During the ‘Future Forward’ forum hosted by CII, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates commended India's digital ecosystem, inclusive economic growth, and technological breakthroughs as a model for the world. He highlighted the importance of scaling India's innovative solutions globally to address challenges in emerging economies, reaffirming the Gates Foundation's commitment to working with Indian innovators and policymakers. Other dignitaries, such as former Minister Smriti Irani and CII President Sanjiv Puri, also lauded India's success in initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and digital financial inclusion. In the world of sports, PV Sindhu made history by winning the World Championships while India's Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian achieved a shocking victory against Danish player Anders Antonsen.
A young Indian student, Harsimrat Randhawa, was fatally shot while standing at a bus stop in Hamilton, Ontario. The 21-year-old was a student at Mohawk College and police are investigating the incident as a homicide. The Indian Consulate General in Toronto expressed their profound sadness and is offering support to Harsimrat's family. This tragic incident has left her family in Punjab's Tarn Taran district devastated, and the college community is also deeply affected.
Indore, a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, became the centre of a global spiritual movement as the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) hosted Vishwa Navkar Mantra Diwas. The event, which saw millions chanting the sacred Navkar Mantra across 108 countries, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and local leaders. This historic movement aims to promote unity, mental peace, and positive vibrations worldwide, transcending into a global spiritual movement for the welfare of humanity.
After finalizing the terms of reference for the bilateral trade agreement, India's delegation is set to visit Washington, D.C next week to iron out any issues before beginning official negotiations. The trade pact between India and the US is aimed at boosting bilateral trade from the current $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. The negotiations will be led by Rajesh Agrawal, who is expected to become India's next Commerce Secretary. Discussions on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) also took place during Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to meet US President Donald Trump. Both countries are working towards developing the project that will connect India, GCC, Israel, Italy, and the US, and is said to be one of the biggest economic integration and connectivity projects of the century.
Harpreet Singh, a known terrorist wanted for multiple terror attacks in Punjab, India, has been arrested by the FBI and ERO in Sacramento. He was linked to two international terrorist agencies and entered the US illegally, using burner phones to evade capture. Singh, also known as Happy Parsia and Jora, fled to the US from Mexico in 2021 and had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on him in India. He was also named as one of the operatives in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack, for which four others have been charged by the NIA.
An alleged terrorist known as Happy Passia has been arrested in Sacramento, California by the FBI and ERO. The gangster, wanted in 17 criminal cases, used burner phones and entered the US illegally to evade capture. He was recently named in a NIA chargesheet for a grenade attack in Punjab, in which he and another terrorist provided logistical aid and weapons to ground operators.
The FBI and ERO have arrested Harpreet Singh, a known terrorist responsible for multiple attacks in Punjab, India. Singh, who was recently named in the chargesheet for the 2024 Chandigarh hand grenade attack, was living illegally in the US under the aliases Happy Parsia and Jora. The NIA had previously announced a bounty for Singh and his links to two international terrorist groups have been confirmed.
Every year on April 18, the world comes together to celebrate World Heritage Day, recognizing the importance of protecting and conserving our unique and valuable heritage. This global event, initiated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites, aims to raise awareness about the need for safeguarding our cultural and natural heritage for future generations. This year's theme, "Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage," highlights the importance of preserving heritage sites in the midst of adversity. With involvement from experts in various fields, World Heritage Day serves as a reminder to cherish and protect these irreplaceable treasures.
Areas across Chennai experienced a much-needed respite from the summer heat as heavy rainfall brought down temperatures. However, the downpour also resulted in waterlogging and traffic disruptions in multiple neighborhoods. While civic authorities worked to clear clogged drains, the IMD has issued warnings for above-normal temperatures and possible thunderstorms in the coming days. Neighbouring states such as Karnataka are also expected to receive some rain, but residents are advised to remain cautious.
A series of earthquakes shook Myanmar, India, and Tajikistan on Sunday morning, causing panic and reminding the region of its volatile tectonic landscape. These quakes, which occurred in a span of an hour, follow a deadly 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar last month. Thankfully, there were no reports of major damage or casualties. However, the frequency and intensity of these recent earthquakes have raised concerns about a potential seismic unrest in the region.
In light of the ongoing trade war between the US and China, the Chinese government has issued an order for its airline carriers to halt any new orders of aircraft from American manufacturer Boeing. This comes as a response to President Trump's recent decision to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods. China has also instructed its carriers to avoid buying any equipment related to aircraft from American companies. This latest move escalates the tension between the two countries, following China's decision to disrupt the US production of key materials.