India Allows Onion Export To Sri Lanka, Gives Additional Quota To UAE
India has allowed limited shipments of onions to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka, after banning its export in response to rising prices.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), issued a notification late Monday evening, permitting the export of an additional 10,000 metric tons (MT) of onions to the UAE (above 24,000 tonne already allowed) and 10,000 tonne to Sri Lanka.
In December last year, the government banned onion exports until March 2024. According to a DGFT notification, onion exports were permitted only with prior approval from the central government.
In August, the government imposed a 40 per cent duty on onion export to check price rise and improve supplies in the domestic market. It subsequently set a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of $800 per tonne on a free-on-board basis starting from October 29.
Kuwait’s Emir Appoints Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah As New Prime Minister Of Kuwait
Kuwait’s Emir has appointed Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as the new prime minister of Kuwait. This decision follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on April 7. Sheikh Mohammad submitted his cabinet’s resignation on April 6, following the election of a new parliament on April 4. His resignation was a procedural move after a new parliament was elected.
The new prime minister Sheikh Ahmad is a Kuwaiti economist and has served as Minister of Finance and Communications from 1999 to 2005, before serving as Minister of Health, Minister of oil and Minister of Information from 2006 to 2011.
World Hemophilia Day 2024
World Haemophilia Day, observed annually on April 17 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WHF), aims to raise awareness about the rare genetic bleeding disorder. This global event provides a platform to educate people about haemophilia and other bleeding disorders while also encouraging improved accessibility for those affected. Its primary goals include raising funds to support patients.
Haemophilia can cause continuous bleeding both internally and externally, due to the absence of blood clotting proteins. As of now, while there is no cure for this condition, various treatments are available to manage the condition. As we observe World Haemophilia Day, let’s explore its theme, history, symptoms, causes and types of this disorder.
'SCOPE Social Interaction Centre'- first-ever PSUs’ club inaugurated
The Public Sector Day 2024 was observed on April 10, which was celebrated through a glittering event at SCOPE Complex New Delhi. On this occasion, the first-ever PSUs’ Club, "Scope Social Interaction Centre" was successfully delivered to SCOPE. The project has been executed by NBCC Services Limited (NSL), a subsidiary of Navratna CPSE, NBCC (India) Limited.
During the occasion, "Scope Social Interaction Centre" was inaugurated amidst esteemed dignitaries, including Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman of SCOPE; Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Vice Chairman of SCOPE; Atul Sobti, DG of SCOPE; KP Mahadevaswamy, CMD of NBCC (India) Limited; BK Sokhey, Chairperson of NBCC Services Ltd. and other senior dignitaries from various PSUs.
BEL signs MoU with IIT Mandi for co-operation in various fields
Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, for co-operation in Research and Technology/Product Development — in the areas of Semiconductors, Quantum Technologies and Drones.
The MoU aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and IIT-Mandi.
It will support indigenisation of products/solutions being supplied by BEL to its customers and is in line with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
India, Mauritius sign protocol to amend tax treaty
India and Mauritius have signed a protocol to amend the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA), which included a principal purpose test (PPT) to decide whether a foreign investor is eligible to claim treaty benefits.
Tax experts said a new article has been added to the protocol “Article 27B Entitlement to Benefits”. The amended protocol was signed on March 7 and made public now.
The introduction of the PPT aims to curtail tax avoidance by ensuring that treaty benefits are only granted for transactions with a bona fide purpose.
Salman Rushdie to release 'Knife' memoir recounting stabbing
British-American author Salman Rushdie releases his memoir "Knife" on Tuesday, recounting the harrowing experience of being stabbed at a public event in 2022 and how he overcame the near-fatal ordeal.
Rushdie lost sight in one eye after the attack by a knife-wielding assailant, who jumped on stage at an arts gathering in New York state.
The Indian-born author, a naturalized American based in New York, has faced death threats since his 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses" was declared blasphemous by Iran's supreme leader.
England spin great Derek Underwood dies aged 78
Derek Underwood, the most successful spin bowler in England’s Test cricket history, has died at the age of 78, his former county Kent announced on Monday.
Underwood took 297 wickets in 86 Tests with his distinctive brand of brisk left-arm spin and was noted for being particularly effective on uncovered pitches, which were in use for much of a 24-year first-class career that ran from 1963 to 1987.
He famously bowled England to a Test victory over arch-rivals Australia at The Oval in 1968 on such a surface, taking 7-50 when a draw had seemed inevitable.
SPACE India welcomes Bollywood’s millennial star Sanjana Sanghi as its Brand Ambassador
As the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) formulates the narrative of space sector advancement and captures the imagination with ambitious space missions, SPACE India serves the purpose of fueling curiosity while inculcating scientific temperament at grassroots level through education in Astronomy and Space Science.
Founded in 2001, SPACE India has inspired over 1.5 Million students and facilitated the integration of Astronomy and Space Science into the curriculum of 1,000 schools pan India, nurturing a new generation of space enthusiasts and scholars. It has played a remarkable role in refuting myths surrounding rocket science. It has ensured that space education is accessible, affordable, and inclusive for people from all walks of life. With a rich legacy spanning over 24 years in Astronomy, Space Science and STEM education, SPACE India has consistently pursued its purpose while keeping it aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).
HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala becomes first Indian venue with hybrid pitch technology
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has always been at the forefront of adopting technological advancements in cricket. Recently, HPCA, the governing body of cricket in the state, has taken an exciting initiative to introduce hybrid pitch technology into their practice facilities.
This move will ensure that the practice pitches are of top-notch quality, as traditional surfaces cannot withstand rigorous training schedules and tend to deteriorate quickly, limiting valuable practice opportunities for players.