India will host the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit Friday in a virtual format, in what will be the second time since January this year. The second summit will start with an Inaugural Leaders’ Session chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that India had hosted the inaugural Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on 12-13 January 2023 virtually. This unique initiative brought together 125 countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform.

Throughout its G20 Presidency, the MEA said India has “worked to ensure that the concerns of the Global South receive due cognisance and that the priorities of the Global South were duly factored in finding solutions to the most pressing global challenges”.

India is in the process of procuring a batch of Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles from Russia to bolster the combat capability of the Army units deployed in various sensitive forward locations, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

India is also looking at production of the Russian missile systems in the country under the Make-in-India initiative, they said.

The Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force already have Igla man-portable missiles in their inventories. The Igla is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) that can be used to bring down enemy aircraft and helicopters.

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) is set to be launched in the first quarter of 2024 after a few tests, particularly those related to vibration, NASA officials have said. "ISRO is projecting the first quarter of next year. So, I mean, that's ready," NASA NISAR Project Manager Phil Barela said during a media interaction here on Wednesday.

He is expecting the launch of NISAR (spelt as 'Naisar') "not earlier than January" from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota aboard the ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-II.

The mission, which has three-year duration, aims to survey all of Earth's land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days. This will start after a 90-day satellite commissioning period.

Ashok Leyland said it had commenced delivery of India’s first batch of 12 LNG-powered haulage trucks – AVTR 1922 – to Mahanagar Gas in Hosur.

With this, Ashok Leyland becomes the first Indian original equipment manufacturer to unveil an in-house LNG engine compliant with BS-VI Stage II emission standard, the commercial vehicle manufacturer said in a statement.

The truck is built on the AVTR platform and shares a high degree of commonality with Ashok Leyland’s existing diesel truck range. “This ensures that our customers benefit from streamlined service and maintenance processes,” the company said.

Holding the state as “primarily responsible” for paying compensation to people in incidents where stray animals are involved, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that in cases relating to dog bite, the financial assistance shall be at a minimum of Rs 10,000 per tooth mark and where the flesh has been pulled off the skin, it shall be a minimum of Rs 20,000 per 0.2 cm of wound.

The high court, while disposing of a bunch of 193 pleas, also ordered the states of Punjab and Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh to constitute committees chaired by the deputy commissioners of respective districts to determine such compensation.

“The award shall be passed by the committees within a period of four months of the claims being filed before it along with requisite documents…The State shall be primarily responsible to pay compensation with a right to recover the same from the defaulting agencies/ instrumentalities of the State or the private person, if any,” a bench of Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj said.

Indian skydiver Shital Mahajan jumped off a helicopter from the height of 21,500 ft in front of the world's highest peak, Mt Everest. She became the first woman to do so. Mahajan landed at Kalapatthar peak at an altitude 17,444ft. 

Mahajan is a well-known Indian skydiver who holds several skydiving records and is the recipient of the fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri in 2001.

The 9th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 will be held at Faridabad, Haryana from January 17th-20th, 2024.

India’s mega Science Fair will be held at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) of Department of Biotechnology in Faridabad.

The theme of the present edition is 'Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal'. IISF 2023 aims to provide a platform for inspiring public at large and individuals with diverse levels of interests like students, educators, scientists, researchers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs and science communicators.

IISF 2023 will have a total of 17 themes to showcase scientific achievements offering diverse benefits to participants and the general public.

The event holds interface among all stakeholders through various activities such as seminars by national and international experts, interactions with speakers, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, knowledge-sharing activities, technology shows, etc.

The India Pavilion at the Dubai Air Show is abuzz with excitement as top Indian defense companies, including Bharat Electronics, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, unveil the nation's latest advancements in aerospace technology.

One of the main attractions at the Indian pavilion is the model display of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). TEDBF boasts several salient features, including its role as a medium-weight carrier-borne aircraft designed for both air defense and maritime strike missions. The aircraft supports automatic ski-jump take-off and arrested landing on aircraft carriers, featuring a moderate sweep delta-wing configuration with canards, diverterless supersonic intake, modern sensors, avionics systems, wing fold for compact stowage space on aircraft carriers, and advanced indigenous weapons. Additionally, the TEDBF incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) based Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) and a man-unmanned teaming capability.

Sh. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, inaugurated the Ministry of Steel’s Pavilion at India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2023 today (14.11.2023) at the Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The Secretary, accompanied by Sh. Sanjay Roy, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Sh. Amarendu Prakash, Chairman, SAIL, senior officials of Ministry of Steel and top officials of various steel companies, marked the commencement of the pavilion and ceremonially opened the stalls of Ministry of Steel along with SAIL, NMDC, MOIL, MSTC, TATA Steel, JSW Steel Limited , Jindal Stainless Steel & Jindal Steel and Power Limited.

Speaking at the inauguration, Secretary, Ministry of Steel emphasized the critical role of the steel industry in India's growth trajectory and highlighted the government's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for the steel sector. “It's in these exhibits that we witness the dynamic spirit and innovative display of our steel sector and excellence takes center stage”, he added while inaugurating the stalls at Steel Pavilion. He also commended the Indian steel industry for their unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation.

Subrata Roy, the founder of Sahara India Pariwar, passed away on November 14. He was 75.

In a statement, the Sahara group said, "Saharasri ji an inspirational leader and visionary, passed away on 141h November 2023 at 10.30 pm due to cardiorespiratory arrest following an extended battle with complications arising from metastatic malignancy, hypertension, and diabetes. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute (KDAH) on 12th November 2023, following a decline in health. " Roy is survived by wife Swapna Roy and two sons, Sushanto Roy and Seemanto Roy.