Today's Current Affairs 21st April 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Discover Milky Way’s Second-largest Known Black Hole  

• Recently, European astronomers achieved a significant breakthrough by discovering the largest known stellar black hole within our Milky Way galaxy. Dubbed as ‘BH-3’, this astronomical giant possesses a mass 33 times greater than that of our Sun and is situated at a relatively close distance of just 2,000 light-years from Earth.
• The revelation of ‘BH-3’ came about through observations made by the Gaia Space Observatory, an advanced mission operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). Launched back in 2013, the Gaia telescope has been specifically engineered to meticulously map the positions, movements, and attributes of countless celestial objects with unparalleled precision.

IMF team to visit Pak next month to negotiate new bailout package

• Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan's Finance Minister, has announced that an upcoming IMF team will visit Islamabad next month to discuss a new long-term bailout package. This negotiation aims to secure a staff-level agreement for the financially challenged country by mid-July. After his week-long trip to Washington, the minister shared that the details of the new International Monetary Fund program will be defined later. Dawn News quoted Aurangzeb saying, “We will begin delving into the specifics of the program by mid-May.”

NATIONAL

In electronics exports, Tamil Nadu jumps to top on Apple’s India push

• Driven by the aggressive India push from global major Apple, the southern state of Tamil Nadu has become the top state in terms of electronic goods exports in the financial year 2023-24, surpassing Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
• The state posted a 78 per cent increase in exports from $5.37 billion in 2022-23 to $9.56 billion in 2023-24.

SPORTS

India got 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in the 13th EGMO 2024

• The 13th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) was held in Tskaltubo, Georgia. The Indian team has performed quite commendably in this competition.
• The 4-member Indian team has won a total of four medals including 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in the 13th EGMO 2024.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Celebration of the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav

• On the auspicious occasion of Mahaveer Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will tomorrow inaugurate the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav at 10 AM at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• Prime Minister Modi will release a commemorative stamp and coin and also address the gathering on the occasion.
• Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar, illuminated the path of peaceful co-existence and universal brotherhood through Jain principles like Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Satya (Truthfulness), Asteya (Non-Stealing), Brahmacharya (Chastity) and Aparigraha (Non-attachment).

APPOINTMENTS

Subhash Chopra appointed as chairman of Delhi election management committee

• The Congress on Sunday appointed Subhash Chopra as the chairman of the 18-member election management and coordination committee for the Lok Sabha election in Delhi. Deepak Babaria, the Delhi in-charge at the All India Congress Committee, said that the appointment had the backing of the party’s top leadership.

RBI approves Ajith Kumar’s appointment as Dhanlaxmi Bank Chief

• The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Ajith Kumar K.K as the Managing Director & CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank for three years.
• Presently, Kumar is the Chief Human Resources Officer in Federal Bank in the cadre of President.
• Kumar has over 36 years of experience with the Federal Bank in various facets of banking including Credit, Human Resources, Business, Branch Banking etc.

About Dhanlaxmi bank:

Founded: 14 November 1927

Headquarters: Thrissur

Capital ratio: 12.32%

CEO & MD: J. K. Shivan

BANKING AND ECONOMY

India’s outward FDI declined 39% to $28.64 billion in FY24

In the fiscal year ending March 2024, India's overseas direct investment (FDI) saw a significant decline of 39% to $28.64 billion, as per RBI data. This decline is notable compared to the $46.96 billion FDI recorded in the previous fiscal year. Out of the total FDI, $9.62 billion was invested through the equity route, constituting about 34% of the total financial commitment in FY2024. Additionally, loan commitments decreased from $7.73 billion to $5.24 billion in the same period. 

Indian companies also issued overseas guarantees amounting to $14 billion in FY2024, lower than the $20.09 billion issued in FY2023. It's noteworthy that the highest outward FDI in FY2024 was observed in March.

About RBI:

Established: 1 April 1935

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Governor: Shaktikanta Das