INTERNATIONAL
- Russia has successfully tested Akademik Lomonosov
- Russiahas successfully tested the world’s first floating nuclear power plant (NPP), Akademik Lomonosov. Reactors of the floating atomic block were launched in November 2018. The tests confirmed the operational stability of the main and auxiliary equipment for the plant will be the world’s first fully commercial operational floating nuclear power plant. All automatic process and control systems were tested successfully.
Lomonosov:
- Akademik Lomonosovwas built at a shipyard in St.Petersburg since 2008 and was last summer towed around Scandinavia to Murmansk where the uranium fuel elements were loaded into the two reactors and testing now has been going on for nearly a year. The plant will be towed out of Murmansk towards Pevek along the Northern Sea Route during the sailing season 2019. Providing 70 MW electricity and 300 MW head, the Akademik Lomonosov will replace the existing Bilbino nuclear heat- and electricity plant in Pevek.
- Malaysia to revive 2nd major China-linked project
- Malaysia resumed a China-backed rail link project after the Chinese contractor agreed to cut the construction cost by one third to 10.6 billion US dollars.
The Malaysian government will also take up a multibillion-dollar property and transportation project in Kuala Lumpur involving a Chinese state company, calling it a contribution to China’s global “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is travelling to China next week to attend the second Belt and Road forum that both projects will boost ties with China and add economic value.
NATIONAL
- Namami Gange gets approved with Global recognition at Global Water Summit
- The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was awarded the distinction of “Public Water Agency of the Year” at the Global Water Summit in London.
- The Global Water Awards are presented at the Global Water Summit, the major business conference for the water industry worldwide.
- The awards recognise excellence across the international water industry and reward those initiatives in the water, wastewater, and desalination sectors, which bring remarkable improvements in the lives of people.
- Ambedkar Jayanti: 14 April
- Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Bhimrao Ambedkar or BR Ambedkar – the “Father of The Indian Constitution”.
- Celebrated on April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti honours the Dalit icon who dedicated his life working for the upliftment of untouchables, women and labourers.
- Dr BR Ambedkar not just gave India its Constitution, but also played a key role in the formation of Reserve Bank of India – the country’s central banking institution.
- The government has declared a public holiday on 14 April for all Central government offices, including industrial establishments, throughout India.
- Indian Railways unrolls new quota for foreigners and NRIs to book tickets