Daily Current Affairs 16th April 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

International News

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Step Down, Hands Over Power to Deputy Lawrence Wong

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, after two decades in office, will step down on May 15, passing the baton to his deputy, Lawrence Wong. The transition marks a significant moment for Singapore as it prepares for new leadership amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

States News

Chitrakoot’s Stunning Glass Skywalk Bridge in Uttar Pradesh

In a remarkable feat of engineering and tourism development, the state of Uttar Pradesh has unveiled its first-ever glass skywalk bridge, located at the enchanting Tulsi (Shabari) Waterfall in Chitrakoot. This innovative and visually stunning structure, shaped like Lord Ram’s bow and arrow, is poised to become a premier eco-tourism destination for visitors to the region.

Longte Festival Celebrated by Arunachal Pradesh’s Nyishi Tribe

The Nyishi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh enthusiastically celebrates the Longte festival, one of their biggest cultural events. Unlike many other tribal festivals, Longte prohibits the sacrifice of animals, instead adorning altars with decorative white feathers and bamboo decorations.

Appointments News

Kristalina Georgieva Re-appointed as IMF Managing Director

Kristalina Georgieva has been re-appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new 5-year term starting on 1 October 2024. She was the sole candidate nominated for the position this year, and her appointment was made by the IMF executive board.

Books and Authors News

The Book Titled “The Law and Spirituality: Reconnecting the Bond” Released

In the ever-evolving landscape of legal discourse, the book “Law and Spirituality: Reconnecting the Bond,” edited by Professor Raman Mittal and Professor Seema Singh, stands as a remarkable exploration of the intricate relationship between two seemingly disparate realms – the domain of law and the realm of spirituality. This groundbreaking work delves deep into the complex interplay between these two fundamental pillars of human society, offering a refreshing and enlightening perspective.

Banking News

IMGC and Bank of India Partner to Offer Mortgage Guarantee-Backed Home Loans

India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) has entered into a strategic partnership with Bank of India (BOI) to introduce mortgage guarantee-backed home loan products. This collaboration targets salaried and self-employed individuals in the affordable housing sector, aiming to enhance accessibility to homeownership.

Economy News

India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Report: March 2024

March 2024 witnessed a positive inflation rate of 0.53% in India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) compared to March 2023. This inflation was primarily attributed to increased prices in food articles, electricity, crude petroleum & natural gas, machinery & equipment, and other manufacturing sectors.

India’s Trade Performance in March 2024: A Comprehensive Analysis

In March 2024, India’s goods exports surged to a 12-month high at $41.68 billion, marking a significant achievement despite a slight decrease of 0.67% compared to the previous year. Notably, the goods trade deficit narrowed to $15.6 billion, the lowest in 11 months. This boost was largely propelled by a substantial decline in gold imports by 53.6%, offset by a remarkable 1059% increase in silver imports.

Business News

India’s Trade Deficit Narrows to 11-Month Low

India’s merchandise trade deficit reached a low of $15.60 billion annually in March, marking a significant reduction in the yearly deficit to $240.2 billion in FY24. This decline comes as India strategically curtails its overseas purchases. Economists had initially estimated March’s deficit to be $18.55 billion, making this reduction even more noteworthy.

LIC Increases Equity Stake in Hindustan Unilever by Over 5%

In a recent move, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced that its stake in FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has surpassed 5%. The Corporation augmented its shareholding in HUL from 4.99% to 5.01% of the company’s paid-up capital by acquiring additional shares from the open market. This increase amounted to a purchase of 3,05,000 equity shares, bringing LIC’s total shares in HUL to 11,77,18,555.

Awards News

Kannada Poet Mamta G. Sagar Honored with Prestigious World Literary Prize

Mamta G. Sagar, a renowned Kannada poet, writer, academic, and activist based in Bengaluru, has added another feather to her cap by winning the prestigious World Literary Prize from the World Organization of Writers (WOW). This prestigious accolade recognizes Sagar’s exceptional contributions to the world of literature, solidifying her status as a trailblazing literary icon.

Sports News

Nepali Cricketer Dipendra Singh Airee Joins Elite Club with Six Sixes in an Over

Nepal’s 24-year-old all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee etched his name in the history books by smashing six sixes in a single over during the ACC Men’s T20I Premier Cup clash against Qatar in Al Amerat. Airee’s incredible display of power and precision joined the elite company of Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard, who had previously achieved the same feat in Men’s T20Is.

Lithuanian Discus Thrower Mykolas Alekna Shatters Longstanding Men’s World Record

Lithuania’s rising star in the discus throw, Mykolas Alekna, etched his name in the annals of athletics history. At the Oklahoma Throws Series meeting in Ramona, the 21-year-old Alekna shattered the longest-standing men’s world record in track and field, hurling the discus to an incredible distance of 74.35 meters*.

Stefanos Tsitsipas Triumphs at the Monte Carlo Masters for the Third Time in Four Years

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece swept aside his opponent, Casper Ruud of Norway, with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory to win the prestigious clay-court Monte Carlo Masters for the third time in four years. The emotional triumph was marked by Tsitsipas’ tears of joy as he sat in his chair, reflecting on his hard-fought journey to this momentous achievement.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Shatter IPL Record with Mammoth 287-Run Total Against RCB

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) took the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 by storm, crushing their opponents Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with a record-breaking total of 287 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets. Pat Cummins-led team had scored 277 for 3 in its second match of the ongoing edition against Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, breaking the then record of 263 for 5, set by RCB against the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in 2013 in Bengaluru.

Rohit Sharma Achieves Historic Milestone, Becomes First Indian to Hit 500 T20 Sixes

In a remarkable display of power-hitting, India and Mumbai Indians star batter Rohit Sharma has become the first Indian cricketer to smash 500 sixes in the T20 format. This historic achievement was reached during Rohit’s stellar performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium.

Obituaries News

Legendary English Cricketer Derek Underwood Passes Away at 78

The cricket world is in mourning as it bids farewell to one of its most revered figures, Derek Underwood, who has passed away at the age of 78. Underwood, a legendary spinner who represented England for over 15 years, was a true icon of the game, leaving an indelible mark on the sport with his exceptional skill and unwavering dedication.

Miscellaneous News

Comet Pons-Brooks: The Celestial Phenomenon of April 2024

Comet Pons-Brooks, currently orbiting near Jupiter, is captivating astronomers and stargazers alike as it approaches its closest point to the Sun on April 21, 2024. Its increasing brightness and elongating tail make it a spectacle in the night sky, visible even to the naked eye.

16th April CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR