Today in History (Apr 19th, 1775)
The American Revolution, which resulted in the colonies gaining independence from Great Britain and the formation of the United States of America, began on April 19, 1775 with the battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War between the British and the 13 American colonies.
Summary of Today’s News
India and Russia agree to deepen trade and economic relations.
The India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Co-operation (IRIGC-TEC) reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral trade and economic relationship and agreed to work together to unlock the full potential, including addressing the trade deficit and market access issues. Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Trade and Commerce, and Denis Manturov, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, co-chaired it.
NIA takes over Kozhikode train arson.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the Kozhikode train arson case investigation after the Union Government categorized the arson as a scheduled offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008. According to NIA, the available information indicated that the accused carried out the arson using an inflammable liquid, an offence under Section 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Apple’s first India Store opened in Mumbai.
Apple Inc. opened its first retail store in India, Apple BKC, at Jio Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, to solidify its base in India. The second store, Apple Saket in Delhi, will open on April 20, 2023. The store features over 100 team members who speak more than 20 languages to cater to customers worldwide, helping them learn about Apple products.
Deadline for Aadhar-based payment extended till June 30.
The Union Government has extended the deadline for workers to mandatorily use the Aadhar-based payment system for receiving wages till June 30, 2023, following sustained protests by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers over the issue of Aadhar-based payment system, which are cumbersome for workers who are not conversant with the banking system.
Murugan’s Pyre fails to enter the International Booker shortlist.
Perumal Murugan’s novel Pookuzhi, translated into English as Pyre by Anirudh Vasudevan failed to make the shortlist for the International Booker Prize 2023. The novel exposes the ugly face of casteism that destroys the life of the inter-caste couple Kumaresan and Saroja.