” Notes:april 18 marks ‘world heritage day,’ honoring cultural sites globally. it’s also ‘international day for monuments and sites,’ stressing heritage preservation. recognized by unesco, it celebrates significant cultural and natural sites. in 2024, the theme is “discover and experience diversity,” urging reflection on our global treasures. it emphasizes understanding diverse cultures, traditions, and ecosystems, fostering appreciation for our shared heritage.”

Leaf litter frogs emit ultrasonic sounds as a defense against predators they are found in brazilian atlantic rainforest and are found in leaf litter and low vegetation females are the largest at 64mm despite their unique adaptation they are categorized as least concern by the iucn

” Notes:in kerala, the naval physical & oceanographic laboratory of drdo unveiled the submersible platform for acoustic characterisation and evaluation (space). it’s a testing hub for sonar systems on indian navy ships, subs, and helicopters. space has two parts: a floating platform and a submersible one reaching 100m depth. it facilitates quick deployment and recovery of scientific gear, aiding survey, sampling, and data collection for anti-submarine warfare research.”

Notes:
Tiranga Barfi of Varanasi linked with India’s independence, attained Geographical Indication (GI) status. Dhalua Murti Metal Casting Craft from Varanasi also received GI recognition. The GI Registry Office in Chennai listed 75 new products from Uttar Pradesh, including these. Varanasi now boasts 34 GI products, contributing to Uttar Pradesh’s total of 75. Other items like Bareilly Zardozi and Tharu Embroidery also gained GI registration, bringing the state’s total to 75, a record.

” Notes:scientists recently found 160 marine species in the salas y gomez ridge, an oceanic ridge in the southeastern pacific. this region, isolated by the atacama trench and the humboldt current system, boasts high marine endemism. most waters are beyond national jurisdiction, leaving 73% of the area unprotected. the discovery, including at least 50 new species, was made during an expedition to rapa nui (easter island), fueling consideration for high seas marine protection.”

” State bank of india life insurance company limited (sbilife), one of the leading private life insurance companies in india has launched its 1st edition of ideationx, a groundbreaking initiative that aims to transform the future of the insurance industry.• in alignment with the insurance regulatory and development authority of india’s (irdai) vision of ‘insurance for all by 2047’, sbi life’s ideationx is an innovative platform that aims to encourage and engage the young aspiring minds from the b-schools across the country to come up with new ideas.”

” World art day (wad) 2024 observed across the globe on 15th april 2024 to raise awareness of the variety of artistic expressions, acknowledge the role of artists in sustainable development, and strengthen the bond between artistic creations and society.i. the celebration of wad focuses on the promotion, development, diffusion, and enjoyment of art. click here to read more.”

” As per the State Bank of India (SBI) Economic Research Department (ERD) report, the total amount of deposits in senior citizen accounts increased by 143% to Rs 34.367 lakh crore at the end of December 2023 from Rs 13.724 lakh crore in 2018.i. The report revealed that senior citizens term deposit accounts increased by about 81% to around 7.4 crore in December 2023 from 4.1 crore in 2018.ii. The report estimated that at least 7.3 crore of these accounts have a balance of over Rs 15 lakh and fetch interest of 7.5% on these deposits.”

The researchers discovered a new species of the impatiens family of balsaminaceae impatiens neo-uncinata during a floristic survey in the agasthyamala biosphere reserve in thiruvananthapuram district kerala im

” Sany heavy industry india private limited(sany india), a construction and mining equipment manufacturer, launched the skt105e, india’s first locally manufactured fully electric opencast mining truck.• the truck has a unique electric propulsion system that ensures zero emissions and optimal performance while lowering the carbon footprint.• the cost-effective and energy-efficient truck has a payload capacity of ~70 tons.”

” The airports council international (aci) world released its report on the ‘top 10 busiest airports worldwide for 2023’ with delhi airport (indira gandhi international airport – igia) securing the 10th spot in 2023.• handling over 7.22 crore passengers in 2023, igia experienced a slight drop from its 9th position in 2022, with chicago o’hare airport surpassing it.• it was ranked 9th in 2022, 13th in 2021, and as the 17th busiest airport in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemici. hartsfield-jackson atlanta international airport (atl), united states (us) regains title as world’s busiest with 104.65 million passengers in 2023, yet remains 5% below 2019 levels due to pandemic recovery. click here to read more”

” Gopi thotakura, an entrepreneur and seasoned pilot from andhra pradesh has been selected among 6 crew members for blue origin’s new shepard-25 (ns-25) space tourism mission.• this mission will be the 7th human flight for the new shepard program and the 25th in its history.• the ns-25 mission will lift off from blue origin’s west texas site, united states of america (usa).• he is now the 1st indian space tourist and 2nd indian to travel into space, following wing commander rakesh sharma of the indian army in 1984.• other 5 crew members include: mason angel (usa); sylvain chiron (france); kenneth l. hess (usa); carol schaller (usa); and former us air force captain ed dwight.”

The products include savings and retirement solutions

” On april 16, 2024, jio financial services (jfs), the financial services arm of reliance industries ltd (ril), and blackrock, inc. and blackrock advisors singapore pte (blackrock) signed an agreement to form 50:50 joint venture (jv) to set up a wealth management and broking business in india.• this involves incorporating a wealth management firm and a brokerage company, each requiring separate licences from the securities and exchange board of india (sebi).• india is now a leading global investment destination, with the number of demat accounts reaching 15.1 crore by march 2024, including a surge of 31 lakh new accounts in the same month(march).”

Kuwait’s emir his highness sheikh meshal al-ahmad al-jaber al-sabah has issued an emiri decree appointing kuwaiti economist sheikh ahmad abdullah al-ahmad al-sabah as prime minister pm