President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a two-day Homeopathic Symposium on Wednesday on World Homeopathy Day 2024 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre Dwarka, New Delhi. The symposium to be organized by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) under the aegis of Ministry of Ayush is based on the theme of ‘Empowering Research, Enhancing Proficiency.’ The event aims to promote holistic health and wellness and head towards utilization of advanced techniques for homoeopathy research. The Scientific Convention will also include sessions on Translational Research, Epidemic and Public health, Homoeopathic Drug Standardisation and Basic Research among others. Several publications will also be released during the event. Ministry of Ayush, Secretary, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Director General of CCHR, Dr. Subhash Kaushik, National Commission for Homoeopathy, Chairman, Dr. Anil Khurana and the Padma Awardees in Homoeopathy are also slated to attend the symposium.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met with Secretary General of Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Theodora Gentzis in New Delhi on Tuesday. In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar said that they discussed strengthening economic and political cooperation between India, Belgium and the European Union. Dr. Jaishankar also took up the concerns of the diamond industry and exchanged views on semiconductors and green growth.

In Monday’s (8th April 2024) intraday trade, gold and silver prices hit new lifetime highs in the futures market. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold contracts for June delivery soared by 440 rupees, reaching an all-time high of Rs 71,080 per 10 grams. Meanwhile, silver futures for May contract scaled a new peak of 82,109 rupees per kilogram. The escalation in gold prices can be attributed to fresh positions taken by market participants. Additionally, the continued purchase of gold by global central banks has offered significant bolstering to prices, alongside sustained geopolitical tensions

In Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has finally announced its seat-sharing deal. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and State Congress president Nana Patole announced the seat-sharing arrangement for the 48 parliamentary seats in the State. The Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest 21 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress 17 and the NCP (SP) 10 seats in Maharashtra. Shivsena(UBT) will contest from Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Raigad, Mawal, Dharashiv, Ratnagiri, Buldhana, Hatkanagale, Sambhaji Nagar, Shirdi, Sangli, Hingoli, Yawatmal-Washim and four seats in Mumbai. Congress will contest in Nandurbar, Dhule, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondia, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur, Nanded, Jalna, Mumbai North-Central, Pune, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ramtek and Mumbai North. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar-led NCP will contest in the Baramati, Shirur, Satara, Bhiwandi, Dindori, Madha, Raver, Wardha, Ahmednagar South and Beed constituencies.

Telangana state senior IPS officer and Director General of the state Vigilance and Enforcement Rajeev Ratan passed away this morning of heart attack. According to his family members, they rushed him to a private hospital complaining of chest pain this morning. The senior officer passed away while undergoing treatment. A 1991 batch IPS officer, he served as IG Operation, MD, Police Housing Corporation and held many other posts.

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has extended the judicial custody of BRS leader K Kavitha till April 23 in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam. She is in judicial custody after her arrest in the Delhi Excise policy money laundering case. A Delhi court had yesterday denied interim bail to Kavitha. Kavitha is allegedly a key member of the “South Group”, which has been accused of paying the ruling AAP in Delhi kickbacks of 100 crore rupees in return for a big share of liquor licences in the national capital. Kavitha was arrested from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15 by the Enforcement Directorate.

India has termed the UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan a positive step. It has asserted that the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is unacceptable. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told in a UN General Assembly meeting that India was deeply troubled by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She said that the humanitarian crisis had deepened and instability had been increasing in the region and beyond. Ms Kamboj said that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas had led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children. The UNSC resolution, adopted on March 25 by the UN Security Council demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as the humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs. The 15-nation Council adopted the resolution, put forth by the 10 non-permanent elected members of the Council, with 14 nations voting in favour, none against, and an abstention by the US, a permanent member.

Benchmark equity indices continued their record-breaking rally as the BSE Sensex breached the 75,000 mark this morning for the first time and Nifty climbed to its fresh new record peak. Buying in IT stocks contributed the most to the market’s rally in early trade. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed over 381 points to reach its all-time peak of 75,124. The NSE Nifty advanced 99 points to hit its record peak of 22,765 From the Sensex basket, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies, Tata Motors, Wipro, ICICI Bank and Nestle were the major gainers. The BSE benchmark jumped 494 points to settle at a new closing peak of 74,742 yesterday. The NSE Nifty climbed 152 points to 22,666.

In Assam, star campaigners have started arriving in the state to woo the voters. Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah will hold a public meeting at North Lakhimpur this afternoon. Later in the evening, he will do a roadshow at Tinsukia where polls will be held on the 19th of this month. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state BJP president Bhabesh Kalita are doing campaigning. Other parties are also holding meetings for their party candidates. State Congress President Bhupen Bora, MP Gaurav Gogoi and Pradyut Bordoloi are making all out efforts to garner public support. AAP leader Atishi held a roadshow at Duliajan for party candidate yesterday. 35 candidates are in the fray for five seats in the first phase of polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted people on Nav Samvatsar. In a social media post, Mr Modi wished people the new year be filled with happiness, prosperity and good health. The Prime Minister also wished everyone on the occasion of Gudhi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, Ugaadi, Sajibu Cheiraoba Wishing people on Navratri, Mr Modi hoped that the great festival of worshipping Shakti would bring everyone happiness, prosperity, good fortune and good health

In Nepal, the foundation stone for the construction of the Shree Diding Basic School Building was laid at Chichila Rural Municipality-3, Sankhuwasabha District, being built with the Government of India’s financial assistance at the tendered cost of NRs.40.29 million under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’. Political representatives, government officials, social workers, representatives of school management, teachers, parents and students were also present on this occasion. The Government of India grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’, will be utilized for the construction of a double-storied academic and administrative block with other facilities for this school. The project is taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), under an Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal being implemented through Chichila Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasabha. The project is an important example of the robust development partnership between India and Nepal. Pasang Nurbu Sherpa, Chairman of Chichila Rural Municipality in his remarks appreciated the continued developmental support of the Government of India in the upliftment of the people of Nepal in priority sectors. The new school building would be useful in providing better education facilities to students of Shree Diding Basic School in Chichila Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasabha and would create an improved environment for learning as well as contribute to the development of education in this area. Since 2003, the Government of India has taken up over 550 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 488 projects. Amongst these, 85 projects are in Koshi Province in various sectors, which include 2 projects in Sankhuwasabha.  As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in the upliftment of its people and augmenting infrastructure in the priority sector, especially in the education sector in Nepal.

In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai last night. Chasing a target of 138, Chennai reached 141 for the loss of three wickets, with 14 balls to spare. Skipper Rithuraj Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 67 runs from 58 balls. Earlier, put in to bat first, Kolkata scored 137 for the loss of nine wickets. Shreyas Iyer was the top scorer for Kolkata, scoring 34 off 32. For Chennai, Tushar Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets each, while Mustafizur Rahman scalped two wickets. Today, Punjab Kings will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh. The match will start at 7.30 PM, IST.