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During a recent briefing on the H5N1 strain of bird flu, experts highlighted concerns regarding its potential to trigger a new pandemic. Scientists warned that the virus is approaching a critical threshold where it could spark a worldwide outbreak. Watch the video.
Simona Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion, expressed nervousness as she flew to Florida for the Miami Open, marking her return to professional tennis after 18 -month doping ban was reduced on appeal. Uncertain about both on-court performance and off-court reception, Halep confided in her mother about her apprehensions. Watch for more details
Governments, business leaders, and development banks have two years to take action to avert far worse climate change, UNs climate chief has said, warning global warming is slipping down politicians' agendas. Speaking at an event at the Chatham House think-tank in London, Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the next 24 months are 'essential in saving our planet'
Mercurial tech billionaire Elon Musk is visiting India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the week of April 22, along with revealing plans to invest and open a factory in the country, according to Reuters. Tesla, one of the world's largest automakers, has lobbied for several years to cut import taxes in India. After refusing to budge for years, the Indian government finally unveiled a new EV policy last month. This policy offers import duty concessions, provided manufacturers fulfill certain conditions. Following this, Musk is expected to make announcements on where Tesla will be setting up a factory in India.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that President Joe Biden has slightly extended his advantage over Donald Trump in the lead-up to the November presidential election. In the nationwide online survey of 833 registered voters, approximately 41% indicated they would vote for Biden if the election took place today, while around 37% expressed support for Trump. Watch for more details!
Watchmakers are showcasing their most luxurious creations in Geneva this week at the Watches and Wonders fair. The fair will open its doors for three days – up from two last year– from 13 to 15 April. Watch for more details!
South Africa’s Electoral Court ruled that former President Jacob Zuma can run for office in the upcoming general election, overturning an earlier decision that had barred him from contesting the polls. The decision paved the way for Zuma to run for president on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MK, a new political organization that he joined last year after denouncing the ruling African National Congress party that he once led. Watch for details!
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said Canberra would consider recognition of a Palestinian state, a shift in policy as the international community looks for a two-state solution to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict. In a speech at the Australian National University, Wong backed comments by Britain's foreign minister David Cameron who has said that recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations, would make a two-state solution irreversible. Watch to know more
Israel for the first time deployed its ship-mounted defence system, called the C-Dome, against a “suspicious” target that entered the country’s airspace near the southern city of Eilat. The C-Dome is a naval version of the Iron Dome air defence system used to shield against rocket and missile attacks. Watch for more details.
During an event titled 'Impact & Innovation: 25 Years of Making Development a Ground Reality' in Delhi, the US Ambassador in India referred to India as the place of the future. The ambassador also participated in a session with foreign policy experts which was organized by VIF India. You can watch the video to learn more about the event.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a date has been set for an Israeli invasion of Rafah, Gaza's last refuge for displaced Palestinians, without disclosing that date. He made his statement as a new round of ceasefire talks was ongoing in Cairo. The United States has said a ground operation into Rafah would be a mistake and has demanded to see a credible plan to protect civilians.
Hamas said on April 9 that an Israeli proposal on a ceasefire in their war in Gaza met none of the demands of Palestinian militant factions, but it would study the offer further and deliver its response to mediators. The talks have so far failed to reach a breakthrough in pausing the war. Hamas wants any agreement to secure an end to the Israeli offensive, a withdrawal of forces as well as to allow displaced people to return to their homes.
The U.S. is set to announce a subsidy exceeding $6 billion to aid Samsung's expansion in Texas. The move, part of efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor production, will see Samsung doubling its U.S. investment to over $44 billion. This follows similar initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on foreign chip supply. Watch for details!
Watch India’s representative at the UN General Assembly plenary speak on the on-going Israel-Hamas war. India supports the resolution taken by the UNSC calling for an immediate ceasefire in the region. It also vows to continue providing aid to the war-torn region.
- A suspended junior minister of Maldives’ ruling party ignited controversy with a social media post, misusing elements of the Indian national flag to target the opposition party. The now-deleted post by Mariyam Shiuna featured a Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) campaign poster with the party’s logo replaced by the Ashok Chakra on the Tricolour. Watch to know more.
New Zealand announced immediate changes to its employment visa. On April 7, New Zealand said it is making immediate changes to its employment visa program. The country saw near-record immigration in last two years, which it said was "unsustainable". According to New Zealand’s Immigration Minister Erica Stanford these changes will be effective immediately. What are the changes if you wish to apply for a job in New Zealand? Watch this video to know more.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking some or all of the sun’s light from reaching Earth. The solar eclipse occurred on April 8, 2024, was a total solar eclipse which engulfed North America, specifically crossing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It’s often referred to as the “Great North American Eclipse" due to its path over these countries. Watch the great visuals here.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, blocking some or all of the sun’s light from reaching Earth. The solar eclipse occurred on April 8, 2024, was a total solar eclipse which engulfed North America, specifically crossing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It’s often referred to as the “Great North American Eclipse" due to its path over these countries. Watch the great visuals here!
South Korea’s First Lady Kim Keon Hee has not been seen in public since last December after a series of controversies, but many are not surprised by her long absence ahead of next week's high-stakes parliamentary election on April 10. Kim has been a drag on Yoon's popularity, which continued to dip from a recent high of 41.9% to 36.3% in an opinion survey of 2,509 people. To know more about why she is missing from the public eye, watch this video.
Since 2021, China's real estate industry has faced turmoil due to regulatory actions targeting the substantial debts accumulated by certain companies. This crackdown has resulted in a series of defaults, including prominent firms like Evergrande and Country Garden, facing liquidation petitions. The latest major developer in a survival battle is Shimao Group, which recently disclosed that it has received a liquidation petition from China Construction Bank. Watch for more details!
Israel's defence minister said on 7th April that the country was ready to handle any scenario after Iran threatened to retaliate for the killing of Iranian generals on April 1. An Iranian official said that Israeli embassies were not safe, and a semi-official news agency published a graphic showing weapons that it said would be capable of striking Israel. Watch the video to know more
Mexico suspended relations with Ecuador over the embassy raid because Ecuadorian police forcibly entered the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest a former vice president on graft charges, which violated diplomatic norms and sovereignty. This action was deemed unacceptable by Mexico, leading to the suspension of bilateral relations in protest against Ecuador's breach of diplomatic protocol
Kotak Mahindra AMC’s Nilesh Shah on the importance of exporting and becoming a part of the global supply chain. Watch!
Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. talks about India’s contribution to global GDP. How has India’s GDP grown historically? Watch to find out.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party is set for a heavy defeat at a national election expected this year, according to a seat projection as per a YouGov report published on Wednesday which showed the opposition Labour Party winning more than 400 seats. Watch to know more!
Tesla is planning to send a team to India in April to identify suitable locations for an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant, as per a report from the Financial Times. The proposed plant's value is estimated to range between $2 billion to $3 billion. The team's focus will be on states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, which are already established as automotive hubs. This move comes amid Tesla's persistent efforts to enter the Indian market over the past few years. Watch for more details.
The White House has instructed NASA to develop a consistent timekeeping system for the moon and other celestial objects. This move reflects the United States' desire to establish global standards in space, particularly as various nations and private entities compete in lunar exploration endeavours.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is currently exploring the potential adoption of a groundbreaking technology known as Direct-to-Mobile. This technology enables the broadcasting of videos and other multimedia content directly to your mobile phones, without the need for an active internet connection. But, how does it work? And, will it be for free? Watch this video to find out.
NATO foreign ministers met to discuss a proposal for a 100 billion euro five-year fund.The proposals would give the Western alliance a more direct role in coordinating the supply of arms, ammunition and equipment to Kyiv as it fights Russia's invasion, diplomats say. But it is unclear whether the 100 billion euro figure would be accepted or how it would be financed. Any decision by the NATO group requires consensus of its 32 members. Watch the video to know more.
Pressure mounts on Israel as seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen got killed in an attack in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labels it as a war incident, while concerns rise over aid supplies. Will this tragedy change the course of the conflict and increase Israel's isolation?
Israeli chief of staff Herzi Halevi apologised on April 3 for the 'unintentional harm' to the members of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza. Halevi said that the findings of the investigation will be shared with the World Central Kitchen and other international organisations. Watch the video to know more
The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, was asked about the U.S.' silence on the arrest of Pakistan's opposition leaders while being vocal on the arrest of AAP's Arvind Kejriwal. The spokesperson replied, saying that the U.S. wants Pakistan to treat everyone consistently with the rule of law. Watch the video to know more.
Jonathan D. Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone, the world's leading alternative asset manager and India's largest corporate landlord talked about India's trajectory towards growth and its openness to foreign investments. He mentioned that Blackstone plans to diversify its investments in India, particularly focusing on areas such as infrastructure, digital growth, equity, and more.
Suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran's embassy in Syria on April 1 in a strike that Iran said killed seven of its military advisers, including three senior commanders, marking a major escalation in Israel's war with its regional adversaries Watch to know more!
Dozens of daring adolescents and adults mounted up on children’s plastic tricycles to ride down a famous curvy road to mark the return of the annual Bring Your Own Big Wheel event in San Francisco, California on March 31, watch this video.
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, provides insight into his remarks on the CAA in India and addresses the concerning rise in attacks on Indian students in the US. Discover his firsthand experiences from his India tour, including memorable encounters with Bollywood icon Shahrukh Khan and discussions about cricket
Pope Francis delivers a powerful Easter Sunday address, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages. Amidst a backdrop of global conflicts, the pontiff's message resonates with urgency and compassion. Join us as we delve into his significant words and the impact on international affairs.
Sam Bankman Fried man who was on pinnacle of success, leading a luxurious life in Bahamas, to a sudden downfall that led to a 25-year-old facing jail time. Sam, also known as 'SBF,' soared to the second spot on Forbes' Crypto Rich List, only to see it all come crashing down. Sam Bankman started FTX in 2019 and it grew into one of the leading exchanges for crypto derivatives. Watch.
In select Parisian chocolate shops, the classic Easter chocolate eggs have undergone a whimsical transformation into sports-themed figures. With the approaching Olympic Games in mind, chocolatiers have crafted intricate pieces depicting egg-shaped track athletes, podiums, and medals. Ahead of the Easter holiday, shelves were adorned with these creative confections, reflecting the anticipation of the upcoming Games scheduled from July 26 to August 11 in Paris. At La Maison du Chocolat store, esteemed head chocolatier Nicolas Cloiseau has conceptualized a remarkable chocolate centerpiece weighing 7.6 kilograms. The centerpiece resembles a stopwatch frozen at 20.24 seconds, paying homage to the year of the Paris Olympics. It features three egg-shaped athletes engaged in a sack race around a cocoa bag-shaped racetrack, reminiscent of traditional French sack races in certain regions of the country.
Alyona Kazinskaya, a Russian artist, and her friend purchased last-minute tickets to attend a concert by the Soviet-era rock band "Picnic" near Moscow on Friday night, March 22. Little did they know, they would become involved in the deadliest attack to occur within Russia in two decades.
In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice has unanimously ruled that Israel must take immediate action to ensure essential food supplies reach the Palestinian population in Gaza and prevent the spread of famine. Aid agencies report that only a fraction of the necessary supplies are currently reaching the enclave, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The judges of the World Court emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that famine is now a stark reality for the people of Gaza. Watch for more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates at his residence in New Delhi. They discuss artificial intelligence, climate change, G20, digital payments and more. Watch!
Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone by officially entering the Miss Universe pageant this year for the first time. The global event is set to take place in Mexico on September 18. In an announcement shared on Instagram, 27-year-old Rumy Alqahtani revealed her participation as the Kingdom’s first-ever contestant in the international beauty pageant. “I am honored to participate in the Miss Universe 2024 competition. This marks the first participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe pageant,” the Riyadh-born model and content creator wrote in her post. Watch here for more details -
Amul fresh milk will be available in the US for the first time as the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation is set to launch four variants of milk in the US market within a week. The milk co-operative hopes to cater to the Indian diaspora and Asian population in the country. But which states will it be available in? And what will it be priced at? Watch here for more details
Federal authorities raided two of Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles -- and amid allegations of sexual misconduct. A lawyer for Combs said the raids, paired with “advanced, coordinated media presence” at the properties seemed more of a witch hunt. There are at least four civil complaints in recent months leveling sexual assault allegations against Combs
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on March 26 signed a bill that bans children aged under 14 from social media platforms and requires 14 and 15-year-olds to get parental consent. The state's Republican-led legislature passed a bill in February that would have banned children under 16 from social media entirely. DeSantis, had vetoed that bill earlier this month
Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro stayed for two nights at the Hungarian embassy in Brasilia, just days after federal police confiscated his passport and arrested two former aides on suspicion of plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 presidential election. There is speculation from his opponents who alleged that Brazil’s former president may have been attempting to evade arrest. Watch for more!
US President Joe Biden lauded the 22-member Indian crew aboard the freighter Dali for their prompt ‘Mayday’ distress call, credited with saving many lives during the ship's collision with the Baltimore bridge. The president also lauded the local authorities for their prompt action.
The Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group said it's offering up to $3.75 billion to buy out the 36 percent stake it does not already own in Cainiao. Group Chairman Joe Tsai said there was "significant long-term opportunity" in building out a global logistics network, saying the firm had decided to double down on the business. Watch for more details
During Exercise Tiger Triumph, the Indian Army, US Marines, and US Army National Guard come together for joint sub-conventional operations training. The USS Somerset, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, arrives in Visakhapatnam as part of this exercise. The ship's decks are adorned with memorabilia from Flight 93, including a dedicated passageway leading to the Memorial Room. The crew of the USS Somerset expressed their gratitude for the joint exercise and their memorable visit to Visakhapatnam on March 23. Aircraft Pilot Ashley Ambuehl highlighted the ship's capacity to transport numerous military vehicles. Named in honor of the lives lost on 9/11, Somerset is one of three San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships.
