National News:

President of India Inaugurates Homoeopathy Symposium on World Homoeopathy Day:

• On April 10, 2024, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated a two-day Homoeopathy Symposium in New Delhi.
• The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy organized the event under the theme "Empowering Research, Enhancing Proficiency," emphasizing the significance of research and proficiency in the field, particularly in the 21st century.

International News:

India-Kazakhstan to Enhance Counter-Terror Cooperation in Response to Moscow Attacks:

• In response to the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, suspected to be carried out by extremists from Central Asia possibly influenced by Pakistani seminaries, India and Kazakhstan came together in Astana.
• The aim was to strengthen their collaboration against terrorism, reflecting a shared commitment to combatting such threats regionally and globally.

Business News:

KABIL and CSIR-IMMT Forge Alliance for Critical Minerals Advancement:

• To fortify India's mineral security, Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• This agreement focuses on technical and knowledge cooperation, leveraging CSIR-IMMT's expertise in crucial domains like mineral processing and metal extraction.

India Invokes Peace Clause for Fifth Consecutive Time at WTO:

• Once again, India has invoked the peace clause at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for exceeding rice subsidies during the 2022-23 marketing year.
• Despite surpassing the 10% domestic support limit, India faces no immediate consequences due to the provision of the peace clause, established at the 2013 Bali ministerial conference.

Banking News:

ICICI Lombard Partners with Policybazaar to Expand Insurance Distribution:

• In a strategic move to broaden insurance distribution nationwide, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company partnered with Policybazaar.
• This collaboration utilizes Policybazaar's digital platform to provide a diverse range of insurance products to approximately 10 million customers, aiming to enhance accessibility and coverage across India.

National News:

HDFC Bank Becomes First Private Bank to Open Branch in Lakshadweep:

• Setting a historic precedent, HDFC Bank has inaugurated a branch on Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep, marking its status as the sole private sector bank with a presence in the Union Territory.
• This initiative aims to enhance banking accessibility and services in Lakshadweep, focusing on personal banking and digital solutions.
• The branch will offer tailored digital services, including QR-based transactions, to meet the financial requirements of individuals, families, and businesses in the region.

Schemes News:

NTPC Limited to Launch New Edition of Girl Child Empowerment Mission (GEM):

• NTPC Limited, India’s largest power company, is gearing up to unveil an updated edition of its flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, the Girl Child Empowerment Mission (GEM).
• This initiative aligns with the Government of India's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) campaign, emphasizing the importance of empowering girls through education and support.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Organizes ‘Shakti – A Festival of Music and Dance’ in Shaktipeeths:

• The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) is hosting the festival ‘Shakti – A Festival of Music and Dance’ from April 9 to 17, 2024, across seven sacred Shaktipeeths (holy sites) in India.
• As part of the Kala Pravah series, this event seeks to revive and celebrate temple traditions during the auspicious Navratri period, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of music and dance in these sacred locations.

Sports News:

Harendra Singh Appointed as Coach of Indian Women’s Hockey Team Until 2028 Olympics:

• Renowned former Indian hockey player and Dronacharya awardee Harendra Singh has been appointed as the coach of the senior national women’s hockey team by Hockey India.
• He replaces Janneke Schopman, a former Dutch hockey player, who resigned following the Indian team's failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024.
• Singh's appointment underscores a strategic shift in coaching leadership aimed at preparing the team for future international competitions, including the 2028 Olympics.

Awards News:

Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital Wins ‘Best Scientific Poster Award’ 2024:

• Agarwal’s Eye Hospital's research team has been honored with the esteemed ‘Best Scientific Poster Award’ at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).
• The award-winning study focused on assessing the efficacy of RevitalVision vision-training software in enhancing best-corrected vision among stable keratoconus patients post Crosslinking surgery, showcasing significant advancements in eye care research and treatment.