NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has delivered two Dornier 228 planes to the Guyana Defence Force. In a social media post, President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali said, the planes arrived at Cheddi Jagan International Airport last evening aboard two Boeing C-17 Globemaster military transport planes.

The World Bank has lowered the GDP growth forecast for Bangladesh by 0.1 percentage point to 5.7 per cent for the next fiscal year (FY2025). High inflation, a persistent balance of payments deficit, financial sector vulnerabilities, and global economic uncertainty has been disruptive for the post-Pandemic recovery of Bangladesh’s Economy, said the World Bank during the release of Bangladesh Development Update report in Dhaka on Tuesday. The World Bank, however, keeps the growth projection unchanged for the current fiscal year for Bangladesh. The bank said that urgent monetary reform and a single exchange rate regime will be critical to improve foreign exchange reserves and ease inflation. Greater exchange rate flexibility would help restore balance between demand and supply in the foreign exchange market, said the report. The World Bank suggested that structural reforms will be key to diversify the economy and build resilience over the medium and long term, including measures to raise government revenues to support investments in infrastructure and human capital. In Bangladesh, persistent inflation eroded consumer purchasing power, while investment was dampened by tight liquidity conditions, rising interest rates, import restrictions, and increased input costs stemming from upward revisions in administered energy prices, said Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh

Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee kept repo rate unchanged for 7th time in a row. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das today, April 5 announced the Monetary Policy statement and kept the Repo rate at 6.5%. He said, in the current Financial Year Real GDP rate is expected at 7 per cent while CPI inflation is at 4.5 per cent. Mr. Das said India’s foreign exchange reserves reached an all-time high of $ 645.6 Billion as of March 29, 2024. Global trade is expected to improve in 2024 but remains below average, he added. On the domestic front Governor said that demand is increasing in rural areas, the unorganized sector is improving and investment is increasing. About the international scenario he said, Geopolitical conditions and high levels of public debt in emerging economies are of great concern.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued five fishermen from a sinking Indian fishing boat at mid-sea, approximately 50 km from Porbandar. The ICG’s action came in response to an SOS call. ICG Ship C-16 quickly arrived in the vicinity of the fishing boat in a short time and launched the rescue and support mission. As the fishing boat was already 75 per cent flooded, it sank 12 km off Porbandar. The ICG ship rescued all five crew members and medical support was provided to them. Earlier on March 20, the Indian Coast Guard carried out a rescue operation of eight crew members from a flooded boat after receiving a distress call off the coast of Kundapura in Karnataka.

Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi today criticized the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal for trying their best to protect the accused in the Sandeshkhali incidents that rocked the state. Addressing a public rally in Cooch Behar to boost BJP prospects in the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi asserted that only BJP can stop atrocities against women. Prime Minister Modi also criticized TMC for not allowing the implementation of  Central schemes in West Bengal. He said, many projects have not been completed on time despite the Centre giving record amounts of money. The Prime Minister also targeted Congress and said that for decades it kept giving the ‘Garibi Hatao’slogan but it is the BJP that has worked hard to alleviate 25 crore people from poverty. This happened because his Party is working sincerely and its  ‘niyat’ is right. Cooch Behar in north Bengal along with Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri will go to the polls on April 19 in the first of the seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls.

The External Affairs Ministry today said the first batch of people under the G2G agreement have gone to Israel. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that India is conscious of their safety and has urged the Israeli authorities to ensure their safety and wellbeing. The workers have gone to Israel as part of a Mobility Agreement that India signed with Israel. The agreement predates the ongoing conflict in the region. Replying to another query, the spokesperson said India has noted with concern the Israeli attack on Iranian diplomatic premises in Syria on the first of April. He said India is distressed at the escalating tensions in West Asia and their potential to fuel further violence and instability. India has urged all parties to avoid actions that go against commonly accepted principles and norms of international law. Replying to a question on China claiming Arunachal Pradesh, the spokesperson said that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of India and will remain so. On India-Bangladesh ties, Mr Jaiswal said bilateral relations are very strong. He said both nations have a very comprehensive partnership that spans across sectors. On the two Indians who were reported missing after the Taiwan earthquake, Mr Jaiswal said they are now safe and contact has been established with them.

Senior BJP leader Smriti Irani visited Kasaragod in Kerala yesterday, April 4. Addressing a public meeting in support of NDA candidate ML Ashwini at Kanhangad, she challenged the Congress leadership to face the general elections, without the support extended by the SDPI, the political wing of the banned outfit, Popular Front of India. The BJP leader also referred to the Cooperative Bank scams in which several crores of public money were siphoned off by local leaders of the Congress, CPI-M and CPI in the state. She charged that the I.N.D.I.A bock was formed to loot the people, while the Narendra Modi’s government aims to ensure the country’s development and to make it the third largest economic power in the world.

Young Indian badminton player Anmol Kharb advanced to the women’s singles quarterfinals along with four other Indian players at the Kazakhstan International Challenge in Astana today. She defeated Nurani Rattu Azzahra of UAE in straight games 21-11, 21-7. Besides Anmol, shuttlers Devika Sihag, former national champion Anupama Upadhaya, seventh seed Tanya Hemanth and Isharani Baruah also entered into quarters. In mixed doubles, the pairs of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvija Shivani Gadde, Abhyuday Choudhary and Vaishnavi Khadkekar, Sanjai Srivatsa Dhanraj and Maneesha K and Zhakuo Seyie and Alisha Khan also progressed to the quarterfinals.

In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings have set a target of 166 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Chennai Super Kings scored 165 runs for five wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and opted to field.

Tax on the super-rich, the law on general wealth tax and inheritance tax as well as reservation in the private sector, state funding for elections and banning corporate donation to political parties are parts of the CPI(M) manifesto released today for Lok Sabha Polls. In the manifesto, CPI(M) also said it is committed to including the Right to Work as a constitutional right. The Party also promised scraping of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and  Politburo members Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, Nilotpal Basu and Tapan Sen released the manifesto in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yechury said, the Party will further strengthen the democracy and secularism in the country. He urged people to defeat the ruling BJP and its allies in the Lok Sabha polls to ensure that an alternative government is formed at the Centre

Oil prices were stable today, as investors mulled supply risks stemming from ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and the potential for a widening of the West Asia conflict. The Brent crude oil futures was up to trade at 89 dollar and 67 cents whereas Western Texas Intermediate was higher at 85 dollar and 89 cents when reports last came in.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar interacted with the students of Rashtriya Military School, Dholpur at Parliament House, New Delhi today. The students are participating in a three-day Study Visit Programme organised by Rajya Sabha.