The Israeli government on December 17 approved the appointment of Reuven Azar as the new Ambassador to India.

Mr. will also be serving as the non-resident Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Bhutan, a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

His appointment is one of the 21 new Heads of Missions cleared by the Israeli government to assume service soon.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, congratulating the new appointees, said they will "represent Israel and its citizens, strengthen its economy and strengthen international support for the State of Israel".

The first-ever Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) concluded in New Delhi with Haryana winning the inaugural title by securing 105 medals including 40 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze. KIPG 2023, which began on December 10, witnessed the participation of around 1,450 para-athletes from across the country. Uttar Pradesh came second with 62 medals including 25 gold, 23 silver, and 14 bronze, while Tamil Nadu finished third with 20 gold, eight silver, and 14 bronze medals. Athletes from 32 states and Union Territories participated in the Games.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur hailed the Khelo India Para Games as a celebration of human passion and spirit. He said that the games mark a historic chapter in India’s sports history, where participation eclipses mere victory. Mr. Thakur expressed his gratitude to all the para-athletes, coaches, support staff, and various stakeholders for making this edition momentous.

Hours after firing a short-range weapon from the Pyongyang area, North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile toward the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to the Japanese Defence Ministry, it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the potential capability of reaching anywhere in the US. The launch took place in the early hours today.

In response to the launches, South Korea said the launches are a grave provocation that threatens international peace. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also denounced the launches as not only a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions but also a threat to the peace and stability of the region.

The back-to-back launches came after South Korea and the US agreed to strengthen their joint nuclear deterrence capabilities in response to North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats.

In an extraordinary medical achievement, doctors in the Department of Hematology & Stem Cell Transplantation at the Army Hospital R&R have successfully conducted a life-saving Bone Marrow Transplant (commonly known as BMT) for a child diagnosed with a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder.
The groundbreaking procedure, performed on Master Sushant Paudel, has opened new doors of hope for children and families facing similar challenges.

Master Sushant Paudel, 7 years of age son of Sepoy Pradip Paudel, was diagnosed with ARPC1b, a very rare form of immunodeficiency at one year of age, a condition that severely compromised his immune system making him prone to repeated life-threatening infections, and other complications. The patient was referred to AHRR 06 months back but did not have a HLA matched sibling donor. The Hematology team at Army Hospital R&R, embarked on an arduous journey to find a suitable donor and orchestrate a meticulously planned bone marrow transplant.

Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju launched the maiden Indian Winter Arctic Expedition here on Monday.

This maiden winter expedition is comprised of four scientists, who will visit the Arctic region to make atmospheric observations during the night and carry out auroral studies and changes in sea ice.

Now, India will have a year-long presence at Himadri, the country's Arctic research station located in Spitsbergen in Norway, as it has in the Antarctic, near the South Pole.

In a display of literary fervour, the Pune Book Festival 2023 began on a note of extraordinary achievement which brought together families and secured a position in the Guinness World Records.

The expansive SP College grounds on Tilak Road bore witness to a record-breaking gathering of 3,066 participants, surpassing the previous record for the ‘most parents reading to their children.’

The focal point of the literary spectacle was the collective endeavour of parents and children engrossed in a synchronised reading of ‘Nisargacha Nash Karu Naka’ (Do not destroy nature) by Kshipra Shahane.

KPIT Technologies has launched its sodium-ion battery technology through which its customers can reduce import dependency on core battery materials. It has several use-cases for automotive and mobility, especially for electric two and 3-wheelers and CVs and has applications in stationary deployments as well as in marine and defence sectors. “The technology completely reliant on Earth’s abundant raw materials, is another testament to KPIT‘s commitment towards the sustainable mobility ecosystem,” Ravi Pandit, chairman, KPIT Tech said.TNN

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Thursday granted an aerodrome licence for the Ayodhya Airport, which will see its inaugural flight on December 30.

The Airports Authority of India has developed the airport at a cost of ₹350 crore, and the DGCA permit comes ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration next month.

The passenger terminal building at the yet-to-be-inaugurated airport, called Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram International Airport, can accommodate up to 500 passengers during peak hours.

The airport runway is suitable for narrowbody flights such as the Airbus A320 family of aircraft and Boeing 737s. It is also equipped with an Instrument Landing System, which will allow flight operations at night and in low-visibility conditions.

In a move towards eco-friendly maritime transportation, the Barracuda, India’s fastest solar-electric boat, was ceremoniously launched at the Navgathi Panavally Yard in Alappuzha.

This cutting-edge vessel was jointly developed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Navalt.

The launch ceremony was attended by Sanjay Kumar Singh, General Manager of Mazagon Dock, Sandith Thandasherry, CEO of Navalt, Devi Nair, Addl. General Manager, MDL and Hemant Rathod, Deputy General Manager, MDL.

The Barracuda, named after the swift long fish, is designed by Navalt for workboat purposes. With a top speed of 12 knots and a range of 7 hours on a single charge, the 14-metre long and 4.4-metre wide vessel harnesses twin 50 kW electric motors, a marine-grade LFP battery, and 6 kW solar power.

Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd proudly announces the remarkable achievement of its esteemed Chairman, Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, who has been honored with the Visionary Leader Icon Award of the Year 2023 by the Advocates Association For Social Responsibility And Awareness (AASRAA). The prestigious award was presented at the 5th National Summit held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on 24th Nov 2023.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including National Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohith Kumar Singh, Founder Chairman of AASRAA Sulthan Habib Ali, renowned cine actors Ali, and the All India Representatives and State Heads of AASRAA. The Visionary Leader Icon Award was presented to Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath by N Satyanarayana, Chairman of Telangana RERA, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the real estate industry and his commitment to social responsibility and to AASRAA.