Current affairs 26 April 2024

Indian passport "2nd cheapest" in the world, next only to UAE.

• A recent study has revealed that the Indian passport ranks as the second cheapest passport to obtain worldwide.
• It holds the distinction of being the most cost-effective in terms of cost per year of validity.
• An Indian passport holder can travel to 62 nations visa-free.
• The passport of the UAE is the cheapest one to obtain.
• The Australian firm Compare the Market AU conducted this survey.

India's services exports grew 11.4% in 2023: UNCTAD report.

• India's services exports grew 11.4% to $345 billion in 2023, outpacing China's, which fell 10.1% to $381 billion.
• Growth drivers: travel, transport, medical, and hospitality sectors leading India's services export surge.
• Global services exports rose 8.9% to over $7.9 trillion in 2023, per UNCTAD's quarterly bulletin.

Randeep Hooda honoured with Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award.

• Actor Randeep Hooda was honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award during a ceremony at Dinanath Mangeshkar Natyagrih in Mumbai.
• The award is given every year to only one individual who has made path-breaking and exemplary contributions to the nation, its people, and the society.
• The Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Charitable Trust organises this award event.

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Around 282 million people faced acute hunger in 2023: UN report.

• 2023 was the 5th consecutive year of rises in the number of people suffering acute food insecurity.
• Food insecurity worsened around the world in 2023, with some 282 million people suffering from acute hunger due to conflicts, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, UN agencies and development groups said.
• Some 700,000 people, including 600,000 in Gaza, were on the brink of starvation last year.

India is the 4th largest military spender in 2023: SIPRI report.

• The latest data showed that the United States, China, and Russia remained the top three military spenders globally followed by India and Saudi Arabia.
• With military expenditures worth $83.6 billion in 2023, India was the fourth largest spender globally in 2023.
• This latest report has been published by the Swedish thinktank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).