Today's Current Affairs 4th May 2023

INTERNATIONAL

The World’s top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes list 2023 by Forbes

International soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo with $136 million, Lionel Messi with $130 million and Kylian Mbappe with $120 million are the top three highest-paid athletes. Ronaldo tops the list with an estimated pay of $136 million, including $46 million from his playing salary and bonuses and $90 million from endorsements, appearances, licensing income and other business endeavors.

The world’s ten highest-paid athletes collectively made $1.11 billion before taxes and agents’ fees over the last 12 months, which is the highest total ever.

Forbes calculates on-field earnings based on prize money, salaries and bonuses, while off-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and memorabilia and licensing income. It also includes cash returns from businesses that are operated by the athlete.

NATIONAL

Karnataka ranked the most ‘innovative’ State by the National Manufacturing Innovation Survey

Recently, the National Manufacturing Innovation Survey 2021-22 was released by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The survey found that Karnataka, overall, is the most “innovative” State, followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu (DNH&DD), Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu had the highest share of innovative firms at 46.18% ,39.10% and 31.90%, respectively, with Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand reporting the lowest share of such firms at 12.78%, 13.47% and 13.71%, respectively.

The National Manufacturing Innovation Survey 2021-22 was conducted jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in India in order to evaluate the innovation performance of manufacturing firms.

World’s highest Chenab rail bridge is ready clearing all tests

Indian Railways has created history by building the world’s highest Chenab Railway Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir. This bridge has been built between Bakkal and Kauri in Jammu and Kashmir, some 42 km from Reasi district, and on the middle line of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Banihal. The bridge has passed all the mandatory tests.

This bridge is higher than the Eiffel Tower. The height of Eiffel Tower is 324 meters, however the height of this bridge is 359 meters. Its length is 1,315 meters. This bridge will be able to withstand wind with a speed of 260 kilometers per hour and is capable of withstanding an earthquake of magnitude 8 on the Richter scale. Presently single track has been laid on it.

The arch bridge between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu, is 1,178 feet above the riverbed, forming a crucial link from Katra to Banihal. It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), a dream project worth Rs 35000 crore.

Buland Bharat: Army's surveillance, firepower training conducted in Arunachal

An integrated surveillance and firepower training exercise 'Buland Bharat' was conducted in the recently operationalised longest high-altitude Artillery Ranges of the eastern theatre.

The exercise involved the synergised application of surveillance and firepower capabilities of the Artillery and the Infantry in close coordination with Special Forces, Aviation and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

The exercise validated plans for bringing down integrated firepower by orchestrating synchronised firing by artillery guns and fire support components of infantry, aimed toward the destruction of designated targets.

SPORTS

Fastest women's bowler Shabnim Ismail retires from international cricket

South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who is credited with sending down the quickest delivery in women's cricket, announced her retirement from the international cricket.

This is a significant blow to South Africa, who heavily relied on Ismail’s pace and skill in their recent Twenty20 World Cup campaign, where they finished as runners-up. Ismail, who is 34 years old, played in 241 international matches across all formats, including one-day Internationals, Twenty20s, and tests. Her last appearance was in the World Cup final loss to Australia in February at Newlands. During the tournament, Ismail set a new record for the fastest ball ever recorded in women’s cricket, with a speed of 128 kph (80 mph) in the semi-finals against England.

Shabnim Ismail has taken 317 wickets during her career. She is the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Ismail also holds the second-highest number of wickets in ODI cricket with a total of 191, behind only India’s Jhulan Goswami who has taken 255 wickets in 204 matches for India.

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Indian origin Ajay Banga set to be next President of World Bank

Indian origin Ajay Banga was confirmed as the next President of the World Bank. The World Bank’s 25-member executive board last night elected former Mastercard CEO to a five-year term as president.

The Indian-born finance and development expert was charged with revamping the lender to tackle climate change and other global crises.

Banga, 63, was nominated for the post by United States President Joe Biden in late February and was the sole contender to replace departing World Bank chief David Malpass, an economist and former US Treasury official who served in the Trump administration. He will start the new job on June 2.

Banga’s election came after World Bank board members interviewed him for four hours on Monday. The decision came in a vote by 24 of the board’s members, with Russia abstaining.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Coal Miners Day

Coal Miners Day is observed every year on May 4th to recognize and honour the tireless efforts and significant contribution of coal miners in extracting coal, which is one of the most important fossil fuels used for various purposes, including power generation and industrial production. Demand for coal is also increasing for its use in cement and steel manufacturing.

Coal mining is a hazardous and strenuous task that involves digging, tunnelling, and extracting it from deep within the earth’s crust, making it one of the most challenging occupations. On Coal Miners Day, all coal miners are acknowledged and celebrated for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance in extracting coal to fuel the nation’s progress.

International Firefighters Day

International Firefighters' Day is observed on May 4, It is a day to honour the courageous men and women who risk their lives daily to save others. This day is an opportunity to show appreciation to those who serve their communities with selflessness and bravery, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others. Firefighters exemplify bravery, resilience, and selflessness, rushing into burning buildings and battling wildfires. Every year on May 4, the day recognises their dedication, sacrifice, their tireless efforts in keeping us safe.

International Firefighters Day was established in 1999 to honour the sacrifices and bravery of firefighters worldwide. The tragic loss of five Australian firefighters in a wildfire served as the inspiration for this annual commemoration. Jason Thomas, Chris Evans, Gary Vredeveldt, Matthew Armstrong, and Stuart Davidson, all brave firefighters, lost their lives in the line of duty. Despite being sent for assistance, they perished while fighting the fire. As a result of this unfortunate incident, International Firefighter’s Day was created.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Two-day meeting of Foreign Ministers of SCO to begin in Goa

Goa is all set to welcome the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping for the upcoming Foreign Ministers’ meeting. The meeting will be held in Goa today 4th May and tomorrow.

Foreign Ministers of member countries including China and Pakistan are expected to be present at the meeting. External Affairs Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar has arrived in Goa to take part in the meeting. He will also hold bilateral talks with his Russian and Chinese counterparts.

The Foreign Ministers’ meeting will give India and other member countries a platform to discuss multilateral cooperation and dispute issues.

About SOC - The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an eight-member multilateral organization, established on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai. Member states of SCO are India, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.