Mac News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Protecting life, property amid blaze noble service: Himachal CM
Shimla, April 20: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said on Sunday that protecting life and property amid blaze "is not just a duty but a noble service" while he flagged off 13 fire-fighting vehicles to enhance the emergency response capabilities.
Not appropriate to discuss security & trade together with US: Japanese PM
Tokyo, April 20: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Sunday that it would not be appropriate to discuss security and trade together with the US.
Army launches community radio station in Himachal Pradesh's remote Pooh
Pooh, April 20: The Army on Sunday launched the community radio station 'Voice of Kinnaur' at Pooh in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district, dedicating this transformative initiative to the people of the state.
New study on brain's visual regions can help build effective AI systems
New Delhi, April 20: A Columbia University's School of Engineering study in the US has shown that the brain's visual regions play an active role in making sense of information, which could help build more adaptive AI systems.
US Vice President JD Vance to land in India on Monday for four-day high-profile visit
New Delhi, April 20: US Vice President J.D. Vance, accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri Vance and their three children, is set to arrive in India on Monday for a four-day official visit as part of his broader international tour.
South Korea, US to hold '2+2' trade consultation of finance, trade ministers
Seoul, April 20: South Korea and the United States will hold "two plus two" tariff negotiations in Washington this week, involving the countries' finance and trade ministers, the Seoul government said on Sunday.
Oman confirms progress in Iran-US nuclear talks, next round to be held in Muscat
Muscat, April 20: Oman's Foreign Ministry confirmed that Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff have agreed to move into the next phase of negotiations aimed at reaching a fair, lasting, and binding agreement on Tehran's nuclear issues.
US Vice President Vance meets Vatican officials, discusses migrants, refugees, and prisoners
Rome, April 20: US Vice President JD Vance met with top Vatican officials on Saturday to exchange views on issues concerning migrants, refugees, and prisoners.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirms Pakistan team won't travel to India for ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025
Lahore, April 20: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed Pakistan women's team won't travel to India for the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, set to be held later this year.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin announces Easter ceasefire
Moscow, April 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an Easter ceasefire, according to a post shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia on X.
Himachal Pradesh to push for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki-La Pass in Kinnaur district: CM Sukhu
Shimla, April 19: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said his government will raise the issue of starting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Shipki-La from Kinnaur district with the central government.
Putin announces Easter ceasefire in Ukraine conflict
Moscow, April 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday declared an Easter truce for the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The ceasefire will be in effect from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 until 00:00 Moscow time on April 21 - a total of 30 hours, the Russian media reported.
PM Modi to interact with Indian workers at Saudi factory during visit: MEA
New Delhi, April 19: During the special briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit a factory employing Indian workers and will interact with them during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
'Shut Parliament if SC makes laws': BJP's Nishikant Dubey sparks row
New Delhi, April 19: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday stirred controversy with a sharp statement directed apparently at the judiciary amid the ongoing Supreme Court review of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Himachal CM's aide clarifies on govt advertisements to National Herald
Shimla, April 19: Principal Media Advisor to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, on Saturday clarified over allegations of BJP legislator and Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, pertaining to the release of Rs 2.34 crore in the shape of government advertisements to the National Herald newspaper.
India calls out Pakistan's shenanigans in OIC, calls it 'habit of longstanding'
New Delhi, April 19: India on Saturday yet again slammed Pakistan's repeated attempts to highlight matters concerning India's internal affairs at the meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
FM Sitharaman to showcase India's economic dynamism during US, Peru visit
New Delhi, April 19: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to embark on an official visit to the US and Peru, beginning April 20, where she is slated to participate in multilateral dialogues to showcase India’s economic dynamism, as the country prepares a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US, it was announced on Saturday.
Second round of US-Iran nuclear talks begin in Rome
Rome, April 19: The second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran kicked off in Italy on Saturday as both sides discuss Tehran's civilian nuclear programme and the termination of American sanctions against the country.
GOC-in-C Anindya Sengupta apprises CM Sukhu of proposal to construct airstrip in Spiti Valley
Shimla, April 19: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-In-C) Surya Command, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, on Saturday called on Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and discussed a host of issues, including fostering civil-military cooperation, enhancing strategic infrastructure, besides proposal to construct an airstrip in the picturesque, mountainous Spiti Valley.
Robust India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership set for major boost during PM Modi's Riyadh visit next week
New Delhi, April 19: India and Saudi Arabia are expected to further strengthen their multifaceted partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the Kingdom, next week.
PM Modi to visit Saudi Arabia from April 22-23
New Delhi, April 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a visit to Saudi Arabia next week at the invitation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
India's pharma exports surpass $30 billion in FY25, US top market
New Delhi, April 19: In a significant achievement, the pharmaceutical exports from India crossed $30 billion in the last financial year (FY25), with the US remaining as a key market with more than one-third of the country's pharma exports.
IPOs in global biopharma industry rise to $8.52 billion in 2024
New Delhi, April 19: The initial public offerings (IPOs) in the biopharmaceutical sector surged 68.4 per cent to reach $8.52 billion globally in 2024, according to a new report.
Starmer, Trump discuss trade, security over phone
London, April 19: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed his commitment to free and open trade while emphasising the protection of national interests during a call with US President Donald Trump, according to a statement from Downing Street.
ITTF World Cup: Wang fends off fierce challenge from Duda
Macao, April 19: Olympic gold medallist and China's star paddler Wang Chuqin narrowly survived a major upset by Germany's Benedikt Duda on Friday to secure his spot in the semifinals of the ITTF Men's and Women's World Cup Macao 2025.
British-era Shanan Power Project in Himachal belongs to Punjab: Minister
Chandigarh, April 18: Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday said that the British-era Shanan Power Project in Himachal Pradesh is the property of his state.
Israel 'committed' to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear arms
Jerusalem, April 18: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement on Friday that he is committed, along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and all parties, to leading a "clear course of action" to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Russia expresses willingness to facilitate Iran-US nuclear agreement
Moscow, April 18: Russia is ready to facilitate potential nuclear deal agreements between Iran and the US, provided that such accords respect Iran's interests, country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
Emilio Estevez recalls working with late director Joel Schumacher, says he was a nightmare on set
Washington, April 18: Actor and filmmaker Emilio Estevez recalled his time with late director Joel Schumacher on the set of the 1985 coming-of-age film 'St. Elmo's Fire'.
Himachal CM inspects under-construction underground utility duct in Shimla
Shimla, April 18: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday inspected work on an underground utility duct on Friday evening, which is being constructed from Chotta Shimla to Willy's Park.
China denies Ukraine's allegations of supplying weapons to Russia, calls it political manipulation
Beijing, April 18: Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent remarks accusing China of supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its stance on the ongoing conflict and emphasised that it has consistently called for a ceasefire and peace talks, and said that it "firmly opposes groundless accusations and political manipulation."
GenAI's diagnostic capabilities comparable to non-specialist doctors: Study
New Delhi, April 18: A new research on Friday showed that generative AI’s (GenAI) diagnostic capabilities are comparable to non-specialist doctors.
Himachal Pradesh government allocates Rs 193.75 crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure
Shimla, April 18: To strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality and affordable healthcare to the people of the State, the Himachal Pradesh government has allocated Rs 193.75 crore for establishing two Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) and five District Integrated Public Health Laboratories (DIPHLs).
Lilly's orforglipron consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicines in Phase 3 trial
New Delhi, April 18: Eli Lilly and Company announced on Friday positive topline Phase 3 results from ACHIEVE-1, evaluating the safety and efficacy of orforglipron compared to placebo in adults with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control despite diet and exercise alone.
Himachal CM Sukhu releases book of 90-year old veteran social worker Hari Singh Rana
Shimla, April 18: During his recent visit to Pangi for the state-level Himachal Day celebrations, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met 90-year-old veteran social worker Hari Singh Rana, who presented his newly authored book "Mere Achhe Din" for release.
Trump expects Russia's response on Ukraine ceasefire this week
Moscow, April 18: Hours after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a telephonic conversation with the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US President Donald Trump said that he expects to get Russia's response on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine over the weekend.
Indian pharma giants target bigger share of $145 billion US cancer drug market
New Delhi, April 18: Indian pharmaceutical companies are ramping up efforts to expand their footprint in the lucrative US oncology generics market, which is currently valued at $145 billion and growing at a robust pace of 11 per cent annually, according to a new report.
Heavy rains lash Odisha's Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Heavy rains, accompanied by winds, lashed on Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Friday morning.
Egypt, Slovenia reject displacing Gazans, back Palestinian statehood for peace
Cairo, April 18: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Slovenia's Parliamentary Speaker Urska Klakocar Zupancic have reaffirmed their opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and their support for the establishment of a Palestinian state as the only path to long-term regional peace.
Israeli PM insists will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear arms
Jerusalem, April 18: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, amid reports of renewed negotiations between Tehran and the US administration over a new nuclear agreement.