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All India Radio News Summary: 09 APRIL 2018

All India Radio News Summary: 09 APRIL 2018

  1. Defence Minister asks Indian Defence Attaches to enhance their role towards implementation of India’s defence engagement in bilateral, regional and multilateral frameworks.
  • In the first such engagement with Defence Attaches in New Delhi, the Minister outlined Indian interest in building stronger military to military cooperation, training and capacity building as well as cooperation on defence industry and technology with Indian defence partners.
  • India has Resident Defence Attaches in 44 countries, who are accredited to a total of 95 countries.
  • There is a growing interest in the Indian missiles among various countries and the government wants to sell them to the friendly nations.

 

  1. President, who is on a three-nation Africa visit, held delegation level talks with Swaziland King in Mbabane

During the discussions they reviewed the spectrum of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

  • India and Swaziland have also signed two agreements on health and visa waiver.
  • President was conferred with Order of the Lion, the highest award of Swaziland.
  • President’s visit to African countries aims to further deepen India’s relations with the African nations.

 

  1. India and Bangladesh inked six MoUs, including one for the construction of a 129.5-km long oil pipeline between Siliguri and Parbatipur
  • Both nations also discussed the Teesta water sharing issue as well as the Rohingya refugee crisis.
  • The MoU on oil pipeline is aimed at pumping diesel from India to Bangladesh with a capacity of 1 million tonne per annum.
  • The other MoUs are on cooperation between Prasar Bharati and Bangladesh Betar, installation of an Indian Council for Cultural Relations Urdu Chair in Dhaka University.       
  • India also extended full support to Bangladesh’s efforts for resolving the Rohingya refugee crisis, including the early repatriation of the displaced people to Myanmar.

 

  1. Tripura is all set to host the first meeting of the NITI Forum- a unit of NITI Aayog in Agartala.
  • The meeting will be attended by around 56 delegates including Chief Ministers of Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and senior leaders and top officials of North Eastern states.
  • The NITI Forum will sit to review the development status of entire Northeast region and identify various constraints on the way for accelerated, inclusive but sustainable economic growth in this Region.
  • Broad agendas including strategies for improving Road, Rail and Air Connectivity in the Region, measures to utilize existing potential for hydro-power, Agriculture and allied sectors, Water Management, Promotion of Tourism will be discussed. 

 

 

  1. Vice President inaugurated a scientific convention on the World Homoeopathy Day in New Delhi.

The day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Homoeopathy founder Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann.

  • The Ministry of AYUSH in a statement said, that the theme of two-day convention is Innovate: Evolve, Progress: Exploring Science since 40 years.
  • Homoeopathic researchers, practitioners, students, industrialists as well as representatives of various homoeopathic associations participate in the event.

 

  1. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the suspected use of chemical weapons in Syria
  • The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the suspected use of chemical weapons in Syria, at the request of the United Sates and 8 other countries.
  • The UN special envoy for Syria denounced the alleged use of chemical weapons as a grave violation of international law. 
  • UN special envoy has urged the Security Council to immediately launch an independent investigation into the allegations.
  • S President Donald Trump blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran for a chemical attack in Douma that killed at least 70 people.
  • Both Syria and Russia however denied a chemical attack took place.

 

  1. Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) conclave – New Delhi
  • The conclave will feature presentations on best practices in CPSEs.
  • Thematic presentations will be made to the Prime Minister on subjects, such as corporate governance, human resource management, financial re-engineering and innovation.
  • The deliberations at the Conclave will lead to formulation of an actionable roadmap to achieve the target of a New India 2022.
  • CPSEs, in recent years, have enhanced their profile with a much larger share in public investments without compromising on their contribution to the government coffers by way of dividends and taxes. 
  • Prime Minister said, Central Public Sector Enterprises, CPSEs, can play a pivotal role in developing a New India.
  • CPSEs should focus on increasing their participation in realising this goal by moving on the 5P formula — Performance, Process, Persona, Procurement and Preparation.
  • The Prime Minister said, decision making should be streamlined and there should be a pool of qualified people.

       

  1. The Supreme Court refused to grant time to the Centre to file its draft scheme for the implementation of its judgement in the Cauvery Water dispute case.
  • The court asked the Centre to file it by the 3rd of May. Declining the Centre’s plea, the top court said there is no escaping this task.
  • The court said that it has considered the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and decided the water share for states, which has to be complied with.
  • The Apex court also directed competent authorities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain peace in their states till the court finally approves the scheme for implementation of its judgment on Cauvery water distribution.
  • The apex court said that once the Centre devises a draft scheme, it will take the views of the state of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Puducherry and Kerala, before approving the scheme.