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Category: Government of India

  • India’s creator economy set to shape a trillion-dollar future

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At WAVES 2025, a new report by the Boston Consulting Group grabbed the spotlight, drawing the attention of policymakers, creators, and investors. The report revealed that India’s creator economy is already driving more than $350 billion in consumer spending, a number expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.

    Titled From Content to Commerce: Mapping India’s Creator Economy, the report paints a vivid picture of a nation in the midst of a creative and commercial boom. With 2 to 2.5 million active creators—defined as individuals with more than 1,000 followers—India is home to one of the world’s largest and youngest digital communities. But what’s most striking is the current monetization gap. Only 8 to 10 percent of these creators are earning meaningful income from their content, revealing a vast reserve of untapped potential that may well become the fuel for the next stage of India’s economic growth story.

    The report underscores the sweeping influence creators now hold over consumer decisions. Over 30 percent of purchases are directly shaped by digital content—ranging from short-form videos to long-format storytelling, tutorials, product reviews, and live streams. Comedy, film, fashion, and serials remain the dominant genres, but the expansion into new content territories like gaming, wellness, and finance is reshaping how India learns, shops, and interacts.

    What makes this shift even more profound is how it is transcending generational and geographic lines. No longer confined to Gen Z or urban metros, the creator ecosystem is reaching deep into smaller towns, regional markets, and older demographics. The emergence of multilingual creators and regional influencers has catalyzed a more inclusive digital marketplace—one that mirrors the real India in all its complexity and diversity.

    For brands and marketers, this evolution has not just altered strategies; it has flipped the entire funnel. Traditional advertising methods are being replaced or supplemented by more agile, creative, and targeted forms of engagement. Campaigns are now designed with creators at the core—allowing for faster content production, greater freedom of expression, and improved metrics through outcome-based testing. Virtual gifting, live commerce, subscription models, and fan-funded initiatives are rising as new revenue streams, giving creators both financial agency and deeper community ownership.

    WAVES 2025 served as the perfect launchpad for this new digital vision. With its ambitious scope covering media, technology, and storytelling, the summit highlighted how India’s creator economy is not merely an offshoot of the entertainment sector, it is the engine powering a new form of commerce and cultural diplomacy. As discussions ranged from AI in filmmaking to the future of AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), one theme emerged with clarity: creators are not just influencing trends—they are shaping the market.

    Investors are recalibrating strategies to fund content-driven startups. Policy frameworks are being debated to offer protections and incentives for digital freelancers. Education platforms are rolling out creator economy courses. And most significantly, creators across India—from school-going influencers in Raipur to AI-powered illustrators in Chennai—are beginning to realize their role not just as entertainers, but as economic contributors.

    The trillion-dollar forecast is not a distant dream—it is a pathway already in motion. With the right mix of innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity, India’s creator economy could become one of its most significant exports. And as the world turns its eyes toward this new digital juggernaut, one thing is certain: India is no longer just telling stories. It is rewriting the script of global influence—one post, one video, one idea at a time.

  • Semicon India 2025 to feature global pavilions, country roundtables, and record participation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The fourth edition of Semicon India 2025, scheduled for September 2–4 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), New Delhi, will see the largest-ever global participation, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced on Friday.

    Jointly organised by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and SEMI, the event aims to showcase India’s expanding capabilities across the microelectronics and semiconductor value chain. This year’s theme is ‘Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse’.

    According to the ministry, over 300 companies from 18 countries will exhibit at Semicon India 2025 — the highest to date. The event will, for the first time, feature four international pavilions from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Eight country roundtables are also planned to promote bilateral partnerships between India and key semiconductor markets.

    In line with India’s push to strengthen its talent pipeline, the event will include dedicated skilling and workforce development programmes. Students and engineers will have access to training, upskilling sessions, and career counselling. A dedicated Semiconductor Design Startup Pavilion will highlight innovation-driven chip design firms, while the number of State Government Pavilions has risen to nine from six in the last edition.

    The three-day conference will bring together global CXOs, technology leaders, and policy experts to share insights on manufacturing trends, supply chain strategies, and emerging technologies.

    The Centre has been working to position India as a trusted semiconductor hub, supported by the Semicon India programme — a ₹76,000-crore initiative to build a robust domestic semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem. The government recently revised the programme to keep pace with aggressive incentives offered by other countries and the limited number of companies with advanced node technologies.

    In a related development, the Union Cabinet has approved India’s sixth semiconductor manufacturing unit, which will come up near Jewar Airport in Uttar Pradesh through a joint venture between the HCL Group and Taiwan’s Foxconn. The facility, with a capacity of 20,000 wafers per month, is expected to produce 36 million chips monthly and create employment for around 2,000 people.

    Meanwhile, work is underway on the other five approved units, one of which is expected to be inaugurated later this year.

    To further boost the sector, the government recently amended Special Economic Zone (SEZ) rules to address the unique requirements of semiconductor and electronics component manufacturing. Given the capital-intensive nature and longer gestation periods of these industries, the changes are intended to attract pioneering investments and strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor landscape.

     

  • ENG vs IND, 3rd Test: Pope has his “fingers crossed” as Stokes battles injury at Lord’s

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    England captain Ben Stokes was seen limping with a possible groin injury during Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s on Thursday, raising concerns ahead of a crucial phase in the series against India.

    Vice-captain Ollie Pope said he had his “fingers crossed” that Stokes would recover in time, with the series locked at 1-1.

    “Fingers crossed he can pull something magical off and come back strong. We’ve got a big Test over the next four days, and two more after this, so it’s important to manage him well,” Pope said after play.

    “One of my jobs is to make sure he doesn’t push himself too far”, England’s No. 3 added.

    On a hard-fought day, Joe Root held firm with an unbeaten 99 as England reached 251/4 in 83 overs at stumps. Pope contributed 44 off 104 balls as England, known for their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, opted for a more measured innings against a disciplined Indian attack.

    “It was not necessarily the way we are used to starting the first innings but 251/4 is a pretty good score. Hopefully we can take it past 400, maybe 500,” Pope said. “Considering the nature of the surface and the way India bowled, it’s a day we’ll take. We had to adapt — that’s something we’re always trying to improve, working out when to press and when to absorb pressure.”

    England will resume play on Friday with Root one run short of his 31st Test century.

    —IANS

  • China’s GDP growth set to slow, raising pressure on policymakers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    China’s economy is expected to have slowed down in the second quarter from a solid start to the year as trade tensions with the United States added to deflationary pressures, reinforcing expectations that Beijing may need to roll out more stimulus.

    The world’s second-largest economy has so far avoided a sharp slowdown in part due to a fragile U.S.-China trade truce and policy stimulus, but markets are braced for a gloomier second half pressured by slowing exports, weak consumer demand, and a persistent property downturn.

    Gross domestic product growth in April-June is forecast at 5.1% year-on-year, cooling from 5.4% in the first quarter, a Reuters poll of 40 economists showed on Friday.

    The projected pace would still exceed the 4.7% growth forecast in a Reuters poll in April and remain broadly in line with the official full-year target of around 5%.

    Investors are closely watching for signs of fresh stimulus at the upcoming Politburo meeting due in late July, which is likely to shape economic policy for the remainder of the year.

    “We expect second-quarter GDP growth to exceed 5%, compared to 5.4% in the first quarter, indicating that there is no immediate need for additional stimulus,” analysts at Societe Generale said in a note.

    GDP growth is projected to slow to 4.5% in the third quarter and 4.0% in the fourth, according to the poll, underscoring mounting economic headwinds as U.S. President Donald Trump’s global trade war leaves Beijing with the tough task of getting households to spend more at a time of uncertainty.

    “We see a demand cliff in the second half, driven by multiple factors,” said Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura, in a note. Lu cited slowing exports under U.S. tariffs, the fading boost from a consumer goods trade-in program, austerity measures, and a protracted property slump.

    “We believe Beijing will very likely rush to roll out a new round of supportive measures at some point during H2.”

    For the whole of 2025, China’s GDP growth is forecast to cool to 4.6% – falling short of the official goal – from last year’s 5.0% and ease further to 4.2% in 2026, according to the poll.

    On a quarterly basis, the economy is forecast to have expanded 0.9% in the second quarter, slowing from 1.2% in January-March, the poll showed.

    The government is due to release second-quarter GDP data and June retail sales, industrial production and investment data at 0200 GMT on July 15.

    STIMULUS ALONE NOT ENOUGH

    Beijing has ramped up infrastructure spending and consumer subsidies, alongside steady monetary easing. In May, the central bank cut interest rates and injected liquidity as part of broader efforts to cushion the economy from Trump’s trade tariffs.

    Analysts polled by Reuters expect the central bank to cut its key policy rate – the seven-day reverse repo rate – by 10 basis points in the fourth quarter, along with a similar cut to the benchmark loan prime rate (LPR). The central bank is also expected to lower the weighted average reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by 20 basis points during the same period.

    But China observers and analysts say stimulus alone may not be enough to address deflation, which deepened to its worst level in almost two years in June.

    China’s GDP deflator – the broadest measure of prices across goods and services – is expected to decline further in the second quarter, marking a ninth consecutive quarterly drop, the longest streak since records began in 1993.

    Analysts polled by Reuters estimate a 0.1% rise in China’s consumer prices for this year, well below the government’s target of around 2%, before picking up 1.0% in 2026.

    Expectations are growing that China could accelerate supply-side reforms to curb excess industrial capacity and find new ways to boost domestic demand.

    Chinese government advisers are stepping up calls to make the household sector’s contribution to broader economic growth a top priority at Beijing’s upcoming five-year policy plan, as the trade tensions and deflation threaten the outlook.

    (Reuters)

  • WAVES 2025: Where sports, esports, and storytelling reimagined the future of fan engagement

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai highlighted the transformative role of technology in redefining sports, esports, and the way fans engage with both.

    From cricket fields to esports arenas, WAVES 2025 captured a global transition: fans are no longer just spectators, but participants in an evolving, tech-driven sports ecosystem.

    One of the most talked-about sessions spotlighted Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision for gaming and esports, presented by Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation.

    With over 67% of its population identifying as gamers, the Kingdom is building a comprehensive, youth-focused ecosystem.

    Initiatives like Gamers Without Borders, the Esports World Cup, and the Saudi Esports Academy aim to foster talent in areas such as coaching, game development, content creation, and event production, blending economic strategy with cultural innovation.

    On the traditional sports front, the summit hosted a dynamic panel moderated by filmmaker Dheer Momaya, featuring cricket icon Ravi Shastri and leaders from Dream Sports, Tata Communications, Kosmos, and Jiostar.

    The discussion focused on how technology is transforming the fan experience, from algorithm-driven content to interactive platforms that allow users to become strategists and storytellers.

    Technologies like AI-based personalization, sign-language commentary, and customizable viewing formats are making live sports more accessible and immersive than ever before. Yet amid all this innovation, speakers emphasized that the heart of sport still lies in its stories: the personal journeys, rivalries, and real-time emotions that connect fans to players.

    WAVES 2025 ultimately highlighted a powerful convergence: technology is not replacing tradition but amplifying it. Whether through data, design, or digital platforms, the future of sport is being shaped by ideas that are inclusive, intelligent, and deeply human.

  • NPCI International Accelerates UPI Adoption Across UAE to Support Cashless Economy Vision

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    NPCI International Payments Limited has announced significant progress in expanding India’s Unified Payments Interface acceptance across the United Arab Emirates, unveiling strategic initiatives to deepen the digital payment platform’s integration as both countries strengthen their financial connectivity.

    The expansion supports the UAE’s ambitious vision of achieving a cashless economy while enhancing cross-border payment experiences for millions of Indians who travel between the two nations annually. UPI, India’s real-time account-to-account payment system, enables instant and secure transactions through mobile applications, currently handling over 18 billion transactions monthly to become one of the world’s leading digital payment infrastructures.

    The UAE represents one of India’s most active travel and remittance corridors, with India’s Ministry of Tourism reporting over seven million Indians visiting the UAE annually, making them the country’s largest group of international visitors. This substantial flow of travelers creates significant opportunities for digital payment integration, allowing visitors to use familiar mobile payment applications from India while providing UAE merchants access to a digitally sophisticated customer base.

    Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, emphasized the transformative impact of the integration, stating that the experience of Indian diaspora and travelers to the UAE will be revolutionized after complete integration of UPI with the UAE’s digital payments architecture. He praised NPCI International’s aggressive efforts with merchant establishments, payment solution providers, and banks in the UAE to ensure seamless experiences for Indian customers.

    NPCI International has established a solid foundation for UPI in the UAE through strategic collaborations with leading financial institutions and payment solution providers. Key partnerships with NeoPay from Mashreq Bank, Network International, and Magnati have enabled QR-based UPI acceptance across a rapidly expanding merchant network. High-profile outlets including Dubai Duty Free and Lulu Hypermarket are already accepting UPI payments, allowing Indian customers to settle purchases directly from their Indian bank accounts.

    Ritesh Shukla, Managing Director and CEO of NPCI International, highlighted the milestone as bringing unparalleled convenience to millions of Indian travelers and residents while strengthening the digital bridge between the two economies. He emphasized that the expansion demonstrates growing global confidence in India’s digital payment innovations and supports the UAE’s cashless economy vision through seamless, secure, and real-time payment capabilities.

    To accelerate adoption, NPCI International is working closely with UAE regulators and acquirers to enable UPI in high-frequency sectors including retail, hospitality, entertainment, transportation, and essential services. The platform supports real-time payments in Indian rupees, displays transparent exchange rates, and complies with safeguards such as transaction limits, two-factor authentication, and international usage controls issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

    The initiative aligns with the Government of Dubai’s announced goal of achieving 90 percent digital transactions by 2026. NPCI International is enhancing its presence in the country by expanding UPI acceptance through sustained collaboration with UAE-based partners, committed to delivering seamless and secure digital payment experiences that generate lasting value for consumers, merchants, and the wider economy.

    The expansion represents a significant step in cross-border financial connectivity, leveraging UPI’s open and interoperable architecture along with its rigorous security framework that allows smooth adaptation to regulatory environments beyond India. The initiative demonstrates the practical application of digital payment innovation in supporting bilateral economic relationships and facilitating international commerce.

    NPCI International, incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India in April 2020, serves as NPCI’s international arm devoted to deploying India’s indigenous real-time payment system and card scheme outside of India. The company focuses on transforming payments globally through technology and innovation, enabling payments for Indians while supporting other countries in enhancing their payment capabilities through technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure development.

  • Security, trade in focus as Australia PM Albanese heads to China

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leaves for Shanghai on Saturday on an official visit to China where regional security tensions and efforts to grow economic ties are likely to dominate talks.

    Australia’s exports to China, its largest trading partner, span agriculture and energy but are dominated by iron ore, and Albanese will travel with executives from mining giants Rio Tinto RIO.AX, BHP BHP.AX and Fortescue FMG.AX and hold business events in three cities over six days.

    “The relationship in China means jobs in Australia, it’s as simple as that,” Albanese told reporters on Friday.

    Albanese’s second visit to Beijing, where he will meet President Xi Jinping, comes after Canberra stepped up screening of Chinese investment in critical minerals and as U.S. President Donald Trump rattles the global economy with sweeping import tariffs.

    Albanese is yet to meet Trump, after scheduled talks at the G7 were cancelled when the U.S. president left early. The United States, Australia’s major security ally, is reviewing the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership amid concern selling submarines to Australia could weaken U.S. deterrence to China.

    Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned in a speech in Malaysia on Thursday that China continues to project military power regionally with an objective to change the balance of power, saying Beijing’s nuclear and conventional military build-up was “worrying”.

    AUKUS contributed to “collective deterrence in our region,” she said.

    Richard Maude, an Asia Society non-resident fellow and former Australian intelligence chief, said Albanese needed to expand the economic relationship with China but also “get through the visit in a way that makes clear to Australia’s close partners and to the Australian public that Australia is talking clearly and frankly to China about aspects of China’s behaviour that concern us”.

    The Chinese navy held live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand with no advance warning in February, and there have been tense encounters between Australian and Chinese military aircraft in the disputed South China Sea.

    While Beijing is keen to move ties forward, its proposals for cooperation on artificial intelligence, for example, have already met with a cool response, said Maude, who wrote Australia’s 2017 foreign policy white paper.

    Australia’s two-way trade with China was worth A$312 billion last year, or a quarter of all Australian trade.

    Ties have stabilised since 2020 when China imposed unofficial bans on A$20 billion in Australian exports.

    Direct engagement with Chinese leaders was important for Australia’s security, Albanese told reporters on Friday.

    “We cooperate where we can and we disagree where we must, and we’re able to have those honest conversations about some of the disagreements that are there,” he said.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said economic ties with China are a priority, but also complex.

    Australia’s increased screening of Chinese investment in critical minerals, renewable energy and key infrastructure is likely to be raised by Beijing, company executives told Reuters, although on Tuesday Chalmers said Australia would not ease its scrutiny.

    “The government understands it is not in Australia’s national interest to further increase China’s stranglehold on the critical minerals supply chain,” said Maude.

    Geoff Raby, a former Australian ambassador to China, said China would probably raise its ambition to join the 11-member regional trade pact, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which Australia chairs.

    “The most harmful thing is to adopt policies that force China to become more isolationist or which encourage those domestic forces in China who favour more inward-looking policies,” Raby said.

    Albanese will meet businesses in Shanghai on Monday, before travelling to Beijing for an annual leaders’ dialogue with Premier Li Qiang, and a company roundtable, and then head to the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu.

    (Reuters)

     

  • France, Britain unveil nuclear weapons cooperation to counter threat to Europe

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    France and Britain on Thursday agreed to reinforce cooperation over their respective nuclear arsenals as the two European powerhouses seek to respond to growing threats to the continent and uncertainty over their U.S. ally.

    The announcement came after French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day state visit to Britain, where the two allies sought to turn the page of years’ of turbulence following Britain’s decision to withdraw from the European Union.

    “This morning, we signed the Northwood declaration, confirming for the first time that we are coordinating our independent nuclear deterrence,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told a news conference alongside Macron.

    “From today, our adversaries will know that any extreme threat to this continent would prompt a response from our two nations. There is no greater demonstration of the importance of this relationship.”

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s questioning of burden-sharing in NATO and his overtures to Russia have led to existential questions in Europe about the trans-Atlantic relationship and Washington’s commitment to helping defend its European allies.

    Europe’s primary nuclear deterrence comes from the United States and is a decades-old symbol of trans-Atlantic solidarity.

    Macron said the two countries had created an oversight committee to coordinate their cooperation, a task he said was vital.

    “The decision is that we don’t exclude the coordination of our respective deterrents. It’s a message that our partners and adversaries must hear,” Macron said.

    The closer cooperation had nothing to do with their efforts to create a coalition of the willing to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, he added.

    While both sides will keep their own decision-making processes and strategic ambiguity, the move does suggest further protection for the continent at a time when the United States’ commitment to Europe is under scrutiny.

    Macron has previously said he will launch a strategic dialogue on extending the protection offered by France’s nuclear arsenal to its European partners.

    The U.S. has nuclear arms in Europe and tens of thousands of troops deployed in bases across the continent with military capabilities that Europe cannot match.

    France spends about 5.6 billion euros ($6.04 billion) annually on maintaining its stockpile of 290 submarine- and air-launched nuclear weapons, the world’s fourth largest.

    Britain describes its nuclear programme as “operationally independent”, but sources missile technology from the U.S. and depends on the U.S. for acquisition and maintenance support.

    “On the nuclear agreement that we’ve reached today … it is truly historic,” Starmer said.

    (Reuters)

  • Indian Coast Guard rescues 2 crew members from stranded U.S. vessel off Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Thursday rescued two crew members from a U.S.-flagged sailing yacht stranded near Indira Point, off the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    The yacht, Sea Angel, issued a distress alert after encountering rough sea conditions. According to the ICG, the vessel’s sail had been torn off and its propeller was entangled in ropes.

    The two crew members onboard included one American and one Turkish national.

    In a post on X, the ICG said: “On 10 Jul 25, at 1157 hrs #ICG MRCC #PortBlair received a distress alert from #UnitedStates consulate in #Chennai regarding yacht Sea Angel with one #US and one #Turkish crew, stranded 52 NM South East of Indira Point. MRCC activated the International Safety Net and #ICG Ship Rajveer was deployed for rescue operation. Upon arrival, the yacht was found with its sail blown off and ropes entangled in the propeller.”

    The yacht was successfully towed to safety and brought into Campbell Bay Harbour in the early hours of July 11, the ICG added.

  • Rubio meets China’s Wang in Malaysia amid trade tension

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, their first in-person meeting at a time of simmering trade tensions between the two major powers.

    Washington’s top diplomat is in Malaysia on his first trip to Asia since taking office, attending the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum alongside counterparts from Japan, China, South Korea, Russia, Australia, India, the European Union and Southeast Asian states.

    His meeting with Wang comes amid escalating friction globally over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs offensive, with China this week warning the United States against reinstating hefty levies on its goods next month.

    Beijing has also threatened to retaliate against nations that strike deals with the United States to cut China out of supply chains.

    Rubio’s visit is part of an effort to renew U.S. focus on the Indo-Pacific region and look beyond conflicts in the Middle East and Europe that have consumed much of the Trump administration’s attention.

    But that has been overshadowed by this week’s announcement of steep U.S. tariffs on many Asian countries and U.S. allies that include 25% on Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, 32% for Indonesia, 36% for Thailand and Cambodia and 40% on Myanmar and Laos.

    Analysts said Rubio would be looking to press the case that the United States remains a better partner than China, Washington’s main strategic rival, during the visit. The State Department said Rubio met counterparts of Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia on Friday.

    A day earlier, he told Southeast Asian foreign ministers the Indo-Pacific remained a focal point of U.S. foreign policy.

    China, initially singled out with tariffs exceeding 100%, has until August 12 to reach a deal with the White House to keep Trump from reinstating additional import curbs imposed during tit-for-tat tariff exchanges in April and May.

    ‘BULLYING BEHAVIOUR’

    China’s Wang has been fierce in his criticism of the United States in Kuala Lumpur and told Malaysia’s foreign minister the U.S. tariffs were “typical unilateral bullying behavior” that no country should support or agree with, according to remarks released by Beijing on Friday.

    He told Thailand’s foreign minister the tariffs had been abused and “undermined the free trade system, and interfered with the stability of the global production and supply chain”. During a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, he said the U.S. levies were an attempt to deprive Southeast Asian countries of their legitimate right to development.

    “We believe that Southeast Asian countries have the ability to cope with complex situations, adhere to principled positions, and safeguard their own interests,” Wang said, according to China’s foreign ministry.

    The foreign secretary of U.S. ally the Philippines told Reuters on Friday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr would meet Trump in Washington this month and discussions would include the increase in the U.S. tariff on its former colony.

    Rubio told reporters on Thursday he would also likely raise with Wang U.S. concerns over China’s support for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

    “The Chinese clearly have been supportive of the Russian effort and I think that generally, they’ve been willing to help them as much as they can without getting caught,” he said.

    Rubio met together with Japanese foreign minister and South Korea’s first vice foreign minister in Malaysia on Friday, at a time of concerns about the tariffs.

    According to a U.S. State Department statement, they discussed regional security and a strengthening of their “indispensable trilateral partnership” including security and resilience of critical technologies and supply chains, energy, trusted digital infrastructure, and shipbuilding.

    (Reuters)

  • UPI impact: India now makes faster payments than any other country, says IMF

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India now leads the world in faster payments, thanks to the widespread adoption of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), according to a recent note from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Since its launch in 2016, UPI has witnessed exponential growth, while several indicators of cash usage have shown a declining trend. UPI now processes over 18 billion transactions per month, dominating the electronic retail payments ecosystem in India, the IMF noted in its paper titled “Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability.”

    UPI is an instant payments platform built on the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure and has revolutionized India’s digital payments landscape. The IMF emphasized that interoperability has significantly enhanced the user experience and driven broader adoption of digital payments.

    “Interoperability directly increases users’ freedom to choose their favourite app, enabling them to take full advantage of the variety and quality of apps available. Interoperability can also facilitate entry by new providers and incentivise existing providers to upgrade their apps, offering indirect benefits to users,” said the IMF note.

    The IMF pointed out that interoperability not only boosts user adoption but also makes digital payments more appealing compared to closed-loop systems, where payments are limited to a single provider’s network.

    The note further added that providing infrastructure for interoperable systems or supporting them through regulation could be a promising strategy for countries aiming to shift from cash-based to digital economies.

    The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app in late 2016, at a time when UPI usage was minimal and few providers existed in the market.

    “Indeed, BHIM initially accounted for more than half of payer-side total transaction value, prior to the take-off of apps produced by major fintech firms. This highlights the potential catalytic role of direct public provision of payment apps,” according to the IMF note.

    The public sector, the IMF noted, can help overcome coordination failures—such as the lack of user adoption due to limited high-quality apps, and the lack of high-quality apps due to low user adoption—thus kick-starting the ecosystem.

    In terms of performance, UPI volumes in June 2025 recorded a 32% year-on-year growth, while transaction values rose 20% compared to June last year. The number of daily UPI transactions increased to 613 million in June, up from 602 million in May.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • India’s economic growth on track despite global challenges: report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s economic growth continues to remain on track despite global uncertainties, supported by improvements in key high-frequency indicators in both the services and manufacturing sectors, according to a report by Bank of Baroda released on Friday.

    The report notes that consumption has gained momentum in the first quarter (Q1) of FY26 compared to the previous quarter. Higher steel consumption, a rise in electronic imports, and increased central government revenue expenditure have contributed to the uptick in demand.

    Services sector activity also showed signs of improvement, as reflected in robust services PMI figures, higher vehicle registrations, increased diesel consumption, stronger revenue collections by states, and growth in e-way bill generation.

    However, the report flagged some concerns regarding the performance of 2-wheeler sales and a slight moderation in consumer durables and FMCG output. Domestic inflation trends remain favourable, which could allow for a softer monetary policy stance and further boost growth.

    The report also highlighted healthy monsoon progress so far, with rainfall about 15 per cent above the long-period average as of July 9, which is expected to support the agricultural sector.

    On the fiscal front, the report said the Central government’s finances remain strong, with the fiscal deficit narrowing to 4.5 per cent of GDP as of May 2025, compared to 4.6 per cent in April 2025.

    The rupee outlook also remains positive. After depreciating by 1.3 per cent in May, the rupee weakened marginally by 0.2 per cent in June and traded in a narrow range towards the end of the month, helped by easing geo-political tensions and a softer US dollar.

    “In July, the rupee is trading with an appreciating bias despite lingering concerns over US tariff policies. This trend is likely to continue with investors hopeful about the timely conclusion of the India-US trade deal before the August 1 deadline,” the report said.

    Globally, the report observed that fresh tariffs and related policy uncertainty are clouding the outlook for growth and inflation. The US Federal Reserve’s minutes indicate that these concerns could limit the scope for monetary policy easing, which may add to market volatility in the coming months.

    -IANS

  • PM Modi to distribute over 51,000 appointment letters under Rozgar Mela

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in various government departments and organisations on Saturday. The distribution will take place via video conferencing at around 11 am.

    During the event, the Prime Minister will also address the new recruits.

    The Rozgar Mela is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to give top priority to employment generation. The initiative aims to create meaningful opportunities for the youth and to encourage their active participation in nation-building.

    According to official data, more than 10 lakh appointment letters have already been handed out through Rozgar Melas held across the country.

    The 16th edition of the Rozgar Mela will be organised at 47 locations nationwide. New recruits will join various ministries and departments including the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, among others.

    The appointees have been selected from across the country and will take up roles in different sectors, further strengthening the government workforce and contributing to the country’s development goals.

    The Rozgar Mela was launched by Prime Minister Modi on October 22, 2022, as part of his commitment to generate more employment opportunities in a mission mode. The initiative has helped speed up the recruitment process in various government departments and organisations.

    It has also improved citizen services in schools, hospitals, railway stations, police stations and tax offices, and has strengthened the defence and security forces through timely recruitment to safeguard the nation’s borders and strategic interests.

  • South Korea, Japan and US conduct air drill as defence chiefs meet

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    South Korea, Japan and the United States conducted a joint air drill on Friday involving a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber and fighter jets of the two U.S. allies over international waters, the South’s defence ministry said.

    It was the first time this year that a U.S. B-52H strategic bomber was deployed to the Korean Peninsula for a drill, conducted to improve deterrence against North Korea’s increasing nuclear and missile threats, it said.

    The three countries’ defence chiefs also held an annual meeting in Seoul on Friday, where they recognised the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges posed by North Korea, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, the defence ministry said in a statement.

    “We’re illuminating a future path together, a path where partnerships can evolve through persistent and regular engagement from building capacity to really sharing responsibility,” U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said in opening remarks before the meeting.

    “(North Korea) and China are undergoing an unprecedented military build up with a clear and unambiguous intent to move forward with their own agendas. We need to be mindful of that,” Caine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Shubhanshu Shukla and Axiom-4 crew to begin journey back to Earth on July 14: NASA

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is expected to begin his journey back to Earth on July 14, Axiom Space announced on Friday.

    Shukla, along with three other crew members — Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu — will undock from the Harmony module’s space-facing port inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for their return to Earth.

    “The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET (4:35 pm IST),” Axiom Space said in a post on social media platform X.

    A splashdown is expected several hours after undocking, near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.

    “We are working with the station programme, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission, and the current target to undock is July 14,” Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said at a press conference.

    IAF Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the ISS. He is the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984.

    During his time aboard the orbital outpost, Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, marking an important step for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. His experiments focused on topics such as decoding muscle loss in microgravity, developing a brain-computer interface, and sprouting green gram and fenugreek seeds in space.

    Shukla also interacted with students from Kerala and Lucknow via video conferencing from the ISS. The students asked him about life in space — from what astronauts eat and how they sleep, to what happens if someone falls sick.

    They also wanted to know about the benefits of India’s space programme and which part of the mission he found most enjoyable.

    Describing the launch experience of Axiom Mission 4, Shukla told the students it was “amazing” and “dynamic”.

    “It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to visit the station, you would find someone sleeping on the walls and someone on the ceiling,” he told them with a smile.

    —IANS

  • Amarnath Yatra: Over 1.45 lakh devotees have ‘darshan’ in eight days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 1.45 lakh devotees have undertaken the Amarnath Yatra in the first eight days, with another batch of 6,482 pilgrims leaving for the Kashmir Valley from Jammu on Friday.

    According to officials, more than 1.45 lakh pilgrims have had ‘darshan’ at the holy cave shrine.

    “Another batch of 6,482 Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today. The first convoy, comprising 107 vehicles and carrying 2,353 Yatris, departed at 3:20 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and carrying 4,129 Yatris, left at 4:04 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” officials said.

    The Bhumi Pujan of the ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Lord Shiva’s Holy Mace) was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday.

    The Chhari Mubarak was brought to Pahalgam by a group of sadhus led by its sole custodian, Mahant Swami Deependra Giri, from its traditional seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar.

    In Pahalgam, the Chhari Mubarak was first taken to the Gauri Shankar Temple, where the Bhumi Pujan was performed. It was then carried to the Martand Sun Temple, where another puja was held, followed by a ceremonial dip in the holy spring at the temple.

    The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9, marking the official conclusion of this year’s Yatra.

    In addition to those arriving at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, many pilgrims are also reporting directly at the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps for on-the-spot registration.

    Authorities have made extensive multi-tiered security arrangements for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

    To ensure safety, an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed to strengthen the presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

    All transit camps en route to the two base camps, as well as the entire stretch from Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu to the holy cave shrine, are under strict security coverage.

    This year, the Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • Planned parenthood vital for maternal, child health: JP Nadda on World Population Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Planned parenthood is essential for achieving better maternal and child health outcomes, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Friday, marking World Population Day.

    Observed every year on July 11, World Population Day aims to raise awareness about population-related issues. This year’s theme is “Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy for the Health and Well-being of Mother and Child.”

    “World Population Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about family planning and renew our commitment to addressing population-related challenges,” Nadda said in a post on X.

    “This year’s theme highlights the importance of planned parenthood for healthy outcomes for mothers and children,” he added.

    Nadda also underlined this year’s slogan: “माँ बनने की उम्र वही, जब तन और मन की तैयारी सही,” which translates to “The right age to become a mother is when both mind and body are ready.”

    He said the message underscores the need for informed and empowered decisions about parenthood, with adequate physical and emotional readiness.

    Highlighting government efforts, the Minister said that through public health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, the Centre is delivering essential family planning services nationwide.

    “These centres are empowering families and paving the way for a healthier India,” he said.

    With a population of over 1.46 billion, India is now the world’s most populous country, surpassing China.

    Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, told IANS that the conversation must shift from numbers to women’s empowerment.

    “India’s population story is not one of crisis, but of possibility—if we invest in women, young people, and address the needs of our growing elderly population,” Muttreja said.

    Pointing to India’s declining fertility rate, she stressed the need to focus on quality healthcare, education, skills development, and job creation.

    “True development and economic growth don’t come from forcibly influencing reproductive decisions, but from empowering individuals—especially women—to make informed choices about their bodies and lives,” she said.

    Muttreja also called for shared responsibility, gender equality, and reproductive autonomy to be central in all population policies and programmes.

    –IANS

  • Trump to Make Major Statement on Russia as U.S. Approves New Weapons Package for Ukraine via NATO

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would supply weapons to Ukraine via NATO and that he would make a “major statement” on Russia on Monday.

    In recent days, Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the lack of progress towards ending the war sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    “I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday,” Trump told NBC News, declining to elaborate.

    Trump also told NBC News about what he called a new deal between the U.S., NATO allies and Ukraine over weapons shipment from the United States.

    “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%. So what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons (to Ukraine), and NATO is paying for those weapons,” Trump said.

    “We send weapons to NATO, and NATO is going to reimburse the full cost of those weapons,” he added.

    For the first time since returning to office, Trump will send weapons to Kyiv under a presidential power frequently used by his predecessor, two sources familiar with the decision said on Thursday.

    Trump’s team will identify arms from U.S. stockpiles to send to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to draw from weapons stocks to help allies in an emergency, the sources said, with one saying they could be worth around $300 million.

    Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances.

    The package could include defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range rockets, but a decision on the exact equipment has not been made, the sources said. One of the people said this would happen at a meeting on Thursday.

    The Trump administration has so far only sent weapons authorized by former President Joe Biden, who was a staunch supporter of Kyiv. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Trump had pledged to swiftly end the war but months into his presidency, little progress has been made. The Republican president has sometimes criticized U.S. spending on Ukraine’s defence, spoken favorably of Russia and publicly clashed with Ukraine’s leader. However, sometimes he has also voiced support for Kyiv and expressed disappointment in the leadership of Russia.

    $12 BILLION PLEDGED FOR UKRAINE

    Russia unleashed heavy airstrikes on Ukraine on Thursday before a conference in Rome at which Kyiv won billions of dollars in aid pledges, and U.S.-Russian talks at which Washington voiced frustration with Moscow over the war.

    Two people were killed, 26 were wounded, according to figures from the national emergency services, and there was damage in nearly every part of Kyiv from missile and drone attacks on the capital and other parts of Ukraine.

    Addressing the Rome conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction after more than three years of war, Zelenskiy urged allies to “more actively” use Russian assets for rebuilding and called for weapons, joint defence production and investment.

    Participants pledged over 10 billion euros ($12 billion) to help rebuild Ukraine, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. The European Commission, the EU’s executive, announced 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in support.

    At talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov while in Malaysia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had reinforced the message that Moscow should show more flexibility.

    “We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude,” Rubio said, adding that the Trump administration had been engaging with the U.S. Senate on what new sanctions on Russia might look like.

    “It was a frank conversation. It was an important one,” Rubio said after the 50-minute talks in Kuala Lumpur. Moscow’s foreign ministry said they had shared “a substantive and frank exchange of views”.

    ‘NIGHTLY TERROR’

    Zelenskiy said Thursday’s assault by Russia had involved around 400 drones and 18 missiles, primarily targeting the capital.

    Explosions and anti-aircraft fire rattled the city. Windows were blown out, facades ravaged and cars burned to shells. In the city centre, an apartment in an eight-story building was engulfed in flames.

    “This is terror because it happens every night when people are asleep,” said Karyna Volf, a 25-year-old Kyiv resident who rushed out of her apartment moments before it was showered with shards of glass.

    Air defences stopped all but a few dozen of the drones, authorities said, a day after Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine.

    (Reuters)

  • India to host first global conference on manuscript heritage in September

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major initiative to preserve and promote India’s vast manuscript wealth, the Ministry of Culture on Thursday announced the country’s first-ever global conference dedicated to manuscript heritage.

    Titled ‘Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage’, the three-day international conference will be held from 11 to 13 September at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The announcement was made on the occasion of Guru Purnima, underlining India’s commitment to the guru–śiṣya tradition and its centuries-old knowledge systems.

    The conference is being organised in respectful commemoration of Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions on September 11, 1893. The date holds special significance as a reminder of India’s enduring vision for universal knowledge and peace.

    India is home to more than 10 million manuscripts covering diverse subjects such as philosophy, science, medicine, mathematics, literature, rituals, and arts. These manuscripts are considered a vital link in sustaining the country’s intellectual and cultural legacy.

    The conference will bring together over 500 delegates, including 75 distinguished scholars, thought leaders, and cultural custodians from India and abroad. Designed in a hybrid format, it will allow both in-person and virtual participation to ensure wider global engagement.

    Thematic sessions will cover key areas such as conservation, digitisation, palaeography, metadata standards, AI-based archival practices, ethical custodianship, and the integration of manuscript knowledge into modern education. Rare manuscripts, including those listed under UNESCO’s Memory of the World register, will be showcased. The event will also feature live demonstrations of conservation techniques, workshops, cultural performances, and dedicated spaces for manuscript-focused startups.

    One of the key outcomes of the conference will be the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage. Expert working groups will be formed for decipherment, conservation, translation, and digital archiving. The Ministry also plans to launch the Manuscript Research Partner (MRP) programme to provide hands-on training and script labs for young scholars.

    Researchers and scholars are invited to submit original research papers and case studies

  • Sensex, Nifty open lower amid uncertainty around Trump tariffs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian equity market indices opened lower on Friday amid lingering uncertainty over US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, as he continues to threaten higher tariffs across various sectors and countries.

    At 9:20 am, the Sensex was down 224 points, or 0.27 per cent, at 82,965, while the Nifty shed 65 points, or 0.26 per cent, to trade at 25,289.

    Marginal buying was seen in midcap and smallcap stocks. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was up 60 points, or 0.10 per cent, at 59,220, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose 11 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 18,967.

    According to analysts, given the current environment marked by uncertainty and heightened volatility, traders are advised to adopt a cautious “wait and watch” approach, especially with leveraged positions. Booking partial profits during rallies and using tight trailing stop-losses is recommended.

    In the Sensex pack, HUL, Asian Paints, Axis Bank, NTPC, Power Grid, Tata Steel, SBI, Adani Ports, Sun Pharma, and ITC were among the major gainers. TCS, Infosys, M&M, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finserv, and Trent were the prominent losers.

    On the sectoral front, PSU banks, financial services, pharma, FMCG, and metal stocks were trading in the green, while auto, IT, realty, and media sectors were in the red.

    In Asia, stock markets traded mixed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s KOSPI were trading flat, while China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained over one per cent.

    Overnight in the US, Wall Street’s major indices, the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, closed at record highs. The Dow Jones climbed 0.43 per cent and the S&P 500 rose 0.27 per cent.

    Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 221 crore on July 10, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased shares worth Rs 591 crore on the same day.

    President Trump has announced 35 per cent tariffs on Canada and warned of higher levies if Ottawa retaliates. These tariffs will come into effect on August 1. Recently, Trump also threatened to impose a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports unless Brazil halts legal proceedings against former President Bolsonaro.

    —IANS

  • New Zealand braces for severe weather as storm threatens flooding

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Heavy rain and strong winds lashed parts of New Zealand on Friday as a cold front moved east across the country, and authorities warned conditions could worsen over the next 24 hours, triggering floods and landslides.

    The northern regions of both the South Island and North Island of the country could be severely affected by the wild weather, the country’s weather bureau said in its latest update.

    New Zealand‘s MetService said the wind would pick up from Friday afternoon, with gusts of up to 120 kph (75 mph) forecast for some regions. There could be severe thunderstorms later on Friday, MetService’s Heather Keats said.

    A state of local emergency has been declared for the Nelson Tasman region for the second time in as many months with officials warning that rivers could rise quickly because the ground remains wet following floods at the end of last month.

    Motorists have been urged to stay off the roads, while the authorities have asked residents in the Nelson Tasman region to evacuate their homes if they feel unsafe.

    “In these conditions, it’s just not worth the risk,” the Tasman District Council said in a post on social media.

    “We have a number of roads already closed … and we’re expecting more closures to happen in the coming hours due to tree falls from heavy winds and significant surface flooding.”

    (Reuters)

  • Armed men kidnap, kill nine bus passengers in Pakistan, say officials

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Armed men killed nine bus passengers after kidnapping them in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, officials said on Friday.

    The passengers had been kidnapped from multiple buses on Thursday evening, said the provincial government spokesman Shahid Rind.

    Their bodies with bullet wounds were found in mountains overnight, another government official Naveed Alam said.

    No one has claimed responsibility.

    Separatist Baloch militants have in the past been involved in such incidents, killing passengers after identifying them as coming from the eastern Punjab province.

    The Baloch Liberation Army is the strongest of a number of insurgent groups long operating in the area bordering Afghanistan and Iran, a mineral-rich region.

    The ethnic Baloch militants blame authorities in Pakistan for stealing their regional resources to fund spending in Punjab province.

    (Reuters)

  • Shubhanshu Shukla to begin journey back to Earth on July 14: Axiom Space

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is expected to begin his journey back to Earth on July 14, Axiom Space announced on Friday.

    Shukla, along with three other crew members — Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu — will undock from the Harmony module’s space-facing port inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for their return to Earth.

    “The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET (4:35 pm IST),” Axiom Space said in a post on social media platform X.

    A splashdown is expected several hours after undocking, near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.

    “We are working with the station programme, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission, and the current target to undock is July 14,” Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said at a press conference.

    IAF Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the ISS. He is the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984.

    During his time aboard the orbital outpost, Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, marking an important step for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. His experiments focused on topics such as decoding muscle loss in microgravity, developing a brain-computer interface, and sprouting green gram and fenugreek seeds in space.

    Shukla also interacted with students from Kerala and Lucknow via video conferencing from the ISS. The students asked him about life in space — from what astronauts eat and how they sleep, to what happens if someone falls sick.

    They also wanted to know about the benefits of India’s space programme and which part of the mission he found most enjoyable.

    Describing the launch experience of Axiom Mission 4, Shukla told the students it was “amazing” and “dynamic”.

    “It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to visit the station, you would find someone sleeping on the walls and someone on the ceiling,” he told them with a smile.

    —IANS

  • Bitcoin jumps to record on institutional investor demand

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Bitcoin rallied to an all-time high on Friday, powered by demand from institutional investors and friendly policies of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

    The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose to a peak of $116,781.10 in the Asian session on Friday, taking its gains for the year thus far to more than 24%.

    In March, Trump signed an executive order to establish a strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies. He has also appointed several crypto-friendly individuals, including Securities and Exchange Commission Paul Atkins and White House artificial intelligence czar David Sacks.

    Trump’s family businesses have also made forays into cryptocurrencies. Trump Media & Technology Group is looking to launch an exchange-traded fund to invest in multiple crypto tokens including Bitcoin, a SEC filing on Tuesday showed.

    Ether, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, similarly jumped more than 5% to last trade at $2,964.02, after earlier hitting a five-month high of $2,998.41.

    (Reuters)

  • Ashadha Purnima observed with spiritual fervour at Sarnath

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The sacred grounds of Sarnath resonated with deep devotion on Thursday as Ashadha Purnima, marking the auspicious Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas, was commemorated at the historic Mulagandha Kuti Vihara. The event, organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Mahabodhi Society of India, drew monastics, scholars, and devotees from around the world to honour the day when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

    As dusk fell and the full moon of Ashadha illuminated the skies, the programme began with a serene circumambulation (parikrama) of the Dhamek Stupa by monks, nuns, and lay practitioners in a gesture of reverence. The ancient stupa, glowing in the fading sunlight, stood as a powerful reminder of the Buddha’s first teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

    In his opening address, Ven. Summitananda Thero, In-charge of the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, spoke of the enduring sanctity of Sarnath, a place that has safeguarded the Dharma for centuries. He reflected on the quiet strength and spiritual resonance of the land that witnessed the birth of the Buddhist Sangha.

    Ven. Dieu Tri, a senior nun from Vietnam, offered heartfelt remarks about the recent exposition of sacred Buddha relics in her country, where an astounding 17.8 million devotees paid homage across nine cities. A short film presented by the IBC captured the emotional response of the Vietnamese people to this historic spiritual journey.

    Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Ven. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, emphasized the unity of knowledge and practice in the Dharma. He highlighted the spiritual significance of Ashadha Purnima, not only as the day of the first sermon but also as a symbolic marker of the Buddha’s conception and the founding of the monastic order.

    Most Ven. Sumedha Thero, President of the Indo–Sri Lanka International Buddhist Association, expressed his deep gratitude to the Indian government for selecting Sarnath as the centrepiece of this year’s celebration. He underscored the timeless cultural and spiritual bonds between India and Sri Lanka, forged through the shared wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings.

    The programme concluded with a message from Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General of the IBC, who called for global Buddhist unity and interfaith harmony. He urged the global community to embrace empathy and inclusive dialogue as the foundation for a peaceful world.

    Ven. Seelawanso Thero, Principal of the Pali and Buddhist Dhamadoot College, delivered the vote of thanks, encapsulating the collective spirit of gratitude and reverence that defined the evening.

  • First day of Sawan: Devotees throng temples in Kashi, Haridwar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The sacred month of Sawan began on Friday with an overwhelming display of devotion across major pilgrimage sites, as thousands of Lord Shiva devotees lined up to offer prayers and perform ‘jalabhishek’ at temples.

    At the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, the day started with the ‘Mangala Aarti’, followed by the opening of the temple gates for public darshan. Devotees, filled with enthusiasm, formed long but orderly queues, eager to seek the blessings of Baba Vishwanath.

    “Today is the first day of Sawan, and the darshan went very well. The arrangements and facilities are excellent. The government has done a great job, and the cleanliness is very good. Everyone entered in an orderly manner,” said a devotee outside the temple.

    Another devotee added, “The arrangements are excellent.”

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his wishes on the social media platform X (writing originally

  • Curtis Campher becomes first male cricketer to take five wickets in five balls

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher made history by becoming the first male player in professional cricket to claim five wickets in five balls, achieving the feat on Thursday.

    He did so while playing for Munster Reds during their Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy clash against the North-West Warriors in Dublin, with Munster ultimately winning the match by 100 runs.

    Campher began his spell by bowling Jared Wilson and trapping Graham Hume lbw to end the 12th over, then returned in the 14th to complete a hat-trick with the dismissal of Andy McBrine, before removing Robbie Millar and Josh Wilson to finish the streak.

    “I wasn’t really sure what was happening,” he told Cricket Ireland. “I just kind of stuck to my guns and kept it real simple and luckily it kind of went off.”

    Zimbabwe women’s all-rounder Kelis Ndhlovu was the first in achieving the rare feat, after she claimed five wickets in five consecutive balls during a domestic under-19 T20 match against Eagles Women in 2024.

    (Reuters)

  • Israeli strike kills 10 children near Gaza clinic with no immediate truce in sight

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An Israeli airstrike hit Palestinians near a medical centre in Gaza on Thursday, killing 10 children and six adults, local health authorities said, as ceasefire talks dragged on with no immediate deal expected.

    Verified video footage from the strike in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip showed the bodies of women and children lying in pools of blood amid dust and screaming. One clip showed several motionless children lying on a donkey cart.

    “She didn’t do anything, she was innocent, I swear. Her dream was for the war to end and that they announce it today, to go back to school,” said Samah al-Nouri, sitting by the body of her daughter who was killed in the blast.

    “She was only getting treatment in a medical facility. Why did they kill them?” she said, with other bodies laid out around her at a nearby hospital.

    Israel’s military said it had struck a militant who took part in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. It said it was aware of reports regarding a number of injured bystanders and that the incident was under review.

    U.S.-based Project HOPE said the strike had hit right outside its Altayara health clinic. “Horrified and heartbroken cannot properly communicate how we feel anymore,” the aid group said in a statement.

    The Deir al-Balah missile strike came as Israeli and Hamas negotiators hold talks with mediators in Qatar over a proposed 60-day ceasefire and hostage release deal aimed at building agreement on a lasting truce.

    A senior Israeli official said on Wednesday that an agreement was not likely to be secured for another one or two weeks, however, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday he was hopeful of a deal.

    “I think we’re closer, and I think perhaps we’re closer than we’ve been in quite a while,” Rubio told reporters at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.

    Several rounds of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have failed to produce a breakthrough since the Israeli military resumed its campaign in March following a previous ceasefire.

    Repeated attacks by Israeli forces in recent weeks have killed hundreds of Gazans, many of them civilians, and injured thousands, according to local health authorities, putting an enormous strain on the enclave’s few remaining hospitals.

    Dwindling fuel supplies risk further disruption in the semi-functioning hospitals, including to incubators at the neonatal unit of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, doctors there said.

    “We are forced to place four, five or sometimes three premature babies in one incubator,” said Dr Mohammed Abu Selmia, the hospital director, adding that premature babies were now in a critical condition.

    An Israeli military official said that fuel destined for hospitals and other humanitarian facilities was let into the enclave on Wednesday and on Thursday.

    However, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that far more fuel was needed to keep essential life-saving and life-sustaining services operating.

    TALKS

    U.S. President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week to discuss the situation in Gaza amid reports that Israel and Hamas were nearing agreement on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal after 21 months of war.

    Netanyahu said that if the two sides reach agreements on the U.S.60-day truce plan, Israel will begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.

    In a statement from Washington, he reiterated Israel’s terms for ending the war, including Hamas disarming and no longer ruling Gaza. Hamas has rejected calls to lay down its weapons.

    “If this can be achieved through negotiations – that’s good. If it’s not achieved through 60-day negotiations then we will achieve it by other means, by use of force,” Netanyahu said.

    A Palestinian official said the talks in Qatar were in crisis and that issues under dispute, including whether Israel would continue to occupy parts of Gaza after a ceasefire, had yet to be resolved.

    The two sides previously agreed a ceasefire in January but it did not lead to a deal on ending the war and Israel resumed its military assault two months later, stopping all aid supplies into Gaza for 11 weeks and telling civilians to leave the north of the tiny territory.

    Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has now killed more than 57,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. It has destroyed swathes of the territory and driven most Gazans from their homes.

    The Hamas attack on Israeli border communities that triggered the war in 2023 killed around 1,200 people and the militant group seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. At least 20 are believed to still be alive.

    There has also been repeated violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. An Israeli man was killed at a shopping centre in the territory on Thursday by two Palestinian militants, who were then shot dead, police said.

    In a separate incident, a Palestinian man was shot dead after he stabbed and injured a soldier, the army said.

  • Verbeek and Siniakova win Wimbledon mixed doubles title

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Czech Katerina Siniakova and Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands claimed the Wimbledon mixed doubles title on Thursday, defeating Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazilian Luisa Stefani 7-6(3) 7-6(3).

    Facing home favourite Salisbury and Stefani on Centre Court, the Czech-Dutch duo held their nerve, while Stefani appeared to be hampered by a leg issue in the second set.

    As Siniakova sealed victory with an overhead smash, the duo celebrated their first title together, Siniakova’s maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam and Verbeek’s first Grand Slam triumph of any kind.

    “It’s very special, I mean it means a lot — we had a lot of fun on the court and I really enjoyed it, it was a really amazing time here,” Siniakova said after lifting the trophy.

    For the 29-year-old Siniakova, the win added to her 10 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, including the Australian Open crown with American Taylor Townsend in January.

    “Katerina, thank you so much, it’s been an honour to compete next to such a great doubles legend, one of the best to ever do it and thank you for making this a Thursday I will remember for the rest of my life,” the 31-year-old Verbeek said.

    Salisbury, who faced the disappointment of home fans hoping to see a British champion, said margins did not fall in his and Stefani’s favour.

    “It’s always tough to lose a final but they played amazing so congratulations. They were too good in the tie-breaks today,” Salisbury said.

    (Reuters)

  • 3rd Test: Root lifts England to 251-4 vs India on tense first day at Lord’s

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Joe Root’s patient unbeaten 99 led England to 251-4 on an attritional and compelling first day of the third test against India at Lord’s on Thursday.

    With the series level at 1-1 after two high-scoring matches, England won the toss in good batting conditions but they lost Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley cheaply and with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah back in their attack India sensed a big chance.

    Root and Ollie Pope, however, adopted a risk-free approach, a far cry from the aggressive Bazball style of cricket England have adopted in recent years, to rebuild the innings, and Ben Stokes made 39 not out to leave the match finely poised.

    “We want to be a team that is positive and entertaining, but we want to play to the situation,” Pope said.

    “Our order is pretty fast scoring on our good days, we all know we can score hundreds off 120 balls, but we need to dig in off this sort of surface.”

    Earlier, Stokes won the toss under clear skies and would have expected his top order to take full advantage.

    India won the second test by 336 runs to level the series without Bumrah and he bowled a probing opening spell as the touring side rode the momentum of their excellent performance at Edgbaston.

    Crawley drove Akash Deep sweetly to the cover boundary before greeting Mohammed Siraj to the attack with another crisp hit through the off side but neither he nor Duckett looked comfortable on a slow pitch.

    Immediately after the drinks interval, Nitish Kumar Reddy struck in his first over when Duckett fell for 23, playing a loose stroke to a ball down the leg side and feathering a catch to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

    Pope was dropped off his first ball, a very hard chance to Shubman Gill at gully, before Reddy squared up Crawley with a fine delivery and he edged it to Pant to depart for 18.

    STUNNED SILENCE

    A packed crowd at the home of cricket was stunned into near silence as India celebrated wildly and Reddy continued to extract movement off the pitch as England laboured to 83-2 at lunch.

    Root reached his 67th test half century to go with 36 hundreds for England’s leading all-time runscorer, the milestone coming off 102 balls and including seven fours.

    India suffered a blow when the free-scoring Pant was forced off the field with a finger injury but Pope was out for 44 to the first ball after tea, driving loosely at spinner Ravindra Jadeja and nicking the ball to stand-in keeper Dhruv Jurel.

    When Bumrah speared in a rapid ball that clipped the top of Harry Brook’s off stump to send the in-form batter back to the pavilion for 11 with England on 172-4 India sensed they were back in the ascendancy.

    But Root continued to bat smoothly and found a reliable partner in Stokes, the experienced pair defying the tiring Indian bowlers and keeping the scoreboard ticking over in the evening sunshine.

    Root tried to complete his 37th test century before the close but was unable to do so, and he will return on Friday when England will bid to put pressure on India by posting a commanding first-innings total.

    “Joe Root has inspired everyone in the changing room and in this country,” Pope said.

    “His work ethic and the way he goes about his cricket is inspirational over such a long career. Fingers crossed he can make it a massive one tomorrow.”

    (Reuters)