Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI China: China loses to Canada at 2025 Men’s Volleyball Nations League

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Jiang Chuan (R) of China spikes during the Pool 5 match between China and Canada at the Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 in Chicago, the United States, June 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Chinese team lost 3-0 to Canada in the 2025 Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Chicago leg on Sunday.

    In the first set, the two teams were tied from 1-1 to 12-12 before Canada pulled away with five straight points to lead 17-12. China closed the gap to 20-21 with blocks from Zhang Zhejia and Li Yongzhen and powerful attacks by Jiang Chuan. However, Canada held on to take the set 25-23 with strong serving and offense.

    China fell behind 4-7 in the second set but responded with four straight points to lead 8-7. The teams stayed close until 16-16, when Canada pulled ahead to win 25-20. China committed more errors, saw a drop in offensive efficiency, and struggled to contain Canada’s momentum.

    In the third set, China trailed 6-1 early but narrowed the gap to 8-7 before losing steam. Led by captain Jiang Chuan, the team rallied to 19-17, but Canada held on to win the set 25-23 and seal the match.

    Zhang Jingyin missed the match due to a knee injury, while Jiang Chuan returned to the starting lineup. China had opportunities to tie or take the lead in both the first and third sets but fell short in key moments.

    The team continues to face challenges with first-pass stability, quick-attack execution from middle blockers, and setter variation.

    Ranked 11th in the world, Canada holds a clear advantage over 24th-ranked China. This latest defeat marks China’s fourth straight loss to Canada, compounding a psychological disadvantage.

    Jiang expressed his frustration. “Losing four matches in the Chicago leg is a wake-up call. We need to change some things in the next leg and strive for better performance,” he said.

    “We didn’t play our best match. One or two players did a good job, a lot of players could not bring what they can do,” said China’s Belgian head coach Vital Heynen. “But (for sports) sometimes you don’t play as good as you are. We have to accept.”

    “Seeing our whole situation, injuries, putting players coming back, some players have to take a lot of loads who are not used to do that, and cannot always bring that, that’s normal,” Heynen said. “I blame myself and the team, like we together are not good enough.”

    “I think every match is so difficult for us. So we will try next week to win at least one match, to have at least a good ending of this VNL.”

    Five national teams from China, the United States, Brazil, Italy and Canada competed in the Chicago leg of the 2025 VNL. China lost all four of its matches.

    The VNL group stage spans three weeks, with Chicago hosting the second week. The third week will take place in Gdansk, Poland; Ljubljana, Slovenia; and the Kanto region of Japan. The finals are scheduled for July 30 to August 3 in Ningbo Beilun, east China’s Zhejiang Province. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Symphony concert held to mark 104th founding anniversary of CPC

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Symphony concert held to mark 104th founding anniversary of CPC

    Xinhua | July 1, 2025

    A symphony concert was held at the Museum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing on Monday night to celebrate the 104th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, which falls on Tuesday.

    Around 800 people attended the event, including recipients of major national honorary medals and titles, outstanding grassroots CPC members, and members of the public from all walks of life.

    It featured 17 musical works with themes of honoring history, remembering the martyrs, cherishing peace, striving for a better future, and celebrating ethnic solidarity and harmony.

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and several selections were performed to commemorate the occasion.

    Multiple orchestras and institutions, such as the China National Symphony Orchestra, the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, the China National Opera House, and the National Ballet of China, participated in the performance.

    The concert was co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the China Media Group (CMG), and will also be broadcast during prime time on CMG channels on Tuesday. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: China to set up first international association on deep-space exploration

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China will officially launch the International Deep Space Exploration Association (IDSEA) next Monday, with a particular aim of empowering other developing countries in developing deep-space technologies.

    Located in Hefei, Anhui Province, the association will be the nation’s first international academic organization in the aerospace domain, capitalizing on the growing global interest in China’s lunar and Mars missions.

    The IDSEA will focus on deep-space study, which includes probes into the moon, other planets and asteroids, and promote international cooperation, according to the Hefei-based Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, one of the association’s five initiators.

    Wang Zhongmin, director of the lab’s international cooperation center, said the IDSEA aims to become an inclusive academic platform that will benefit developing countries in particular.

    “We hope to bring in as many developing countries as possible, and by initiating small yet impactful programs, such as on CubeSat design and training of scientists, we hope to enable these nations to access cutting-edge space technologies that once seemed far beyond their reach,” he said.

    Deep-space exploration has long been limited to a few countries due to its high thresholds of capital, technologies and talents. “The vast majority of countries may see a technological monopoly. Deep space technologies must move out of the small circle to benefit the whole of humanity,” Wang said.

    Despite being a latecomer to outer space exploration, China has rapidly emerged as a prominent player in this field while demonstrating its commitment to cooperating with other nations.

    In April, China announced that seven institutions from six countries — France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States — have been authorized to borrow lunar samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 mission for scientific research.

    China has also invited global partners to participate in its Mars missions. The country plans to launch the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission around 2028, with the primary scientific goal of searching for signs of life on Mars. The retrieval of samples from Mars, the first of its kind in human history, is considered the most technically challenging space exploration mission since the Apollo program. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • PM Modi extends birthday wishes to former Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greetings to former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on the occasion of his 76th birthday, lauding his decades-long contribution to public service and nation-building.

    In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Best wishes to our former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu Garu on his birthday. I’ve had the good fortune of working together with Venkaiah Garu for many years. His commitment to public service and empowering the downtrodden is exemplary. Praying for his long and healthy life.”

    Born on July 1, 1949, Naidu served as India’s 13th Vice-President from 2017 to 2022. Prior to this, he held several key portfolios, including Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development, and Information and Broadcasting in the Union Cabinet.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah also greeted the former Vice-President, describing his political journey as an inspiration for young leaders. “Warm birthday greetings to Shri @MVenkaiahNaidu Ji. Rising from the grassroots to the office of the Vice President, your journey serving the nation and voicing the marginalised is an inspiration for young leaders. Praying to God for your continued good health and long life,” Shah posted on X.

    Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wished Venkaiah Naidu in a post in Telugu, describing him as a remarkable leader whose dedication to public service has earned him a special place in national politics. He noted Naidu’s long journey from a student leader to holding one of the country’s highest constitutional posts.

    “I sincerely wish that Shri Venkaiah Naidu celebrates many more birthdays like this and continues to serve the public even more,” Chandrababu Naidu said.

  • India hosts first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai to boost maritime cooperation and tourism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first-ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue in Chennai on Monday, marking a significant milestone in maritime cooperation between India and Southeast Asian nations.

    Held aboard the MV Empress at Chennai Port, the dialogue brought together over 30 delegates from all ten ASEAN countries, along with Timor Leste, to explore ways to enhance cruise connectivity, promote sustainable tourism, and strengthen cultural and economic ties across the Indo-Pacific region.

    Sonowal emphasized India’s vision to professionalise 5,000 km of navigable waterways and boost cruise passenger traffic to one million annually by 2029 under the Sagarmala initiative. He also outlined plans for an integrated cruise network linking Indian and ASEAN ports, aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 and ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

    “Together, we want to develop a sustainable cruise circuit among culturally vibrant coastal regions of India and ASEAN, transforming the region into the hub of cruise tourism for the Global South,” the Minister said.

    The two-day dialogue includes thematic sessions on investment and cruise tourist circuits, and will continue in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delegates will visit historic temples and monuments, highlighting India’s rich coastal tourism potential.

    Minister of State Shantanu Thakur highlighted ASEAN’s central role in India’s Act East Policy and reiterated India’s commitment to revitalising centuries-old maritime ties through cruise tourism and the blue economy.

    The event also saw participation from senior government officials and industry leaders. The Indian government envisions making the ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue a recurring platform for advancing regional cruise tourism and maritime cooperation.

  • Centre launches BhashaSetu challenge to develop Real-Time Language Tech

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The centre on Monday launched the WAVEX Startup Challenge 2025, inviting startups from across the country to develop an AI-based real-time multilingual translation solution under its flagship accelerator programme, WaveX.

    The challenge, titled ‘BhashaSetu – Real-Time Language Tech for Bharat’, seeks to encourage the creation of innovative tools that can handle translation, transliteration, and voice localisation in real time across at least 12 major Indian languages. Officials said the initiative aims to foster inclusive and accessible communication technologies that are sensitive to India’s linguistic diversity.

    There is no minimum eligibility criterion for participation, allowing startups at any stage of development to apply. Startups have been encouraged to build scalable and cost-effective solutions, leveraging open-source or low-cost artificial intelligence models. Proprietary models may also be considered, provided they remain affordable for wide-scale deployment.

    The winning team will receive incubation support under the WaveX Accelerator, which will include mentorship, workspace, and development assistance until the solution is fully developed and deployed. Registrations opened on June 30 and will close on July 22. Interested startups may submit their proposals through the official WaveX portal.

    WaveX was launched under the Ministry’s WAVES initiative to promote innovation in the media, entertainment, and language technology sectors. At the WAVES Summit held in Mumbai this May, over 30 startups pitched their ideas directly to government representatives, investors, and industry leaders.

    Officials said that WaveX will continue to support promising startups through hackathons, incubation, mentorship, and opportunities for integration with national platforms.

    Startups can register for the challenge at: https://wavex.wavesbazaar.com

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretaries of Departments and Director of Bureau celebrate July 1 by supporting catering sector special offers (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Secretaries of Departments and Director of Bureau celebrate July 1 by supporting catering sector special offers  
         The Secretaries of Departments and Director of Bureau ordered a variety of dim sum and had morning tea, including shrimp dumplings at a discount of 29 per cent. The atmosphere there was lively and members of the public were enthusiastic about the dining discount activities. The catering sector special offers have received strong support, with the number of participating restaurants increasing each year, from more than 1 400 in 2023, to more than 2 200 in 2024, and reaching 4 100 this year.
     
         After morning tea, Mr Cheuk, Mr Wong and Mr Tsang enjoyed the Free Tram Day offer and arrived at Lee Tung Avenue, where they experienced the festive atmosphere featuring free distributions of ice cream, popcorn and panda-shaped balloons.
     
         The current-term Government has pioneered the practice of turning the anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR into a festival, which has received positive responses from all sectors of society. The Government and different sectors have jointly launched a series of special offers and activities covering public transport, culture and arts, leisure, food and consumption, among others, to encourage the public to go out for consumption, participate in activities, and joyfully celebrate Hong Kong’s return to the motherland on July 1.
    Issued at HKT 13:24

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • India, Bhutan hold Development Cooperation Talks in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Development Cooperation Talks between India and Bhutan were held in New Delhi on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

    The discussions focused on reviewing the entire spectrum of the India-Bhutan development partnership. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening mutual cooperation across key sectors.

    The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West) in the MEA, Tanmaya Lal, while the Bhutanese side was headed by Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden.

    The talks focused on reviewing the full spectrum of the India-Bhutan development partnership, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to advancing mutual cooperation across key sectors. India has pledged support of ₹10,000 crore for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029), covering Project Tied Assistance (PTA), High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), and budgetary support through Programme Grants.

    Both sides reviewed ongoing initiatives, including 61 PTA projects worth ₹4,958 crore and 283 HICDPs amounting to ₹417 crore, currently at various stages of implementation. Revisions to PTA allocations were discussed in response to Bhutan’s evolving development priorities. India has also disbursed ₹750 crore for the ESP and ₹100 crore as Programme Grant.

    Bhutan presented the second tranche of PTA proposals under the 13th FYP, with 10 new projects worth ₹1,113 crore receiving joint approval. These initiatives span sectors such as healthcare, connectivity, urban infrastructure, and livestock.

    India reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Bhutan government in line with the shared vision of the Bhutan King and Prime Minister of India.

    The next round of Development Cooperation Talks will be held in Thimphu at a mutually convenient date.

  • India, Bhutan hold Development Cooperation Talks in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Development Cooperation Talks between India and Bhutan were held in New Delhi on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

    The discussions focused on reviewing the entire spectrum of the India-Bhutan development partnership. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening mutual cooperation across key sectors.

    The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West) in the MEA, Tanmaya Lal, while the Bhutanese side was headed by Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden.

    The talks focused on reviewing the full spectrum of the India-Bhutan development partnership, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to advancing mutual cooperation across key sectors. India has pledged support of ₹10,000 crore for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029), covering Project Tied Assistance (PTA), High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), and budgetary support through Programme Grants.

    Both sides reviewed ongoing initiatives, including 61 PTA projects worth ₹4,958 crore and 283 HICDPs amounting to ₹417 crore, currently at various stages of implementation. Revisions to PTA allocations were discussed in response to Bhutan’s evolving development priorities. India has also disbursed ₹750 crore for the ESP and ₹100 crore as Programme Grant.

    Bhutan presented the second tranche of PTA proposals under the 13th FYP, with 10 new projects worth ₹1,113 crore receiving joint approval. These initiatives span sectors such as healthcare, connectivity, urban infrastructure, and livestock.

    India reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Bhutan government in line with the shared vision of the Bhutan King and Prime Minister of India.

    The next round of Development Cooperation Talks will be held in Thimphu at a mutually convenient date.

  • Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy Inaugurates NMDC and MECON International Offices in Dubai

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, led a high-level delegation to Dubai where he formally inaugurated the international offices of two major Indian public sector enterprises, NMDC Limited and MECON Limited, on June 30, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s expanding global industrial presence in the Middle East.

    The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished dignitaries including Ambassador of India to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir, Consul General of India Dubai Satish Kumar Sivan, Joint Secretary Ministry of Steel Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Chairman and Managing Director of NMDC Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director of SAIL Amarendu Prakash, Director Finance MECON, and other senior representatives from the Ministry of Steel, Embassy of India UAE, and the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

    NMDC’s new Dubai office represents a strategic expansion of India’s largest iron ore producer into international markets, designed to unlock new trade partnerships, enhance raw material security, and strengthen India’s self-reliance while boosting global competitiveness in the minerals sector. The Dubai office will serve as a strategic hub for NMDC, actively tracking developments in the mineral sectors across the MENA region, Africa, and Australia, including regulatory changes and government policies. It will focus on scouting mineral assets, conducting technical due diligence, and facilitating engagements with government bodies, business partners, and research institutions.

    Speaking on the occasion, Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director of NMDC, said, “Dubai represents a gateway to global opportunity. With this new office, NMDC is poised to redefine the mining landscape. With our expansion we are revolutionizing our approach to mineral development, securing India’s position as a leader in the mining industry, driving innovation in resource utilization.”

    The office will provide real-time market intelligence and timely decision support, enabling NMDC’s leadership to respond swiftly to global opportunities while building a reliable network for confidential insights on peer companies and exploring collaborations in Mining Equipment and Technology Services. As part of its global mineral diversification strategy, NMDC has been actively evaluating acquisition opportunities across 10 strategic mineral assets globally and exploring critical mineral block acquisitions in Africa, Australia and South America to strengthen its presence in the global critical mineral value chain.

    MECON Limited’s Dubai office inauguration follows the same strategic vision, with the engineering consultancy firm poised to expand India’s footprint in infrastructure and industrial consultancy across the Middle East and beyond. The establishment marks a significant step in showcasing India’s engineering expertise on the global stage, particularly in sectors including engineering, oil and gas, mining, and steel manufacturing. MECON is a frontline design, engineering, consultancy and contracting organisation under the Ministry of Steel, rendering the entire gamut of services from concept to commissioning for more than six decades for setting up projects in metals and mining, power, oil and gas, infrastructure and defense and strategic projects.

    The inauguration of MECON’s Dubai office represents a significant step forward in the company’s journey towards building global footprints for Indian engineering excellence with the unwavering support of the Ministry of Steel. MECON provides one-stop solutions for engineering projects with a workforce of over 800 engineers and experts from more than 30 different engineering disciplines. The company is positioned to explore mutual opportunities, deliver world-class services and contribute to the region’s growth.

    During his visit, the minister also engaged in productive discussions with leading CEOs and Managing Directors of major Indian-origin companies operating in the UAE. The interactions underscored the diplomatic significance of the industrial collaboration initiative, with discussions centered on strengthening industrial cooperation, advancing India-UAE economic ties, and creating new pathways for growth in steel, heavy industries, and strategic investments.

    NMDC Limited, formerly National Mineral Development Corporation, is India’s largest iron ore producer and exporter, founded in 1958 as a fully government-owned entity under the Ministry of Steel. The company produces more than 45 million tonnes annually and operates mines in Bailadila, Chhattisgarh, and Donimalai, Karnataka, while maintaining its position as one of India’s most profitable public sector enterprises involved in the exploration of iron ore, rock, gypsum, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite, and coal.

    MECON Limited, formerly known as Metallurgical & Engineering Consultants India Limited, is a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Steel established in 1959. The company provides design, engineering, and consultancy services for heavy industry including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, oil and gas, power, and infrastructure sectors, offering comprehensive services ranging from project conceptualization to implementation, including consultancy, design and engineering, procurement of plant and equipment, inspection, construction, project management, and turnkey project execution for both greenfield and brownfield industrial projects.

  • Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy Inaugurates NMDC and MECON International Offices in Dubai

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, led a high-level delegation to Dubai where he formally inaugurated the international offices of two major Indian public sector enterprises, NMDC Limited and MECON Limited, on June 30, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s expanding global industrial presence in the Middle East.

    The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished dignitaries including Ambassador of India to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir, Consul General of India Dubai Satish Kumar Sivan, Joint Secretary Ministry of Steel Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Chairman and Managing Director of NMDC Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director of SAIL Amarendu Prakash, Director Finance MECON, and other senior representatives from the Ministry of Steel, Embassy of India UAE, and the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

    NMDC’s new Dubai office represents a strategic expansion of India’s largest iron ore producer into international markets, designed to unlock new trade partnerships, enhance raw material security, and strengthen India’s self-reliance while boosting global competitiveness in the minerals sector. The Dubai office will serve as a strategic hub for NMDC, actively tracking developments in the mineral sectors across the MENA region, Africa, and Australia, including regulatory changes and government policies. It will focus on scouting mineral assets, conducting technical due diligence, and facilitating engagements with government bodies, business partners, and research institutions.

    Speaking on the occasion, Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director of NMDC, said, “Dubai represents a gateway to global opportunity. With this new office, NMDC is poised to redefine the mining landscape. With our expansion we are revolutionizing our approach to mineral development, securing India’s position as a leader in the mining industry, driving innovation in resource utilization.”

    The office will provide real-time market intelligence and timely decision support, enabling NMDC’s leadership to respond swiftly to global opportunities while building a reliable network for confidential insights on peer companies and exploring collaborations in Mining Equipment and Technology Services. As part of its global mineral diversification strategy, NMDC has been actively evaluating acquisition opportunities across 10 strategic mineral assets globally and exploring critical mineral block acquisitions in Africa, Australia and South America to strengthen its presence in the global critical mineral value chain.

    MECON Limited’s Dubai office inauguration follows the same strategic vision, with the engineering consultancy firm poised to expand India’s footprint in infrastructure and industrial consultancy across the Middle East and beyond. The establishment marks a significant step in showcasing India’s engineering expertise on the global stage, particularly in sectors including engineering, oil and gas, mining, and steel manufacturing. MECON is a frontline design, engineering, consultancy and contracting organisation under the Ministry of Steel, rendering the entire gamut of services from concept to commissioning for more than six decades for setting up projects in metals and mining, power, oil and gas, infrastructure and defense and strategic projects.

    The inauguration of MECON’s Dubai office represents a significant step forward in the company’s journey towards building global footprints for Indian engineering excellence with the unwavering support of the Ministry of Steel. MECON provides one-stop solutions for engineering projects with a workforce of over 800 engineers and experts from more than 30 different engineering disciplines. The company is positioned to explore mutual opportunities, deliver world-class services and contribute to the region’s growth.

    During his visit, the minister also engaged in productive discussions with leading CEOs and Managing Directors of major Indian-origin companies operating in the UAE. The interactions underscored the diplomatic significance of the industrial collaboration initiative, with discussions centered on strengthening industrial cooperation, advancing India-UAE economic ties, and creating new pathways for growth in steel, heavy industries, and strategic investments.

    NMDC Limited, formerly National Mineral Development Corporation, is India’s largest iron ore producer and exporter, founded in 1958 as a fully government-owned entity under the Ministry of Steel. The company produces more than 45 million tonnes annually and operates mines in Bailadila, Chhattisgarh, and Donimalai, Karnataka, while maintaining its position as one of India’s most profitable public sector enterprises involved in the exploration of iron ore, rock, gypsum, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite, and coal.

    MECON Limited, formerly known as Metallurgical & Engineering Consultants India Limited, is a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Steel established in 1959. The company provides design, engineering, and consultancy services for heavy industry including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, oil and gas, power, and infrastructure sectors, offering comprehensive services ranging from project conceptualization to implementation, including consultancy, design and engineering, procurement of plant and equipment, inspection, construction, project management, and turnkey project execution for both greenfield and brownfield industrial projects.

  • Amit Shah chairs ‘Manthan Baithak’ to mark International Year of Cooperatives 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a “Manthan Baithak” with Cooperation Ministers from all States and Union Territories in New Delhi on Monday. The meeting was organised to commemorate the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 and was hosted by the Ministry of Cooperation.

    In his address, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi established the Ministry of Cooperation to revive India’s long-standing tradition of cooperation while addressing present-day needs.

    Highlighting the transformative work done over the past decade, Shah said, “When the Modi government came to power in 2014, nearly 60 to 70 crore people lacked basic facilities and had lived for generations in scarcity. In ten years, the government has provided housing, toilets, drinking water, food grains, healthcare, gas cylinders, and other essential facilities to crores of people.”

    He added that those who had benefited now aspired to become entrepreneurs but lacked sufficient capital. “For them, cooperation is the only way to do meaningful work with their limited resources,” he said, stressing that cooperation is vital for employment generation in a country of 140 crore people.

    Shah emphasised the need to revitalise cooperation for the welfare of small farmers and rural communities, noting that the sector holds vast potential. “With sensitivity, we must bring cooperation back to life,” he said.

    He also shared that the Government of India has launched 60 initiatives to ensure that every citizen secures employment and lives with dignity. One key step, he said, is the creation of the National Cooperative Database to identify gaps and ensure that every village has at least one cooperative institution. “Our goal is that within five years, there should not be a single village in the country without a cooperative,” Shah said.

    He pointed out three main reasons for the weakening of the cooperative movement in the past: outdated laws, lack of expansion, and nepotism in recruitments. “The Modi government has amended the laws and conceived the idea of the Tribhuvan Sahkari University to train cooperative personnel,” he said. He urged every state to establish at least one cooperative training institution affiliated with the Tribhuvan Sahkari University to strengthen the training system.

    Shah said that a new National Cooperative Policy will be introduced soon, covering the period from 2025 to 2045, leading up to the centenary of India’s independence. He said, “Under this policy, each state will prepare its own cooperative policy according to local needs and conditions. Every state should announce its cooperative policy before January 31, 2026.”

    He also called for discipline, innovation and transparency in the sector through the Model National Cooperative Policy Act. Stressing the importance of timely implementation, he said the target of setting up two lakh Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) for the financial year 2025–26 must be achieved by February next year.

    “Now that cooperative banks come under the Banking Act, and the Reserve Bank of India has shown flexibility, remaining issues can only be resolved if we run these banks transparently and recruit staff based on merit,” he said, underlining the need for transparency in Credit Cooperative Societies and Urban Cooperative Banks.

    Promoting natural farming was another key area of focus. Shah urged all State Cooperation Ministers to work with their Agriculture counterparts to encourage natural farming, which, he said, would benefit both public health and the environment.

    He further said that ‘Cooperation Amongst Cooperatives’ has been a proven and successful model in Gujarat and should be replicated nationwide. “This initiative is crucial for building national capacity and strengthening cooperatives across India,” he added.

    The meeting also discussed progress on setting up two lakh Multi-Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS) and the promotion of dairy and fisheries cooperatives to boost rural service delivery. The implementation of the world’s largest grain storage scheme in the cooperative sector was reviewed in detail.

     

  • Best wishes to all hardworking doctors on Doctors’ Day: PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted doctors across the country on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day, acknowledging their exceptional contribution in strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes to the medical fraternity and praised doctors for their skill, dedication and compassion.

    “Best wishes to all hardworking doctors on #DoctorsDay. Our doctors have made a mark for their dexterity and diligence. Equally notable is their spirit of compassion. They are truly protectors of health and pillars of humanity. Their contribution in strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure is indeed exceptional,” the Prime Minister said.

    Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also extended his wishes, saying, “On National Doctors’ Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all doctors for their selfless service to humanity. Their round-the-clock dedication brings hope and saves countless lives every single day. In every health emergency, you have stood tall at the frontlines, driven by compassion and an unshakable sense of duty. Your care, courage and sacrifice make you the true heroes of our society.”

    He also expressed his gratitude to all healthcare workers “whose relentless efforts are paving the way towards a Swasth Bharat.”

    National Doctors’ Day is observed every year on July 1 to commemorate Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy — a renowned physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal — whose birth and death anniversary both fall on this day. Dr. Roy was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1961 for his outstanding contributions to medicine and public service. Established by the Government of India in 1991, the day also honours the dedication, compassion, and relentless efforts of the country’s medical professionals.

    Highlighting the vital role doctors play in society, PM Modi had also acknowledged their contribution in the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday.

    “On the 1st of July, the country honours two very important professions — doctors and chartered accountants (CAs). Both are pillars of society that make our lives better. Doctors are the protectors of our health, and CAs are the guides of our economic life,” the Prime Minister said.

    —IANS

  • Indian stock market opens higher, Nifty above 25,500

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian benchmark indices opened higher on Tuesday amid positive global cues, with buying seen in the auto and IT sectors in early trade.

    At around 9:26 a.m., the Sensex was trading 188.66 points, or 0.23 per cent, higher at 83,795.12, while the Nifty rose 54.80 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 25,571.85.

    According to analysts, with US markets hitting new record highs, the mood in global equities remains upbeat, and West Asian geopolitical tensions are no longer perceived as a threat to the global economy.

    “Going forward, the market is likely to be influenced by developments on the tariff front. An India-US trade deal will be positive, but if it does not materialise, the market is likely to be impacted,” said Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    The Nifty Bank index was up 51.95 points, or 0.09 per cent, at 57,364.70 in early trade. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 59,887.65 after adding 146.45 points, or 0.25 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose 52.50 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 19,127.60.

    Experts noted that the Nifty’s short-term trend remains positive, as it continues to hold above its nearest moving average support, the 5-day EMA.

    “The Nifty has partially filled the gap in the 25,640–25,740 range that was formed on October 3, 2024. Any move and close above 25,740 would negate this gap resistance and could potentially extend the Nifty’s upward rally towards the 26,000 mark. Immediate support for the Nifty comes in at 25,400,” said Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research at HDFC Securities.

    In the Sensex pack, Asian Paints, BEL, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, PowerGrid, ITC, HCL Tech, Tata Motors, and Hindustan Unilever Limited were among the top gainers. Axis Bank, Trent, Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Eternal were the top laggards.

    Experts said that the strong fundamentals of the Indian economy could attract increased fund flows into Indian equities. Sustained weakness in the dollar (with the dollar index now at 96.81) means the likelihood of heavy selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) is low; they may even continue to buy despite high valuations.

    FIIs were net sellers on June 30, offloading equities worth Rs 831.50 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained net buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 3,497.44 crore.

    In Asian markets, China, Bangkok, Seoul, and Jakarta were trading in the green, while Japan was the only market trading in the red.

    In the previous trading session, the Dow Jones in the US closed at 44,094.77, up 275.50 points, or 0.63 per cent. The S&P 500 ended with a gain of 31.87 points, or 0.52 per cent, at 6,204.94, while the Nasdaq closed at 20,369.73, up 96.27 points, or 0.47 per cent.

    —IANS

  • EAM Jaishankar arrives in Washington to attend Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Washington, D.C., on Monday to participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (QFMM) scheduled for July 1.

    According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the ministers will build on discussions held during the previous QFMM, which took place in Washington on January 21, 2025.

    “They will exchange views on regional and global developments, particularly those concerning the Indo-Pacific, and review the progress made on various Quad initiatives in the run-up to the Quad Leaders’ Summit, which India will host. The ministers are also expected to deliberate on new proposals to advance the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the MEA said.

    U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing that the meeting will reaffirm the shared commitment of the Quad countries – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    “Tomorrow, Secretary Rubio will welcome his Quad counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan to Washington, to reaffirm our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Bruce said.

    She added that the meeting will underscore the Quad’s collective resolve to uphold sovereignty, strengthen maritime security, and build resilient supply chains.

    Prior to his arrival in Washington, Jaishankar was in New York, where he attended the inauguration of an exhibition titled The Human Cost of Terrorism at the United Nations headquarters.

    Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar emphasized that terrorism remains a global threat to peace and security.

    “A tribute to those who were taken from us and remembrance for lives shattered … we express solidarity with the families and loved ones of the victims of terrorism. The campaign is a stark reminder of the urgency of our shared responsibility to combat terrorism in all its forms,” he said.

    Jaishankar described the exhibition as “a gallery of human courage,” where every image, artefact, and testimony tells the story of a life interrupted or lost.

    He also referred to the recent condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack by the UN Security Council, stressing the need for a unified global stance against terrorism.

    “The world must come to some basic concepts: no impunity to terrorists, no treating them as proxies, and no yielding to nuclear blackmail,” he said.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • Real boosted by Mbappe’s return for Juventus clash at Club World Cup

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Kylian Mbappe looks set to make his Club World Cup debut when his Real Madrid side face Juventus in the last 16 at the Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday, in a major boost for the 15-time European champions.

    “It’s a big possibility,” Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso told a press conference on Monday when asked if the France forward, who missed all three group matches with acute gastroenteritis, would feature.

    Mbappe’s return comes as Real Madrid look to build on a squad boosted by the recoveries of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.

    “Both Dani and Eder are coming back after a long recovery. It’s an advantage for them and the whole team to feel they’re close and involved,” Alonso said.

    “At this decisive stage, everyone – starters and those supporting – has an important role.”

    Alonso, who took over earlier this month, said the team’s priority was forging a collective identity.

    “We want a team that works as one, with the 11 players fully committed, whether we have the ball or not. Our collective strength will allow individual talents like Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrigo, and Bellingham to shine,” he added.

    Juventus coach Igor Tudor, meanwhile, acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge but insisted his side had come to compete, not just to prepare for next season.

    “We’ve got a top-level team. The draw wasn’t the best possible, but it must be accepted,” Tudor told a press conference.

    “We have to believe, run a lot, sacrifice, make no mistakes, and also have a bit of luck. I believe, the players believe, and we’ll see what happens when the match starts.”

    Tudor praised Real Madrid’s recent tactical evolution under Alonso, comparing it to Alonso’s successful work at Bayer Leverkusen.

    “Their last match looked a lot like what Leverkusen were doing – similar plays, systems, and style. Xabi Alonso has quickly implemented these ideas,” he said, noting that Madrid still have “some weaknesses we can exploit.”

    The winners will take on the victors of the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey, who will face off in Atlanta on Tuesday.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Lufthansa Group appoints Kevin Markette as Senior Director – Regional Sales South Asia

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Lufthansa Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Markette as Senior Director – Regional Sales South Asia. Based in New Delhi, Kevin will oversee all commercial activities across the South Asia region, including the strategically important Indian market.

    A seasoned aviation executive, Kevin brings over 20 years of leadership experience within Lufthansa Group, having successfully managed commercial, customer, and operational teams across Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Raised in Spain and South Africa and trained as a Commercial Pilot, Kevin offers a truly global perspective and strong intercultural fluency.

    Kevin began his career with Lufthansa in South Africa in 2000, eventually managing Pricing, Reservations, and Ticketing for Southern Africa. In 2008, he moved to Dubai to lead Marketing and Business Development for the Gulf States, and later became Country Manager for Ghana, where he was responsible for Lufthansa’s operations in Accra.

    From 2016 to 2020, Kevin served as Head of Sales for the Southeast USA, based in Atlanta, overseeing six major gateways operated by four Lufthansa Group airlines. He was subsequently promoted to Head of Customer Relations for the Americas, based in New York, where he managed service recovery, customer feedback strategy, and commercial insights across North and South America until the end of 2022.

    Since 2022, Kevin has been based in Nairobi as General Manager for East Africa, leading the Group’s commercial strategy and partnerships across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. In this role, he spearheaded digital transformation initiatives, supported Brussels Airlines’ regional expansion, and championed sustainability efforts.

    According to Lufthansa Group Vice President Asia Pacific and Joint Ventures East, Felipe Bonifatti:

    “With over two decades at Lufthansa Group, Kevin brings extensive international experience to the Asia Pacific region. His sharp commercial insight and passion for our industry make him an invaluable addition. I am delighted to welcome him to Delhi, where he will lead all commercial activities for the Lufthansa Group in this strategically important market.”

    Kevin is passionate about building high-performing, cross-cultural teams and cultivating long-term partnerships with customers and stakeholders. Outside of work, he and his wife Jolene enjoy traveling, culinary adventures, and spending time outdoors.

    About Lufthansa Group

    The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000+ employees from 164 nations worldwide, Lufthansa Group generated revenue of €37.6bn in the financial year 2024. Our largest business segment is Passenger Airlines while other key business segments include Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). Other companies and Group functions such as IT companies and Lufthansa Aviation Training form complementary components of the Group. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.

     

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Video: One Day, I Will: Dreams and Hopes of Children in Crisis | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    One Day, I Will is an ongoing series by photographer Vincent Tremeau, capturing children in crisis-affected settings as they dress up as who they want to become in the future.

    In 2025, one year after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day, Vincent brought the project to local schools, inviting children to share their dreams, fears, and hopes in the wake of disaster.

    These portraits and testimonies are more than dress-up — they reveal resilience, imagination, and the enduring strength of children who continue to dream, despite difficult circumstances. Each of them reminds us: hope can grow even from the most challenging places. “One Day I Will” is one of the exhibits in the UN Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai.

    The project was made available by OCHA (UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) with support from KUMON, a global after-school math and reading programme.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjoOiq9fK_s

    MIL OSI Video

  • Trump lawyer says no immediate deportations under birthright citizenship order, as judges to decide on challenges

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump’s administration will not deport children deemed ineligible for U.S. citizenship until his executive order curtailing birthright citizenship takes effect on July 27, a government lawyer said on Monday after being pressed by two federal judges.

    During separate hearings in lawsuits challenging Trump’s order, U.S. District Judges Deborah Boardman in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Joseph LaPlante in Concord, New Hampshire, set expedited schedules to decide whether the order can be blocked again on grounds that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday curbing the ability of judges to impede his policies nationwide does not preclude injunctions in class action lawsuits.

    Both judges asked U.S. Department of Justice lawyer Brad Rosenberg, who represented the government in both cases, for assurances that the Trump administration would not move to deport children who do not have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at least until the executive order takes effect.

    Rosenberg said it would not, which Boardman and LaPlante respectively asked him to confirm in writing by Tuesday and Wednesday.

    In the Maryland case, immigrant rights advocates revised their lawsuit just a few hours after the 6-3 conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled in their case and two others challenging Trump’s executive order. The New Hampshire lawsuit, a proposed class action, was filed on Friday.

    The Supreme Court ruling did not address the merits or legality of Trump’s birthright citizenship order, but instead curbed the ability of judges to issue “universal” injunctions to block the Republican president’s policies nationwide.

    But while the Supreme Court restricted the ability of judges to issue injunctions that cover anyone other than the parties appearing before them, Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s opinion held out the possibility that opponents of a federal policy could still obtain the same type of relief if they instead pursued cases as class actions.

    William Powell, a lawyer for immigration rights groups and pregnant non-citizen mothers pursuing the case, told Boardman at a hearing on Monday that an immediate ruling was necessary to address the fears and concerns migrants now face as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision.

    “They want to see how fast we can get class relief because they are afraid about their children and their babies and what their status might be,” Powell said.

    Trump’s executive order, which he issued on his first day back in office on January 20, directs agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, also known as a “green card” holder.

    In Friday’s ruling, the high court narrowed the scope of the three injunctions issued by federal judges in three states, including Boardman, that prevented enforcement of his directive nationwide while litigation challenging the policy played out.

    Those judges had blocked the policy after siding with Democratic-led states and immigrant rights advocates who argued it violated the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which has long been understood to recognize that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.

    Immigrant rights advocates in the hours after the Supreme Court ruled swiftly launched two separate bids in Maryland and New Hampshire to have judges grant class-wide relief on behalf of any children nationally who would be deemed ineligible for birthright citizenship under Trump’s order.

    The Supreme Court specified the core part of Trump’s executive order cannot take effect until 30 days after Friday’s ruling. Boardman on Monday pressed Rosenberg on what it could do before then.

    “Just to get to the heart of it, I want to know if the government thinks that it can start removing children from the United States who are subject to the terms of the executive order,” Boardman said at the end of the hearing.

    Boardman scheduled further briefing in the case to continue through July 9, with a ruling to follow. LaPlante scheduled a hearing for July 10.

    Rosenberg said the Trump administration objected to the plaintiffs’ attempt to obtain the same relief through a class action. He stood by the administration’s view of the constitutionality of Trump’s order.

    “It is the position of the United States government that birthright citizenship is not guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • Trump lawyer says no immediate deportations under birthright citizenship order, as judges to decide on challenges

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump’s administration will not deport children deemed ineligible for U.S. citizenship until his executive order curtailing birthright citizenship takes effect on July 27, a government lawyer said on Monday after being pressed by two federal judges.

    During separate hearings in lawsuits challenging Trump’s order, U.S. District Judges Deborah Boardman in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Joseph LaPlante in Concord, New Hampshire, set expedited schedules to decide whether the order can be blocked again on grounds that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday curbing the ability of judges to impede his policies nationwide does not preclude injunctions in class action lawsuits.

    Both judges asked U.S. Department of Justice lawyer Brad Rosenberg, who represented the government in both cases, for assurances that the Trump administration would not move to deport children who do not have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at least until the executive order takes effect.

    Rosenberg said it would not, which Boardman and LaPlante respectively asked him to confirm in writing by Tuesday and Wednesday.

    In the Maryland case, immigrant rights advocates revised their lawsuit just a few hours after the 6-3 conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled in their case and two others challenging Trump’s executive order. The New Hampshire lawsuit, a proposed class action, was filed on Friday.

    The Supreme Court ruling did not address the merits or legality of Trump’s birthright citizenship order, but instead curbed the ability of judges to issue “universal” injunctions to block the Republican president’s policies nationwide.

    But while the Supreme Court restricted the ability of judges to issue injunctions that cover anyone other than the parties appearing before them, Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s opinion held out the possibility that opponents of a federal policy could still obtain the same type of relief if they instead pursued cases as class actions.

    William Powell, a lawyer for immigration rights groups and pregnant non-citizen mothers pursuing the case, told Boardman at a hearing on Monday that an immediate ruling was necessary to address the fears and concerns migrants now face as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision.

    “They want to see how fast we can get class relief because they are afraid about their children and their babies and what their status might be,” Powell said.

    Trump’s executive order, which he issued on his first day back in office on January 20, directs agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, also known as a “green card” holder.

    In Friday’s ruling, the high court narrowed the scope of the three injunctions issued by federal judges in three states, including Boardman, that prevented enforcement of his directive nationwide while litigation challenging the policy played out.

    Those judges had blocked the policy after siding with Democratic-led states and immigrant rights advocates who argued it violated the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which has long been understood to recognize that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.

    Immigrant rights advocates in the hours after the Supreme Court ruled swiftly launched two separate bids in Maryland and New Hampshire to have judges grant class-wide relief on behalf of any children nationally who would be deemed ineligible for birthright citizenship under Trump’s order.

    The Supreme Court specified the core part of Trump’s executive order cannot take effect until 30 days after Friday’s ruling. Boardman on Monday pressed Rosenberg on what it could do before then.

    “Just to get to the heart of it, I want to know if the government thinks that it can start removing children from the United States who are subject to the terms of the executive order,” Boardman said at the end of the hearing.

    Boardman scheduled further briefing in the case to continue through July 9, with a ruling to follow. LaPlante scheduled a hearing for July 10.

    Rosenberg said the Trump administration objected to the plaintiffs’ attempt to obtain the same relief through a class action. He stood by the administration’s view of the constitutionality of Trump’s order.

    “It is the position of the United States government that birthright citizenship is not guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • Trump lawyer says no immediate deportations under birthright citizenship order, as judges to decide on challenges

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump’s administration will not deport children deemed ineligible for U.S. citizenship until his executive order curtailing birthright citizenship takes effect on July 27, a government lawyer said on Monday after being pressed by two federal judges.

    During separate hearings in lawsuits challenging Trump’s order, U.S. District Judges Deborah Boardman in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Joseph LaPlante in Concord, New Hampshire, set expedited schedules to decide whether the order can be blocked again on grounds that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday curbing the ability of judges to impede his policies nationwide does not preclude injunctions in class action lawsuits.

    Both judges asked U.S. Department of Justice lawyer Brad Rosenberg, who represented the government in both cases, for assurances that the Trump administration would not move to deport children who do not have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at least until the executive order takes effect.

    Rosenberg said it would not, which Boardman and LaPlante respectively asked him to confirm in writing by Tuesday and Wednesday.

    In the Maryland case, immigrant rights advocates revised their lawsuit just a few hours after the 6-3 conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled in their case and two others challenging Trump’s executive order. The New Hampshire lawsuit, a proposed class action, was filed on Friday.

    The Supreme Court ruling did not address the merits or legality of Trump’s birthright citizenship order, but instead curbed the ability of judges to issue “universal” injunctions to block the Republican president’s policies nationwide.

    But while the Supreme Court restricted the ability of judges to issue injunctions that cover anyone other than the parties appearing before them, Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s opinion held out the possibility that opponents of a federal policy could still obtain the same type of relief if they instead pursued cases as class actions.

    William Powell, a lawyer for immigration rights groups and pregnant non-citizen mothers pursuing the case, told Boardman at a hearing on Monday that an immediate ruling was necessary to address the fears and concerns migrants now face as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision.

    “They want to see how fast we can get class relief because they are afraid about their children and their babies and what their status might be,” Powell said.

    Trump’s executive order, which he issued on his first day back in office on January 20, directs agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, also known as a “green card” holder.

    In Friday’s ruling, the high court narrowed the scope of the three injunctions issued by federal judges in three states, including Boardman, that prevented enforcement of his directive nationwide while litigation challenging the policy played out.

    Those judges had blocked the policy after siding with Democratic-led states and immigrant rights advocates who argued it violated the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which has long been understood to recognize that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.

    Immigrant rights advocates in the hours after the Supreme Court ruled swiftly launched two separate bids in Maryland and New Hampshire to have judges grant class-wide relief on behalf of any children nationally who would be deemed ineligible for birthright citizenship under Trump’s order.

    The Supreme Court specified the core part of Trump’s executive order cannot take effect until 30 days after Friday’s ruling. Boardman on Monday pressed Rosenberg on what it could do before then.

    “Just to get to the heart of it, I want to know if the government thinks that it can start removing children from the United States who are subject to the terms of the executive order,” Boardman said at the end of the hearing.

    Boardman scheduled further briefing in the case to continue through July 9, with a ruling to follow. LaPlante scheduled a hearing for July 10.

    Rosenberg said the Trump administration objected to the plaintiffs’ attempt to obtain the same relief through a class action. He stood by the administration’s view of the constitutionality of Trump’s order.

    “It is the position of the United States government that birthright citizenship is not guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • G7 urges talks to resume for deal on Iran nuclear program

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

     Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations said on Monday they supported the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and urged for negotiations to resume for a deal to address Iran‘s nuclear program, according to a joint statement.

    Since April, Iran and the U.S. have held talks aimed at finding a new diplomatic solution regarding Iran‘s nuclear program. Tehran says its program is peaceful and Israel and its allies say they want to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon.

    “We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran‘s nuclear program,” the G7 foreign ministers said.

    Last week, Trump announced a ceasefire between U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran to halt a war that began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran. The Israel-Iran conflict had raised alarms in a region already on edge since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023.

    Before the ceasefire was announced, Washington struck Iran‘s nuclear sites and Iran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar in retaliation.

    The G7 foreign ministers said they urged “all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region.”

    U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff has said talks between Washington and Tehran were “promising” and that Washington was hopeful for a long-term peace deal.

    The G7 top diplomats denounced threats against the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Monday, after a hardline Iranian newspaper said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi should be tried and executed as an Israeli agent.

    On June 12, the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

    Israel is the only Middle Eastern country believed to have nuclear weapons and said its war against Iran aimed to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons.

    Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. The U.N. nuclear watchdog, which carries out inspections in Iran, says it has “no credible indication” of an active, coordinated weapons program in Iran.

    (Reuters)

  • G7 urges talks to resume for deal on Iran nuclear program

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

     Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations said on Monday they supported the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and urged for negotiations to resume for a deal to address Iran‘s nuclear program, according to a joint statement.

    Since April, Iran and the U.S. have held talks aimed at finding a new diplomatic solution regarding Iran‘s nuclear program. Tehran says its program is peaceful and Israel and its allies say they want to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon.

    “We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran‘s nuclear program,” the G7 foreign ministers said.

    Last week, Trump announced a ceasefire between U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran to halt a war that began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran. The Israel-Iran conflict had raised alarms in a region already on edge since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023.

    Before the ceasefire was announced, Washington struck Iran‘s nuclear sites and Iran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar in retaliation.

    The G7 foreign ministers said they urged “all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region.”

    U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff has said talks between Washington and Tehran were “promising” and that Washington was hopeful for a long-term peace deal.

    The G7 top diplomats denounced threats against the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Monday, after a hardline Iranian newspaper said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi should be tried and executed as an Israeli agent.

    On June 12, the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

    Israel is the only Middle Eastern country believed to have nuclear weapons and said its war against Iran aimed to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons.

    Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. The U.N. nuclear watchdog, which carries out inspections in Iran, says it has “no credible indication” of an active, coordinated weapons program in Iran.

    (Reuters)

  • G7 urges talks to resume for deal on Iran nuclear program

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

     Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations said on Monday they supported the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and urged for negotiations to resume for a deal to address Iran‘s nuclear program, according to a joint statement.

    Since April, Iran and the U.S. have held talks aimed at finding a new diplomatic solution regarding Iran‘s nuclear program. Tehran says its program is peaceful and Israel and its allies say they want to ensure Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon.

    “We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran‘s nuclear program,” the G7 foreign ministers said.

    Last week, Trump announced a ceasefire between U.S. ally Israel and its regional rival Iran to halt a war that began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran. The Israel-Iran conflict had raised alarms in a region already on edge since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023.

    Before the ceasefire was announced, Washington struck Iran‘s nuclear sites and Iran targeted a U.S. base in Qatar in retaliation.

    The G7 foreign ministers said they urged “all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region.”

    U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff has said talks between Washington and Tehran were “promising” and that Washington was hopeful for a long-term peace deal.

    The G7 top diplomats denounced threats against the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Monday, after a hardline Iranian newspaper said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi should be tried and executed as an Israeli agent.

    On June 12, the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

    Israel is the only Middle Eastern country believed to have nuclear weapons and said its war against Iran aimed to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons.

    Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. The U.N. nuclear watchdog, which carries out inspections in Iran, says it has “no credible indication” of an active, coordinated weapons program in Iran.

    (Reuters)

  • Alcaraz survives Wimbledon scare, Sabalenka serene, but others feel the heat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Carlos Alcaraz survived Wimbledon’s hottest-ever opening day although the Spaniard was far from his sizzling best as he began his quest for a hat-trick of titles with a scare against Fabio Fognini at the All England Club on Monday.

    With air temperatures soaring to 32 degrees Celsius, Alcaraz needed more than four hours to subdue veteran Fognini, winning 7-5 6-7(5) 7-5 2-6 6-1 – the last set interrupted after a spectator became unwell in the heat and required assistance.

    Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka, bidding to win Wimbledon for the first time, had no trouble as she dispatched Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine 6-1 7-5 but last year’s runner-up, fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, was pushed hard by Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova in a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win.

    While five-times Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who won the Queen’s Club title in the build-up, lives to fight another day, several high-profile players departed the men’s draw.

    No arena at Wimbledon gets as hot as bowl-like Court Two and the conditions were clearly not to the liking of ex-world number one Daniil Medvedev as the ninth seed saw his hopes scorched by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who won 7-6(2) 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2.

    Eighth seed Holger Rune of Denmark, yet to really make his mark at a Grand Slam, won the opening two sets against Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry but succumbed 4-6 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4.

    Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, twice a Grand Slam runner-up was left despondent after retiring with a back injury having fallen two sets behind against French qualifier Valentin Royer.

    American fifth seed Taylor Fritz looked to be on his way out before battling back to force a fifth set against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard before their match was suspended with the Grand Slam’s 11 p.m. curfew looming.

    German third seed Alexander Zverev summoned up similar fighting spirit to draw level at one set apiece with Arthur Rinderknech in another match scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

    WINNING STREAK

    Only two defending men’s champions had ever lost in the first round at Wimbledon, but there were moments when Alcaraz looked in danger of joining compatriot Manuel Santana on that short list as Fognini rolled back the years.

    Alcaraz arrived at Wimbledon on an 18-match winning streak, which included a spellbinding French Open final win over Jannik Sinner. But the spark was missing on Monday in front of a Centre Court crowd that included David Beckham.

    Heat is second nature to Alcaraz, but it was Fognini who flourished in the sun and when he broke serve twice to level the match at two sets apiece a massive shock looked possible.

    But Alcaraz, regularly using an ice towel to cool down, found an extra gear in the decider and even charmed the crowd by offering his water bottle to the distressed fan.

    He then led the warm applause for former top-10 player Fognini, for whom this was his final Wimbledon.

    “I don’t know why it’s his last Wimbledon because the level he has shown, you know, he can still play three or four more years. It’s unbelievable,” Alcaraz said of Fognini.

    Next up for Alcaraz is British qualifier Oliver Tarvet who marked his Grand Slam main draw debut with a superb 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat of fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi of Switzerland.

    Tarvet is one of 23 British players in the singles draw, the most since 1984. The home charge was led Sonay Kartal who upset 20th seed and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-5 2-6 6-2. She was joined in round two by British number one Emma Raducanu who comfortably passed a tricky test against Mingge Xu, one of three British teenaged wild cards to play on Monday.

    When Katie Boulter later knocked out Spanish ninth seed Paula Badosa 6-2 3-6 6-4 on Centre Court, seven British players had enjoyed victories, the most in a single day for the home nation in the professional era.

    Home hope Jacob Fearnley could not follow suit though as he was outshone 6-4 6-1 7-6(5) by Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, who showed why he is creating such a stir with carnival tennis on a steamy Court One.

    TOUGH WORKOUT

    World number one Sabalenka won the opening five games against part-time model Branstine but was given a far tougher workout after that as she moved into round two.

    The 27-year-old from Minsk missed last year’s event because of a shoulder injury and arrived this time with a point to prove after losing in the Australian and French Open finals this year.

    Several other women’s contenders sparkled in the sunshine, none more than 13th seeded American Amanda Anisimova who served up a dreaded ‘double-bagel’ 6-0 6-0 defeat to Yulia Putintseva.

    Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina beat Anna Boindar in straight sets while 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova continued her return to form by knocking out American 30th seed McCartney Kessler, setting up a second-round clash with Raducanu.

    Australian Open champion Madison Keys, seeded sixth, battled for two hours and 41 minutes to beat Romania’s Elena Ruse and played down the impact of the heat.

    “It’s funny coming from the States, because this is quite literally a very typical summer day,” she said.

    Four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka overcame some first-round jitters to beat Australian qualifier Talia Gibson, prevailing 6-4 7-6(4).

    There was a sad end for Tunisia’s twice runner-up Ons Jabeur though as she retired against Viktoriya Tomova due to illness.

    (Reuters)

  • Alcaraz survives Wimbledon scare, Sabalenka serene, but others feel the heat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Carlos Alcaraz survived Wimbledon’s hottest-ever opening day although the Spaniard was far from his sizzling best as he began his quest for a hat-trick of titles with a scare against Fabio Fognini at the All England Club on Monday.

    With air temperatures soaring to 32 degrees Celsius, Alcaraz needed more than four hours to subdue veteran Fognini, winning 7-5 6-7(5) 7-5 2-6 6-1 – the last set interrupted after a spectator became unwell in the heat and required assistance.

    Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka, bidding to win Wimbledon for the first time, had no trouble as she dispatched Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine 6-1 7-5 but last year’s runner-up, fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, was pushed hard by Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova in a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win.

    While five-times Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who won the Queen’s Club title in the build-up, lives to fight another day, several high-profile players departed the men’s draw.

    No arena at Wimbledon gets as hot as bowl-like Court Two and the conditions were clearly not to the liking of ex-world number one Daniil Medvedev as the ninth seed saw his hopes scorched by Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, who won 7-6(2) 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2.

    Eighth seed Holger Rune of Denmark, yet to really make his mark at a Grand Slam, won the opening two sets against Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry but succumbed 4-6 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4.

    Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, twice a Grand Slam runner-up was left despondent after retiring with a back injury having fallen two sets behind against French qualifier Valentin Royer.

    American fifth seed Taylor Fritz looked to be on his way out before battling back to force a fifth set against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard before their match was suspended with the Grand Slam’s 11 p.m. curfew looming.

    German third seed Alexander Zverev summoned up similar fighting spirit to draw level at one set apiece with Arthur Rinderknech in another match scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

    WINNING STREAK

    Only two defending men’s champions had ever lost in the first round at Wimbledon, but there were moments when Alcaraz looked in danger of joining compatriot Manuel Santana on that short list as Fognini rolled back the years.

    Alcaraz arrived at Wimbledon on an 18-match winning streak, which included a spellbinding French Open final win over Jannik Sinner. But the spark was missing on Monday in front of a Centre Court crowd that included David Beckham.

    Heat is second nature to Alcaraz, but it was Fognini who flourished in the sun and when he broke serve twice to level the match at two sets apiece a massive shock looked possible.

    But Alcaraz, regularly using an ice towel to cool down, found an extra gear in the decider and even charmed the crowd by offering his water bottle to the distressed fan.

    He then led the warm applause for former top-10 player Fognini, for whom this was his final Wimbledon.

    “I don’t know why it’s his last Wimbledon because the level he has shown, you know, he can still play three or four more years. It’s unbelievable,” Alcaraz said of Fognini.

    Next up for Alcaraz is British qualifier Oliver Tarvet who marked his Grand Slam main draw debut with a superb 6-4 6-4 6-4 defeat of fellow qualifier Leandro Riedi of Switzerland.

    Tarvet is one of 23 British players in the singles draw, the most since 1984. The home charge was led Sonay Kartal who upset 20th seed and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-5 2-6 6-2. She was joined in round two by British number one Emma Raducanu who comfortably passed a tricky test against Mingge Xu, one of three British teenaged wild cards to play on Monday.

    When Katie Boulter later knocked out Spanish ninth seed Paula Badosa 6-2 3-6 6-4 on Centre Court, seven British players had enjoyed victories, the most in a single day for the home nation in the professional era.

    Home hope Jacob Fearnley could not follow suit though as he was outshone 6-4 6-1 7-6(5) by Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, who showed why he is creating such a stir with carnival tennis on a steamy Court One.

    TOUGH WORKOUT

    World number one Sabalenka won the opening five games against part-time model Branstine but was given a far tougher workout after that as she moved into round two.

    The 27-year-old from Minsk missed last year’s event because of a shoulder injury and arrived this time with a point to prove after losing in the Australian and French Open finals this year.

    Several other women’s contenders sparkled in the sunshine, none more than 13th seeded American Amanda Anisimova who served up a dreaded ‘double-bagel’ 6-0 6-0 defeat to Yulia Putintseva.

    Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina beat Anna Boindar in straight sets while 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova continued her return to form by knocking out American 30th seed McCartney Kessler, setting up a second-round clash with Raducanu.

    Australian Open champion Madison Keys, seeded sixth, battled for two hours and 41 minutes to beat Romania’s Elena Ruse and played down the impact of the heat.

    “It’s funny coming from the States, because this is quite literally a very typical summer day,” she said.

    Four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka overcame some first-round jitters to beat Australian qualifier Talia Gibson, prevailing 6-4 7-6(4).

    There was a sad end for Tunisia’s twice runner-up Ons Jabeur though as she retired against Viktoriya Tomova due to illness.

    (Reuters)

  • USAID cuts may cause over 14 million additional deaths by 2030, study says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Deep funding cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development and its potential dismantling could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, according to research published in The Lancet medical journal on Monday.

    WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

    President Donald Trump’s administration, since taking office in January, has made funding cuts to USAID and its aid programs worldwide in what the U.S. government says is part of its broader plan to remove wasteful spending.

    Human rights experts and advocates have warned against the cuts. USAID funding has had a crucial role in improving global health, primarily directed toward low and middle-income countries, particularly African nations, according to the study.

    BY THE NUMBERS

    The study estimated that over the past two decades, USAID-funded programs have prevented more than 91 million deaths globally, including 30 million deaths among children.

    Projections suggest that ongoing deep funding cuts – combined with the potential dismantling of the agency – could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million deaths among children younger than 5 years, the study in The Lancet said.

    Washington is the world’s largest humanitarian aid donor, amounting to at least 38% of all contributions recorded by the United Nations. It disbursed $61 billion in foreign assistance last year, just over half of it via USAID, according to government data.

    KEY QUOTE

    “Our estimates show that, unless the abrupt funding cuts announced and implemented in the first half of 2025 are reversed, a staggering number of avoidable deaths could occur by 2030,” the study said.

    CONTEXT

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in March the Trump administration canceled over 80% of all programs at USAID following a six-week review.

    The remaining approximately 1,000 programs, he said, would now be administered “more effectively” under the U.S. State Department and in consultation with Congress.

    (Reuters)

  • Iran-linked hackers threaten to release Trump aides’ emails

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iran-linked hackers have threatened to disclose more emails stolen from U.S. President Donald Trump’s circle, after distributing a prior batch to the media ahead of the 2024 U.S. election.

    In online chats with Reuters on Sunday and Monday, the hackers, who go by the pseudonym Robert, said they had roughly 100 gigabytes of emails from the accounts of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan, Trump adviser Roger Stone and porn star-turned-Trump antagonist Stormy Daniels.

    Robert raised the possibility of selling the material but otherwise did not provide details of their plans. The hackers did not describe the content of the emails.

    U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the intrusion as “an unconscionable cyber-attack.”

    The White House and the FBI responded with a statement from FBI Director Kash Patel, who said: “Anyone associated with any kind of breach of national security will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “This so-called cyber ‘attack’ is nothing more than digital propaganda, and the targets are no coincidence. This is a calculated smear campaign meant to damage President Trump and discredit honorable public servants who serve our country with distinction,” cyberdefense agency CISA said in a post on X.

    Halligan, Stone and a representative for Daniels did not respond to requests for comment. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not return a message seeking comment. Tehran has in the past denied committing cyberespionage.

    Robert materialized in the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign, when they claimed to have breached the email accounts of several Trump allies, including Wiles.

    The hackers then distributed emails to journalists.

    Reuters previously authenticated some of the leaked material, including an email that appeared to document a financial arrangement between Trump and lawyers representing former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – now Trump’s health secretary.

    Other material included Trump campaign communication about Republican office-seekers and discussion of settlement negotiations with Daniels.

    Although the leaked documents did garner some coverage last year, they did not fundamentally alter the presidential race, which Trump won.

    The U.S. Justice Department in a September 2024 indictment alleged that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ran the Robert hacking operation. In conversations with Reuters, the hackers declined to address the allegation.

    After Trump’s election, Robert told Reuters that no more leaks were planned. As recently as May, the hackers told Reuters, “I am retired, man.” But the group resumed communication after this month’s 12-day air war between Israel and Iran, which was capped by U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites.

    In messages this week, Robert said they were organizing a sale of stolen emails and wanted Reuters to “broadcast this matter.”

    American Enterprise Institute scholar Frederick Kagan, who has written about Iranian cyberespionage, said Tehran suffered serious damage in the conflict and its spies were likely trying to retaliate in ways that did not draw more U.S. or Israeli action.

    “A default explanation is that everyone’s been ordered to use all the asymmetric stuff that they can that’s not likely to trigger a resumption of major Israeli/U.S. military activity,” he said. “Leaking a bunch more emails is not likely to do that.”

    Despite worries that Tehran could unleash digital havoc, Iran’s hackers took a low profile during the conflict. U.S. cyber officials warned on Monday that American companies and critical infrastructure operators might still be in Tehran’s crosshairs.

    (Reuters)

  • Delhi bans fuel for old vehicles from today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major step towards combating vehicular pollution, the Delhi government has begun enforcing strict new rules on End-of-Life (EOL) vehicles from Tuesday.

    According to directives issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), all petrol pumps across the National Capital Territory (NCT) will deny fuel to old vehicles identified through AI-powered Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

    From Tuesday onwards, EOL vehicles—those that have exceeded the legal age limit of 10 years for diesel and 15 years for petrol—will not be allowed to refuel at petrol or diesel stations. These vehicles will also be liable for heavy fines if found in public places.

    Four-wheeler owners violating the rule will be fined Rs 10,000, while two-wheeler owners will face a penalty of Rs 5,000.

    AI-enabled cameras installed at petrol stations will automatically identify outdated vehicles using number plate data. Once recognised, these vehicles will be flagged in the system to prevent fuel issuance.

    Petrol pump operators have expressed cautious optimism about the implementation. Sanjay Dedha, manager of a petrol pump in Vivek Vihar, said, “The Delhi government has installed the system. Let’s see from today if vehicles in that category turn up. We are waiting to see if the system works properly. If there are any server-related issues, we will physically identify old vehicles and refuse fuel to them.”

    Ram Lagan Shukla, supervisor at Bharat Petroleum, Lal Kuan, said, “It has come into effect from today, the first of the month, that petrol vehicles over 15 years old will not be given fuel here. We will also check the vehicle’s condition and documents.”

    The new enforcement policy is part of a broader plan to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the capital, which frequently ranks among the world’s most polluted cities.

    Authorities have also announced that EOL vehicles found parked in public places or near fuel stations will be seized starting Tuesday.

    Vehicle owners in Delhi are advised to verify the registration status of their vehicles and avoid using outdated vehicles to prevent penalties and seizure.

    — IANS

  • Union Home Minister Shah to attend key event in Delhi marking one year of New Criminal Laws

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to attend a significant event titled “Golden Year of Faith in Justice System”, commemorating the successful completion of one year since the implementation of India’s new criminal laws on Tuesday. 

    The event will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and will begin at 3:30 p.m. HM Shah, who is the Chief Guest, will address a gathering of legal experts, policymakers, law enforcement officials, and dignitaries from across the country. The event celebrates the transformative shift brought by the new criminal laws enacted in 2024.

    Earlier on Monday, the Union Home Minister chaired a ‘Manthan Baithak’ with cooperative ministers from all States and Union Territories. The meeting was part of the government’s initiatives to commemorate the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

    Speaking at the Manthan Baithak, Shah underlined the importance of cooperation in India’s socio-economic framework. He said that while cooperatives can serve as an economic system for the entire world, for India, cooperation is a traditional philosophy of life. He added that cooperation, living, thinking, and working together, represent the essence of Indian society.

    He also acknowledged the nearly 125-year-old cooperative movement, describing it as a lifeline for the country’s poor, farmers, rural communities and especially women, who have benefited through various phases of development and reform.

    The Minister said that with sensitivity, cooperation must be revitalised for the welfare of millions of small farmers and rural people in the country because there are immense opportunities in the cooperative sector. (IANS)