National NEWS
Madhya Pradesh Leads Implementation of Centre’s Green Credit Programme:
- Madhya Pradesh (MP) is at the forefront in implementing the Green Credit Programme (GCP) initiated by the Centre.
- The GCP has sanctioned tree plantation across 500 land parcels, covering 4,980 hectares in 10 states over the past two months.
- MP leads in approved degraded forest land for plantation, followed by Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Assam.
- Other states involved in the programme include Bihar, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
- Over 10,000 hectares of land have been earmarked for the GCP across these states.
- Fourteen public sector undertakings and other entities are registered to carry out plantation activities on degraded forest lands and accrue green credits.
About Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- CM: Mohan Yadav
- Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Uttar Pradesh’s First Glass Skywalk Bridge Set to Open in Chitrakoot:
- The picturesque Tulsi (Shabari) waterfall in Chitrakoot is now adorned with Uttar Pradesh’s inaugural glass skywalk bridge, resembling Lord Rama’s bow and arrow.
- Constructed in the Kodand forest area at a cost of Rs 3.70 crore, the bridge adds an enchanting dimension to the scenic landscape.
- The Forest and Tourism Department, in collaboration with Pawan Sut Construction Company of Ghazipur, spearheaded the construction.
- Renamed Tulsi Water Falls by the state government last year, the site’s allure is amplified by its association with the birthplace of Goswami Tulsidas in Rajapur and the presence of Lord Shri Ram’s shrine, making it a favored destination for tourists.
Uttar Pradesh:
- Capital: Lucknow (Executive Branch)
- Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath
- Governor: Anandiben Patel
India’s Exports and Imports Show Contrasting Trends in March 2024:
- India’s total exports, including merchandise and services, expected to reach USD 70.21 billion in March 2024, marking a (-) 3.01 percent decline compared to the previous year.
- Total imports in March 2024 estimated at USD 73.12 billion, indicating a decrease of (-) 6.11 percent from March 2023.
- Negative growth in exports and declining demand for imports suggest potential challenges for the Indian economy despite substantial figures in both categories.
International NEWS
Nigeria Rolls Out First Vaccine for Meningitis Covering Five Strains:
- Nigeria becomes the first country to administer the Men5CV/MenFive conjugate vaccine, endorsed by WHO, protecting against five strains of meningococcal bacteria.
- The MenFive vaccine is designed to prevent meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis groups A, C, Y, W, and X in individuals aged 9 months to 85 years.
- PATH and the Serum Institute of India collaborated over 13 years, supported by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, to develop the vaccine, utilizing technology similar to MenAfriVac, which successfully eliminated meningococcal A epidemic in Nigeria.
Nigeria country:
- Capital: Abuja
- President: Bola Ahmed Tinubu
- Currency: Nigerian Naira
France Hosts International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan Crisis:
- France Hosts International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan Crisis France, Germany, and the European Union organize the conference in Paris to raise funds for Sudan and neighbouring countries affected by conflict.
- Held in response to the United Nations’ funding appeal on February 7, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces.
- Attended by ministers and representatives from over 58 states, including regional and neighbouring countries, as well as various international organizations such as the African Union, United Nations programs and agencies, World Bank, IMF, and Arab Development Bank.
- Approximately 50 international and Sudanese NGOs also participated in the conference, highlighting broad international support for addressing the humanitarian crisis.
France country:
- Capital: Paris
- President: Emmanuel Macron
- Prime minister: Gabriel Attal
Banking NEWS
SBI Report: Senior Citizen Deposits Surge, Interest Earned at Rs 2.7 Lakh Crore:
- According to the State Bank of India (SBI) Economic Research Department (ERD) report, deposits in senior citizen accounts surged by 143% to Rs 34.367 lakh crore by December 2023 from Rs 13.724 lakh crore in 2018.
- Senior citizens’ term deposit accounts increased by 81% to approximately 7.4 crore in December 2023 from 4.1 crore in 2018.
- Around 7.3 crore accounts have balances exceeding Rs 15 lakh, earning 7.5% interest, resulting in total interest earnings of approximately Rs 2.7 lakh crore in FY24, with Rs 2.57 lakh crore from bank deposits and Rs 13,000 crore from the Senior Citizen Saving Scheme (SCSS).
- Banks deposit insurance cover was increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh with effect from 4th February, 2020.
About State Bank of India (SBI):
- Chairman: Dinesh Kumar Khara
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Founded in: 1st July 1955
- Tagline – The Banker to Every Indian
Bank of India Partners with IMGC to Offer Mortgage Guarantee-backed Home Loans:
- Bank of India (BOI) collaborates with India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) to provide mortgage guarantee-backed home loan products in the affordable housing segment.
- The agreement extends to both salaried and self-employed home loan customers within the affordable housing sector.
- IMGC’s guarantee will mitigate the risk of defaults for BOI, enabling the bank to offer more favourable loan terms to borrowers, enhancing accessibility to home financing.
Bank of India:
- Founded: 7 September 1906, Mumbai
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Head: Rajneesh Karnatak
Appointment NEWS
Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Named Kuwait’s New Prime Minister:
- Emir of Kuwait appoints Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as the new Prime Minister, succeeding Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah.
- Sheikh Ahmad brings extensive experience in finance and government, holding positions at Kuwait’s Finance Center and the Central Bank of Kuwait, with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois.
Lawrence Wong Named Next Prime Minister of Singapore: Succession Announced
- Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to resign on 15 May 2024, succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
- Announcement made by Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office on 15 April 2024.
- Lawrence Wong set to become the fourth Prime Minister of Singapore, following Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong.
- Singapore’s government leaders are among the world’s highest-paid, with the Prime Minister earning 2.2 million Singapore dollars ($1.6m) annually, inclusive of bonuses.
- The capital of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore.
Sports NEWS
Mykolas Alekna Shatters Longest-Standing Athletics Record in Discus Throw:
- Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania breaks men’s discus throw world record, hurling the discus 74.35 meters at Oklahoma Throws Series meeting in Ramona, USA.
- The previous record of 74.08 meters, set by Jurgen Schult of East Germany in 1986, stood for 38 years.
- Jurgen Schult’s historic throw occurred in Neubrandenburg, Germany, on June 6, 1986, making it one of the longest-standing records in athletics.
Lithuania country:
- Capital: Vilnius
- President: Gitanas Nausėda
