PM Modi launches Indian Railways first 12,000 HP ‘Make in India’ electric locomotive; it’s a game-changer
Indian Railways takes big step towards environment-friendly transformation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged off Indian Railways’ first ‘Make in India’ 12,000 HP electric locomotive today. The locomotive rolled out of the factory in Bihar’s Madhepura and will now go to Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh for extensive testing before it is inducted into the Indian Railways. The electric locomotive manufacturing facility has been set up asjoint venture between French major Alstom (76%) and Indian Railways (24%).
The 3.5 billion euros project is said to be the biggest FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) project in Indian Railways. The new high-powered electric locomotives will run on dedicated freight corridors, pulling freight at much better speeds and doing so in a more ‘green’ way than the diesel locomotives. The electric locomotives will be gamechangers for Indian Railways as the national transporter looks to commission dedicated freight corridors for faster movement of goods at a time when roadways is giving stiff competition.
China Successfully Launches Remote Sensing Satellites
BEIJING: China today successfully launched remote sensing satellites to conduct electromagnetic environmental probes.
It was the 260th mission of the Long March rocket family, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The satellites were launched on a Long March-2C carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite launch center in the southwest Sichuan province, it said.
They have entered its preset orbit and the launch was proclaimed a success, the report said, without disclosing the number of satellites launched.
1,200-year-old Buddha cliff carvings found in Tibet
LHASA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Newly discovered cliff carvings in eastern Tibet may offer a glimpse into Buddhist art and local history from 1,200 years ago.
According to the regional cultural relics protection research institute, the discoveries dating back to the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom were found in Acur township in Chagyab County of Qamdo City.
The relics of the Buddha figure carvings were first found by construction workers who were mining for stones in a valley. The carvings are inscribed on cliffs that stretch some 10 meters in total.
IAF to conduct biggest combat exercise along Pakistan, China borders
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is going to conduct its biggest ever combat exercise along Pakistan and China borders.
The exercise- Gagan Shakti, 2018- will be taking place between April 10 to 23. Depending upon the order of the Air Force Chief, the Air Force will mobilise its assets in the war scenario within 48 hours of the orders.
Meanwhile, the IAF is readying to mobilize its entire asset and equipment inventory to conduct its biggest exercise ever.
India, Nepal seek new direction to bilateral ties as Modi, Oli meet
India and Nepal on Saturday sought to turn the page on an acrimonious phase in bilateral ties over the Himalayan nation’s 2015 constitution with new “game-changing” initiatives in connectivity, trade and agriculture between the two neighbours.
But evidence of past irritants casting a shadow on ties was clear with the Nepalese Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli stressing on the need for building mutual trust and seeking a relationship based on friendship, in a speech he gave on Saturday, hours after talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
China bans exports to North Korea with potential dual use in weapons of mass destruction
China's Ministry of Commerce gave details of 32 materials, technologies and forms of equipment with potential use related to weapons of mass destruction, and outlined bans on items with potentialdual usein conventional weapons.
The announcement of the export bans comes amid a tightening of exports from China to North Korea. China's exports of fuel to North Korea slowed to a trickle in February.
Commonwealth Games 2018: India Beat Nigeria, Claim Table Tennis Men's Team Gold After 12 Years
India defeated Nigeria 3-0 to claim the men's table tennis team gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast on Monday, to add to the women's gold that the country had snared on Sunday.
India's campaign was led by the veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal, who had to fight hard to overcome Bode Abiodun 4-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-9 to give India a 1-0 lead.
Sathiyan Gnanasekaran had an equally challenging contest with Segun Toriola, as he had to battle hard for a 10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 win to give India a 2-0 margin.
CWG 2018, Mixed-team Badminton Final: India win first-ever gold
CWG 2018, India vs Malaysia Mixed-team badminton: Indian mixed badminton team claimed its maiden Commonwealth Games gold medal, thrashing three-time defending champions Malaysia in the final in Gold Coast on Monday.
The pair of Satwik Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa claimed the mixed doubles match against Peng Soon Chan and Liu Yong Goh 21-14 15-21 21-15, before Kidambi Srikanth stunned three-time Olympic silver medallist Lee 21-17 21-14 in straight games. Men’s doubles pair of Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost to Goh and Wee Kiong Tan 15-21 20-22.
This led to Saina Nehwal helping India to the historic gold with a 21-11 19-21 21-9 win over Soniia Cheah in the women’s singles match.
Bahrain GP: Sebastian Vettel wins, Lewis Hamilton third after fine overtake
Vettel hung on ahead of the charging Mercedes on the final lap to take his second win in two races this season and one of the best of his illustrious career.
In a dramatic, strategic and unpredictable race, a Ferrari mechanic was injured when he was run over by Vettel's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen at a pit stop.
Lewis Hamilton recovered to third place after starting ninth, including one stunning moment when he passed three cars in effectively one move early in the race.
UAE, Malaysia conclude joint military exercise
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia concluded "Desert Tiger 5" joint military exercise aimed at sharing expertise and enhancing joint military actions.
Deputy Commander of the UAE land forces Brigadier Saeed Rashid Al Shehi and Malaysian Army Chief General Dato' Sri Zulkiple bin Hj Kassim attended the conclusion ceremony of the joint military drill, the report said on Saturday.