Former Maryland Governor and Democratic Party Martin O’ Malley threw his hat for the 2016 race to the Oval Office, emerging at this point as the strongest intra-party challenger to Hillary Clinton.
Although Ms. Clinton is considered to be the Party’s frontrunner, Mr. O’ Malley is a nationally recognised figure and has built a reputation for strong state and local-level governance as the two-term Governor of Maryland, between 2007 and 2015, and also as the Mayor of Baltimore between 1999 and 2007.
A study by British scientists shows that the global climate is on the verge of broad-scale change that could last for a number of decades.
The change is linked to cooling of the Atlantic, and is likely to bring drier summers in Britain and Ireland.
The study is based on observational evidence of the link between ocean circulation and the decadal variability of sea surface temperatures called the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO).
Sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic vary between warm and cold over time-scales of many decades.
These variations have been shown to influence temperature, rainfall, drought and even the frequency of hurricanes in many regions of the world.
Industrial group Larsen & Toubro reported a 27 percent drop in net profit in the three months through March, reflecting a fall in oil prices and a weak investment climate.
The company, whose performance is seen as a gauge of the health of the Indian economy, has been cautious in recent quarters on the outlook for domestic demand for its engineering, construction and manufacturing goods.
As per the company the subdued investment climate in the past year had limited opportunities for the capital goods and infrastructure sector, but now there are seen signs of a pickup in India.
Coastal Shipping Pact with Bangladesh
The Union Cabinet approved the agreement on coastal shipping between India and Bangladesh for faster and economic movement of goods between the two countries.
As per reports, Exim trade between India and Bangladesh would be benefited by way of reduction in freight charges. It will also improve the utilisation of port capacities of Indian ports and open up new opportunity for Indian coastal vessels. It will also help in decongestion of roads especially at the land custom stations/integrated check posts at the Indo-Bangladesh border.
India`s trade with Bangladesh has grown rapidly during the past few years. Bangladesh is now India`s largest trade partner in south Asia.
The Narendra Modi government named power secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha as the new cabinet secretary. He will be officer on special duty in the cabinet secretariat until incumbent Ajit Seth's tenure ends on June 13.
Sinha one of the senior-most bureaucrats in the country, will have a two-year tenure until June 12, 2017.
Pinaka Mark-II Missile Successfully Test-fired
The trials of Pinaka mark-II missile-cum-multi barrel rocket launcher system were successfully conducted at Pokhran field firing ranges. The missile hit the target which was situated 53 kilometres from the firing point.
Six rounds of the mark-II version of the Pinaka missile were successfully tested. The weapon has been developed by the DRDO for destroying/neutralising enemy troop concentration areas, communication centres, air terminal complexes, gun/rocket locations and for laying mines. High operational mobility, flexibility and accuracy are the major characteristics which give the weapon an edge in the modern artillery warfare for the Indian armed forces.
The Pinaka can fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds from the launcher." Pinaka was also put to field testing for assessing its capability during the Kargil conflict.