IMPORTANT DAYS

International Dance Day 2024 celebrated on 29 April

• On the 29th of April each year, people around the globe come together to celebrate International Dance Day, a vibrant occasion dedicated to the art of dance in all its diversity.

• This day serves as both a commemoration and an educational opportunity, shining a spotlight on the rich tapestry of dance forms that grace cultures worldwide.

• It is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, the creator of modern ballet.

• Jean-Georges Noverre was a French dancer. He is recognized as the father of contemporary ballet.

• International Theatre Institute:

• It is the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO.

• It was founded in 1948. It is headquartered in Paris, France.

INTERNATIONAL LAW

Iraq’s parliament passed a law criminalizing same-sex relationships.

• Iraq’s parliament recently approved a law that criminalizes same-sex relationships, introducing harsh penalties for individuals involved.

• The amended law allows courts to sentence those engaged in same-sex relations to imprisonment for 10 to 15 years.

• Individuals promoting homosexuality or prostitution face a minimum of seven years in prison under the new legislation.

•Penalties ranging from one to three years await individuals who undergo gender transition or present themselves in an effeminate manner.

•The law also targets organizations deemed to "promote" homosexuality, imposing prison sentences of 10 to 15 years.

• The primary objective of the law is framed around upholding religious values and safeguarding Iraqi society from perceived moral decline.

•The law garners support primarily from conservative Shi’ite Muslim parties, the largest coalition in Iraq’s parliament.

•Past criticisms from Iraqi parties against LGBT rights underscore the broader political landscape's stance on this issue.

• Globally, while same-sex sexual acts are legal in over 130 countries, more than 60 nations have criminalized gay sex, highlighting ongoing challenges in LGBTQ+ rights advocacy..

First Ever Hindi Radio Broadcast Starts In Kuwait

• Kuwait's Ministry of Information has initiated the first-ever Hindi radio broadcast, facilitated by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.

• The Indian Embassy commended Kuwait for launching a Hindi program on Kuwait Radio, airing on FM 93.3 and AM 96.3 every Sunday.

• This significant development is expected to fortify the longstanding bonds between India and Kuwait.

• The historical ties between India and Kuwait extend back to a period when the Indian rupee was the official currency in Kuwait until 1961, underlining a deep-rooted history of trade and commerce.

• Celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021-22, both nations highlight their enduring partnership characterized by mutual respect and collaboration across diverse sectors.

India will sign a trade deal with Oman to strengthen its ties with West Asia.

• India is poised to strengthen its ties with West Asia through a forthcoming trade agreement with Oman.

• The trade deal, expected to be finalized in the coming months, aims to bolster economic relations between India and countries in the West Asian region.

• Despite an existing annual trade volume of less than $13 billion between India and Oman, this agreement holds the potential for substantial growth and collaboration.

• Oman's strategic location as the gateway to the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for global oil shipments between Oman and Iran, adds significant geopolitical significance to this trade partnership.

India's proactive approach includes seeking bilateral agreements with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member nations such as Oman and the United Arab Emirates to further enhance economic cooperation.

• As part of the agreement, Oman has committed to removing duties on a range of Indian export products, spanning agricultural goods, gems and jewellery, leather, automobiles, and more.

• In return, India has agreed to reduce duties on select petrochemical imports, including aluminium and copper sourced from Oman.

• The trade pact with Oman is poised to provide India with a competitive advantage, particularly as GCC nations engage in negotiations for trade agreements with other regional players like Pakistan and China.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

India’s Ecommerce Market will be World’s Third Largest by 2030

• Invest India has forecasted a bright future for India's e-commerce industry, predicting a massive surge to $325 billion by 2030.

• This growth coincides with a digital economy expected to reach a staggering $800 billion in the same timeframe.

• According to Invest India, India has the world's second-largest internet user base, with a whopping 881 million users. India is in a good position to become the third-largest online retail market by 2030.

• The report suggests that this will happen due to the growth of the internet user base and the flourishing digital economy.

• According to the report, India is expected to have around 500 million online shoppers by 2030.

SPORTS

V Senthilkumar wins Batch Open Squash Title

• Velavan Senthilkumar, the reigning national men’s Squash champion, clinched victory in the Batch Open Challenger Squash tournament by defeating MelvilScianimanico of France.

• This triumph marks Senthilkumar's eighth Professional Squash Association (PSA) title, showcasing his prowess on the international stage.

• The Batch Open was hosted at Jeu de Paume, Paris, France, from 24th to 28th April 2024, organized by the Professional Squash Association in collaboration with the French Squash Federation.

• Senthilkumar's success underscores his remarkable performance and dedication to the sport, further solidifying his position as a formidable competitor in the global squash arena.

• Squash is a court game that is not very popular in India.

• The game of Squash is also not an Olympic sport. However, the International Olympic Committee has decided to introduce Squash in the Los Angeles Summer Olympics 2028 for the first time.

India won the gold medal in the Archery World Cup in the men’s recurve event.

• The Indian men’s recurve team won a historic gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage-1 by defeating the world-champion South Korean team for the first time ever.

• DhirajBommadevara, Tarundeep Rai and Pravin Jadhavdefeated Korea’s World and Asian Games champion team of Lee Wooseok, Kim Je Deok and Kim Woojin.

• Deepika Kumari bagged silver in the women’s individual recurve event.

• India also clinched the bronze medal in the mixed-team event.

• The achievement has increased confidence ahead of the last Olympic qualifier in Antalya in June.

• India total won eight medals: five gold, two silvers and one bronze.

• It is India’s first World Cup men’s team gold in the last 14 years.