Current affairs 04 July 2024

Air India to set up South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation.

• Tata Group's Air India is setting up South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Amravati’s Belora airport, licensed by DGCA, operational by Q1 FY26.
• The FTO will house 31 single-engine & 3 twin-engine aircraft, targeting to graduate 180 commercial pilots annually.
• It will be set up in collaboration with Maharashtra Airport Development Company.
• Air India CEO: Campbell Wilson.

41000-Year-Old Ostrich Nest Found in Andhra Pradesh.

• The 41,000-year-old ostrich nest found in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, confirms the presence of ostriches in southern India, offering crucial evidence of their existence.
• This discovery adds to research on megafauna extinction in India, supporting the theory that human arrival around 30,000 years ago contributed to their decline.

Cate Blanchett to Receive TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award.

• Cate Blanchett, Australian actor and producer, will be honored with the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival.
• The two-time Oscar winner, known for her roles in Tar, The Aviator, Blue Jasmine, Thor: Ragnarok, and the Elizabeth franchise, will receive the award on September 8 in Toronto, Canada.

Space Machines Signs with NewSpace India for 2026 Satellite Launch.

• Space Machines partners with NewSpace India to launch its second Optimus spacecraft via a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle in 2026, aiming to offer in-orbit satellite repositioning services and reduce space debris.
• The $8.5 million MAITRI mission will see collaboration between several Australian and Indian entities, leveraging both nations' space capabilities.

Kerala Creates First "Inclusive Sports Manual" for Differently-Abled.

• The Kerala Education Department has designed a unique inclusive sports manual to promote the sports talents of the differently-abled.
• State General Education Minister - V Sivankutty
• Another program, titled Healthy Kids, envisaged to ensure the physical and mental health of children by initiating them to sports and games, would be implemented for primary students of the state-run schools.