Panwar finished third in the men’s single sculls event at the Asian and Oceaninan Rowing Qualification Regatta to make the cut.

Balraj Panwar secured India’s first Paris 2024 quota in rowing after winning the bronze medal in the men’s single sculls (M1x) event at the Asian and Oceaninan Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta, in Chungju, the Republic of Korea.

The 25-year-old Panwar, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, clocked 7:17.87 in the heats and 7:16.29 in the semi-finals to make the finals in Chunju.

Mohammed Salem won the prestigious 2024 World Press Photo of the Year award on Thursday for his image of a Palestinian woman cradling the body of her five-year-old niece in the Gaza Strip.

• The picture was taken on October 17, 2023, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where families were searching for relatives killed during the Israeli bombing of the Palestinian enclave. 
• Salem's winning image portrays Inas Abu Maamar, 36, sobbing while holding Saly's sheet-clad body in the hospital morgue.
• Announcing its annual awards, the Amsterdam-based World Press Photo Foundation said it was important to recognise the dangers facing journalists covering conflicts.

India ranked as the world's fourth-largest military spender, allocating US$ 83.6 billion towards modernizing various weaponry and combat systems, as per a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report.

• The top three spenders were the United States (US), China, and Russia, respectively.
• India's military expenditure witnessed a 4.2% increase compared to 2022, reflecting its strategic focus on enhancing defence capabilities, particularly along the China border after the Ladakh standoff commenced in May 2020.
• Investments encompass fighter jets, helicopters, warships, tanks, artillery guns, rockets, missiles, unmanned capabilities, and other combat systems.
• India maintained its fourth position in 2022, with military spending amounting to US$ 81.4 billion, representing a 6% surge from 2021 and a substantial 47% rise since 2013. 

In a significant development, Papua New Guinea has appointed Col Edison Napyo as the first Defence Advisor to India. He succeeded the Acting Chief of the Defence Force Commodore Philip Polewara.

• According to the statement issued by the office of the Chief of the Defence Force, Papua New Guinea, Napyo will serve as a link between the PNG Government and the Military in the country.
• This comes at a time when the India-Philippines Brahmos deal has been finalised and China is attempting to increase its presence in the Pacific. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the PNG last year.
• At his farewell, Commodore Polewara presented Col Napyo with a PNG flag and urged him to represent the country well. 

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the lightest bulletproof jacket for protection against the highest threat level, threat level 6, according to an official statement. 

Kanpur-based Defence Materials and Store Research and Development (DMSRDE) developed the lightest bulletproof jacket for protection against 7.62 x 54 R API (Level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition. 

Key Features

1.  It is made of monolithic ceramic plate and polymer backing which enhances the wearability and comfort during an operation. 

2. The front Hard Armour Panel (HAP) of this jacket can withstand multiple hits or up to six shots of 7.62 x 54 R API (Sniper rounds) in both ICW (In-conjuction with) as well as the standalone design. 

3. The areal density of ICW hard armour panel (HAP) and standalone HAP is less than 40 kg/m2 and 43 kg/m2 respectively.

For the first time in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) of Great Nicobar Islands exercised their voting rights for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the union territory, an official said.

• Not only Shompen tribe members exercised their voting rights at polling station 411 named as 'Shompen Hut'. 
• They posed for selfies at a designated cut-out made by the Election Commission of India, which reads - "I vote for sure".
• The Shompen tribes were assisted in their language by an interpreter known as 'Mathiyas' (a Nicobari tribal youth).

The 5th Deaf Indian Premier League (DIPL), organized by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), concluded with a grand closing ceremony held at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu.

• Bengaluru Badshahs have been crowned champions of the fifth Deaf Indian Premier League, clinching the coveted trophy.
• Sachin Kumar graced the occasion as the chief guest, adding to the prestige of the event.
• Sudershan of the Deaf Hyderabad Eagles was hailed as the player of the final match for his outstanding contributions to his team’s victory.
• Bengaluru Badshahs and Hyderabad Eagles each received a cash prize of Rs 300000 (Three lakh).