- The number of corona cases in the country has decreased for the fourth day in a row. The Ministry of Health reports that 7,633 new cases have been registered in the past day, with 11 fatalities. On the other hand, in Delhi, COVID cases increased by more than 430 percent between March 30 and April 17. 27 people had died earlier on Sunday, while 9,111 more infections had arrived. On Saturday, 10,093 new cases were filed, and on Friday, 10,753. On April 13th, a maximum of 11,000 cases were reported. There were a maximum of 29 deaths on this day.
- Inflation measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) slowed to a 29-month low of 1.34 percent in March 2023. This information was obtained from official government data that was made public on April 17, 2023. Lower costs for manufactured goods and gasoline are the main causes of the fall in wholesale inflation (WPI inflation). However, throughout this time, food prices have risen more than usual. The wholesale inflation rate has fallen for ten months in a row as of March 2023. Inflation measured by the WPI was 3.85% in February 2023 and 14.63% in March 2022. Retail inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) also decreased from 6.44 percent in February to 5.66 percent in March, a 15-month low.
- The Central Government intends to launch the “Vande Metro” by December 2023, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. Following this declaration, the Vande Bharat Express, which runs on some sections as a semi-high-speed train, was successfully launched. Major cities are expected to be connected by the developing metro network, which will also offer an effective form of transportation. The “Vande Metro” will operate on a short-distance metro rail network that will link major cities within a radius of 100 kilometres or less, according to Vaishnav. By taking this new action, the load on Zonal Railways cars will be lessened. The “Vande Metro,” according to Vaishnav, will be reasonably priced and built on the success of the Vande Bharat Express.
- The Vibrant Village Programme was introduced recently, in Kibithu, a border village in Arunachal Pradesh, by India’s Home Minister Amit Shah. The program’s goal is to make rural areas more developed generally and turn them into prosperous, self-sufficient communities. The Home Minister’s Vibrant Village Programme strives to improve rural areas holistically and make them into prosperous, self-sufficient communities. The programme includes a number of measures, including the building of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, the provision of energy, and the availability of clean drinking water. It also involves skill development programs to generate employment prospects for local folks.
- In India, Apple’s first official store has been opened. CEO Tim Cook inaugurated the company’s first flagship retail location in Mumbai. In addition to opening the store’s door, he posed for pictures with the customers. This store is located in Jio World Drive Mall, which is owned by Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries. Apple now operates 551 locations across 25 nations. On April 20, a new Apple store will open in Delhi’s Saket neighbourhood, bringing the total to 552. Apple’s premium resellers include any store that now sells its products. The term “Premium Reseller” describes independent retailers who have been granted permission by Apple to sell the product.
- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was granted the status of a national party by the Election Commission. AAP has been granted national party status by the Election Commission, whilst ECI revoked the national party status of Communist Party of India (CPI), Trinamool Congress, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The commission also withdrew the state party designation given to the RLD (RLD) in Uttar Pradesh, the BRS in Andhra Pradesh, the PDA in Manipur, the PMK in Puducherry, the RSP in West Bengal, and the MPC in Mizoram. According to the commission, AAP has received the status of a national party as a result of its electoral success in the states of Delhi, Goa, Punjab, and Gujarat.
- In the fiscal year 2022-23, America overtook China as India’s largest trading partner. During this time, trade between the two countries totaled $128.55 billion. This demonstrates that the two countries’ economic ties are strengthening. According to preliminary Ministry of Commerce estimates, bilateral commerce between India and the United States will increase by 7.65% to $128.55 billion in 2022-23. The two countries’ bilateral commerce was $ 119.5 billion in the previous fiscal year (2021-22), but just $ 80.51 billion in 2020-21.
- Nandini Gupta, a Rajasthan native, has been crowned Femina Miss India World 2023 at a lavish ceremony. The beauty pageant was in its 59th year. Shreya Poonja of Delhi was the first runner-up, and Thounaojam Strela Luvang of Manipur was the second runner-up. Bollywood fame Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday also delivered outstanding performances at the occasion. The event was hosted by Maniesh Paul and Bhumi Pednekar. Nandini will represent India at the 71st Miss World pageant, which will be held in the UAE.
- Film director SS Rajamouli and actor Shah Rukh Khan are among the world’s 100 most powerful individuals. Time Magazine has put the names of both in its 2023 list. The roster also included author Salman Rushdie and TV host and judge Padma Lakshmi. Other names on the list include US Vice President Joe Biden, King Charles of the United Kingdom, Syrian-origin swimmers and social activists Sara and Yusra Mardini, and entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Read more: World Affairs: Top 10 International News Of This Week
- Atiq Ahmed, a gangster-politician, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead on Saturday night while being brought for medical testing in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The news came just hours after Asad Ahmed, son of Atiq Ahmed, was laid to rest at Prayagraj’s Kasari Masari graveyard. Following the deaths, security around Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence was increased. In Prayagraj, 17 police officers have been suspended, and Section 144 has been imposed. A day before his death, his son Asad was killed in an Police encounter.