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Category: Government of India

  • How tiny plastic beads are helping scientists create colour-shifting materials

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A team of researchers in Bengaluru has discovered a way to create tunable colour-shifting surfaces inspired by nature’s vibrant displays—like the feathers of a peacock or the wings of a butterfly.

    At the core of this breakthrough is a phenomenon known as structural coloration, where colours are produced not by pigments but by the physical structure of a surface that interacts with light.

    The study, carried out at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), demonstrates how light can be manipulated at the nanoscale to produce colours that do not fade over time.

    Inspired by Nature
    Unlike dyes or paints, structural colours arise when light waves are reflected, refracted or scattered by microscopic patterns. This is what gives the peacock its iridescent blues and greens that change with the angle of light.

    The scientists at CeNS have used polystyrene nanospheres, each about 400 nanometres wide, to replicate this effect. These tiny beads, far smaller than a grain of sand, naturally arrange themselves into a hexagonal pattern when placed on water, forming what is called a close-packed monolayer.

    Fine-Tuning Colours with Light and Geometry
    Once this layer is formed, the team uses a technique called reactive ion etching—similar to a nano-scale sandblasting process—to slightly reduce the size of the spheres while maintaining their orderly arrangement. This changes how light interacts with the surface.

    As light strikes this nanostructured layer, certain wavelengths are enhanced or suppressed. This means the reflected colour can be adjusted—simply by tilting the surface or changing the viewing angle, shifting it towards shades like blue.

    The result is a vibrant, durable colour that does not fade under sunlight or over time, unlike traditional chemical dyes.

    Scalable and Sustainable
    What makes this research notable is its practicality. The technique relies on self-assembly, a low-cost process where the particles naturally arrange themselves—making it scalable for large-area production without complex machinery.

    According to the researchers, this approach could find applications in wearable sensors, anti-counterfeit labels, flexible displays, and even eco-friendly paints that do not release harmful chemicals into the environment.

    The findings, recently published in the Journal of Applied Physics, highlight how understanding light’s interaction with matter at the nanoscale could lead to new materials with customisable optical properties.

    Bridging Science and Application
    By showing how tiny changes in the geometry of these nanospheres influence how light is reflected, the CeNS team has opened new possibilities for advanced optical materials.

    Such materials could eventually replace conventional pigments in various industries, helping reduce environmental impact while providing vibrant, long-lasting colours.

  • How tiny plastic beads are helping scientists create colour-shifting materials

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A team of researchers in Bengaluru has discovered a way to create tunable colour-shifting surfaces inspired by nature’s vibrant displays—like the feathers of a peacock or the wings of a butterfly.

    At the core of this breakthrough is a phenomenon known as structural coloration, where colours are produced not by pigments but by the physical structure of a surface that interacts with light.

    The study, carried out at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), demonstrates how light can be manipulated at the nanoscale to produce colours that do not fade over time.

    Inspired by Nature
    Unlike dyes or paints, structural colours arise when light waves are reflected, refracted or scattered by microscopic patterns. This is what gives the peacock its iridescent blues and greens that change with the angle of light.

    The scientists at CeNS have used polystyrene nanospheres, each about 400 nanometres wide, to replicate this effect. These tiny beads, far smaller than a grain of sand, naturally arrange themselves into a hexagonal pattern when placed on water, forming what is called a close-packed monolayer.

    Fine-Tuning Colours with Light and Geometry
    Once this layer is formed, the team uses a technique called reactive ion etching—similar to a nano-scale sandblasting process—to slightly reduce the size of the spheres while maintaining their orderly arrangement. This changes how light interacts with the surface.

    As light strikes this nanostructured layer, certain wavelengths are enhanced or suppressed. This means the reflected colour can be adjusted—simply by tilting the surface or changing the viewing angle, shifting it towards shades like blue.

    The result is a vibrant, durable colour that does not fade under sunlight or over time, unlike traditional chemical dyes.

    Scalable and Sustainable
    What makes this research notable is its practicality. The technique relies on self-assembly, a low-cost process where the particles naturally arrange themselves—making it scalable for large-area production without complex machinery.

    According to the researchers, this approach could find applications in wearable sensors, anti-counterfeit labels, flexible displays, and even eco-friendly paints that do not release harmful chemicals into the environment.

    The findings, recently published in the Journal of Applied Physics, highlight how understanding light’s interaction with matter at the nanoscale could lead to new materials with customisable optical properties.

    Bridging Science and Application
    By showing how tiny changes in the geometry of these nanospheres influence how light is reflected, the CeNS team has opened new possibilities for advanced optical materials.

    Such materials could eventually replace conventional pigments in various industries, helping reduce environmental impact while providing vibrant, long-lasting colours.

  • India’s first globally recognised equine disease-free compartment set up in Meerut

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has set up its first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College in Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh. The facility was officially recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on Thursday, marking a crucial step in enabling Indian sport horses to compete internationally in compliance with global biosecurity standards.

    The EDFC, developed through the coordinated efforts of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Defence, the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, ensures strict adherence to WOAH’s guidelines for compartmentalisation. These include robust biosecurity measures, veterinary surveillance, and disease exclusion protocols.

    The facility has been certified free from major equine diseases such as Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Influenza, Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders, and Surra, said the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a statement. Additionally, India has remained free of African Horse Sickness since 2014.

    This recognition opens new avenues for Indian riders and horses to participate in international equestrian competitions and enhances India’s potential in equine trade, breeding, and sports. It also aligns with India’s broader strategy of strengthening animal health systems and promoting export readiness through science-based practices.

    The success of the EDFC complements India’s parallel efforts in the poultry sector, where the country is working to develop Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Free Compartments to facilitate safe exports of poultry products.

    This achievement positions India as a rising leader in implementing internationally harmonised animal health systems, supporting both safe trade and emerging sectors like equestrian sports.

  • Indian stock market settles in green amid hopes for potential India-US trade deal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    After a highly volatile session, the Indian stock market ended in the green on Friday, supported by value buying in IT and banking stocks as talks progressed on an interim India-US trade deal.

    Touching an intra-day low of 83,015, the Sensex bounced back to close at 83,432.89, up 193.42 points or 0.23 per cent from the previous session’s close of 83,239.47. Similarly, the Nifty ended 0.22 per cent or 55.70 points higher at 25,461.

    “The Indian market is experiencing a pause as investors adopt a wait-and-watch strategy ahead of the impending US tariff deadline amid mixed global cues,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

    Both benchmark indices traded with high volatility as investors remained cautious ahead of the US tariff deadline and amid mixed global signals.

    Among Sensex constituents, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, HCL Technologies, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finserv and TCS closed in positive territory. Meanwhile, Sun Pharma, ITC, Tata Motors, Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki settled in the red.

    In the Nifty index, 31 stocks advanced while 19 declined.

    Sector-wise, Nifty IT (up 0.80 per cent), Bank Nifty (up 0.42 per cent) and Nifty Financial Services (up 0.49 per cent) posted decent gains. Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 closed flat.

    According to analysts, the markets remained volatile for yet another session but managed to end on a positive note.

    “The tone was negative in the first half; however, a decent recovery in heavyweight stocks pared all losses as the day progressed, helping the index close near the day’s high at 25,461,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP – Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

    Ongoing FII outflows reflect a risk-off sentiment, while DII inflows are providing partial support, market experts noted.

    Following the recent rally, key indices are hovering near peak valuation levels, limiting further upside, which remains highly dependent on Q1 earnings and progress on the trade deal.

    “In the mid- and small-cap space, the market has shifted to being more stock-specific following the recent recovery,” added Nair.

    –IANS

  • Amit Shah to lay foundation stone of India’s first national cooperative university in Gujarat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday will lay the foundation stone of the country’s first national-level cooperative university, Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU) in Anand, Gujarat . The event marks a historic step toward institutionalising education and research in the cooperative space.

    Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Muralidhar Mohol, as well as Gujarat’s Education and Cooperation Ministers Rishikesh Patel and Jagdish Vishwakarma, will be present at the foundation-laying ceremony.

    The establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University (TSU) is being hailed as a forward-looking initiative aimed at transforming India’s cooperative landscape. Designed to meet the growing educational and training demands of the country’s expansive and varied cooperative sector, the university is expected to play a pivotal role in driving cooperation, fostering innovation, and creating employment opportunities — an integrated vision referred to as the “Triveni” of progress.

    Shah will also take part in the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” tree plantation drive, a national campaign that encourages environmental consciousness and cultural values. Shah will also unveil an educational module developed by NCERT, designed to introduce school students to cooperative principles and highlight the contributions of the cooperative movement in India.

    Tribhuvan Sahkari University is envisioned as a national hub for capacity building in areas such as cooperative management, finance, law, and rural development. With a focus on skilling the workforce and improving grassroots governance, the university will offer a range of academic programs tailored to meet the sector’s evolving demands.

    Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, TSU will offer flexible and multidisciplinary academic options — including PhDs, degree programs at the managerial level, diplomas at the supervisory level, and certificate courses for operational staff. It will also establish specialised schools on campus and expand to other states, creating a nationwide academic network for cooperative education and training.

    Over the next four years, the university aims to collaborate with more than 200 existing cooperative institutions across the country. In a bid to enhance sectoral capacity, it has set an ambitious target of training around 20 lakh cooperative personnel within five years—catering to the growing needs of approximately 40 lakh workers and 80 lakh board members involved in cooperative societies spanning agriculture, dairy, fisheries, and other sectors.

    To overcome the shortage of skilled faculty in cooperative education, TSU will actively promote PhD programs in cooperative studies, helping to build a strong cadre of qualified educators. Additionally, the university will establish a dedicated Research and Development Council focused on driving innovation and developing cost-effective technological solutions tailored for rural cooperatives. This council will work in close partnership with national and international academic institutions to introduce global best practices into India’s cooperative framework.

  • Indian Army charts ambitious roadmap for modernisation, seeks industry partnership for next-gen warfare

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Army has unveiled a comprehensive modernisation roadmap aimed at transforming its capabilities across multiple domains, ranging from hypersonic weapons to advanced soldier systems, as it prepares for the challenges of future warfare. The announcement was made by Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, Master General Sustenance of the Indian Army, during the “New Age Military Technologies: Industry Capabilities & Way Forward” conference organised by FICCI.

    Outlining the Army’s ambitious vision, Lt Gen Aujla called for unprecedented collaboration between the military, industry, and policymakers to accelerate self-reliance and innovation in defence technology.

    At the core of the Army’s modernisation drive is the development of ultra-fast and highly manoeuvrable weapon systems, including hypersonic glide vehicles, hypersonic air-breathing engines (HEBs), and advanced fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation missiles.

    “We want to change the deterrence equation by ultra-fast and highly manoeuvrable weapon systems,” Lt Gen Aujla stated, emphasising the need to transition from conventional “dump category” ammunition to smart, precision-guided munitions.

    The Army also plans to invest heavily in loitering munitions and PGMs to enhance strike capabilities while minimising collateral damage.

    In addition, the service is advancing efforts in directed energy weapons, such as high-energy lasers and microwave systems, for counter-drone operations, missile defence, and anti-satellite capabilities.

    Recognising the evolving dimensions of warfare, the Army is placing strong emphasis on cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, aiming for spectrum dominance and both offensive and defensive cyber operations. The force is seeking industry partnerships to develop next-generation cyber defence tools, autonomous EW solutions, and resilient satellite systems.

    Another critical focus area is soldier-centric modernisation. The Army plans to equip soldiers with exoskeletons, human augmentation systems, smart body armour, and augmented reality-based battlefield management systems.

    “The individual has to be an empowered individual, in terms of agility, in terms of resilience, in terms of endurance,” Lt Gen Aujla said, highlighting the integration of AI-powered helmets, smart apparel, and real-time health monitoring to enhance battlefield effectiveness.

    To support these advancements, the Army is revamping its logistics and supply chain infrastructure, integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The goal is to ensure green, sustainable logistics, cyber-resilient systems, and efficient, future-ready supply chains.

    Lt Gen Aujla stressed that the Army will continue to focus on core operational roles, while outsourcing specialised capabilities to industry partners.

    He underlined the need for synergy between three key stakeholders: the military, which must clearly define operational needs; policymakers, who must create enabling frameworks; and the industry, which must innovate and deliver tailored solutions.

    “You are the people who have to give shape to our desires, our requirements, our needs, which are absolutely operational in nature,” he told industry leaders.

    To foster this ecosystem, the Army has called on policymakers to establish defence technology acceleration funds, provide fast-tracked regulatory clearances, and simplify procurement processes. He also recommended the creation of tech hubs, innovation centres, and incubation facilities to drive defence-sector innovation.

    “Unless you prepare the environment to support the user and the industry, things won’t work out. It will be just lip service, or it will be a mere slogan that we may keep saying that atmanirbharta is coming, or the self-reliance is,” he warned.

    (ANI)

  • World food prices tick higher in June, led by meat and vegetable oils

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Global food commodity prices edged higher in June, supported by higher meat, vegetable oil and dairy prices, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday.

    The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in a basket of internationally traded food commodities, averaged 128.0 points in June, up 0.5% from May. The index stood 5.8% higher than a year ago, but remained 20.1% below its record high in March 2022.

    The cereal price index fell 1.5% to 107.4 points, now 6.8% below a year ago, as global maize prices dropped sharply for a second month. Larger harvests and more export competition from Argentina and Brazil weighed on maize, while barley and sorghum also declined.

    Wheat prices, however, rose due to weather concerns in Russia, the European Union, and the United States.

    The vegetable oil price index rose 2.3% from May to 155.7 points, now 18.2% above its June 2024 level, led by higher palm, rapeseed, and soy oil prices.

    Palm oil climbed nearly 5% from May on strong import demand, while soy oil was supported by expectations of higher demand from the biofuel sector following announcements of supportive policy measures in Brazil and the United States.

    Sugar prices dropped 5.2% from May to 103.7 points, the lowest since April 2021, reflecting improved supply prospects in Brazil, India, and Thailand.

    Meat prices rose to a record 126.0 points, now 6.7% above June 2024, with all categories rising except poultry. Bovine meat set a new peak, reflecting tighter supplies from Brazil and strong demand from the United States. Poultry prices continued to fall due to abundant Brazilian supplies.

    The dairy price index edged up 0.5% from May to 154.4 points, marking a 20.7% annual increase.

    In a separate report, the FAO forecast global cereal production in 2025 at a record 2.925 billion tonnes, 0.5% above its previous projection and 2.3% above the previous year.

    The outlook could be affected by expected hot, dry conditions in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly for maize with plantings almost complete.

    (Reuters)

  • National Consumer Helpline refunds Rs 7.14 crore to consumers in two months

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ata-start=”199″ data-end=”391″>The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has helped consumers secure refunds totalling ₹7.14 crore over the past two months, according to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

    The Department of Consumer Affairs said the amount was facilitated through the resolution of 15,426 complaints spanning 30 sectors.

    The NCH, a flagship initiative under the Department of Consumer Affairs, plays a critical role in providing pre-litigation support to consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. By addressing grievances swiftly and amicably, the helpline eases the burden on the Consumer Commissions.

    According to official data, the e-commerce sector continues to generate the highest number of complaints. Of the total grievances, 8,919 pertained to the e-commerce sector alone, leading to refunds amounting to ₹3.69 crore. The travel and tourism sector followed, with refunds worth ₹81 lakh being facilitated for consumers facing issues related to bookings and cancellations.

    Consumers from states and Union Territories across the country have used the platform, reflecting its wide reach. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of e-commerce complaints at 1,242, but grievances were registered even from smaller regions such as Sikkim and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

    Officials said the steady increase in the number of grievances reflects the growing outreach of the platform through various digital modes, including calls, the NCH app, the UMANG app, SMS, WhatsApp, email, the web portal, and the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM).

    The helpline acts as a single-window system for consumers to register their grievances at the pre-litigation stage. It is accessible in 17 languages through the toll-free number 1915. In addition, complaints can be submitted online via consumerhelpline.gov.in and through WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS, the NCH app, the UMANG App, and email (nch-ca@gov.in).

    Officials have urged consumers to actively utilise these channels to secure timely and hassle-free redressal and to safeguard their rights as provided under the law.

     

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia pounds Kyiv with largest drone attack, hours after Trump-Putin call

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia pummelled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officials said on Friday.

    Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

    Residents huddled with families in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over the city centre.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is due to speak to Trump later on Friday about the war and a U.S. pause in some deliveries of air defence missiles, called the attack “deliberately massive and cynical.”

    “Notably, the first air raid alerts in our cities and regions yesterday began to blare almost simultaneously with media reports discussing a phone call between President Trump and Putin,” Zelenskiy said on X.

    “Yet again, Russia is showing it has no intention of ending the war and terror,” he added, calling for increased pressure on Russia and more air defence equipment.

    Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv’s 10 districts. Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that fourteen of the injured were hospitalised.

    Ukraine’s state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia, the country’s largest carrier, said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.

    Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the city and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said.

    Russian air strikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.

    CALL FOR SANCTIONS

    Trump said that the call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war, while the Kremlin reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”.

    A decision by Washington earlier this week to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

    On Friday, Zelenskiy called for increased pressure on Moscow to change its “dumb, destructive behavior”.

    “For every such strike against people and human life, they must feel appropriate sanctions and other blows to their economy, their revenues, and their infrastructure,” he said.

    SHELTERED

    Ukraine’s Air Force said that it destroyed 478 of the air weapons Russia launched overnight. However air strikes were recorded in eight locations across the country with nine missiles and 63 drones, it added.

    Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters fighting blazes in the dark and ruined buildings with windows and facades blown out.

    Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Thousands of civilians have died in the conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. Many more soldiers are believed to have died on the frontlines, although neither side releases military casualty figures.

    Late on Thursday, Russian shelling killed five people in and near the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key target under Russian attack for months, Ukraine said.

    (Reuters)

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Government extends NPS tax benefits to new Unified Pension Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Finance Ministry on Friday announced that all tax benefits currently available under the National Pension System (NPS) will also be extended to the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).

    The decision aims to make the Unified Pension Scheme more attractive for central government employees, providing parity between the two pension options.

    Introduced earlier this year, the UPS is available to new recruits joining the central government civil services from April 1, 2025. Existing government employees covered under the NPS have also been given a one-time option to switch to the new scheme.

    In March, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified the rules and procedures to operationalise the scheme. With the Finance Ministry’s latest decision, employees choosing UPS will now be entitled to the same tax deductions on contributions and other tax-saving incentives as those opting for the NPS.

    The UPS has been designed to offer a more predictable retirement income by assuring a defined pension. Under the scheme, the government contributes 18.5 per cent of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance, while the employee contributes 10 per cent.

    By contrast, the National Pension System, which remains in place for other subscribers, operates as a defined contribution scheme without guaranteed returns.

    The Finance Ministry described the tax parity as an effort to strengthen retirement security for central government staff through “transparent, flexible and tax-efficient options”.

    The PFRDA will continue to oversee both pension schemes. Officials said the move is expected to encourage more employees to exercise their option to switch, and help the government address concerns about old-age income security.

  • Trump says he is willing to let migrant laborers stay on US farms

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is willing to let migrant laborers stay in the United States if the farmers they work for will vouch for them.

    At a campaign-style speech at the Iowa state fairgrounds, Trump said he is working with the Homeland Security Department to help farmers who depend on migrant laborers for their seasonal needs. He said he will also work with the hotel industry on the issue.

    Trump has been pursuing a hard-line policy on migration and his U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been leading an effort to deport people who crossed into the United States illegally.

    This has led to some complaints from farmers that their crops are at risk due to a depleted work force.

    “If a farmer is willing to vouch for these people in some way, Kristi, I think we’re going to have to just say that’s going to be good, right?”

    “We don’t want to do it where we take all of the workers off the farms,” he added, speaking in a Midwestern state where farming is a dominant industry.

    (Reuters)

  • Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia becomes Indian Navy’s first woman fighter pilot

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a landmark moment for gender equality in the armed forces, Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia became the first woman fighter pilot of the Indian Navy. She was awarded the prestigious ‘Wings of Gold’ alongside Lieutenant Atul Kumar Dhull during the graduation ceremony of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course held at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

    The ceremony was presided over by Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), who conferred the honours. The Indian Navy described the milestone as “A new chapter in Naval aviation,” celebrating Poonia’s entry into the elite Fighter stream—a domain previously dominated by men.

    “Streaming of SLt Aastha Poonia into the Fighter Stream highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment towards gender inclusivity in Naval Aviation and promoting Nari Shakti, fostering a culture of equality and opportunity,” said the Defence Ministry in a statement.

    The achievement comes amid increasing representation of women in the Indian Armed Forces. During recent press briefings on Operation Sindoor, officers like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stood as powerful symbols of women’s growing role in India’s defence landscape.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Widespread rainfall predicted across India; peak intensity likely in northwest region on July 6–7

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday predicted heavy rainfall activity over northwest and central India over the next seven days, with peak intensity expected in the northwest region on July 6 and 7. Eastern India is also likely to witness significant rainfall until July 7.

    Isolated places in eastern Madhya Pradesh are expected to receive extremely heavy rainfall (more than 21 cm) today, while the ghat areas of central Maharashtra are likely to witness similar intensity on July 6 and 7. Himachal Pradesh may also see extremely heavy showers on July 6.

    Several other regions will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period. These include Jammu, Jharkhand, and western Uttar Pradesh on July 6; Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from July 5 to 8; Punjab and Haryana on July 6 and 7; and East Rajasthan from July 4 to 6 and again on July 9 and 10.

    Madhya Pradesh is expected to receive heavy rainfall today and tomorrow, with another wet spell from July 8 to 10.

    Other areas including Chhattisgarh, Konkan and Goa, central Maharashtra, and the Gujarat region are likely to see heavy rainfall from July 4 to 8, while Vidarbha may receive showers from July 6 to 8.

    Gangetic West Bengal is expected to receive heavy rainfall on July 5 and 6, and parts of Karnataka, Saurashtra & Kutch, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya are also likely to be affected on select days.

    Weather forecast for Delhi-NCR

    In Delhi-NCR, weather conditions are expected to remain relatively moderate but unsettled.

    Delhi is likely to witness partly cloudy skies with very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms today. Maximum temperatures will range from 36 to 38°C.

    On July 5, light to moderate rain is expected, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 37°C during the day and 26 to 28°C at night.

    July 6 and 7 will see generally cloudy skies and light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms. Maximum temperatures are likely to dip to 32–35°C, and minimum temperatures may fall to 24–28°C, remaining below normal for this time of year.

  • National Consumer Helpline facilitates ₹7.14 crore refunds in two months

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) on Friday enabled refunds worth ₹7.14 crore to consumers across the country in the past two months. The Department of Consumer Affairs said the amount was facilitated through the resolution of 15,426 complaints spanning 30 sectors.

    The NCH, a flagship initiative under the Department of Consumer Affairs, plays a critical role in providing pre-litigation support to consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. By addressing grievances swiftly and amicably, the helpline eases the burden on the Consumer Commissions.

    According to official data, the e-commerce sector continues to generate the highest number of complaints. Of the total grievances, 8,919 pertained to the e-commerce sector alone, leading to refunds amounting to ₹3.69 crore. The travel and tourism sector followed, with refunds worth ₹81 lakh being facilitated for consumers facing issues related to bookings and cancellations.

    Consumers from states and Union Territories across the country have used the platform, reflecting its wide reach. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of e-commerce complaints at 1,242, but grievances were registered even from smaller regions such as Sikkim and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

    Officials said the steady increase in the number of grievances reflects the growing outreach of the platform through various digital modes, including calls, the NCH app, the UMANG app, SMS, WhatsApp, email, the web portal, and the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM).

    The helpline acts as a single-window system for consumers to register their grievances at the pre-litigation stage. It is accessible in 17 languages through the toll-free number 1915. In addition, complaints can be submitted online via consumerhelpline.gov.in and through WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS, the NCH app, the UMANG App, and email (nch-ca@gov.in).

    Officials have urged consumers to actively utilise these channels to secure timely and hassle-free redressal and to safeguard their rights as provided under the law.

    Several recent cases highlight the helpline’s effectiveness.

    In West Bengal, a consumer in Kolkata received a refund of ₹8.24 lakh for a cancelled flight ticket after approaching the NCH. Another consumer from Burdwan District secured a refund of ₹1,854 for an undelivered grocery order from an e-commerce platform.

    In Rajasthan, a consumer from Nagpur District was refunded ₹5,799 for a washing machine that could not be returned due to repeated delays.

    In Chhattisgarh, a consumer from Korba District received a refund of ₹1,214 for a toy order that was not delivered, following intervention by the helpline.

    A consumer in Mumbai, Maharashtra, received a refund for missing grocery items within three hours of filing a complaint.

    In Telangana, a consumer from Medak District, who received a three-star refrigerator instead of the ordered five-star model, was refunded ₹17,490 after the helpline’s intervention.

  • Israeli military prepares plan to ensure Iran cannot threaten Israel, defence minister says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Israeli military is preparing an enforcement plan to “ensure that Iran cannot return to threaten Israel”, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told senior military officials.

    He said the military must be prepared, both in intelligence and operations, to ensure Israel has air superiority and to prevent Tehran from reestablishing its previous capabilities.

    He made his remarks following a 12-day air war between the longtime enemies in June, during which Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the aim was to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon.

    Iran denies seeking nuclear arms and that its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.

    Israel and Iran agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ended hostilities on June 24.

    (Reuters)

  • SAIL opens representative office in Dubai to strengthen global presence

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a move to strengthen its international presence, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), one of India’s largest steel producers, inaugurated its Representative Office in Dubai on Wednesday.

    The office was officially inaugurated by Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy in the presence of Consul General of India to Dubai Satish Kumar Sivan, SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash, NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of Steel Ministry V.K. Tripathi, and other senior officials from SAIL, Steel Ministry, NMDC, and MECON.

    Located in a key commercial hub, the Dubai office is set to serve as a gateway for SAIL to enhance its steel exports, strengthen industry linkages, and bolster trade relations between India and the UAE, the Ministry of Steel said in a statement. The move leverages Dubai’s strategic position in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and its business-friendly ecosystem.

    The initiative aligns with India’s broader vision of increasing its global steel footprint and reaching the national target of 300 million tonnes of steel production by 2030. The new office is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming SAIL into a globally competitive steelmaker and advancing India’s stature in the international steel market.

  • President Murmu unveils Durand Cup trophies

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Droupadi Murmu on Friday unveiled the trophies of Durand Cup Tournament 2025 at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.

    The 2025 edition of the Durand Cup will be held from July 23 to August 23 across six venues in West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.

    Organised by the Eastern Command of the Indian Army on behalf of the three Services, the tournament features matchups between Services teams and some of India’s top football clubs. In recent editions, the Durand Cup has also witnessed international participation, with Army teams from neighbouring countries joining the competition.

    Speaking at the event, the President emphasized the unifying power of sports, highlighting how they promote discipline, determination, and team spirit.

    “Sports have the unique power to connect people, regions, and countries. In India, they serve as a powerful tool for national integration,” she said, noting the collective pride felt when the Indian tricolour is raised at international events.

    Highlighting the enduring popularity of football, President Murmu said the sport is more than a game – it is a passion that inspires millions. “Football is about strategy, endurance, and teamwork. Events like the Durand Cup nurture this spirit and provide a vital platform for emerging talent,” she added.

    She also lauded the role of the Armed Forces in sustaining and promoting the legacy of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament, which continues to play a key role in developing the sport in India.

  • Archaeologists in Peru unveil 3,500-year-old city that linked coast and Andes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a 3,500-year-old city in Peru that likely served as a trading hub linking Pacific coast cultures with those in the Andes and Amazon, flourishing around the same time as early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia.

    Drone footage released by researchers shows the city center is marked by a circular structure on a hillside terrace, with remains of stone and mud buildings constructed some 600 meters (1,970 feet) above sea level.

    The urban center, named Peñico, is located in the northern Barranca province and was founded between 1,800 and 1,500 BC. It is close to where the Caral civilization, the oldest in the Americas, developed 5,000 years ago.

    Caral, comprised of 32 monumental structures, is considered a contemporary of civilizations in Egypt, India, Sumeria and China. However, unlike them, it developed in complete isolation, according to researchers.

    Ruth Shady, the archaeologist who led the research into Peñico, said the newly unveiled city is key because experts believe it emerged after the Caral civilization was devastated by climate change.

    “They were situated in a strategic location for trade, for exchange with societies from the coast, the highlands and the jungle,” Shady said.

    Archaeologist Marco Machacuay, a researcher with the Ministry of Culture, said at a news conference that Peñico’s importance lies in it being the continuation of the Caral society.

    After eight years of studies, researchers have identified up to 18 structures in Penico, including ceremonial temples and residential complexes.

    The walls of a central plaza stand out for their sculptural reliefs and depictions of the pututu, a conch shell trumpet whose sound carries over long distances.

    In other buildings, researchers found clay sculptures of human and animal figures, ceremonial objects and necklaces made from beads and seashells, they added.

    Peru is a center of ancient cultures and home to archaeological sites such as the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Cusco and the mysterious Nazca lines located in the desert region along the country’s central coast.

    (Reuters)

  • PM Modi’s Trinidad & Tobago visit highlights deepening trade, development and cultural relations

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago this week highlights India’s efforts to deepen ties with the Caribbean nation. The partnership, built on historical connections dating back nearly two centuries, now spans development cooperation, trade, digital payments, and cultural exchange.

    Trade and Investment: Unlocking New Opportunities

    The Trade Agreement signed between India and Trinidad and Tobago in January 1997, which grants Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to each other, has laid a strong foundation for expanding economic ties. Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic economic role in the Caribbean, supported by bilateral and regional trade agreements, offers Indian exporters a gateway to the wider Caribbean market and beyond.

    Bilateral trade between the two nations has shown encouraging resilience and steady growth, rising from $264 million in 2020–21 to $341 million in 2024–25. India’s major exports to Trinidad and Tobago include vehicles and parts, iron and steel, pharmaceutical products, and plastic goods. In return, India imports mineral fuels and oils, bituminous substances, mineral waxes, iron and steel, ores and ash, and aluminium from Trinidad and Tobago.

    A notable milestone came in 2024 when Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This step is set to enhance digital payments infrastructure and promote greater financial inclusion.

    In recent years, India’s active participation in trade and investment conventions in Trinidad and Tobago has underlined the shared commitment to explore new opportunities. Sectors such as tourism, pharmaceuticals, information technology, renewable energy, and education are emerging as key areas for collaboration, signalling the growing potential of this bilateral economic partnership.

    Strengthening Institutional Frameworks and Development Cooperation

    The bilateral partnership between India and Trinidad and Tobago is anchored in institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). The first JCM was held in 2011 in New Delhi, while the latest round of FOC took place in Port of Spain in August 2021, enabling both sides to chart the way forward for expanding collaboration.

    India’s development partnership with Trinidad and Tobago has grown steadily in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India extended critical medical support by supplying 40,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, along with essential medical equipment and aid.

    Beyond healthcare, India’s assistance has strengthened other priority areas as well. A $1 million India-UNDP project supported the deployment of telemedicine and mobile healthcare robots in Trinidad and Tobago. An additional $1 million was allocated for agro-processing machinery to boost food processing capacity. In line with its commitment to regional food security, Indian cooperatives have also supplied rice and edible oil to the Caribbean nation.

    Cultural Bonds: A Living Heritage

    Cultural connections between the two countries remain vibrant, anchored by the Indian diaspora’s enduring ties to its ancestral roots. Hindi language education continues to flourish, with the support of Hindi teachers and local institutions. Nearly 300 students enrolled

  • Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters going out Friday

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

    Acknowledging the complexity of negotiating with over 170 nations, Trump told reporters before departing for Iowa on Thursday that the letters will be sent to 10 countries at a time, laying out tariff rates such as 20% to 30%.

    “We have more than 170 countries, and how many deals can you make?” Trump said. “They’re very much more complicated.”

    The Republican president said he expected “a couple” more detailed agreements with other countries after Wednesday’s announcement of a trade deal with Vietnam.

    However, he said he preferred to notify most other countries of a specific tariff rate, skipping detailed negotiations.

    Trump’s comments underscored the challenges of completing trade agreements on everything from tariffs to non-tariff barriers such as bans on agricultural imports.

    Top Trump aides said in April they would work on 90 deals in 90 days, an ambitious goal that was met with skepticism from trade experts familiar with arduous and time-consuming trade deals of the past.

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bloomberg Television that about 100 countries are likely to see a reciprocal tariff rate of 10% and predicted a “flurry” of trade deals announced before a July 9 deadline when tariffs could rise sharply.

    If 10% tariffs were given to 100 countries, that would be fewer than originally envisioned by the Trump administration.

    Its original reciprocal tariff list showed 123 jurisdictions that would be given a 10% tariff rate – mostly small countries, along with some territories such as Australia’s uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands.

    Trump sent markets into a tailspin on April 2 with sweeping reciprocal tariff rates ranging from 10% to 50%, although he temporarily reduced the tariff rate for most countries to 10% to allow time for negotiations through July 9.

    Many countries with an initial 10% duty rate have not had any negotiations with the Trump administration, with the exception of Britain, which reached a deal in May to keep a 10% rate and won preferential treatment for some sectors including autos and aircraft engines.

    Major trading partners now involved in negotiations were hit with much higher tariff rates, including 20% for the European Union, 26% for India and 24% for Japan. Other countries that have not engaged in trade talks with the Trump administration face even higher reciprocal tariffs, including 50% for the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, 47% for Madagascar and 36% for Thailand.

    Trump on Wednesday announced an agreement with Vietnam that he said cuts U.S. tariffs on many Vietnamese goods to 20% from his previously threatened 46%. Many U.S. products would be allowed to enter Vietnam duty free.

    (Reuters)

  • I&B Ministry proposes overhaul of TRP guidelines to reflect modern viewing habits

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on Wednesday unveiled a draft policy aimed at reforming how television viewership is measured in India. Acknowledging that audiences now consume content across cable, DTH, smart TVs, mobile apps, and streaming platforms, the proposed guidelines seek to modernize the outdated Television Rating Points (TRP) system by allowing multiple agencies to operate alongside BARC.

    Drafted amendments to the 2014 policy were released on July 2 and will undergo a 30-day public consultation. These changes are designed to remove restrictive provisions that have hindered competition, opening the field to new players and technologies. Notably, the Ministry plans to ease conflict-of-interest restrictions while strengthening the governance framework for rating organisations.

    Currently, India’s television audience is measured through approximately 58,000 people-meters—just 0.025% of the estimated 230 million TV households—limiting the system’s ability to capture diverse viewing patterns. Additionally, the existing setup fails to track viewership across connected devices, a challenge in an era where mobile and smart TV consumption is rising rapidly.

    To address these deficiencies, the draft amendments propose replacing stringent clauses that restrict advisory roles and confine broadcasters or advertisers from investing in rating agencies. By fostering a more competitive environment, the government hopes to facilitate technology upgrades, enhance data accuracy, and ensure TRP outcomes better reflect evolving audience preferences.

    Stakeholders including viewers, broadcasters, and advertisers have been invited to submit feedback by the end of the consultation window via sobpl-moib@nic.in. The draft amendments and existing policy guidelines are accessible on the Ministry’s official website.

     

  • Trump says he expects Hamas decision in 24 hours on ‘final’ peace proposal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday it would probably be known in 24 hours whether the Palestinian militant group Hamas has agreed to accept what he has called a “final proposal” for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza.

    The president also said he had spoken to Saudi Arabia about expanding the Abraham Accords, the deal on normalization of ties that his administration negotiated between Israel and some Gulf countries during his first term.

    Trump said on Tuesday Israel had accepted the conditions needed to finalise a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas, during which the parties will work to end the war.

    He was asked on Friday if Hamas had agreed to the latest ceasefire deal framework, and said: “We’ll see what happens, we are going to know over the next 24 hours.”

    A source close to Hamas said on Thursday the Islamist group sought guarantees that the new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal would lead to the end of Israel’s war in Gaza.

    Two Israeli officials said those details were still being worked out. Dozens of Palestinians were killed on Thursday in Israeli strikes, according to Gaza authorities.

    The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies show.

    Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s subsequent military assault has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. It has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced Gaza’s entire population and prompted accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations.

    A previous two month ceasefire ended when Israeli strikes killed more than 400 Palestinians on March 18. Trump earlier this year proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza, which was condemned globally by rights experts, the U.N. and Palestinians as a proposal of “ethnic cleansing.”

    ABRAHAM ACCORDS

    Trump made the comments on the Abraham Accords when asked about U.S. media reporting late on Thursday that he had met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the White House.

    “It’s one of the things we talked about,” Trump said. “I think a lot of people are going to be joining the Abraham accords,” he added, citing the predicted expansion to the damage faced by Iran from recent U.S. and Israeli strikes.

    Axios reported that after the meeting with Trump, the Saudi official spoke on the phone with Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces.

    Trump’s meeting with the Saudi official came ahead of a visit to Washington next week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

    (Reuters)