Daily Current Affairs : 29 April 2023 | Daily GK & Current Affairs Tests - Bank Exams PDF Download

Emirates Unveils World’s First Robotic Check-In Assistant

Dubai-based airline Emirates has introduced a groundbreaking innovation in the aviation industry. It has unveiled Sara, the world's first robotic check-in assistant. Sara is part of a new City Check-in and Travel Store located in Dubai's financial district. This state-of-the-art system utilizes facial recognition technology to match customers' faces with their scanned passports, complete the check-in process, and guide them to the luggage drop area.The facility, which opened on April 27, allows passengers to drop off their luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before their flight, providing them with the convenience to arrive at the airport at their leisure. Passengers have multiple options for checking in, including self-check-in kiosks, dedicated desks with Emirates agents, or with the assistance of Sara. The portable robot is equipped with advanced features such as printing boarding passes, enhancing the efficiency of the check-in process. Additionally, Sara can move around to offer assistance to individuals who require help.

World Bank Approves Financing of USD 1.25 Billion for Three New Projects in Bangladesh

The World Bank (WB) has granted financing worth USD 1.25 billion for three new projects in Bangladesh, aiming to support the country in achieving greener and more resilient development, as well as promoting greater inclusion. This financing was approved during a meeting held to discuss a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Bangladesh spanning from 2023 to 2027.
Out of the three projects, the USD 500 million Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience (PARTNER) project aims to foster diversification, enhance food safety, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen climate resilience in the agri-food systems. The USD 500 million First Green and Climate Resilient Development Credit will facilitate Bangladesh's transition towards green and climate-resilient development. Furthermore, the USD 250 million Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project will contribute to transforming the micro-enterprise sector into a dynamic, less-polluting, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient growth sector.
The Country Partnership Framework (CPF) will play a vital role in helping Bangladesh achieve its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2031. The CPF focuses on addressing key barriers to higher and sustainable growth by fostering the development of a diversified and competitive private sector, creating more and better job opportunities, promoting socio-economic inclusion, and addressing climate and environmental vulnerabilities.

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 91 New 100W FM Transmitters of AIR

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has inaugurated Low Power FM Transmitters with a capacity of 100 Watts at 91 locations across India. These transmitters have been installed in 84 districts of 20 states, expanding the network of transmitters operated by All India Radio (AIR) from 524 to 615. This expansion will significantly enhance the coverage of AIR, reaching 73.5% of the country's population.
The availability of FM receiver-equipped mobile phones and the provision of clear sound quality have increased the demand for FM radio services in India. To meet this demand and further strengthen the capabilities of the organization, the government has approved the installation of 63 additional FM transmitters in the country. The Prime Minister expressed his congratulations to All India Radio on this significant achievement. He emphasized that the addition of 91 FM transmitters marks a significant step towards expanding FM services nationwide, benefiting 85 districts and approximately 2 crore people.

ITC Becomes India's 6th Valuable Company, Overtakes Infosys

FMCG giant ITC has surpassed Infosys in market capitalization to become the sixth most valuable company listed on the stock exchanges in India. As of April 24, 2023, ITC's market cap stands at Rs. 5.111 Lakh crore, while Infosys, now in the 7th position, has a market cap of Rs. 5.08 Lakh crore. To reach the fifth position, ITC will need to outperform rival FMCG firm Hindustan Unilever (HUL), which currently holds an m-cap of Rs. 5.88 lakh crore.
In just three sessions, ITC's ranking in terms of market capitalization has improved by two spots. The company's share price reached a high of Rs. 413.45 on Monday before closing the session at Rs. 411.35. At the end of Monday's trade, ITC's market cap stood at Rs. 5.11 lakh crore, while Infosys' valuation stood at Rs. 5.08 lakh crore.

Siddhartha Mohanty Appointed as LIC Chairman

Siddhartha Mohanty has been appointed as the Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) until June 2024. From June 2024 to June 2025, he will serve as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the insurance behemoth. Siddhartha Mohanty had been serving as the interim chairman of the corporation since March 14, 2023.
His appointment was recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) for the post of chairman, and the decision was made by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Siddhartha Mohanty holds a postgraduate degree in political science and law, as well as a postgraduate degree in business management. He is also a licentiate from the Insurance Institute of India. With over three decades of experience in various areas of the corporation, including Marketing, HR, Investments, and Legal, Siddhartha Mohanty has made significant contributions to LIC.

Jet Airways CEO-Designate Sanjiv Kapoor Resigns

Sanjiv Kapoor, the CEO-designate of Jet Airways, has resigned from the company after serving for only one year. He joined Jet Airways in April of the previous year. The consortium working towards reviving the grounded airline announced that it will oversee the CEO-designate responsibilities until a suitable replacement is found.
In January, the Jet Airways management committee requested Mr. Kapoor not to use the CEO title until the airline's ownership was fully transferred to a consortium of lenders. Despite this, he continued as the CEO-designate until his departure. His last working day with the company will be Monday, according to Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC).

World Veterinary Day

World Veterinary Day is observed annually on the last Saturday in April. It aims to raise awareness about the indispensable role veterinarians play in ensuring animal health, welfare, and public health. This event serves as a tribute to veterinary professionals worldwide for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the health and safety of animals and society as a whole. It also brings the global veterinary community together, providing them with the necessary support and resources.
World Veterinary Day was established on April 29, 2000, by the World Veterinary Association (WVA), and each year, a different theme is selected to highlight a specific aspect of veterinary medicine. The theme for World Veterinary Day 2023 is 'Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession.' By promoting and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion, the well-being of all veterinarians is enhanced.

Indian-American Neeli Bendapudi Receives 2023 Immigrant Achievement Award

Neeli Bendapudi, an Indian-American and the President of Penn State University, has been honored with the American Immigration Council's 2023 Immigrant Achievement Award. This award recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to the heritage of the United States as a nation of immigrants and advocate for fair and humane immigration policies.
Neeli Bendapudi, who was raised in India, pursued her doctoral studies at the University of Kansas in the United States. She started her career in academics as an educator and went on to become the President of the University of Louisville from 2018 to 2021. In 2022, she was appointed as the 19th President of Penn State University.

PM Modi Reveals the Book 'Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamprashastih'

During the closing ceremony of the 'Saurashtra Tamil Sangam,' Prime Minister Modi unveiled the book titled 'Saurashtra Tamil Sangam Prashasti.' This book, written by Somnath Sanskrit University, was unveiled by the Prime Minister through a video conference. These programs play a vital role in unearthing ancient connections between people from different regions of the country.
Prime Minister Modi's vision is to foster the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat among people through such initiatives. The establishment of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam allows the people of Saurashtra in Tamil Nadu to reconnect with their ancient culture. Centuries ago, many individuals migrated from the Saurashtra region of Gujarat to Tamil Nadu. This confluence between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu offers an opportunity for these people to strengthen their ties and preserve their cultural heritage.

Razorpay Joins ONDC to Offer Payment Reconciliation Service

Fintech unicorn Razorpay has announced its participation in the Open Network for Digital Commerce ecosystem (ONDC). As part of this collaboration, the Bengaluru-based company will introduce a payment reconciliation service for network participants (NPs), including buyers, sellers, and logistic partners.
This service aims to streamline payment processes on ONDC by providing an integrated single view of all transactions, facilitating ease of transacting, and ensuring timely routing of settlement information. Razorpay's solution will assist Network Participants (NPs) in settling funds and validating transactions, maintaining comprehensive audit trails, and supporting documentation to address any disputes or discrepancies that may arise.
With the open network approach of ONDC, where buyers and sellers can engage in business transactions without being limited to the same platform, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will gain access to a broader buyer universe.