UAE and Bahrain sign AED 20 billion currency swap pact
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed a currency swap agreement worth AED 20 billion for five years to deepen monetary cooperation and regional trade. Signed on 8 April 2026 by the central banks of the UAE and Bahrain, the pact allows exchange of domestic currencies—the UAE Dirham and the Bahraini Dinar—up to a fixed limit to facilitate cross-border settlements. The arrangement aims to improve liquidity, reduce settlement risks, and support bilateral trade flows while potentially lowering dependence on global reserve currencies. The five-year tenor signals a medium-term commitment to financial coordination between the Gulf neighbours, reinforcing regional financial integration.
AED 20 billion currency swap signed on 8 April 2026; five-year tenor.
Exchanges of UAE Dirham and Bahraini Dinar up to fixed limits.
Aims to smooth cross-border settlements and improve liquidity.
Reduces reliance on global reserve currencies in bilateral trade.
Strengthens monetary coordination between UAE and Bahrain.
Sanjay Khanna appointed BPCL Chairman and Managing Director
BPCL announced the appointment of Sanjay Khanna as Chairman and Managing Director, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Khanna will lead BPCL until 31 May 2029 and previously served as Director (Refineries) and interim CMD. A chemical engineer from the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli and holder of a postgraduate finance degree from the University of Mumbai, Khanna brings over three decades of refining and technical services experience. His appointment ensures leadership continuity amid expansion plans in refining and petrochemicals, aligning with BPCL’s strategy to boost efficiency and invest in growth. Khanna succeeds the outgoing CMD, who steered major investments in BPCL’s downstream facilities.
Sanjay Khanna named BPCL CMD; tenure until 31 May 2029.
Previously Director (Refineries) and interim CMD.
Education: NIT Tiruchirappalli; University of Mumbai finance degree.
Over three decades of refining and technical services experience.
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attains first criticality
India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained first criticality on 6 April 2026 at 20:25 IST, marking a major milestone in the country’s three-stage nuclear energy programme. The indigenously designed 500 MWe reactor, developed by BHAVINI, advances fuel-breeding capabilities and long-term energy security. Achieving criticality opens the path to further testing, fuel loading and eventual power generation. The milestone followed years of design and construction work with strong domestic technical and industrial participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled the development a defining step in India’s civil nuclear journey.
PFBR achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026 at 20:25 IST.
Location: Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu; 500 MWe reactor.
Part of India’s three-stage nuclear energy programme; BHAVINI operator.
Paves way for further testing, fuel loading and power generation.
PM Modi called it a defining step in the civil nuclear journey.
Brazil’s Laura Cardoso sets T20I bowling record with nine wickets
Brazil’s Laura Cardoso set a record in T20I cricket by taking nine wickets for four runs in three overs against Lesotho, the first instance of nine wickets in a single innings in T20I history. Cardoso’s extraordinary spell marked the first time any player—men or women—had claimed nine wickets in a single innings in the format. Her figures of 9/4 surpass the previous best of eight for seven by Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey in 2025. The 21-year-old’s sensational performance highlighted Brazil’s rising stature in women’s cricket on the global stage and underscored the growth of the sport in new regions.
Laura Cardoso took 9/4 in three overs vs Lesotho.
First player to claim nine wickets in a T20I innings (men or women).
Surpasses Bhutan’s 8/7 record from 2025.
21-year-old’s performance signals growth of Brazil in women’s cricket.
Viewed as a historic milestone in T20I bowling records.
PM Modi congratulates scientists after PFBR milestone
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated India’s scientists and engineers on the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) achieving criticality at Kalpakkam on 6 April 2026. In a public message, the Prime Minister highlighted PFBR as a landmark achievement in India’s civil nuclear journey and a testament to indigenous capability. The 500 MWe PFBR, developed by BHAVINI, is expected to advance energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuel. The PM’s remarks underscore the government’s focus on science, technology and innovation and its support for accelerated investment in advanced nuclear infrastructure as part of the broader energy strategy.
PM Modi congratulated scientists and engineers on PFBR criticality.
Emphasizes indigenous capability and energy security.
PFBR is BHAVINI’s 500 MWe reactor under India’s three-stage programme.
Steps toward fuel loading and power generation planned.
Government support for science and nuclear infrastructure.
Exercise Cyclone 2026 strengthens India-Egypt defence cooperation. The Indian Army has sent a 25-person contingent to Egypt to participate in the fourth edition of Exercise Cyclone, a bilateral special forces drill. The exercise, held in Anshas, Egypt, is conducted annually in alternating locations and emphasises high-end operations by elite troops. The Indian contingent comprises personnel from specialised units who will train alongside Egyptian forces in desert and semi-desert terrains, mirroring realistic combat conditions. Activities include joint planning, airborne insertions, direct-action drills, reconnaissance and after-action reviews designed to improve coordination under challenging environments. The exercise underscores deeper security cooperation and shared strategic interests between New Delhi and Cairo.
25-person Indian Army contingent from specialised units.
Fourth edition of Exercise Cyclone; rotates between India and Egypt; held in Anshas, Egypt.
Focus on elite special forces operations in desert terrain.
Joint planning, airborne insertions, direct-action drills and after-action reviews.
Strengthens bilateral defence cooperation and regional security alignment.
Kerala, Assam and Puducherry hold elections on 9 April 2026; results on 4 May
India’s states of Kerala, Assam and the union territory of Puducherry voted on 9 April 2026 in a significant round of assembly elections. The Election Commission fixed polling in Kerala and Puducherry on 9 April, with counting anticipated by 4 May 2026. Campaigns covered local governance issues alongside national concerns, with Kerala's traditional LDF versus UDF contest and Assam’s evolving political dynamics drawing particular attention. The results on 4 May will determine which parties form governments in these key regions and may influence the broader political arithmetic in the country.
Polling held on 9 April 2026 in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Counting planned for 4 May 2026.
Kerala’s LDF vs UDF contest; Assam's evolving political scene.
Madhya Pradesh began the Nari Shakti Vandan fortnight from 10 to 25 April 2026 to raise awareness about the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and celebrate women’s leadership across sectors. The state government has planned a series of conferences, including a state-level event in Bhopal at Hansdhwani Auditorium, Ravindra Bhavan, with participation by women MPs, MLAs, mayors, panchayat representatives and successful women entrepreneurs. Ambedkar Jayanti is observed on 14 April with Gram Sabhas across gram panchayats. Seminars and discussions will be held at three-tier panchayats, urban local bodies and educational institutions, emphasising empowerment and governance under the act's provisions.
Nari Shakti Vandan fortnight runs 10–25 April 2026.
Launch in Bhopal with a state-level conference; participation by women leaders.
Ambedkar Jayanti observed on 14 April; Gram Sabhas in gram panchayats.
Seminars across three-tier governance and educational institutions.
Focus on awareness and implementation of Nari Shakti Adhiniyam.
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