Current Affairs Daily Digest – April 15 2019
1. Space scientist and Padma-Shri awardee Dr SK Shivakumar passes away
Renowned space scientist and former Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Center (ISAC) director Dr SK Shivakumar passed away after suffering from an illness for the past ten days.
Dr Shivakumar was part of the team that developed the telemetry system for Chandrayaan-I – India’s first lunar exploration mission. A native of Mysuru, he was responsible for designing deep space communications equipment. He was involved in the development of the 32-metre dish antenna that can communicate with satellites millions of miles away.
2. World’s largest plane makes first flight over California.
The world’s largest airplane — a Stratolaunch behemoth with two fuselages and six Boeing 747 engines — made its first test flight on Saturday in California. The mega jet carried out its maiden voyage over the Mojave desert.
It is designed to carry into space, and drop, a rocket that would in turn ignite to deploy satellites. It is supposed to provide a more flexible way to deploy satellites than vertical takeoff rockets because this way all you need is a long runway for takeoff. It was built by an engineering company called Scaled Composites.
The aircraft is so big its wing span is longer than a football field, or about 1.5 times that of an Airbus A380. Specifically, the wing span is 117 meters; that of an Airbus A380 is just under 80.
3. MP: Renowned Hindi poet Pradeep Choubey dies of cardiac arrest
Renowned Hindi poet Pradeep Choubey died of a cardiac arrest in his home here in the early hours of Friday. Choubey (70) was the younger brother of celebrated humorist, satirist and poet Shail Chaturvedi.
Choubey, known for his humorous poetry, is survived by his daughter and son, the latter living in Mumbai, said Pawan Karan, a friend and poet himself. He was in a distressed state since the last two months after his younger son died in Bhopal, Karan said.
Born on August 26, 1949 in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district, Choubey shifted to Gwalior.
4. First-of-its-kind ‘Voter Park’ inaugurated in Gurugram
India’s first-of-its-kind ‘Voter Park’ was inaugurated in Gurugram , aimed at increasing voter awareness and educating people about the electoral process. Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Rajeev Ranjan inaugurated the park in Vikas Sadan building complex.
Ranjan said the objective of establishing Voter Park was also to motivate eligible people to vote in the Lok Sabha election, so that they can contribute to the progress of the country. He said a ‘Selfie Point’ has also been set up in the park, where people can click selfies displaying the indelible ink mark on their finger after casting their vote.
5. Tiger Woods clinches his fifth Masters
Golfer Tiger Woods clinched his fifth Masters and a 15th major title, ending 11-year wait for a major title after overcoming career-threatening back problems. There were raucous celebrations around the 18th green as 43-year-old Woods finished with a two-under-par 70 to win on 13 under, one clear of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson,
Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka.
6. Badminton: Harsheel Dani clinches Dutch International title
India’s Harsheel Dani recovered from a game down to get the better of Denmark’s Mads Christophersen to clinch the Dutch International badminton title in Wateringen, The Netherlands.
Dani, a former junior national champion, clinched his maiden crown of the season with a 15-21, 21-12, 21-13 victory over world no 149 Mads in a 47-minute clash.
7. ‘Crying girl’ image near US-Mexico border wins World Press Photo award
A photograph of a toddler crying helplessly near the US-Mexico border has won the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year award.
Captured by Getty Images senior staff photographer John Moore, the image titled “Crying Girl on the Border” shows Honduran toddler Yanela Sanchez crying as she and her mother, Sandra Sanchez, are taken into custody by US border officials in McAllen, Texas, USA, on June 12, 2018.
8. UAE to host global ‘Ai Everything’ summit
The UAE is set to host the world’s foremost artificial intelligence summit to empower global dialogue on the future of government, business and society.
The inaugural ‘Ai Everything’ will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, DWTC, between 30th April and 1st May. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the two-day event will bring together world leaders to define the underlying pillars of governance, business and society – augmenting the world’s happiness.
It will be hosted by the UAE National Programme for Artificial Intelligence, with the support of International Telecommunication Union, ITU, and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, WIPO, and in strategic partnership with Smart Dubai.
9. CBDT sets June 30 deadline to dispose of demonetisation cases
Tax authorities have set a deadline of June 30 to clear up all demonetisation-related cases. In its interim action plan for the first quarter of 2019-20, the Central Board of Direct Tax (CBDT) has instructed its officials to “dispose of all cases related to demonetisation where assessment is required to be framed”.
The CBDT had earlier identified 87,000 cases where assesses had not filed their responses to income-tax notices issued post the note-ban. It had sent out notices and emails to about 3 lakh people who had made high-value cash deposits in the days following the demonetisation announcement of November 8, 2016, but had not filed their I-T returns.
The tax department has also set a deadline of June 30 for filing of references before the National Company Law Tribunal for firms that have been “struck off” under the Companies Act.
10. India successfully test fires sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully test fired 1,000 km strike range sub-sonic cruise missile named ‘Nirbhay’ from Odisha coas. India’s Aeronautical Development Establishment has said the cruise missile is India’s first indigenously designed and developed long-range missile.
The cruise missile was test fired early morning. The successful test of the 1,000 km long range missile will definitely provide a boost to India’s defence power.
