The US and German defense chiefs sat down together in Berlin, at a time when pressure is mounting on multiple fronts. Russian troops appear to be massing along Ukraine's border. Israel is suspected of sabotaging an Iranian uranium enrichment facility. An Afghanistan withdrawal deadline looms.
Easy solutions to these and other global security problems are in short supply, and the alliance remains divided over several of them. Yet both sides say they are committed to working together.
"We will deploy 500 additional troops to Germany," Austin announced at a press conference with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer following their meeting.
This constitutes a marked turn-around from ex-US President Donald Trump's decision to move troops out of Germany to Poland.
Austria's Health Minister Resigns
Austria's Health Minister announced his resignation, saying that he could not continue in the grueling job of helping lead the country's coronavirus response because of persistent personal health problems caused by overwork.
Rudolf Anschober had been Health Minister since January 2020, when his Green party became the junior partner in a governing coalition under conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
Iran to Enrich Uranium to Highest Level Ever
As per an Iranian nuclear negotiator, Iran will begin enriching uranium to 60 per cent purity, higher than the programme ever has before, after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility.
Abbas Araghchi's comment came after Iran's foreign minister warned that the weekend assault could hurt ongoing negotiations over its tattered atomic deal with world powers.
Iran had been enriching up to 20 per cent. That is a short technical step to weapons-grade levels.
Pine Labs Enters Consumer Payments with Acquisition of Fave
Merchant commerce platform Pine Labs acquired Southeast Asian fintech platform Fave in a transaction valued at $45 million. "The acquisition will help both companies accelerate their growth in the Asia region and unlock massive consumer opportunities across retail, F&B, fashion, and FMCG markets. Joining forces with Pine Labs will reinforce Fave's market position in Southeast Asia.
Fave's founders will have their roles expanded to lead the overall consumer platform for the group across Asia. Fave will also be hiring over 100 new employees in Southeast Asia (SEA) and India to accelerate cashless payments and smart savings across the region. The firm claims to have enabled 6 million consumers in SEA to save over $400 million across 40,000 retailers since 2016.
According to Pine Labs, the introduction of the Fave app in the country comes at a time when UPI has grown to 2.7 billion transactions. Pine Pabs claims to have recorded a growth of 171% in UPI transactions over the last two quarters.
Punjab National Bank Launches Digital Initiative PNB@Ease
State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched a digitial initiative PNB@Ease under which every transaction undertaken by a bank branch will be initiated and authorised by customers themselves. The service can range from savings accounts opening to availing various loans and more, without visiting a branch or help from the bank employees.
CCI Approves APSEZ Acquisition in Gangavaram Port
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved acquisition of 89.6 per cent of equity shareholding in Gangavaram Port Ltd (GPL) by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones Ltd (APSEZ) under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act 2002.
APSEZ is an integrated port infrastructure services provider currently present across 11 domestic ports in six maritime states of Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
GPL is engaged to own, develop and operate the deep-water port at Gangavaram in Andhra Pradesh pursuant to a concession agreement on Build-Own-Operate-Transfer basis with the government of Andhra Pradesh for a concession period of 30 years from the date of commercial operations and entitled for a further period of 20 years (two periods of 10 years each).
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that e-Santa, an e-marketplace to connect aqua farmers and the buyers, will enable farmers to get a better price and the exporters to directly purchase quality products from them.
Launching e-Santa or Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers' Trade in Aquaculture, the minister said that the platform will change the traditional way of carrying out business on word-of-mouth basis and will make the system more formal and legally binding.
National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) is an extension arm of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), under the department of commerce.
The farmers can sell their produce with a click of a button on e-Santa. It will provide more freedom, options and opportunities to the farmers. It will ensure fair prices for farmers & traceability.
Scientists Discover a New Gamma-ray Emitting Galaxy
The scientists from Aryabhatta Research Institute have discovered a new galaxy that emits gamma rays. The galaxy has been categorised as Narrow Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1). However, it is unique and different from the other NLS1s discovered so far.
It is 31 billion light years away from the earth. The galaxy is located at a high redshift.
The galaxy was discovered when scientists tried to trace red shifted galaxies. The redshifted galaxies are those galaxies that emit longer wavelength. As the wavelength of light gets longer the light turns redder. This is termed as "redshifted" in astronomy.
The NLS1s discovered so far that emitted gamma rays were at lower redshifts. This is the first gamma emitting NLS1 discovered to be at higher redshift.
The newly discovered gamma ray emitting NLS1 is 13.8 billion years old. It was formed when the universe was 4.7 billion years old.
In April 2021, Bhuvneshwar Kumar won the ICC Player of the Month award for March for his superlative show in the limited-overs series against England in March.
He took six wickets at an economy rate of 4.65 in the three ODIs, while capturing four wickets at a fantastic economy rate of 6.38 in the five T20Is to emerge as the standout bowler on either side in the white ball series.
Bhuvneshwar became the third successive Indian recipient of the award since its inception early this year.
In January dashing wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant won the award for his exploits in Australia, while veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin won it for the month of February following a stupendous all-round show in the home Test series against England.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai announced his party's formal withdrawal from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), blaming the state government for following "anti-Goan" policies that have wreaked havoc on the state's unique way of life, heritage, environment and livelihood.
Sardesai, who earlier served as a minister in former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's cabinet, announced the party's decision after its executive committee passed a resolution on Tuesday. The announcement also comes at a time when the GFP and the Congress have joined hands to contest Margao Municipal Council polls, ahead of the municipal council polls in five municipalities in the state.
Arindam Bhattacharya Joins BJP ahead of Fifth Phase of WB Polls
Bengali footballer Arindam Bhattacharya on Tuesday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the fifth phase of the ongoing assembly West Bengal elections in the state.
The four phases of the eight-phased elections in West Bengal have been marred with violence, the recent example of which is the death of four people when security personnel opened fire in the Cooch Behar district.
Pradyot Kishore to Take Oath as Autonomous Council Chief
After a thumping victory in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) polls, all the 18 winning candidates of the regional political party, Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA), led by royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma will take oath of office on April 20, ending the Communist Party of India's (Marxist) (CPM) three-term rule of the council.
Pradyot Kishore is expected to take oath as the chief executive member of the 30-member council. With this poll, his party has emerged as the second biggest political force in the state, barely two years before the state goes to assembly polls. Pradyot resigned from the Congress in 2019 and floated TIPRA Motha this year with the chief promise of forming a Greater Tipraland by including indigenous population living outside the TTAADC region in Tripura and other Indian states like, Assam, Mizoram and some parts of neighbouring country Bangladesh.
Defsys Solutions Deliveres Counter Drone Systems to Indian Forces
Defsys Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is fast emerging as an integrated provider of a variety of counter drone (CuAS) solutions, providing a variety of soft kill and hard kill solutions for customers in India.
Defsys Solutions has recently delivered Smartshooter Counter drone Fire Control Systems to a customer in India, enabling First Shot - First Kill capability to the frontline in engaging with this emerging threat.
Col. S. Gupta, Defsys Solutions spokes person said that the recent use of Chinese and Pakistani drones to target Indian security forces is rapidly increasing and causing a serious threat to the nation. The Chinese and Pakistani drones equipped to drop grenades, drugs etc. are being used more frequently now than before as a new weapon and means to distribute illegal items into India. In Dec 2020 a Pakistani drone carrying 11 hand grenades was neutralised in Punjab from a field near the International Border in Gurdaspur. Prior to that in Aug 2019 another drone carrying weapons was neutralized by the forces. Incidents are increasing and the needs to effectively neutralize the drones are a priority.
IAF Inducts Specialist Vehicles for Airbase Security
In a bid to strengthen its capability to tackle terrorists trying to launch attacks inside its air bases like the Pathankot Airbase, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has inducted specialist vehicles that can withstand bullet and grenade attacks.
The Light Bullet Proof Vehicles (LBPVs) have been inducted into the service and would be deployed at the airbases to be used during any terrorist attack to suppress them.
The vehicle has been provided protection by equipping with 6 mm thick armoured protection and a 40 mm windshield, which can withstand AK-47 and sniper rifle bullets.
K. Madhavan Named President, Walt Disney Co India, Star India
K. Madhavan was appointed as the president, The Walt Disney Company India and Star India, with immediate effect. This announcement was made by Rebecca Campbell, Chairman, International Operations and Direct-to-Consumer, The Walt Disney Company.
Madhavan will now be driving the strategy and growth of the company in India, with responsibility for the Disney, Star and Hotstar businesses and operations spanning across entertainment, sports and regional channels, and direct-to-consumer.
Since 2019, Madhavan was serving as country manager of Star & Disney India, overseeing the company's television and studios business in India.
World Chagas Disease Day is celebrated on April 14 to raise awareness around chagas disease. It was first celebrated on April 14, 2020 and was named after Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, the Brazilian doctor who diagnosed the first case on 14 April 1909. World Chagas Disease Day was approved for creation on May 24, 2019 at the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly, and officially created at the WHA plenary on May 28, 2019. The proposal for a World Chagas Disease Day was instituted by the International Federation of Associations of People Affected by Chagas Disease, and was supported by several health institutions, universities, research centres, organizations and foundations. "An annual day celebrated at global level is bound to attract international attention," said Dr Pedro Albajar Viñas, WHO Medical Officer (Chagas disease). "These days can help to provide visibility and commit countries to enhance control interventions for a disease that has remained largely neglected, but still present in many countries." Celebrating World Chargas Disease Day provides a unique opportunity to express a voice in favor of this disease.
World Chagas Disease Day is one of 11 official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Tuberculosis Day, World Health Day, World Malaria Day, World Immunization Week, World No Tobacco Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Hepatitis Day, World Patient Safety Day, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and World AIDS Day.
National Fire Service Day
National Fire Service Day is observed every year on April 14 to remember the 71 firemen who lost their lives fighting the fire that took place at freighter SS Fort Stikine at the Victoria Dock in the then Bombay Port on April 14, 1944. The explosion led to the killing of hundreds of people including the firemen. It also caused extensive damage to the ships. To remember those brave men who lost their lives fighting the fire, the day is observed nationally every year.
Ambedkar Jayanti
Every year India celebrates Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti on April 14. The day is also called Ambedkar Remembrance Day. Since 2015, April 14 is observed as an official public holiday in India.
He struggled for equality throughout his life. Thus, his birthday is also celebrated as "Equality Day". India has placed a demand to celebrate his birthday as International Equality Day to the United Nations.
He was also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar.
In 1932, he signed Poona Pact with Madan Mohan Malaviya. According to the agreement, reserved seats were provided for depressed classes. Because of the pact, the depressed classes received one hundred and forty-eight seats instead of seventy one seats.
In 1936, Ambedkar founded Independent Labour Party.
The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched "Mission Aahaar Kranti". The mission aims to spread the message of the importance of nutritionally balanced diet. It will also promote the importance of accessibility to local fruits and vegetables.
The Mission is designed to address the major problem faced by India and the world, which is, "Hunger and Diseases in Abundance".
India produces two times the amount of calories it consumes. Still, several people are malnourished in the country.
The mission is also co-launched by the Vijnana Bharti and Global Scientists and Technocrats Forum.
The motto of the mission is "Good Diet-Good Cognition".
According to UNICEF, India is at the tenth spot among countries with highest number of underweight children. Also, the organisation says that India is at the seventeenth spot among countries with highest number of stunted children. Both the problems of stunting and underweight are caused by malnutrition.
Udaipur Institution Gets Global Aid for Prosthetics and Orthotics
An Udaipur-based charitable institution has received a global grant worth Rs. 1.34 crore for starting a central fabrication unit to manufacture and supply prosthetics and orthotics with computer-aided design technology for differently abled persons. The artificial limbs will be distributed free of cost through camps to be organised at remote places all over the country.
OP Jindal Launches First-of-its-kind UAS Programme
The OP Jindal Global University (JGU) announced the country's first University Administrative Service (UAS) programme, through which graduating students and alumni of JGU will be recruited in administrative positions within the university.
Founding Vice Chancellor C Raj Kumar said, "The purpose of the UAS programme is to enable highly skilled young leaders to work within the administrative departments of JGU and to provide a fast-track career path to these talented individuals so that they can assume administrative leadership positions early in their career."
PM Modi Addresses Association of Indian Universities' 95th Annual Meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Association of Indian Universities' 95th annual meet and National Seminar of Vice-Chancellors through video conferencing.
PM Modi also released four books based on Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar's life, written by Kishor Makwana.
The books are: Dr. Ambedkar Jivan Darshan, Dr. Ambedkar Vyakti Darshan, Dr. Ambedkar Rashtra Darshan and Dr. Ambedkar Aayam Darshan.
The event was hosted by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad. Governor and Chief Minister of Gujarat and Union Education Minister were also present on the occasion.
Ministry Organises Tourism Promotion Event in Srinagar
The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) organised a mega tourism promotion event in Srinagar "Tapping the Potential of Kashmir: Another Day in Paradise" from 11th -13th April 2021.
Manoj Sinha, Lt. Governor of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (I/C) Prahlad Singh Patel addressed the delegates at the inauguration of the event. The event was organised by the MoT in association with the Tourism Department of Jammu Kashmir, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FICCI) and the Indian Golf Tourism Association (IGTA).
The objective of the event was to showcase the myriad tourism products of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and promote tourism to Jammu & Kashmir as the destination for leisure, Adventure, Eco, Wedding, films and MICE Tourism. Secretary Ministry of Tourism Arvind Singh and other senior officers of the Ministry will also be present on this occasion.
Italian Police Discover Looted Ancient Roman Sculpture
Two Italian policemen in a ritzy neighborhood of Brussels accidentally stumbled upon a surprising find: a looted ancient Roman sculpture, posed innocently among the offerings at an antiques shop.
Italy's police force, said that it had officially recovered the sculpture, which dates back to the 1st century C.E. and is believed to have been stolen around 2011 from an archaeological site near Rome. The sculpture, known as Togatus, is worth €100,000 ($119,100), and had been taken from the Villa Marini Dettina.
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