200 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals for Indian Railways

• The Indian Railways on April 29, 2024 intended to establish 200 more Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) in order to increase freight revenue, relieve congestion on rail networks, and facilitate speedier passenger train movement.
• This expansion comes after the first 100 GCTs, which were announced in the Union Budget 2022–23 and successfully implemented.
• Corporate employ GCTs, or multimodal terminals, to manage bulk cargo that is shipped by rail.
• They were founded in accordance with a regulation that permits public-private partnerships (PPPs) to be used to monetize empty railroad land.
• In 2022–23, the first 100 GCTs were to be established during a 5-year period. As soon as the first 100 GCTs are finished, railways will put out another 200 tenders.
•  It is expected that ₹12000–14000 crore in private investments will be needed for the additional terminals.

Critical Minerals Summit Held

• The Ministry of Mines hosted a summit in New Delhi on April 29, 2024, with the goal of promoting cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovation in the field of key mineral processing and beneficiation.
•  The secretary of the Ministry of Mines, VL Kantha Rao, noted that India's quick economic development and desire for clean energy are urgently needed.
•  He underlined how crucial it is to explore the nation for vital resources.
• Additionally, VL Kantha Rao stated that in November 2023, the government started the auction process for 20 blocks of strategic and important minerals.
• A second tranche of 18 blocks was then held in February 2024. He went on to say that more auctions of this kind are anticipated.
• The Ministry of Mines and Shakti Sustainable signed an MoU with Shakti Sustainable energy foundation along with Council of Energy, Environment and Water, and Indian Institute of Sustainable Development.

World’s Largest Airport Terminal in Dubai

• Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai unveiled its intentions to build the biggest airport terminal in the world on April 29, 2024.
• When it's finished, Al Maktoum International Airport will be able to handle an incredible 260 million people a year, which will dwarf all other airports worldwide.
• This enormous terminal will be five times larger than the existing Dubai International Airport, indicating a major advancement in both operational and infrastructural capacity.
•  In the upcoming years, Al Maktoum International Airport will progressively take over all operations at Dubai International Airport, consolidating Dubai's air traffic and optimizing passenger services.
• With 400 aircraft gates and five parallel runways, the new terminal, which is expected to cost $35 billion, will raise the bar for efficiency and size in the avian sector.

Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005)

• The World Health Organization (WHO) on April 29, 2024, stated that member nations were almost at a consensus on a set of changes to the International Health Regulations (2005) that would enhance global readiness for public health emergencies in the future.
•  A legally binding agreement between 196 nations, including every WHO member state, the International Health Regulations (IHR) mandates cooperative efforts to prevent and address threats to world health.
• Among the revisions under consideration are the following: Improving methods for early warning and detection of possible health risks.
• It will bolster the ability of human resources to handle emergencies. Boost financial readiness in case of epidemics. Boost international cooperation and information exchange.
•  Making the IHR more "fit for purpose" in a globalized society with complicated health risk.

Corporate Governance Charter for Startups

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) unveiled a new corporate governance charter for startups on April 29, 2024.
•  It offers best practices for governance that are customized to meet the particular requirements of businesses at various phases of development.
• As a voluntary, self-governing guideline, the Charter assists startups in developing into conscientious corporate citizens and proving sound governance to stakeholders.
•  It is intended for organizations that were incorporated under the 2013 Companies Act.
•  The following are the main goals:

1. Encourage early adoption of excellent governance practices in the lifetime of a startup.
2. Give companies the opportunity to profit from things like value creation, trust, financing availability, and efficient frameworks.
3. Boost the prospects of long-term survival for startups.

6th Ammunition cum Torpedo cum Missile Barge LSAM 20 (Yard 130) Launched (Defence)

• "Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 20 (Yard 130)" was the 6th barge of the 11 x ACTCM Barge Project, constructed by MSME Shipyard Thane for the Indian Navy, and it took place on April 29, 2024.
• The GM of NAD (Karanja), Shri Madhusudan Bhui, INAS, oversaw the launching ceremony.
• The Ministry of Defense and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane inked the agreement for the construction of 11 ACTCM Barges on March 5, 2021.
•  The availability of these barges would support IN's operational commitments by making it easier to transport, embark, and disembark ammunition and items to IN ships at outer harbors and alongside jetties.
• These barges are constructed in accordance with the Indian Register of Shipping regulations and are the product of indigenous design.

Velavan Senthil Kumar

• India's Velavan Senthil kumar won the PSA Challenger event Batch Open at the Societe Sportive du Jeu de Paume in Paris on April 29, 2024.
•  He earned his eighth Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour championship.
•  The top seed, Senthilkumar, ranked 58 in the world, defeated Melvil Scianimanico, a Frenchman, to win the championship.

7 shuttlers to Represent India in Paris Olympics 2024

• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) announced on April 29, 2024, that 7 shuttlers will compete for India in 4 different Olympic divisions in Paris in 2024.
• PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympian, will once again spearhead India's challenge in the women's division, in which she is the lone competitor from India.
•  In the men's doubles division, the top duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be strong favorites having also qualified for the summer games.
•  Men's singles competitors Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy will take the court, while women's doubles competitors Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa will participate.

Ishaq Dar

• Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's foreign minister was named Deputy Prime Minister by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on April 29, 2024, effective immediately.
• Additionally, he is a member of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
• Following Imran Khan's overthrow in 2022, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) formed a government, and Ishaq Dar Dar was appointed Finance Minister.

The Winner’s Mindset

• Shane Watson published a book titled "The Winner's Mindset" on April 29, 2024.
• Shane Watson describes in his book, "The Winner's Mindset," the realizations and tactics that helped him overcome his concerns and soar to new heights in his cricket career.
•  Although the book is not an autobiography in the conventional sense, it is nevertheless a potent self-help manual that gives readers insight into the kind of thinking that leads people to achieve success.
• This book looks to be a great addition to the self-help genre, enabling readers to cultivate the attitude required for success in their various efforts with its inspirational story and useful advice.

Chithirai Festival of Madurai

• At Madurai, the Chithirai festival is a month-long celebration held in April, which is also known as the Tamil month of Thai.
•  The celebration represents the harmony between Saivism and Vaishnavism. The important aspect of the Chithirai Festival represented through various art forms is the amazing tale behind its celebration.
• The entire sequence of events, beginning with Meenakshi's birth and ending with Lord Vishnu (also known as Kallazhagar) returning to his throne after bestowing gifts upon the couple, is commemorated throughout the Tamil month of Chithirai, which falls between April and May.
• Every year, the city is converted into a joyous occasion, with around a million people attending.