STATE
ANDHRA PRADESH
Four Kingfisher species sighted in Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary
- The species have been identified as White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), Black-capped kingfisher (Halcyon pileate) and the Common kingfisher.
Megalithic burial site in a state of neglect
- Venkatapuram village tucked between Chengareddypalle and Karakambadi, it is a megalithic burial site believed to date back to 500-300 B.C. The region is full of history and is an indicator to the likely presence of prehistoric human civilisation.The burial of corpses by megalithic people bears a distinct signature. one of the six finds in Karakambadi region already lost to a mobile tower.
Transgenders get first pension
- East Godavari Collector Karthikeya Mishra distributed Rs.1,500 pension per head to 23 transgenders
To note: odisha has become the first state in the country to provide food grains, pension, health, education and housing benefits to the transgender community, thus including them in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.Kerala and Andhra became second and third.
WEST BENGAL
Proto-historic settlement of artisans unearthed
- Minute bone and crystal drills of less than 2 cm size used for making beads, different varieties of beads of semi-precious stone, bone points as well as a large number of microlithic tools have been unearthed by archaeologists of the University of Calcutta during a recent excavation at Asuralay village in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.
- The initial estimate tells that the settlement could date to the second millennium BC (about 3500 years from the present times).Evidence of raw materials in the form of bones and stones, finished materials like minute stone tools and beads, tools like stone and bone drills used for making these products and several hearths or fire places at the excavation site used for making the tools,are found.
GOA
- The Goa government has decided to launch its own app-based taxi service to some key tourist destinations in the coastal state. The state-run Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) invited the taxi operators to register with the new mobile application-based transport service.
NATIONAL
Prime Minister to inaugurate 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial
- Marking the growing prominence of India in the global energy map, the 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial (IEF16) is being hosted by India IEF16 is the largest gathering of Energy Ministers from across the globe, industry leaders and heads of key international organizations who will debate the future of global energy.
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WORLD
CPEC being extended to Afghanistan
- The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being extended to Afghanistan according to the Asian Competitiveness Annual Report . The project has not only improved local infrastructure but also is extending toward Afghanistan, bringing better prospects for local people’s lives.
Armenia becomes parliamentary republic
- Armenia’s new President Armen Sarkisian was sworn in as president but power is expected to remain with his predecessor, who will likely become premier as the ex-Soviet republic shifts to a parliamentary form of government.
Sikh group in US ties 9,000 turbans to set Guinness World Record
- A Sikh organisation created a world record by tying thousands of turbans within a few hours as members of the community commemorated the annual Turban Day at the iconic Times Square,spreading awareness about the faith amid incidents of hate crimes against the community.The Sikhs of New York organised the Turban Day as part of the annual mid-April celebration of Vaisakhi, which is commemorated by millions of Sikhs annually.
World’s first microfactory to help tackle e-waste hazard
- An Indian-origin scientist in Australia has launched the world’s first microfactory that can transform the components from electronic waste items such as smartphones and laptops into valuable materials for re-use. It can turn glass, plastic and timber into commercial materials and other products.
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SCIENCE
Fossil finger points of early humans provide some clues
- An ancient human finger bone found in Saudi Arabia provides a new clue about when and how our species migrated out of Africa.It shows hunter-gatherers had reached that area by 85,000 years ago. Previously discovered human fossils show an earlier human presence in Israel and possibly China. Scientists believe early people left Africa more than once after evolving there at least 300,000 years ago. The bone, from an adult and most likely a middle finger, was found in 2016 about 340 miles southeast of the Sinai Peninsula.
ECONOMY
Cyprus not a tax haven: diplomat
- Cyprus gives tax incentives and Cyprus has a corporate tax rate of 12.5% and there is a provision for 100% repatriation of profit. Dividends, profits from permanent establishments and profits from sale of securities are exempt from taxes. There is no withholding tax on Dividends, Interest and royalties paid from Cyprus. Start ups are eligible for IT relief up to 50 % of taxable income.
SPORTS
Commonwealth Games 2018:Weightlifter Pardeep Singh wins silver
- India finished its weightlifting campaign with a lone silver, through Pardeep Singh in the men’s 105kg category. India topped the weightlifting medals ladder but only with three gold, five silver and six bronze medals. India was represented in the current event by 16 lifters, eight men and eight women.
Commonwealth Games 2018:Jitu Rai wins gold, Om Mitharval bags bronze in shooting
- Indian shooting ace Jitu Rai claimed the gold medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event by creating a new games record while compatriot Om Prakash Mitharval bagged a bronze.
Commonwealth Games 2018: Mehuli wins silver in 10m air rifle,chandela bags bronze
- Mehuli Ghosh won the silver medal after forcing a shoot-off in the women’s 10m air rifle event with a perfect final shot of 10.9 while Apurvi Chandela secured bronze in the Commonwealth Games.
Commonwealth Games 2018:India claims maiden badminton mixed team gold
- The Indian shuttlers came up with superb display, giving the country its first ever gold medal in the mixed team event with a brilliant 3-1 win over defending champion Malaysia.
Commonwealth Games 2018: Table tennis men’s team won gold
- Indian Table Tennis men’s team won gold in the final match against Nigeria