Italy's Giorgia Meloni to Contest EU Election to Boost Support for Party
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will be fighting European Union (EU) elections slated to be held in June this year (2024), she announced Sunday (Apr 28). However, she won't be taking up the seat if elected. The elections will be held from June 6-9 and would be a litmus test for her 18-month-old rule. The move, Meloni says, is an effort to boost support for her Brothers of Italy party.
Meloni, a right-wing leader, has been a ferocious opponent to the European Union. She even called for leaving the Euro Zone in her 2022 election campaign, which had set alarm bells ringing in European capitals.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is Deputy Prime Minister
In a surprise move, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was appointed as the country's Deputy Prime Minister.
Dar a chartered accountant and a veteran politician, belongs to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the appointment was made by Prime Minister Sharif with immediate effect and until further orders.
The announcement was made when both Prime Minister Sharif and Foreign Minister Dar were away in Saudi Arabia to attend a World Economic Forum's moot.
Dar has served as Finance Minister in two previous governments. He was considered the party's answer to all economic problems, serving as finance minister for the fourth and last time in the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition government.
Adani's Vizhinjam Port Approved as India's First Transshipment Hub
Adani Group's Vizhinjam Port in Kerala received approval from the government to operate as India's inaugural transshipment port. This designation is significant as it allows cargo to be transferred from large vessels to smaller ones, contributing to India's goal of becoming a manufacturing hub. Presently, a substantial portion of India's transshipment cargo is handled by ports abroad, such as those in Colombo and Singapore.
Vizhinjam Port boasts advanced automation and infrastructure capable of accommodating Megamax containerships, the largest vessels worldwide.
Its initial phase is designed to handle one million TEUs, with provisions for expansion up to 6.2 million TEUs in subsequent phases.
Arun Alagappan is Executive Chairman of Coromandel International
Coromandel International Ltd. (CIL), a leading provider of agri-solutions, announced a significant leadership transition. Arun Alagappan, the former Executive Vice Chairman, was appointed and re-designated as the Executive Chairman of the company.
The appointment of Arun Alagappan follows the retirement of A. Vellayan, the outgoing Chairman and Non-Executive Director of CIL. The board accepted Vellayan's retirement and honoured his contributions by appointing him as Chairman Emeritus.
Along with the leadership transition, the board also announced the retirement of M.M. Venkatachalam from his position as Non-Executive Director.
Chamber for Commerce and Industries Kashmir Gives Platform to 46 Women-led Start-ups to Show their Talent
In order to boost the talent of young entrepreneurs of the Kashmir valley, the Chamber for Commerce and Industries Kashmir (CCIK) provided an offline exhibition for the budding start-ups in the valley.
Around fifty start-ups were chosen by CCIK for the exhibition. Among them forty-six were businesses run by women. From calligraphy art, resin art, handmade soaps, perfumes, spices and sanitary pads, clothing labels, bags, pashmina, and home decor, it was creativity on display.
"These start-ups are mostly online and most of them have not had any exposure to the offline retail marketing concept. We also picked up 46 women out of a total 50 stalls to give the women entrepreneurs an edge to showcase their talents. Some of these start-ups are doing well online and for some of them, it's time to shift to offline as well. At Chamber we always strive to help these budding entrepreneurs," Shah further said.
India men's archery team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai and Pravin Jadhav created history by beating reigning Olympic champions South Korea and won a World Cup gold medal. The last time India won a gold in Archery World Cup was back in 2010.
India men's team showed great composure against the mighty Koreans and won the battle 5-1 (57-57, 57-55, 55-53) to secure the World Cup Stage 1 gold, in Shanghai, China.
Maheshwari Misses Skeet Gold But Seals Olympics Berth
Maheshwari Chauhan sealed India's 21st quota place in shooting for the Paris Olympics by winning the silver medal in the women's skeet event on the concluding day of the final Olympics qualification championship for shotgun in Doha.
Maheshwari, in her maiden ISSF final, lost 3-4 to Chile's Francisca Crovetto Chadid in a shoot-off for gold after both were tied at 54 hits in the 60-shot final. It is India's second Paris quota place in women's skeet.
Delhi Congress Chief Arvinder Singh Lovely Resigns from Top Post
Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely resigned from the top party post, condemning Congress' decision to ally with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress and the AAP decided to form an alliance in the national capital for the elections. The Congress will contest three seats while the AAP will battle on four seats.
Lovely was appointed the Delhi Cong chief in 2023.
Sunil Kumar Yadav (IRS) Appointed as Director of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has welcomed a new addition to its leadership team. Sunil Kumar Yadav, an officer from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), has been appointed as the Director of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
The appointment of Sunil Kumar Yadav was made under the Central Staffing Scheme, as per an order issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). The order specifies that Yadav's tenure as Director of MoHUA will be for a period of five years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.
As the Director of MoHUA, Sunil Kumar Yadav will be responsible for overseeing various aspects of urban development, including housing, urban planning, infrastructure development, and smart city initiatives. His leadership will be instrumental in ensuring effective implementation of government programs and policies related to urban affairs.
Rampage Missiles Inducted by Indian Air Force, Navy
The Indian Air Force (IAF) significantly bolstered its air combat capabilities with the induction of the Rampage long-range supersonic air-to-ground missiles. These missiles, capable of striking targets at approximately 250 km, were integrated into the IAF's fleet of Russian-origin aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 fighters, as well as the Jaguar fighter jets.
Not limited to the IAF, the Indian Navy has also welcomed the Rampage missiles into its arsenal, particularly for the MiG-29K naval fighter jets. This addition enhances the navy's capability to engage and neutralise high-value targets such as communication centres and radar stations.
The procurement of the Rampage missiles was part of the emergency powers granted by the Defence Ministry to the armed forces, enabling them to equip themselves with critical weapons and equipment following the 2020 standoff with China. These missiles offer a longer range than the Spice-2000s, which were used in the Balakot air strikes in 2019.
'Shaurya Smarak' of Three Fallen Army Officers Unveiled In Jammu
The 'Shaurya Smarak' of three fallen officers of the armed forces — Major Arvind Bazala, Major Rohit Kumar and Flight Lieutenant Advitiya Bal — were unveiled at the Sainik School Nagrota, Jammu.
An alumnus of the Sainik School, the three soldiers laid down their lives in the service of the nation in separate incidents of helicopter crashes in West Bengal (November 30, 2016), Jammu (September 21, 2021) and Rajasthan (July 28, 2022).
Chief of Staff, headquarters 16 corps and chairman of the local board of administration, Sainik School Nagrota, Major General Shailendra Singh unveiled the busts of the brave-hearts and paid tributes to their valiant sacrifices.
The 'Shaurya Smarak' stands as a testament to their heroism, serving as a perpetual source of inspiration for generations to come. It stands as a beacon of honour, reminding us all of the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of our brave soldiers. He said the Sainik School Nagrota is dedicated to nurturing young minds and fostering a spirit of patriotism, discipline, and leadership.
Iran Unveils Kamikaze Drone Similar to Russian Lancet
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has introduced a new kamikaze drone resembling Russia's Lancet drone. This drone, yet to be named publicly, is designed for targeted attacks, akin to those witnessed in the Ukraine conflict.
The Iranian drone, akin to the Lancet, boasts flight durations of 30 to 60 minutes and can carry payloads ranging from 3 to 6 kg, covering distances of up to 40 km. Equipped with electro-optical systems and a built-in warhead, it's optimised for combating ambushes.
In recent years, the IRGC has heavily invested in munitions development, notably producing the Shahed-131/136 kamikaze drones, utilised by Russian forces in Ukraine. The unveiling coincided with a cargo flight from Iran to Russia, transporting components for the drone industry.
Following US, UK, and Canadian sanctions targeting Iran's drone production and export endeavors, Iran denounced the measures. Iranian officials, including Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Nasser Kanaani, emphasised their nation's right to defend itself and condemned perceived hostile actions, citing recent strikes on Iranian targets.
The world of Yakshagana, a traditional theatre form of Karnataka, lost a towering figure. Subrahmanya Dhareshwar, a senior and well-known Yakshagana 'bhagavatha' (background singer), passed away in Bengaluru. He was 66 years old.
Dhareshwar was a disciple of the legendary Yakshagana 'bhagavatha' late Narnappa Uppura. He entered the world of professional Yakshagana singing at the age of 21, captivating audiences with his melodious and rich voice.
A recipient of the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava award, Dhareshwar was a professional 'bhagavatha' for nearly four decades. He performed with renowned Yakshagana melas (touring troupes) such as Amrutheswari, Hiremahalingeshwara, Panchalinga, and Perdoor. Even after his retirement as the 'pradhana bhagavatha' (principal singer) from the Perdoor Yakshagana mela, he continued to grace various Yakshagana shows and 'Talamaddales' (traditional Yakshagana singing events).
Alejandra Marisa Rodriguez crowned Miss Universe Buenos Aires
Alejandra Marisa Rodriguez, a 60-year-old lawyer, wins Miss Universe Buenos Aires, becoming the first woman of her age to claim such a distinguished beauty title.
The change in rules by the Miss Universe pageant in 2023, which now allows women aged 18 to 73 to compete.
She contested with 34 others, ranging from 18 to 73 in age, to win the beauty pageant.
International Dance Day
International Dance Day, also known as World Dance Day is celebrated every year on 29 April. This day is dedicated to the art form of dance, and it is used to promote dance as a universal value. The day also aims to cross all the political, cultural, and ethnic barriers in the field of dancing. To mark the occasion of World Dance Day, every year the International Dance Committee and the International Theatre Institute ITI selects an outstanding choreographer or dancer to convey a special message to all the dancers across the globe.
The idea of World Dance Day was first introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. The main objective of this day is to celebrate dance, raise awareness about its importance, and encourage people all over the world to participate in this art form. World Dance Day is celebrated in over 200 countries all over the world. Various dance performances, workshops, and events are organised by local and international communities to promote the day.
India Today's AI Anchor Sana Wins Global Media Award
Sana clinched the 2024 Global Media Award from the International News Media Association (INMA).
Recognised as South Asia's best for AI newsroom innovation, Sana exemplifies cutting-edge use of AI in enhancing customer engagement through its multilingual and versatile reporting capabilities.
India Today Group introduced Sana as India's first AI anchor in 2023.
India Today Group's AI anchor Sana, clinched two prestigious awards at the International News Media Association Global Media Awards held in London. Sana's innovative approach to delivering news content has captivated audiences worldwide, revolutionising the way information is disseminated and consumed.
Sharjah Teacher Gina Justus Wins Regional Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award
Gina Justus, an English High School teacher at the Sharjah Girls Branch in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been named the regional winner for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at the prestigious 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. This achievement celebrates her outstanding mentorship and dedication to charity work.
The 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards witnessed an unprecedented number of nominations, with more than 14,840 submissions from 141 countries worldwide. Justus's recognition as the Regional Winner in the MENA region is a testament to her exceptional contributions to the field of education.
The jury lauded Justus's unwavering commitment to her department, regularly organising and conducting workshops to raise teaching standards. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom, as she is actively involved in charity work with the NGO Reach Worldwide, where she has sponsored five children deprived of educational opportunities.
JNU to Accept NET Score Instead of Entrance Exams for PhD Programmes
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) announced a change in its selection process for admission to its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. Starting from the current academic year, JNU will accept the National Eligibility Test (NET) score instead of conducting its own entrance test, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This decision came after the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a directive allowing universities to use the NET scores for PhD admissions.
The move to use NET scores for PhD admissions replaces the entrance test previously conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to the notice, JNU will implement this change for the academic session 2024-25.
Guidelines for Supernumerary Seats for international Students
In a move aimed at promoting the internationalisation of Indian higher educational institutions (HEIs), the University Grants Commission (UGC) reiterated guidelines mandating the reservation of supernumerary seats for international students which had originally been released in September 2022.
Under the new guidelines, HEIs have been directed to allocate up to 25% supernumerary seats for international students. However, the decision to implement this quota rests with individual institutions, taking into account factors such as infrastructure and faculty availability.
Supernumerary seats are additional seats that are over and above the sanctioned intake approved by the appropriate authority and the government.
Shiv Nadar, School of Oriental and African Studies Introduces MA in Global Urban Sociology
Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, deemed to be a University invited applications for a joint postgraduation programme in global urban sociology. The programme is in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. The programme focuses on global sociology and specifically on the global sociology of cities and urban life-worlds.
Students will have to spend three months at SOAS University for term one (September-December) and five months for term two (January-May) at Shiv Nadar IoE. During term three (June-September), students will work remotely on their dissertation.
Students must complete 180 SOAS credits to be awarded and a co-badged certificate of MA in global urban sociology from SOAS and Shiv Nadar IoE. This includes a 60-credit dissertation and 120 credits of taught modules (half from each institution).
A Book Titled "The Winner's Mindset," Authored by Shane Watson
In his book, "The Winner's Mindset," Watson shares the insights and strategies that enabled him to conquer his fears and reach new heights in his cricketing career. While the book is not an autobiography in the traditional sense, it serves as a powerful self-help guide, offering readers a glimpse into the mindset that propels individuals to success.
In late 2014, the cricketing world witnessed one of its greatest tragedies unfold on the field. Shane Watson, the talented Australian all-rounder, was among the players present at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Phillip Hughes was struck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match. The promising opener, who had represented Australia in 26 Tests and 25 ODIs, tragically passed away two days later.
This traumatic incident left a profound impact on Watson, as he grappled with the fear that the same fate could befall him – all it could take is just one ball. However, Watson overcame this emotional turmoil and emerged as an even better cricketer, a testament to his resilience and mental fortitude.
Centre Notifies Appointment of Two Additional Judges of Telangana High Court as Permanent Judges
The Central government cleared the appointment of two additional judges of the Telangana High Court as permanent judges.
The two judges who wer made permanent are: Justice Jaggannagari Sreenivasa Rao and Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao.
The Supreme Court collegium had earlier in April recommended that the two additional judges be made permanent.
This was after the High Court Collegium had in February this year recommended their appointment as permanent judges, following which the Telangana Chief Minister and Governor concurred.
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