Today's Current Affairs 29th April 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Shehbaz Sharif appoints Ishaq Dar as Deputy PM of Pakistan

• Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strategically appointed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country with immediate effect, as reported by Samaa TV. 

NATIONAL

Government awards IREDA Navratna status

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), a public sector entity, has been awarded the prestigious 'Navratna' status by the government, as per a recent filing with stock exchanges. This elevates the total count of Navratna PSEs (Public Sector Enterprises) in India to 17.

SPORTS

Indian athletes excel at 21st U-20 Asian Athletics Championship 2024

• India's athletes maintained their remarkable medal streak at the 21st U-20 Asian Athletics Championship 2024 as Harshit Kumar secured a gold medal in the fiercely contested Hammer throw event. His exceptional throw of 66.7 meters earned India another prestigious gold at the championship. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Sunil Kumar Yadav (IRS) is the new Director at the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

• The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has added Sunil Kumar Yadav, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, to its leadership team as the new Director.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

29 April - International Dance Day

• April 29, observed annually as World Dance Day, serves as a reminder to governments, politicians, and institutions to recognize the significance of dance. 

    AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Gina Justus from Sharjah wins Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award regionally

• Gina Justus, an English High School teacher at the Sharjah Girls Branch in the UAE, has won the regional title for the MENA region at the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. This accolade recognizes her exceptional mentorship and commitment to charity work.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

"The Winner’s Mindset" by Shane Watson

In "The Winner’s Mindset," Watson offers insights and strategies that helped him overcome fears and achieve success in cricket. Although not a conventional autobiography, the book serves as a compelling self-help guide, providing a peek into the mindset essential for reaching new heights.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Sensex and Nifty trade strong; bank stocks gain over 1%

• The Sensex and Nifty, India's benchmark indices, are showing strong trading trends. The Sensex has risen by 585.13 points to reach 74,315.29, while the Nifty has gained 120 points, reaching 22,539.95. Analysts expect a short-term alignment with global markets and stress the importance of ongoing results on individual stocks. Arvinder Singh Nanda from Master Capital Services Ltd highlights that the market's future depends on critical domestic and global economic data, such as India's fiscal deficit, Q4FY24 results, and indicators like China's PMI and Euro Zone's CPI.