League, Neeraj Chopra expressed his dissatisfaction with his performance due to feeling unwell during the event. It is worth noting that Jakub Vadlejch narrowly edged out Chopra, highlighting the intense competition in javelin throwing. Both athletes are currently preparing for the Paris Olympics.
Interestingly, Vadlejch had previously defeated Chopra to win the Doha Diamond League last year. Anderson Peters, a former world champion, secured the third position with an 86.62m attempt.
On the other hand, India’s Kishore Jena, who had claimed the silver medal at the Asian Games last year with a personal best of 87.54m, had a disappointing Diamond League debut, finishing ninth with a best throw of 76.31m.
12. Deeksha sets a new national record in the 1500m event during the Sound Running Track Festival
During the Sound Running Track Festival in Los Angeles, Indian athlete K.M. Deeksha made history by breaking the national women’s record in the 1500m event. With an impressive time of 4:04.78, she surpassed Harmilan Bains’ record of 4:05.39 set in the 2021 National Open Athletics Championships in Warangal.
This remarkable achievement not only showcases Deeksha’s exceptional talent but also signifies a significant milestone in Indian athletics on the global stage.
It is worth noting that Deeksha had previously outperformed Bains to secure the gold medal in the final of the 2023 National Inter-State Athletics Championships at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, where she had recorded a personal best time of 4:06.07.
13. Carbon Capture Plant of Mammoth Proportions
Mammoth, an immense carbon dioxide capture and storage facility, has commenced operations on a dormant volcano in Iceland. This facility, the largest of its kind, contributes a substantial amount of capacity to Climework’s initial project, Orca, which effectively removes the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change from the atmosphere.
Located just 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from an active volcano, the selection of this seemingly precarious site was based on its close proximity to the Hellisheidi geothermal energy plant.
This plant is essential for supplying power to the facility’s fans and heating the chemical filters required to extract CO2 using water vapor.
14. Google Chrome has been impacted by a Zero-day vulnerability
Google has recently released an update for its Chrome Browser following the discovery of another Zero-day Vulnerability. This term is used to describe a system or software vulnerability that is unknown to the vendor and has no available mitigation measures at the time of discovery. Cybercriminals take advantage of these vulnerabilities for cyberattacks. Once a Zero-day Vulnerability is made public, it is referred to as an n-day or one-day Vulnerability.
Several vulnerabilities have been identified in Google Chrome that could be exploited by a remote attacker to compromise a targeted system, as highlighted in the security bulletin from CERT-In.
The update for Chrome has already been released, and it is crucial for millions of devices to be updated to the latest version of the web browser. India’s cyber security unit, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), has also issued a warning regarding the vulnerability in Google Chrome for desktop.
15. Manika Batra has achieved her highest career ranking at 24
Manika Batra, a 28-year-old Indian paddler, achieved a career-high World ranking of 24, making her the first Indian Woman Paddler to enter the Top 25 in world rankings.
She clinched the Gold Medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and is also a recipient of the Khel Ratna Award.
Additionally, it marked the first instance of an Indian female player progressing so far in the tournament, with Manika earning 350 points through her journey in the draw.
In 2022, she ascended to world No. 4 in the women’s doubles ranking alongside Archana Kamath, setting a new record for any Indian table tennis player across all categories.
