SOURCE: AFI

In a landmark move for India’s manufacturing sector, Bangalore-based Dynamatic Technologies Ltd. (DTL) has joined forces with Deutsche Aircraft to manufacture the rear fuselage for the D328eco, a 40-seater next-generation regional turboprop aircraft. This collaboration marks the first project between the two companies and signifies a significant step forward for “Make in India” initiatives.

The D328eco is a modernized version of the Dornier 328, known for its efficiency and performance. Deliveries of the initial DTL-built fuselage are expected by the end of 2025.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent interview with The Fifth Estate, a Canadian investigative documentary TV series, Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun outlined his ambitious vision for the creation of Khalistan, a separate state carved out of India. Pannun’s assertion that Khalistan will emerge within the next 11 to 21 years has reignited discussions surrounding the contentious issue of Sikh separatism and its potential implications for regional stability.

Pannun’s statement, while bold, lacks a concrete plan of action for achieving the goal of Khalistan’s creation. However, it appears that his strategy may involve leveraging the support of Western powers such as Canada and the United States to legitimize the idea through an unbinding referendum. By seeking recognition from influential nations, Pannun aims to garner international legitimacy for the Khalistan movement and bolster its credibility on the global stage.

SOURCE: AFI

India recently deactivated a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued earlier, indicating the cancellation of a planned missile launch over the Bay of Bengal. The designated area for the NOTAM spanned 3550 kilometers, leading to speculation about a potential test of the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

This speculation came after India’s successful test of the Agni-V missile with Multiple Independently Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) capability just days earlier.

SOURCE: ANI

As the United States is deepening sanctions on tankers carrying petroleum above Western price caps, it is also trying to help India negotiate lower prices for Russian oil, Reuters reported citing the Biden administration’s energy envoy on Tuesday.

Last month, on the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US imposed sanctions on Russia’s leading tanker group Sovcomflot (FLOT.MM). It also designated 14 crude oil tankers as property in which Sovcomflot had an interest.

SOURCE: AFI

Winston Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand, has raised eyebrows by stating that Canada has not provided any evidence to substantiate its allegations in a diplomatic row with India. Peters made these remarks during an interview with The Indian Express, shedding light on a contentious issue that has strained relations between India and Canada.

At the heart of this diplomatic spat lies the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India’s most-wanted terrorists. Nijjar met his demise in a tragic incident outside a gurdwara in Canada’s British Columbia in June, sparking a flurry of accusations and counterclaims between the two nations.

SOURCE: PIB

Data from the EOS-06 (Oceansat-3) satellite enables the monitoring of the dynamics of the Global Biosphere on Land & Oceans every month. Launched in November 2022, EOS-06 is the third-generation satellite in the Oceansat series, equipped with the Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM-3) and a Scatterometer (SCAT-3) sensor. OCM-3, featuring 13 spectral bands (in the 412-1010 nm spectral range), captures the global vegetation condition/greenness on land by measuring the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and ocean biological productivity over oceanic regions by measuring phytoplankton Chlorophyll concentration.

The SCAT-3 sensor provides high-resolution global ocean surface wind speed and direction information. Data from both these sensors are valuable for studying global land vegetation, ocean biogeochemical dynamics, ocean circulation, and cyclogenesis across the globe. EOS-06 provides the unique advantage of simultaneously providing NDVI, ocean chlorophyll, and winds, depicting the ocean upwelling zones, movement of chlorophyll blooms, and trends in global land vegetation in different months.

SOURCE: ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a ‘productive’ meeting with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, on Tuesday, discussing cooperation in Commonwealth and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms.

“Warm and productive meeting with DPM and FM @winstonpeters of New Zealand this evening. Agreed on enhancing our political, trade & economic, security, connectivity, mobility, education and people to people ties,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of three semiconductor facilities in India at Rs 1.25 lakh crore, and said the country is eager to play a big role in the semiconductor sector and days are not far when it becomes a global power in this field.

Addressing people after virtually laying the foundation stone of the three semiconductor facilities – two in Gujarat and one in Assam, PM Modi targeted the Congress, accusing the previous governments led by it of failing to convert India’s semiconductor dreams into reality due to the “inability” to understand the country’s potential, priorities and futuristic needs and its “lack of will and efforts”.

SOURCE: IANS

Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay will arrive in India on Thursday to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. In his first overseas visit from March 14-18 after assuming office in January, 2024, PM Tobgay will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi and call on President Droupadi Murmu.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and several other Indian dignitaries will also be meeting PM Tobgay who will also be travelling to Mumbai during his visit. “The visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in our unique partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release on Wednesday.

SOURCE: IANS

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made its first arrest from Ballari, Karnataka in connection with the recent Bengaluru cafe blast. The accused has been identified as Mohammed Shabbir. Shabbir’s arrest comes following intensive investigative efforts by the NIA, which took over the case on March 3. The anti-terror agency had been meticulously piecing together evidence since the explosion rocked a popular cafe in Bengaluru on March 1.

Sources said that Shabbir is believed to be an accomplice of the prime suspect, who was captured on security camera footage leaving a bag at the cafe premises just before the blast occurred.

SOURCE: IANS

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for expansion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) with the addition of three lakh cadet vacancies to cater to its increasing demand from educational institutions throughout the country. From just 20,000 cadets in 1948, the NCC will now have a sanctioned strength of 20 lakh cadets on its roles making it the largest uniformed youth organisation of the world, Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Wednesday.

With NCC being offered as an elective subject as per the National Education Policy 2020, the expansion will be a step towards meeting the aspirations of the youth towards playing a pivotal role as future leaders of the nation.

SOURCE: AFI

A recently built LCA-Tejas aircraft (SP-24/ LA-5020) tragically crashed near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Tuesday during an operational training sortie. Thankfully, the pilot ejected safely, marking the first-ever crash of the Tejas in its 23-year operational history.

The relatively new aircraft, having completed its maiden flight in March 2021, raises concerns regarding the cause of the incident. Reports suggest the pilot informed air traffic control (ATC) about engine failure before ejecting, indicating a potential issue with power generation during landing.