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Category: Government of India

  • PM Modi sets off on landmark 5-nation tour, eager to engage with global leaders

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked for Accra, Ghana, marking the first leg of his five-nation tour aimed at reinforcing India’s global partnerships, with a focus on strengthening bonds across the Global South and both sides of the Atlantic.

    The tour includes visits to Ghana, Trinidad &amp, Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia- nations that PM Modi described as vital partners in India’s evolving foreign policy architecture, spanning historical ties, cultural linkages, economic engagement and multilateral cooperation.

    In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “At the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama, I will visit Ghana on July 2-3. Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.”

    He expressed anticipation about deepening bilateral cooperation in areas, including investment, energy, health, security, and development partnership. “As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to speak at the Parliament of Ghana,” he said.

    The Prime Minister will then travel to Trinidad &amp, Tobago from July 3-4, a country he said shares “deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people connect” with India.

    “I will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has recently assumed office for the second term,” he noted.

    Highlighting the longstanding diaspora bond, PM Modi recalled, “Indians first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago. This visit will provide an opportunity to rejuvenate the special bonds of ancestry and kinship that unite us.”

    From Port of Spain, PM Modi will head to Buenos Aires, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years.

    Calling Argentina “a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20,” he said, “I look forward to my discussions with President Javier Milei, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting last year. We will focus on advancing our mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment.”

    Following Argentina, the Prime Minister will participate in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. Emphasising India’s foundational role in the bloc, he said, “As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order.”

    PM Modi also confirmed he will meet with several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. The visit to Brazil will continue with a bilateral state visit to Brasilia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades.

    “This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen our close partnership with Brazil, and work with my friend, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on advancing the priorities of the Global South,” he said.

    The final leg of PM Modi’s tour will take him to Namibia, which he described as “a trusted partner with whom we share a common history of struggle against colonialism.” The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to meeting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and “charting a new roadmap for cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, our regions and the wider Global South.” He will also address the Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament.

    PM Modi expressed optimism about the outcomes of his multi-nation tour, stating, “I am confident that my visits to the five countries will reinforce our bonds of friendship across the Global South, strengthen our partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic, and deepen engagements in the multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and the CARICOM.” (IANS)

  • PM Modi sets off on landmark 5-nation tour, eager to engage with global leaders

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday embarked for Accra, Ghana, marking the first leg of his five-nation tour aimed at reinforcing India’s global partnerships, with a focus on strengthening bonds across the Global South and both sides of the Atlantic.

    The tour includes visits to Ghana, Trinidad &amp, Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia- nations that PM Modi described as vital partners in India’s evolving foreign policy architecture, spanning historical ties, cultural linkages, economic engagement and multilateral cooperation.

    In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “At the invitation of President John Dramani Mahama, I will visit Ghana on July 2-3. Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.”

    He expressed anticipation about deepening bilateral cooperation in areas, including investment, energy, health, security, and development partnership. “As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to speak at the Parliament of Ghana,” he said.

    The Prime Minister will then travel to Trinidad &amp, Tobago from July 3-4, a country he said shares “deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people connect” with India.

    “I will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has recently assumed office for the second term,” he noted.

    Highlighting the longstanding diaspora bond, PM Modi recalled, “Indians first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago. This visit will provide an opportunity to rejuvenate the special bonds of ancestry and kinship that unite us.”

    From Port of Spain, PM Modi will head to Buenos Aires, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years.

    Calling Argentina “a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20,” he said, “I look forward to my discussions with President Javier Milei, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting last year. We will focus on advancing our mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment.”

    Following Argentina, the Prime Minister will participate in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. Emphasising India’s foundational role in the bloc, he said, “As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order.”

    PM Modi also confirmed he will meet with several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. The visit to Brazil will continue with a bilateral state visit to Brasilia, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades.

    “This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen our close partnership with Brazil, and work with my friend, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on advancing the priorities of the Global South,” he said.

    The final leg of PM Modi’s tour will take him to Namibia, which he described as “a trusted partner with whom we share a common history of struggle against colonialism.” The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to meeting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and “charting a new roadmap for cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, our regions and the wider Global South.” He will also address the Joint Session of the Namibian Parliament.

    PM Modi expressed optimism about the outcomes of his multi-nation tour, stating, “I am confident that my visits to the five countries will reinforce our bonds of friendship across the Global South, strengthen our partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic, and deepen engagements in the multilateral platforms such as BRICS, the African Union, ECOWAS and the CARICOM.” (IANS)

  • Djokovic passes Muller test to reach Wimbledon second round

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic was made to work hard after a strong start as he began his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title by beating unseeded Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-1 6-7(7) 6-2 6-2 to reach the second round on Tuesday.

    The sixth seed, who is aiming to equal Roger Federer’s haul at the All England Club and move past Margaret Court in the all-time list of major champions, will take on British wild card Dan Evans in the next round.

    “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I have a chance, to be honest,” Djokovic said.

    “I think I always have a chance, I’ve earned my right to feel I can go all the way to the title. I’ve had arguably the most success of any Grand Slam here in the last decade.

    “It’s just the beginning of the tournament. There are many fantastic players in the draw. I’m going to be playing a Briton in the next round. That’s going to be a tough one, but I look forward to it.

    “I’ve always felt like grass, particularly in the second part of my career, was really the surface where I played my best tennis, so why not do it again?”

    Djokovic, who endured a poor year before lifting his 100th tour-level trophy in Geneva ahead of a run to the semi-finals of the French Open, powered through the opening set against Muller by winning six games on the trot.

    Muller put up much more of a fight in the next set, saving five breakpoints to hold for 4-4 before forcing a tiebreak where he raised his game again to battle from 2-5 down and draw level in the match.

    Djokovic caught his breath when the Centre Court roof was closed and then took a medical timeout early in the third set for a stomach problem, before going up 3-2 with a break after Muller hit his sixth double fault of the match.

    Having wrapped up the third set, Djokovic racked up a 4-2 advantage in the fourth set with an exquisite backhand winner and there was no looking back from there as he completed the victory by holding to love.

    “I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes,” Djokovic added.

    “Whether it was a stomach bug, I don’t know what it was, but I just struggled with that. The energy kicked back in after some doctor’s miracle pills.

    “I managed to finish the match on a good note.”

    -Reuters

  • Djokovic passes Muller test to reach Wimbledon second round

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic was made to work hard after a strong start as he began his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title by beating unseeded Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-1 6-7(7) 6-2 6-2 to reach the second round on Tuesday.

    The sixth seed, who is aiming to equal Roger Federer’s haul at the All England Club and move past Margaret Court in the all-time list of major champions, will take on British wild card Dan Evans in the next round.

    “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I have a chance, to be honest,” Djokovic said.

    “I think I always have a chance, I’ve earned my right to feel I can go all the way to the title. I’ve had arguably the most success of any Grand Slam here in the last decade.

    “It’s just the beginning of the tournament. There are many fantastic players in the draw. I’m going to be playing a Briton in the next round. That’s going to be a tough one, but I look forward to it.

    “I’ve always felt like grass, particularly in the second part of my career, was really the surface where I played my best tennis, so why not do it again?”

    Djokovic, who endured a poor year before lifting his 100th tour-level trophy in Geneva ahead of a run to the semi-finals of the French Open, powered through the opening set against Muller by winning six games on the trot.

    Muller put up much more of a fight in the next set, saving five breakpoints to hold for 4-4 before forcing a tiebreak where he raised his game again to battle from 2-5 down and draw level in the match.

    Djokovic caught his breath when the Centre Court roof was closed and then took a medical timeout early in the third set for a stomach problem, before going up 3-2 with a break after Muller hit his sixth double fault of the match.

    Having wrapped up the third set, Djokovic racked up a 4-2 advantage in the fourth set with an exquisite backhand winner and there was no looking back from there as he completed the victory by holding to love.

    “I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes,” Djokovic added.

    “Whether it was a stomach bug, I don’t know what it was, but I just struggled with that. The energy kicked back in after some doctor’s miracle pills.

    “I managed to finish the match on a good note.”

    -Reuters

  • Trump says US could reach trade deal with India, casts doubt on deal with Japan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States could reach a trade deal with India that would help American companies compete in the South Asian country and leave it facing far lower tariffs, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, while casting doubt on a possible deal with Japan.

    Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he believed India was ready to lower barriers for U.S. companies, which could pave the way for an agreement staving off the 26% rate he announced on April 2, before pausing it until July 9.

    “Right now, India doesn’t accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, if they do that, we’re going to have a deal for less, much less tariffs,” he said.

    Earlier, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the U.S. and India are nearing a deal that would lower tariffs on American imports to the South Asian country and help India avoid levies from rising sharply next week.

    “We are very close with India,” Bessent told Fox News in response to a question about progress on trade negotiations.

    India is one of more than a dozen countries actively negotiating with the Trump administration to try to avoid a steep spike in tariff rates on July 9, when a 90-day tariff pause ends. India could see its new “reciprocal” tariff rate rise to 27% from the current 10%.

    The U.S.-India talks have hit roadblocks over disagreements on import duties for auto components, steel, and farm goods, ahead of Trump’s deadline to impose reciprocal tariffs.

    “We are in the middle — hopefully more than the middle — of a very intricate trade negotiation,” Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar told an event in New York on Monday.

    “Obviously, my hope would be that we bring it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee it, because there’s another party to that discussion,” said Jaishankar, who is currently in the U.S. 

    He added that there “will have to be give and take” and the two sides will have to find middle ground.

    TRUMP SUGGESTS HIGHER TARIFF FOR JAPAN

    Bessent told Fox News that different countries have different agendas for trade deals, including Japan, which Trump complained about on Monday and again on Tuesday.

    Trump said he was not thinking of extending the July 9 deadline and would simply send letters notifying countries of the tariff rate they would face.

    “We’ve dealt with Japan. I’m not sure we’re going to make a deal. I doubt it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington from a trip to Florida.

    Trump suggested he could impose a tariff of 30% or 35% on imports from Japan – well above the 24% tariff rate he announced on April 2 and then paused until July 9.

    He said Japan was refusing to accept U.S.-grown rice, a demand made by Washington that he described as “an easy one,” while selling millions of cars in the United States.

    “So what I’m going to do, is I’ll write them a letter saying we thank you very much, and we know you can’t do the kind of things that we need, and therefore you pay a 30%, 35% or whatever the numbers that we determine,” he said. So far, only Britain has negotiated a limited trade deal with the Trump administration, accepting a 10% U.S. tariff on many goods, including autos, in exchange for special access for aircraft engines and British beef.

    (REUTERS)

  • US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-and spending bill, setting up House battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, advancing a package that would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for possible final approval, though a handful of Republicans there have already voiced opposition to some of the Senate provisions. Trump wants to sign it into law by the July 4 Independence Day holiday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he aimed to meet that deadline.

    The measure would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, give new tax breaks for income from tips and overtime pay and increase spending on the military and immigration enforcement. It also would cut about $930 billion of spending on the Medicaid health program and food aid for low-income Americans and repeal many of Democratic former President Joe Biden’s green-energy incentives.

    The legislation, which has exposed Republican divides over the nation’s fast-growing $36.2 trillion debt, would raise the federal government’s self-imposed debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Congress must raise the cap in the coming months or risk a devastating default.

    The Senate passed the measure in a 51-50 vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans – Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats in voting against the bill.

    The vote followed an all-night debate in which Republicans grappled with the bill’s price tag and its impact on the U.S. healthcare system.

    Much of the late horse-trading was aimed at winning over Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had signaled she would vote against the bill without significant alterations.

    The final Senate bill included two provisions that helped secure her vote: one that sends more food-aid funding to Alaska and several other states, and another providing $50 billion to help rural hospitals cope with the sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

    Following the vote, Murkowski issued a statement calling it one of the hardest of her Senate career said she had voted yes despite some continued reservations.

    “This has been an awful process — a frantic rush to meet an artificial deadline that has tested every limit of this institution,” she said. “This bill needs more work across chambers and is not ready for the President’s desk.”

    ‘NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY’

    The vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority, is likely to be close.

    A White House official told reporters that Trump would be “deeply involved” in pushing House Republicans to approve the bill.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone,” Trump said at an event in Florida on Tuesday. “And I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House.”

    An initial version passed with only two votes to spare in May, and several House Republicans have said they do not support the Senate version, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $800 billion more to the national debt than the House version.

    Republicans have struggled to balance conservatives’ demands for deeper spending cuts to reduce the impact on the deficit with moderate lawmakers’ concerns that the Medicaid cuts could hurt their constituents, including service cutbacks in rural areas.

    The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline conservatives who repeatedly threatened to withhold their support for the tax bill, has criticized the Senate version’s price tag.

    “There’s a significant number who are concerned,” Republican Representative Chip Roy, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said of the Senate bill.

    A group of more moderate House Republicans, especially those who represent lower-income areas, have objected to the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate’s plan.

    Meanwhile, Republicans have faced separate concerns from a handful of House Republicans from high-tax states, including New York, New Jersey and California, who have demanded a larger tax break for state and local tax payments.

    The legislation has also drawn criticism from billionaire Elon Musk, the former Trump ally who has railed against the bill’s enormous cost and vowed to back challengers to Republican lawmakers in next year’s midterm elections.

    House Democrats are expected to remain unanimously opposed to the bill.

    “This is the largest assault on American healthcare in history,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “It’s the largest assault on nutrition in American history.”

    TAX BREAKS, IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN, TIGHTER BENEFITS

    The Senate bill would deliver some of its biggest benefits to the top 1% of U.S. households, earning $663,000 or more in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. These high earners would gain the most from the bill’s tax cuts, the CBO has said.

    Independent analysts have said the bill’s tightening of eligibility for food and health safety net programs would effectively reduce poor Americans’ incomes and increase their costs for food and healthcare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that nearly 12 million more people would become uninsured under the Senate plan.

    The bill’s increase in the national debt effectively serves as a wealth transfer from younger to older Americans, nonpartisan analysts have said.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote “covered this chamber in shame,” adding that the bill would be “ripping health care away from millions of Americans, taking the food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

    Republicans rejected the cost estimate generated by the CBO’s longstanding methodology and have argued the Medicaid cuts would only root out “waste, fraud and abuse” from the system.

    Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill “will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans…that will spur economic growth and more jobs and opportunities for American workers.”

    -REUTERS

  • US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-and spending bill, setting up House battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, advancing a package that would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for possible final approval, though a handful of Republicans there have already voiced opposition to some of the Senate provisions. Trump wants to sign it into law by the July 4 Independence Day holiday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he aimed to meet that deadline.

    The measure would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, give new tax breaks for income from tips and overtime pay and increase spending on the military and immigration enforcement. It also would cut about $930 billion of spending on the Medicaid health program and food aid for low-income Americans and repeal many of Democratic former President Joe Biden’s green-energy incentives.

    The legislation, which has exposed Republican divides over the nation’s fast-growing $36.2 trillion debt, would raise the federal government’s self-imposed debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Congress must raise the cap in the coming months or risk a devastating default.

    The Senate passed the measure in a 51-50 vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans – Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats in voting against the bill.

    The vote followed an all-night debate in which Republicans grappled with the bill’s price tag and its impact on the U.S. healthcare system.

    Much of the late horse-trading was aimed at winning over Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had signaled she would vote against the bill without significant alterations.

    The final Senate bill included two provisions that helped secure her vote: one that sends more food-aid funding to Alaska and several other states, and another providing $50 billion to help rural hospitals cope with the sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

    Following the vote, Murkowski issued a statement calling it one of the hardest of her Senate career said she had voted yes despite some continued reservations.

    “This has been an awful process — a frantic rush to meet an artificial deadline that has tested every limit of this institution,” she said. “This bill needs more work across chambers and is not ready for the President’s desk.”

    ‘NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY’

    The vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority, is likely to be close.

    A White House official told reporters that Trump would be “deeply involved” in pushing House Republicans to approve the bill.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone,” Trump said at an event in Florida on Tuesday. “And I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House.”

    An initial version passed with only two votes to spare in May, and several House Republicans have said they do not support the Senate version, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $800 billion more to the national debt than the House version.

    Republicans have struggled to balance conservatives’ demands for deeper spending cuts to reduce the impact on the deficit with moderate lawmakers’ concerns that the Medicaid cuts could hurt their constituents, including service cutbacks in rural areas.

    The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline conservatives who repeatedly threatened to withhold their support for the tax bill, has criticized the Senate version’s price tag.

    “There’s a significant number who are concerned,” Republican Representative Chip Roy, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said of the Senate bill.

    A group of more moderate House Republicans, especially those who represent lower-income areas, have objected to the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate’s plan.

    Meanwhile, Republicans have faced separate concerns from a handful of House Republicans from high-tax states, including New York, New Jersey and California, who have demanded a larger tax break for state and local tax payments.

    The legislation has also drawn criticism from billionaire Elon Musk, the former Trump ally who has railed against the bill’s enormous cost and vowed to back challengers to Republican lawmakers in next year’s midterm elections.

    House Democrats are expected to remain unanimously opposed to the bill.

    “This is the largest assault on American healthcare in history,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “It’s the largest assault on nutrition in American history.”

    TAX BREAKS, IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN, TIGHTER BENEFITS

    The Senate bill would deliver some of its biggest benefits to the top 1% of U.S. households, earning $663,000 or more in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. These high earners would gain the most from the bill’s tax cuts, the CBO has said.

    Independent analysts have said the bill’s tightening of eligibility for food and health safety net programs would effectively reduce poor Americans’ incomes and increase their costs for food and healthcare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that nearly 12 million more people would become uninsured under the Senate plan.

    The bill’s increase in the national debt effectively serves as a wealth transfer from younger to older Americans, nonpartisan analysts have said.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote “covered this chamber in shame,” adding that the bill would be “ripping health care away from millions of Americans, taking the food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

    Republicans rejected the cost estimate generated by the CBO’s longstanding methodology and have argued the Medicaid cuts would only root out “waste, fraud and abuse” from the system.

    Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill “will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans…that will spur economic growth and more jobs and opportunities for American workers.”

    -REUTERS

  • US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-and spending bill, setting up House battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, advancing a package that would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for possible final approval, though a handful of Republicans there have already voiced opposition to some of the Senate provisions. Trump wants to sign it into law by the July 4 Independence Day holiday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he aimed to meet that deadline.

    The measure would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, give new tax breaks for income from tips and overtime pay and increase spending on the military and immigration enforcement. It also would cut about $930 billion of spending on the Medicaid health program and food aid for low-income Americans and repeal many of Democratic former President Joe Biden’s green-energy incentives.

    The legislation, which has exposed Republican divides over the nation’s fast-growing $36.2 trillion debt, would raise the federal government’s self-imposed debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Congress must raise the cap in the coming months or risk a devastating default.

    The Senate passed the measure in a 51-50 vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans – Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats in voting against the bill.

    The vote followed an all-night debate in which Republicans grappled with the bill’s price tag and its impact on the U.S. healthcare system.

    Much of the late horse-trading was aimed at winning over Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had signaled she would vote against the bill without significant alterations.

    The final Senate bill included two provisions that helped secure her vote: one that sends more food-aid funding to Alaska and several other states, and another providing $50 billion to help rural hospitals cope with the sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

    Following the vote, Murkowski issued a statement calling it one of the hardest of her Senate career said she had voted yes despite some continued reservations.

    “This has been an awful process — a frantic rush to meet an artificial deadline that has tested every limit of this institution,” she said. “This bill needs more work across chambers and is not ready for the President’s desk.”

    ‘NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY’

    The vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority, is likely to be close.

    A White House official told reporters that Trump would be “deeply involved” in pushing House Republicans to approve the bill.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone,” Trump said at an event in Florida on Tuesday. “And I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House.”

    An initial version passed with only two votes to spare in May, and several House Republicans have said they do not support the Senate version, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $800 billion more to the national debt than the House version.

    Republicans have struggled to balance conservatives’ demands for deeper spending cuts to reduce the impact on the deficit with moderate lawmakers’ concerns that the Medicaid cuts could hurt their constituents, including service cutbacks in rural areas.

    The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline conservatives who repeatedly threatened to withhold their support for the tax bill, has criticized the Senate version’s price tag.

    “There’s a significant number who are concerned,” Republican Representative Chip Roy, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said of the Senate bill.

    A group of more moderate House Republicans, especially those who represent lower-income areas, have objected to the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate’s plan.

    Meanwhile, Republicans have faced separate concerns from a handful of House Republicans from high-tax states, including New York, New Jersey and California, who have demanded a larger tax break for state and local tax payments.

    The legislation has also drawn criticism from billionaire Elon Musk, the former Trump ally who has railed against the bill’s enormous cost and vowed to back challengers to Republican lawmakers in next year’s midterm elections.

    House Democrats are expected to remain unanimously opposed to the bill.

    “This is the largest assault on American healthcare in history,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “It’s the largest assault on nutrition in American history.”

    TAX BREAKS, IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN, TIGHTER BENEFITS

    The Senate bill would deliver some of its biggest benefits to the top 1% of U.S. households, earning $663,000 or more in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. These high earners would gain the most from the bill’s tax cuts, the CBO has said.

    Independent analysts have said the bill’s tightening of eligibility for food and health safety net programs would effectively reduce poor Americans’ incomes and increase their costs for food and healthcare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that nearly 12 million more people would become uninsured under the Senate plan.

    The bill’s increase in the national debt effectively serves as a wealth transfer from younger to older Americans, nonpartisan analysts have said.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote “covered this chamber in shame,” adding that the bill would be “ripping health care away from millions of Americans, taking the food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

    Republicans rejected the cost estimate generated by the CBO’s longstanding methodology and have argued the Medicaid cuts would only root out “waste, fraud and abuse” from the system.

    Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill “will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans…that will spur economic growth and more jobs and opportunities for American workers.”

    -REUTERS

  • Amit Shah hails new criminal laws as India marks ‘A Golden Year of Trust in the Justice System’

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s new criminal laws mark the beginning of a new era of affordable, accessible, and transparent justice, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday, addressing a gathering in the capital to celebrate “A Golden Year of Trust in the Justice System.”

    Lieutenant Governor of Delhi V.K. Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and Director of the Intelligence Bureau were among the dignitaries present at the event.

    An exhibition on the new criminal laws was also inaugurated on the occasion. Shah noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier directed that this exhibition be organized across all states so that journalists, senior police officers, bar associations, judicial officers, and especially students could understand the new legal framework.

    Speaking at the event, Shah said the three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023—are designed to make justice more citizen-centric. He said the new laws would replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act with modern legislation created from an Indian perspective.

    “The old laws were made by the British Parliament to prolong their rule. The new laws have been framed under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, by a government elected by the people, for the welfare of the people,” Shah said.

    The Home Minister underlined that the new laws are aimed at ensuring timely delivery of justice, with strict timelines prescribed for investigation, charge-sheeting, framing of charges, and delivery of judgments. “Earlier, no one knew when justice would be delivered. Now, the system is being overhauled to guarantee time-bound justice, from the FIR stage to the Supreme Court,” he added.

    Shah said the laws incorporate technology-driven measures, inspired by the study of judicial systems in nearly 89 countries, to strengthen investigation and trial processes. Forensic examination is now mandatory for crimes carrying a punishment of seven years or more. Systems like the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) and DNA matching in POCSO cases have also been put in place to ensure offenders do not escape conviction.

    Highlighting the government’s preparedness, Shah said nearly 15 lakh police personnel, over 19,000 judicial officers, more than 42,000 prison staff, and over 11,000 public prosecutors have been trained in the past year. Delhi was acknowledged as the best-performing state in implementing the new laws swiftly.

    The Home Minister said that a separate chapter on crimes against women and children has been included for the first time. The laws now define terrorism and organised crime, with stricter provisions for punishment. A new post of Director of Prosecution has also been created to strengthen the prosecution system and raise the conviction rate.

    Shah added that the successful implementation of the new criminal justice system will depend not only on the police or the Home Ministry, but also on public awareness and understanding of their rights. He described the reforms as the biggest since Independence, calling them a “golden opportunity” for India’s Nyay Yatra towards a transparent, citizen-centric, and time-bound system of justice.

  • INS Tamal joins Indian fleet, reinforces Indo-Russian naval cooperation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities, the Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned its latest stealth frigate, INS Tamal (F 71), at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia. The commissioning ceremony was held in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, along with senior Indian and Russian naval and government officials.

    INS Tamal is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate under Project 1135.6 and the second vessel in the follow-on Tushil class of ships. The first of the class, INS Tushil, was inducted into the Navy in December 2024. All seven earlier ships are part of the Western Fleet, the primary combat arm of the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command. INS Tamal will be commanded by Captain Sridhar Tata, a specialist in gunnery and missile warfare.

    The ceremony began with a joint Guard of Honour by the ship’s crew and Russia’s Baltic Naval Fleet. Mr Andrey Sergeyvich Puchkov, Director General of United Shipbuilding Corporation, declared the ceremony open, while Mr Mikhael Babich, Deputy Director General of Russia’s Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation, highlighted the growing maritime collaboration between India and Russia.

    Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, described the commissioning of Tamal as a testament to the enduring Indo-Russian strategic partnership, noting that it is the 51st ship produced through this collaboration over the past 65 years. He commended the shipyard workers and Indian and Russian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for their contribution to the vessel’s construction, which supports India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.

    The transfer of the ship was formalised with the signing of the Delivery Act by Captain Sridhar Tata and Mr Sergey Kupriynav, Director General of the Russian Naval Department. The Russian Navy flag was then lowered, and the Indian Naval ensign was hoisted with full honours, marking the frigate’s induction into active service.

    Addressing the gathering, Vice Admiral Singh described the commissioning as a milestone for India’s maritime security and an example of the country’s deep defence cooperation with Russia. He noted that Tamal joins the distinguished ranks of Talwar, Teg, and Tushil class frigates, renowned for their reliability and firepower. “The commissioning of versatile platforms like INS Tamal enhances the Indian Navy’s reach, responsiveness, and resilience,” he said.

    Although built in Russia, the frigate includes 26% indigenous systems, such as the BrahMos long-range supersonic cruise missile and the Humsa-NG sonar system. The construction of the next two ships of the class in India is expected to further expand joint technological capabilities.

    Launched in February 2022, INS Tamal completed extensive sea trials between November 2024 and June 2025, successfully testing her advanced weaponry, including the Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile system, artillery guns, and torpedoes. The frigate is armed with BrahMos missiles, advanced air defence systems, a 100 mm main gun, Close-In Weapon Systems, anti-submarine rockets, and heavyweight torpedoes. She can also embark Kamov 28 and Kamov 31 helicopters for anti-submarine and airborne early warning roles.

    Equipped for multi-dimensional warfare—air, surface, underwater, and electronic—Tamal features sophisticated electronic warfare systems, network-centric operational capabilities, and robust defences against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats.

    With a crew of about 250 sailors and 26 officers, the ship upholds the motto Sarvatra Sarvada Vijaya (Victory Always Everywhere), reflecting its commitment to operational excellence in line with the Navy’s vision of remaining a combat-ready, credible, and cohesive force.

    INS Tamal will soon sail to her homeport at Karwar in Karnataka, showcasing India’s maritime strength during her passage. Once operational, the frigate is expected to play a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests and strengthening India’s presence across vital sea lanes.

  • Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla, SpaceX support

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to cut off the billions of dollars in subsidies that Elon Musk’s companies receive from the federal government, in an escalation of the war of words between the president and the world’s richest man, one-time allies who have since fallen out.

    The feud reignited on Monday when Musk, who spent hundreds of millions on Trump’s re-election, renewed his criticism of Trump’s tax-cut and spending bill, which would eliminate subsidies for electric vehicle purchases that have benefited Tesla, the leading U.S. EV maker. That bill passed the Senate by a narrow margin midday Tuesday.

    “He’s upset that he’s losing his EV mandate and … he’s very upset about things but he can lose a lot more than that,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

    Though Musk has often said government subsidies should be eliminated, Tesla has historically benefited from billions of dollars in tax credits and other policy benefits because of its business in clean transportation and renewable energy. The Trump administration has control over many of those programs, some of which are targeted in the tax bill, including a $7,500 consumer tax credit that has made buying or leasing EVs more attractive for consumers.

    Tesla shares dropped more than 5.5% Tuesday.

    The Tesla CEO renewed threats to start a new political party and spend money to unseat lawmakers who support the tax bill, despite campaigning on limiting government spending. Republicans have expressed concern that Musk’s on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed back on Musk’s criticism that the bill would balloon the deficit, saying, “I’ll take care of” the country’s finances.

    Musk spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at cutting government spending, before he pulled back his involvement in late May. Trump on Truth Social on Tuesday suggested Musk might receive more subsidies “than any human being in history, by far,” adding: “No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.”

    Trump later doubled down, telling reporters with a smile, “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.”

    In response to Trump’s threats, Musk said on his own social media platform X, “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.” He later added that he could escalate the exchange with Trump but said, “I will refrain for now.”

    CHALLENGES TO TESLA

    The feud could create new challenges for Musk’s business empire, particularly as the electric automaker — his primary source of wealth — bets heavily on the success of its robotaxi program currently being tested in Austin, Texas. The speed of Tesla’s robotaxi expansion depends heavily on state and federal regulation of self-driving vehicles.

    “The substance of Tesla’s valuation right now is based on progress towards autonomy. I don’t think anything is going to happen on that front, but that is the risk,” said Gene Munster, managing partner at Tesla investor Deepwater Asset Management.

    Analysts expect another rough quarter when the EV maker reports second-quarter delivery figures on Wednesday. Sales in major European markets were mixed, data showed Tuesday, as Musk’s embrace of hard-right politics has alienated potential buyers in several markets worldwide. The elimination of the EV credit could hit Tesla’s earnings by as much as $1.2 billion, about 17% of its 2024 operating income, J.P. Morgan analysts estimated earlier this year.

    Gary Black, a longtime Tesla investor who manages money for the Future Fund LLC, sold his shares recently as car sales declined. He told Reuters he is considering when to reinvest and that eliminating electric vehicle credits would harm Tesla. In a separate post on X, Black said: “Not sure why @elonmusk didn’t see this coming as a result of him speaking out against passage of President Trump’s big beautiful bill.”

    The U.S. Transportation Department regulates vehicle design and will play a key role in deciding if Tesla can mass-produce robotaxis without pedals and steering wheels, while Musk’s rocket firm SpaceX has about $22 billion in federal contracts.

    Tesla also gets regulatory credits for selling electric vehicles, and has reaped nearly $11 billion by selling those credits to other automakers who are unable to comply with increasingly strict vehicle emissions rules. Without those sales, the company would have posted a first-quarter loss in April.

    Trump had in early June threatened to cut Musk’s government contracts when their relationship erupted into an all-out social media brawl over the tax-cut bill, which non-partisan analysts estimate would add about $3 trillion to the U.S. debt.

    Asked if he was going to deport Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen, Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Tuesday: “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look.”

    -Reuters

  • Starmer wins vote on UK welfare reform but suffers damaging rebellion

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote on his welfare plans on Tuesday at significant political cost as he suffered the biggest parliamentary rebellion of his premiership and was forced to back down on key parts of the package.

    After his lawmakers pushed him into a series of embarrassing U-turns to sharply scale back plans to cut benefits, lawmakers in the House of Commons gave their initial approval to a package of measures Starmer says are vital to securing the future of the welfare system.

    But the scale of the rebellion – with 49 Labour lawmakers voting against the reforms – underlined the prime minister’s waning authority.

    A year after winning one of the largest parliamentary majorities in British history, Starmer has seen his personal approval ratings collapse and been forced into several policy reversals by his increasingly rebellious lawmakers.

    “It’s been a bumpy time tonight,” work and pensions minister Liz Kendall told reporters after a session of parliament when lawmakers took turns to mostly criticise the planned changes. “There are definitely lessons to learn from this process.”

    Starmer came into office last year promising his big parliamentary majority would bring an end to the political chaos that defined much of the Conservative Party’s 14 years in power. But the revolt over the welfare bill underlines the difficulty he has pushing through unpopular changes.

    In the run-up to the vote, ministers and party enforcers known as “whips” had been locked in frantic last-ditch lobbying of undecided members of parliament to try to win their backing.

    In a further concession to rebels about two hours before the vote, the government said it would not finalise changes in eligibility for a key benefit payment until a review into the welfare system had been completed.

    Paula Barker, a Labour member of parliament, called the attempt to pass the plans “the most unedifying spectacle that I have ever seen”.

    In the end, the government suffered by far the biggest rebellion of Starmer’s premiership, eclipsing the 16 members of parliament who opposed an infrastructure bill earlier this month.

    Mel Stride, the opposition Conservative Party finance policy chief, described Starmer’s team as “a government that’s lost control”, only able to pass the legislation by having “ripped the heart of it out”.

    Labour lawmaker Henry Tufnell said by agreeing to the concessions Starmer had shown “he’s willing to take on board these criticisms that people have raised.”

    Almost 90 disability and human rights groups before the vote urged lawmakers to vote down the legislation.

     

    RISING COSTS

    The proposed reforms are designed to reduce the cost of Britain’s growing welfare bill, which the government has described as economically indefensible and morally wrong.

    Annual spending on incapacity and disability benefits already exceeds the country’s defence budget and is set to top 100 billion pounds ($137 billion) by 2030, according to official forecasts, up from 65 billion pounds now.

    More than half of the rise in working-age disability claims since the COVID-19 pandemic relates to mental health conditions, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank.

    The government had initially hoped to save 5 billion pounds ($6.9 billion) a year by 2030 by tightening rules for people to receive disability and sickness benefits.

    But after the government conceded to pressure from its lawmakers, it said the new rules would now apply only to future applicants, not to the millions of existing claimants as had been proposed. Analysts estimated the savings would likely be closer to 2 billion pounds.

    It was not clear how the additional last-minute change would impact the hoped-for savings in the welfare reform package.

    Opposition politicians said the government would now have to raise taxes or cut government spending elsewhere to balance the public finances in the annual budget later this year.

    The government has said there would be no permanent increase in borrowing, but has declined to comment on possible tax rises.

    While Starmer is under no immediate threat, and the next election is not expected until 2029, his party now trails behind Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK in opinion polls.

    John Curtice, Britain’s most respected pollster, said this week that Starmer was the most unpopular elected prime minister in modern British history, and that voters still did not know what he stood for a year after he was elected.

    -Reuters

  • No Draper drama as British hope races past injured Baez in Wimbledon opener

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Britain’s Jack Draper was handed the prime-time early evening slot to get his Wimbledon campaign up and running and spared his fans any fingernail biting as he eased past Argentina’s injured Sebastian Baez in double quick time on Tuesday.

    A dominant Draper was leading 6-2 6-2 2-1 on a boiling Court One when Baez, who hurt his knee earlier in the contest when slipping on the baseline, decided enough was enough with only one hour and 14 minutes on the clock.

    Home fans without tickets had parked themselves on the sun-baked hill adjacent to Court One and those watching at home on TV on their sofas for the entrance of world number four Draper.

    But on a day when many top men’s seeds withered in the scorching temperatures, 23-year-old Draper dispensed with any drama and got the job done in ruthless fashion.

    Left-hander Draper, the highest British seed at Wimbledon since Andy Murray returned as defending champion in 2017, will need all his mental and physical reserves to navigate the pitfalls of Wimbledon under an intense spotlight.

    He has been saddled with trying to fill the void left by the retirement of twice champion Murray, and avoiding drawn-out early round matches, the like of which Murray sometimes inflicted on his legion of fans, is no bad thing.

    Although, speaking on court, Draper said he would have perhaps preferred a slightly tougher test.

    “I wanted to play a bit longer in all honesty. It is no way to win like that and I wish Sebastian the best in his recovery of course,” Draper, who has rocketed up the rankings after reaching the U.S. Open semi-final last year, said.

    Draper will have a much sterner test in the next round when he faces big-serving Croatian Marin Cilic, a player who won the U.S. Open and also reached a Wimbledon final.

    He is also seeded to meet seven-times champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

    HIGH EXPECTATIONS

    Asked how he is coping with the weight of expectation on his broad shoulders, Draper said: “I don’t think about it until people mention it every five minutes! I just think about what I can control and play the best tennis I can.

    “I have to face whoever is in front of me, I can’t be thinking about five matches ahead. I focus on whoever is up next. Everyone who is in this draw is in on their own merit, they can all play incredible tennis.”

    When the draw was made it seemed that Draper had been given a tough first hurdle with Baez ranked 38th in the world.

    In reality it was a mismatch.

    Draper’s serving power and venomous forehand were too much for a player more suited to clay and the writing was on the wall for Baez when he dropped his opening service game.

    The first set lasted only 25 minutes and towards the end of it the lightweight Baez slipped awkwardly when trying to change direction and early in the second set he required a lengthy check over from a doctor.

    Had it been a boxing match the towel might have been thrown in by then as Draper was handing out some serious punishment with a barrage of booming groundstrokes.

    Admirably Baez opted to carry on but the outcome was never in doubt and after he lost serve at the start of the third set he walked to the net and offered his hand.

    Draper has now matched his best Wimbledon run, having previously made the second round twice in three visits.

    This time, however, he will be expected to go much further.

    -Reuters

  • No Draper drama as British hope races past injured Baez in Wimbledon opener

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Britain’s Jack Draper was handed the prime-time early evening slot to get his Wimbledon campaign up and running and spared his fans any fingernail biting as he eased past Argentina’s injured Sebastian Baez in double quick time on Tuesday.

    A dominant Draper was leading 6-2 6-2 2-1 on a boiling Court One when Baez, who hurt his knee earlier in the contest when slipping on the baseline, decided enough was enough with only one hour and 14 minutes on the clock.

    Home fans without tickets had parked themselves on the sun-baked hill adjacent to Court One and those watching at home on TV on their sofas for the entrance of world number four Draper.

    But on a day when many top men’s seeds withered in the scorching temperatures, 23-year-old Draper dispensed with any drama and got the job done in ruthless fashion.

    Left-hander Draper, the highest British seed at Wimbledon since Andy Murray returned as defending champion in 2017, will need all his mental and physical reserves to navigate the pitfalls of Wimbledon under an intense spotlight.

    He has been saddled with trying to fill the void left by the retirement of twice champion Murray, and avoiding drawn-out early round matches, the like of which Murray sometimes inflicted on his legion of fans, is no bad thing.

    Although, speaking on court, Draper said he would have perhaps preferred a slightly tougher test.

    “I wanted to play a bit longer in all honesty. It is no way to win like that and I wish Sebastian the best in his recovery of course,” Draper, who has rocketed up the rankings after reaching the U.S. Open semi-final last year, said.

    Draper will have a much sterner test in the next round when he faces big-serving Croatian Marin Cilic, a player who won the U.S. Open and also reached a Wimbledon final.

    He is also seeded to meet seven-times champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

    HIGH EXPECTATIONS

    Asked how he is coping with the weight of expectation on his broad shoulders, Draper said: “I don’t think about it until people mention it every five minutes! I just think about what I can control and play the best tennis I can.

    “I have to face whoever is in front of me, I can’t be thinking about five matches ahead. I focus on whoever is up next. Everyone who is in this draw is in on their own merit, they can all play incredible tennis.”

    When the draw was made it seemed that Draper had been given a tough first hurdle with Baez ranked 38th in the world.

    In reality it was a mismatch.

    Draper’s serving power and venomous forehand were too much for a player more suited to clay and the writing was on the wall for Baez when he dropped his opening service game.

    The first set lasted only 25 minutes and towards the end of it the lightweight Baez slipped awkwardly when trying to change direction and early in the second set he required a lengthy check over from a doctor.

    Had it been a boxing match the towel might have been thrown in by then as Draper was handing out some serious punishment with a barrage of booming groundstrokes.

    Admirably Baez opted to carry on but the outcome was never in doubt and after he lost serve at the start of the third set he walked to the net and offered his hand.

    Draper has now matched his best Wimbledon run, having previously made the second round twice in three visits.

    This time, however, he will be expected to go much further.

    -Reuters

  • Wimbledon’s AI judges receive mixed reviews from players and fans

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The All England Club’s decision to replace line judges with artificial intelligence technology at Wimbledon has received mixed reviews from players and fans alike.

    This week has marked the first time the tournament has been played without meticulously dressed judges determining whether the ball is in or out.

    The 300 line judges have been cut to 80 who are instead assisting chair umpires and interceding should the latest Hawk-Eye Electronic Line Calling (ELC) system, fail.

    The system uses AI to analyse footage from up to 18 cameras to track the progress of the ball and decide if it is in or out.

    Sally Bolton, the Chief Executive of the All England Club, said the new system was brought in to ensure the calls were accurate and not to cut costs.

    “It’s not a money-saving exercise; it’s about evolving the tournament and making sure that we’re providing the most effective possible line calling,” she said.

    World number one Jannik Sinner told a press conference after his victory over fellow Italian and close friend Luca Nardi:

    “As tennis tries to get better for the umpire it’s very difficult to see, especially when first serves are over 200km per hour, so it’s very difficult to see in a small space if they’re in or out, so for sure the technology helps, especially here on grass.”

    However, other players found problems with the technology. On Monday, China’s Yuan Yue complained that the system was too quiet for her to hear its decision.

    There were small protests outside the grounds against the technology, while some fans expressed sadness about the absence of line judges – a tradition that goes back to the 1870s – and the drama that often accompanies a player’s challenge.

    “Tennis is a physical sport, but it’s also a mental game and at a professional level I think that idea of challenging a call is really part of the game,” Jess from Oxford told Reuters.

    “As a spectator when they review the footage and everybody is clapping, and it’s the whole thing that this decision comes out and there’s uproar or whatever.

    “It’s sad that part of the atmosphere is gone, because you can’t challenge the calls now. It’s AI, it’s resolute.”

    Ivan from Northern Ireland raised concerns that the technology may have some teething problems.

    “It was strange not having a line judge. We watched a game on Court Two and a couple of times a ball from where we were sitting, which was close to the line, was out.

    “The player pointed to it and stopped and looked to the umpire, and he just ignored it, and the player accepted it. But I expected to see the replay.

    “There were a couple of other times when it was obviously out and obviously in and the replay came up. So the replays were not consistent.”

    -Reuters

  • Wimbledon’s AI judges receive mixed reviews from players and fans

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The All England Club’s decision to replace line judges with artificial intelligence technology at Wimbledon has received mixed reviews from players and fans alike.

    This week has marked the first time the tournament has been played without meticulously dressed judges determining whether the ball is in or out.

    The 300 line judges have been cut to 80 who are instead assisting chair umpires and interceding should the latest Hawk-Eye Electronic Line Calling (ELC) system, fail.

    The system uses AI to analyse footage from up to 18 cameras to track the progress of the ball and decide if it is in or out.

    Sally Bolton, the Chief Executive of the All England Club, said the new system was brought in to ensure the calls were accurate and not to cut costs.

    “It’s not a money-saving exercise; it’s about evolving the tournament and making sure that we’re providing the most effective possible line calling,” she said.

    World number one Jannik Sinner told a press conference after his victory over fellow Italian and close friend Luca Nardi:

    “As tennis tries to get better for the umpire it’s very difficult to see, especially when first serves are over 200km per hour, so it’s very difficult to see in a small space if they’re in or out, so for sure the technology helps, especially here on grass.”

    However, other players found problems with the technology. On Monday, China’s Yuan Yue complained that the system was too quiet for her to hear its decision.

    There were small protests outside the grounds against the technology, while some fans expressed sadness about the absence of line judges – a tradition that goes back to the 1870s – and the drama that often accompanies a player’s challenge.

    “Tennis is a physical sport, but it’s also a mental game and at a professional level I think that idea of challenging a call is really part of the game,” Jess from Oxford told Reuters.

    “As a spectator when they review the footage and everybody is clapping, and it’s the whole thing that this decision comes out and there’s uproar or whatever.

    “It’s sad that part of the atmosphere is gone, because you can’t challenge the calls now. It’s AI, it’s resolute.”

    Ivan from Northern Ireland raised concerns that the technology may have some teething problems.

    “It was strange not having a line judge. We watched a game on Court Two and a couple of times a ball from where we were sitting, which was close to the line, was out.

    “The player pointed to it and stopped and looked to the umpire, and he just ignored it, and the player accepted it. But I expected to see the replay.

    “There were a couple of other times when it was obviously out and obviously in and the replay came up. So the replays were not consistent.”

    -Reuters

  • Feeling hot, hot, hot – Swiatek downs Wimbledon debutant to reach round two

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iga Swiatek still has a long way to go to master the art of grasscourt tennis but on Tuesday the Pole took the first step towards what she hopes will be a triumphant run at Wimbledon as she beat Polina Kudermetova 7-5 6-1 in the first round.

    Facing a Wimbledon debutant, the five-times Grand Slam champion might have hoped for an easy ride as no doubt she would liked to have escaped the Court 2 furnace as quickly as possible with the temperature soaring above 33 degrees Celsius.

    Despite being a grasscourt novice, Russia’s Kudermetova refused to be overawed by the occasion, or her opponent, as she went toe-to-toe from the baseline with Swiatek for 45 minutes.

    It was not the kind of first-round trial Swiatek would have wanted as she bids to improve her rather mediocre record at the All England Club, which remains the only major where she has not contested at least a semi-final.

    It was not until the penultimate point of the opening set that Swiatek earned her first break point, which the eighth seed duly converted when Kudermetova netted a backhand to surrender the set.

    That blow effectively snuffed out the 22-year-old Russian’s hopes of winning a match at a Grand Slam for the first time as her tactics fell apart in the second.

    While Kudermetova had kept Swiatek second-guessing her game-plan for the duration of the 45-minute opening set, the former world number one raced through the second in 24 minutes, securing the victory with a sizzling backhand winner.

    “I’m glad my game clicked in the second set and am glad some fans came to see us today as it’s so hot,” Swiatek told the crowd after setting up a second–round meeting with American Caty McNally.

    EMPTY SEATS

    With many ticket holders deciding they could not tolerate the scorching heat inside the bowl-like arena, Swiatek and Kudermetova were greeted by a mass of empty green seats when they entered the sparsely-filled Court 2.

    Many of those who braved the sweltering conditions tried to keep cool by using paper or battery-operated fans. But even holding those for long with sweaty palms was a challenge.

    It was not just the spectators who were left hot and bothered as the mass of towels that started piling up next to Swiatek’s chair told its own story.

    But having reached her first grasscourt final last week at Bad Homburg, Swiatek was eager to make sure all the groundwork for Wimbledon would not be in vain.

    Two aces in the opening game suggested she might get off court in double quick time but when Kudermetova earned the first break point of the match in the fifth game, Swiatek realised her 64th-ranked opponent would be no pushover.

    A Kudermetova unforced error handed Swiatek a lucky escape and by the time the four-times Roland Garros champion bagged the first set, the stats showed she had been outplayed in a number of areas, including total winners and first serve points won.

    Yet with the momentum of claiming the first set behind her, it was not long before Swiatek was celebrating winning her 62nd consecutive opening match on the tour.

    “I needed some time to adjust to the grass because it’s different than Bad Homburg,” said Swiatek, who turned up for the match after enduring a sleepless night due to the hot weather.

    “The heat is going to be over tomorrow, so I survived it,” she added with a smile.

    (Reuters)

  • Perricard exits Wimbledon but makes mark with fastest serve

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard departed Wimbledon as a first-round loser but the Frenchman left his mark on the Grand Slam with the fastest serve recorded in the tournament’s history – a 153 mph (246 kph) missile against Taylor Fritz on Monday.

    Perricard, whose match was later suspended due to the local 11pm curfew and resumed on Tuesday, was beaten 6-7(6) 6-7(8) 6-4 7-6(6) 6-4 but much of the talk in his press conference was about his status as a “serve-bot” in the men’s game.

    That was largely due to the 21-year-old’s reputation for consistently hitting huge serves and his record-breaking effort in the opening game of the contest which eclipsed the previous tournament mark of 148 mph set by American Taylor Dent in 2010.

    “I didn’t check the speed, to be honest. I saw that last night. I lost the point. I’m not doing some special technique to have a big serve or a fast serve. I’m serving like I’m supposed to do,” Perricard told reporters.

    “We don’t train a lot to be honest on this part of my game. It comes naturally.”

    Australian Sam Groth hit the fastest recorded serve at a professional event with a 163.7 mph (263.4 kph) rocket at the Busan Challenger in 2012, a match he lost in straight sets to prove big serves can be blunt weapons in the modern game.

    Perricard, whose thundering deliveries are greatly aided by him being 6ft 8in, said he expected serves to only get faster in the future as players push the limits of their physicality.

    “Players are stronger,” he added. “They have bigger shoulders, so I don’t know, 260 (kph), 270 (kph) maybe the next one is going to be.”

    -Reuters

  • PM Starmer wins vote in parliament on welfare reform

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    British lawmakers gave their initial approval to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plans to cut disability benefits on Tuesday, after a rebellion in his Labour Party forced the government to abandon a key reform at least for now.

    Lawmakers voted 335 to 260 in favour of the reforms to change some rules for people to claim certain disability and sickness benefits.

    A year after winning one of the largest parliamentary majorities in British history, Starmer has seen his personal approval ratings collapse and been forced into several policy reversals by his increasingly rebellious lawmakers.

    “Welfare reform, let’s be honest, is never easy, perhaps especially for Labour governments,” work and pensions minister Liz Kendall told parliament.

    Starmer came into office last year promising his big parliamentary majority would bring an end to the political chaos that defined much of the Conservative Party’s 14 years in power. But the revolt over the welfare bill underlines the difficulty he has pushing through unpopular decisions.

    The government had initially hoped to save 5 billion pounds ($6.9 billion) a year by 2030 by tightening rules for people to receive disability and sickness benefits.

    But after the government conceded to pressure from its lawmakers, it said the new rules would now apply only to future applicants, not to the millions of existing claimants as had been proposed. Analysts estimated the savings would likely be closer to 2 billion pounds.

    In the run-up to the vote, ministers and party enforcers known as “whips” had been locked in frantic last-ditch lobbying of undecided members of parliament to try to win their backing.

    In a further last-minute concession to rebels during a debate on the changes, the government backed down on implementing tougher eligibility rules for a key benefit payment until a review into the welfare system had been completed.

    Rachael Maskell, one of the leading Labour rebels, called the cuts “Dickensian” and said they “belong to a different era and a different party”.

    Debbie Abrahams, the head of the work and pensions committee, called the plans a “dog’s breakfast”. Paula Barker, another Labour member of parliament, called the attempt to pass the plans “the most unedifying spectacle that I have ever seen”.

    Reuters

  • US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-cut, spending bill, sends to House

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate passed President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, approving a massive package that would enshrine many of his domestic priorities into law while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for final approval, where pockets of Republican resistance to Senate changes could make passage difficult. Trump wants to sign it into law by the July 4 Independence Day holiday on Friday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he aimed to meet that deadline.

    The measure would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, give new tax breaks for income from tips and overtime pay and boost spending on the military and immigration enforcement. It also would cut spending on the Medicaid health program and food aid for low-income Americans.

    The legislation has exposed Republican divides over the nation’s fast-growing $36.2 trillion debt, and would raise the federal government’s self-imposed debt ceiling by $5 billion. Congress must raise the cap some time in the coming months or risk a devastating default.

    Senate Majority Leader John Thune celebrated Republicans’ legislative victory, saying the bill “will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans…that will spur economic growth and more jobs and opportunities for American workers.”

    The Senate passed the measure in a 51-50 vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans – Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats in voting against the bill.

    The vote came after an all-night debate in which Republicans grappled with the bill’s price tag and its impact on the U.S. healthcare system. It was not immediately clear what last-minute changes had been made to resolve those concerns.

    Much of the late horse-trading was aimed at winning over Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had signaled she would vote against the bill without significant alterations.

    The final Senate bill included two provisions that helped secure her vote: one that sends more food-aid funding to Alaska and several other states, and another providing $50 billion to help rural hospitals cope with the sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

    ‘NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY’

    The vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority, is likely to be close.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone,” Trump said at an event in Florida on Tuesday. “And I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House.”

    An initial version passed with only two votes to spare in May, and several House Republicans have said they do not support the Senate version, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $800 billion more to the national debt than the House version.

    Republicans have struggled to balance hardline conservatives’ demands for deeper spending cuts to reduce the impact on the deficit with moderate lawmakers’ concerns that the Medicaid cuts could hurt their constituents, including service cutbacks in rural areas.

    The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline conservatives who repeatedly threatened to withhold their support for the tax bill, has criticized the Senate version’s price tag.

    “That’s not fiscal responsibility. It’s not what we agreed to,” the group said on Monday.

    A group of more moderate House Republicans, especially those who represent lower-income areas, have objected to the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate’s plan.

    Republicans have also struggled to appease a handful of House Republicans from high-tax states including New York, New Jersey and California who have demanded a larger tax break for state and local tax payments.

    Still, House Republicans are likely to face enormous pressure to fall in line from Trump in the days to come.

    TAX BREAKS, IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN, TIGHTER BENEFITS

    The bill would repeal many of Democratic President Joe Biden’s green-energy incentives.

    It would also tighten eligibility for food and health safety net programs. Nonpartisan analysts have said this would effectively reduce poor Americans’ incomes and increase their costs for food and healthcare.

    The bill’s increase in the national debt effectively serves as a wealth transfer from younger to older Americans, nonpartisan analysts have said, because the impact will be slower economic growth, higher borrowing costs and decreased government funding in the decades to come.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote “covered this chamber in shame,” adding that the bill would be “ripping health care away from millions of Americans, taking the food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

    Republicans rejected the cost estimate generated by the CBO’s longstanding methodology. Nonetheless, foreign bond investors see incentives to diversify out of U.S. Treasuries as deficits deepen.

    Trump has singled out Republican dissenters for criticism on his Truth Social network and excluded them from White House events, and few have been willing to defy him since he returned to office in January. Tillis, who voted against the bill, said on Sunday he would not run for re-election next year after Trump savaged him on social media.

    -REUTERS

  • Putin, Macron discuss Iran, Ukraine in first phone call in nearly three years

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian President Vladimir Putin had a “substantial” phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Middle East crisis including Iran and the Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, their first such exchange since September 2022.

    In Paris, Macron’s office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict.

    According to the Kremlin press service, Putin said it was necessary to respect Iran’s right to the peaceful development of nuclear energy as well as its continued compliance with its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

    Putin also reiterated to Macron his view that the war in Ukraine was “a direct consequence of the West’s policy”, which he said had “ignored Russia’s security interests” over the past few years.

    Any possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should have a “comprehensive and long-term character” and be based on “new territorial realities”, the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying.

    Putin has previously said Ukraine must accept Russia’s annexation of swathes of its territory as part of any peace deal.

    Macron’s office said the French president had also stressed the need for Iran to comply with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

    Macron and Putin agreed to coordinate their efforts and to speak again soon, the Elysee statement said.

    (Reuters)

  • Putin, Macron discuss Iran, Ukraine in first phone call in nearly three years

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian President Vladimir Putin had a “substantial” phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on the Middle East crisis including Iran and the Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, their first such exchange since September 2022.

    In Paris, Macron’s office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict.

    According to the Kremlin press service, Putin said it was necessary to respect Iran’s right to the peaceful development of nuclear energy as well as its continued compliance with its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

    Putin also reiterated to Macron his view that the war in Ukraine was “a direct consequence of the West’s policy”, which he said had “ignored Russia’s security interests” over the past few years.

    Any possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should have a “comprehensive and long-term character” and be based on “new territorial realities”, the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying.

    Putin has previously said Ukraine must accept Russia’s annexation of swathes of its territory as part of any peace deal.

    Macron’s office said the French president had also stressed the need for Iran to comply with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

    Macron and Putin agreed to coordinate their efforts and to speak again soon, the Elysee statement said.

    (Reuters)

  • Hardeep Singh Puri highlights India’s economic milestones and reforms at ICAI Foundation Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Tuesday outlined India’s remarkable economic transformation over the past eleven years, crediting bold policy reforms, robust governance, and far-reaching social welfare measures for propelling the country from the world’s eleventh largest economy in 2014 to the fourth largest today.

    Addressing the 77th Foundation Day of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Puri noted that India’s GDP has more than doubled, from USD 2.1 trillion in 2014 to USD 4.3 trillion in 2025. He said India has recently surpassed Japan and is on track to overtake Germany by 2030 to become the world’s third-largest economy.

    Reflecting on a decade of extensive welfare programmes, the Minister highlighted that over 27 crore citizens have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty, nearly four crore homes have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and more than 15 crore rural households now have access to piped drinking water through the Jal Jeevan Mission. Health coverage under Ayushman Bharat now benefits over 70 crore people, providing ₹5 lakh insurance per family each year.

    Puri also underscored India’s ability to attract foreign investment, citing USD 748 billion in foreign direct investment inflows between 2014 and 2025—an increase of 143% over the previous decade—and the rise in source countries from 89 to 112. Landmark economic measures such as the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Production-Linked Incentive schemes, Goods and Services Tax, and Direct Benefit Transfers, along with the removal of over 25,000 compliances and 1,400 outdated laws, have further strengthened India’s business environment.

    The Minister pointed to significant improvements in tax administration, with the number of annual income tax returns filed more than doubling from 3.6 crore in FY 2013–14 to 8.5 crore in FY 2024–25. He noted that 95% of these returns are now processed within 30 days, helping ensure that every tax rupee translates into social benefits such as LPG connections for households, medicines for the underprivileged, rural electrification, pensions for senior citizens, and jobs for the youth.

    Highlighting the resilience of India’s banking sector, Puri said gross non-performing assets of scheduled commercial banks have fallen from 14.58% in FY 2017–18 to below 3% in FY 2024–25. He also noted that India’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) handling nearly 50% of the world’s real-time digital transactions and serving over 500 million active users. India’s fintech adoption now stands at 87%, compared to a global average of 67%, driven by widespread access to digital identity and mobile connectivity.

    Among flagship initiatives, the Minister lauded the success of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which has delivered more than 16.5 crore LPG connections since 2014. This has empowered women, improved health by reducing indoor air pollution, and enhanced public welfare. The Oil & Gas sector’s robust growth was reflected in the doubling of the market capitalization of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to ₹8.79 lakh crore since 2014.

    Looking ahead, Puri urged chartered accountants to embrace new technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to automate routine tasks and focus on delivering strategic insights. “Embracing AI is no longer optional—it is essential for staying competitive and innovative in today’s evolving financial world,” he said.

    Puri called on the ICAI community to uphold the values of transparency, efficiency, and accountability as India advances towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. “On this special day, remember that your profession has the power to protect and sustain our economy. Your dedication is vital for building Viksit Bharat,” he said.

  • Jaishankar urges Quad partners to back India’s zero tolerance policy on terror

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday reiterated India’s right to defend itself against terrorism and urged the Quad to understand this position, as the foreign ministers of the four-nation group gathered for their ministerial meeting.

    “India has every right to defend its people against terrorism, and we will exercise that right,” he said, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya standing beside him.

    “We expect our Quad partners to understand and appreciate that,” he emphasised.

    This marks the first Quad ministerial where the four foreign ministers are meeting together following the heinous Pahalgam massacre on April 22, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists, and India’s subsequent decisive response — ‘Operation Sindoor’.

    Referring to the Pahalgam attack, EAM Jaishankar said, “A word about terrorism in light of our recent experience: The world must display zero tolerance. Victims and perpetrators must never be equated.”

    Counter-terrorism remains a core focus of the Quad agenda.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to host the Quad leaders’ summit later this year, which will include U.S. President Donald Trump, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

    “We have some proposals on how to make that summit productive,” Jaishankar said. “I’m sure our partners do as well. We will discuss them, and I’m confident we can agree on a constructive way forward.”

    “A lot is happening in the world, and I’m sure that our exchange of views will be very valuable for all of us,” he added.

    He underlined that the Quad is committed to a rules-based international order, stating, “It is essential that nations of the Indo-Pacific have the freedom of choice — a prerequisite for making the right decisions.”

    The task before the Quad, he said, is “deepening our convergence and expanding our common ground.”

    “In recent months, we have made significant progress in various Quad initiatives,” he said.

    “These include areas like the maritime domain, technology, education, and political coordination.”

    Regarding their current meeting, he added, “We will also be discussing how the functioning of the Quad has been enhanced by streamlining working groups into a more cohesive, nimble, and focused structure.”

    “I value our consultations on various dimensions of the Indo-Pacific,” he concluded.

    — IANS

  • President Murmu inaugurates and lays foundation stones for key projects at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University in Gorakhpur. The projects include the inauguration of the University’s Auditorium, Academic Block, and Panchkarma Kendra, as well as the foundation stone-laying for a new Girls’ Hostel.

    Addressing the gathering, the President praised the University for promoting a holistic approach to medicine by integrating allopathy and Ayurveda education and healthcare services through its Medical College, Ayurveda College, and affiliated hospitals. She also acknowledged the efforts of Gorakshanath Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, which is in the process of establishing a state-of-the-art 1800-bed hospital.

    Highlighting the role of private educational institutions in nation-building, the President emphasized that those committed to philanthropy and public service would play a key role in realizing the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 

    Murmu noted that Mahayogi Gorakhnath University is the first private university in Gorakhpur and has, within just four years of its establishment, emerged as a significant centre for higher and employment-oriented education in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

    The President expressed her particular delight in laying the foundation stone for the new Girls’ Hostel, calling it a vital initiative for women’s empowerment. She stressed that lack of safe residential facilities often hinders girls’ access to higher education. In this regard, the University’s step to build a dedicated hostel for female students would make higher education more accessible and secure for women.

    “Education is the most effective means of empowerment,” the President said, applauding the University’s efforts in contributing to gender equity in education.

    Murmu also said that the overall health and educational development of Purvanchal, the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, would significantly contribute to the inclusive growth of the entire state. “When Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in the country, progresses rapidly, India as a whole will set new benchmarks in development,” she added.

  • Rajnath Singh, US Defence Secretary discuss ways to strengthen defence ties, expand industry collaboration

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and United States Secretary of Defense Mr Pete Hegseth held a telephonic conversation on Monday to discuss avenues for deepening defence cooperation between India and the United States.

    The discussion covered a wide range of issues, including long-term collaboration in the defence sector, expanded industry partnerships, and enhanced training and military exchanges. Both leaders agreed to build upon the momentum of this critical and mutually beneficial partnership, with a focus on interoperability, integration of defence industrial supply chains, logistics sharing, increased joint military exercises, and cooperation with other like-minded partners.

    During the conversation, Singh expressed appreciation for the consistent support extended by the United States to India in its fight against terrorism. Highlighting Pakistan’s track record, he said, “Pakistan’s long track record of cross-border terrorism is well known globally. It has become a safe haven for internationally banned terrorists who enjoy immunity there.”

    Referring to India’s recent counterterrorism operation, Operation Sindoor, the defence minister said, “India’s actions during Operation Sindoor were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and focused on disabling terrorist infrastructure.” He underlined that India reserves the right to respond and defend itself against terrorism, and to pre-empt and deter any further cross-border attacks.

    Singh also lauded Mr Hegseth for his leadership, which he said has helped elevate India–US defence ties to new levels. In turn, Secretary Hegseth invited Singh for an in-person meeting in the United States to further advance the bilateral partnership.

    In a post on X, Singh said the discussion aimed to review ongoing and new initiatives to deepen the defence partnership and strengthen capacity-building cooperation. He added that he looks forward to meeting the US Secretary of Defense at an early date.

    This was the third telephonic conversation between Rajnath Singh and Secretary Hegseth since January 2025, when Mr Hegseth assumed office as the US Secretary of Defense.

  • Trump to discuss Gaza, Iran with Netanyahu at Monday meeting

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will discuss the situations in Gaza and Iran when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, adding that he hopes to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza soon.

    Trump plans to meet Netanyahu on Monday. A senior Israeli official, Ron Dermer, has been in Washington this week holding talks ahead of the meeting.

    Trump and Netanyahu worked together on a military operation against Iran’s nuclear sites in June that culminated with American B-2 bombing raids. Trump said the strikes “obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear capability, although there remains a debate about the degree of damage done to the Iranian nuclear program.

    Trump said he is hopeful that a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement can be achieved next week between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas militants in Gaza.

    “We hope it’s going to happen. And we’re looking forward to it happening sometime next week,” he told reporters as he departed the White House for a day trip to Florida. “We want to get the hostages out.”

    Hamas has said it is willing to free remaining hostages in Gaza under any deal to end the war, while Israel says it can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled. Hamas refuses to lay down its arms.

    The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

    Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s post-Oct. 7 military assault has killed over 56,000 Palestinians. The assault 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 White House official, asked about Dermer’s scheduled meetings and agenda, said: “Ron Dermer visits the White House regularly.”

    “This will continue as President Trump pursues a path to peace for Israel and Gaza,” the official added. The official did not immediately identify the Trump aides Dermer would see during his visit.

    -REUTERS

  • India–Ghana relations to get fresh push with PM Modi’s landmark two-day visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Ghana from July 2, marks a landmark moment in India–Ghana relations. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in more than three decades and PM Modi’s first bilateral engagement with the West African nation. The visit is expected to deepen cooperation in trade, development partnership, capacity building and cultural exchange, strengthening a warm relationship that has endured since Ghana’s independence.

    Historical Context

    India and Ghana share historical ties rooted in anti-colonial solidarity and a shared vision for the Global South. India established its representative office in Accra in 1953, four years before Ghana gained independence in 1957. Diplomatic relations were formally established the same year, laying the foundation for a close and friendly partnership.

    Political Engagement and High-Level Visits

    High-level exchanges have played a crucial role in nurturing this bond. From the Ghanaian side, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo visited India in March 2018 for the International Solar Alliance Founding Conference and later addressed the Voice of Global South Summit hosted by Prime Minister Modi in January 2023. Before him, President John Dramani Mahama travelled to India in October 2015 to attend the third India-Africa Forum Summit. Other notable visits include President Kufuor’s trips in 2002 and 2008, President Rawlings’ visit in 1993, President Limann’s in 1981 and President Kwame Nkrumah’s historic visit in 1961.

    From the Indian side, President Pranab Mukherjee visited Ghana in June 2016. Before that, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s visit in November 1995 was the last by an Indian Prime Minister, making PM Modi’s upcoming trip especially significant. Recent engagements have kept the momentum alive, with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar meeting President Akufo-Addo in September 2022 and Minister of State V. Muraleedharan attending the Ghanaian Presidential inauguration in January 2021.

    Institutional Mechanisms

    India and Ghana have built robust institutional mechanisms to sustain regular dialogue. The Joint Commission was established in 1995 and reinforced in 2016, while a protocol for Foreign Office Consultations was signed in 2002. Three rounds of consultations have been held since then, with the latest in New Delhi in 2022. The Joint Trade Committee, operational since 1981, held its fourth meeting in Accra in May 2024. Ghana’s Parliamentary Friendship Association also contributes to exchanges at the legislative level.

    Commercial Partnership

    India is among Ghana’s top trading partners and the largest destination for Ghanaian exports. Bilateral trade crossed two billion US dollars in 2022–23, with Ghana enjoying a positive trade balance due to substantial gold exports. Indian investments in Ghana are valued at over 1.2 billion dollars, spanning sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, construction, manufacturing and ICT. Platforms like the CII-Exim Bank Conclave on India–Africa Project Partnership continue to play an important role in strengthening commercial ties. Ghana has been an active participant, with the 19th edition of the conclave in August 2024 witnessing the participation of four Ghanaian ministers and senior regulatory officials.

    Development Partnership

    India has been a committed development partner for Ghana, extending around 450 million US dollars in concessional credit and grants for infrastructure and capacity-building projects. Landmark initiatives include the India-Ghana Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence established in 2003, the Rural Electrification Project, the Jubilee House Presidential Complex which was rehabilitated in 2017, and industrial ventures like the Komenda Sugar Plant and Elmina Fish Processing Plant inaugurated in 2016. Under Buyer’s Credit, India supported the construction of the Tema-Mpakadan Standard Gauge Railway Line, which was inaugurated in November 2024 and is expected to boost regional connectivity by linking Ghana’s main port city to its hinterland and neighbouring Burkina Faso. Other key projects include the Tamale-Walewale Road and an assembly plant for agricultural machinery.

    Capacity Building & Human Resource Development

    Ghana is also one of the largest beneficiaries of India’s flagship capacity-building programmes. Over 1,600 scholarships have been offered under the e-Vidya Bharati and e-Arogya Bharati digital network project. Hundreds of Ghanaians have benefited from ITEC and ICCR scholarships. In 2024 alone, 128 civilians and 109 defence personnel from Ghana trained in India under ITEC, while 35 ICCR scholarships and three AYUSH scholarships were awarded. Education fairs held in Kumasi and Accra in 2024 and 2025 have strengthened linkages between Indian institutions and Ghanaian students.

    Sectoral Cooperation

    Sectoral cooperation has grown steadily over the years. Agreements have been signed to promote cooperation in areas like LPG distribution, peaceful uses of nuclear energy and standardisation through collaborations between India’s Bureau of Indian Standards and Ghana Standards Authority. Air connectivity is facilitated through the Air Services Agreement signed in 1978 and updated through subsequent MoUs. Cultural exchange remains a vibrant aspect of the partnership, anchored by a Cultural Agreement signed in 1981 and periodic Cultural Exchange Programmes. India also extended humanitarian support to Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing 50,000 vaccine doses as a grant and over 1.6 million doses through the COVAX facility.

    Prime Minister Modi’s visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into the bilateral partnership by expanding trade, boosting investments in energy and digital infrastructure, advancing cooperation in defence and capacity building, and deepening collaboration in health, education and climate action. 

  • From Ghana to Brazil: PM Modi’s five-nation tour to cement South-South cooperation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    rime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a five-nation tour on Tuesday covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia, marking an important push to strengthen India’s ties with Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

    First Indian PM visit to Ghana in three decades

    Prime Minister Modi will begin his tour with an official visit to Ghana on July 2 and 3- the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the West African nation in 30 years.

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit holds special significance as Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama recently assumed office after a decisive electoral victory. PM Modi and President Mahama, who share a history of engagement since the India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015, will discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties.

    Key areas on the agenda include agriculture, defence cooperation, critical minerals, and a possible vaccine hub to serve West Africa. India’s capacity-building initiatives like the ITEC programme have long contributed to Ghana’s human resource development. Officials expect the two sides to sign MoUs in areas such as traditional medicine, standards and cultural exchange.

    Trinidad and Tobago: marking 180 years of Indian arrival

    From July 3 to 4, PM Modi will visit Trinidad and Tobago, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 1999. The visit coincides with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian immigrants to the island nation, which hosts one of the largest Indian-origin communities in the Caribbean.

    In Port of Spain, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with President Christine Carla Kangaloo, and Prime Minister Kamala Prasad Bisessar, both of whom are of Indian origin. Talks will cover cooperation in pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, agriculture, disaster resilience, education and culture.

    Highlighting the shared heritage, PM Modi will address a joint session of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament and interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora.

    Argentina visit: tapping new opportunities

    PM Modi’s next stop will be Argentina on July 4 and 5 – the first standalone bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Argentina in nearly six decades.

    Officials said the visit is timely as Argentina pursues major economic reforms and offers new avenues for partnership. PM Modi will hold talks with President Javier Milei, focusing on boosting cooperation in defence manufacturing, digital technology, telemedicine, mining and renewable energy.

    Argentina’s vast reserves of lithium, copper and rare earths align with India’s push for secure and sustainable critical mineral supplies. India’s KABIL has already secured mining concessions in Argentina this year. Discussions will also cover food security, green energy, infrastructure, science and technology.

    Brazil: BRICS summit and bilateral talks

    PM Modi will then travel to Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6 and 7. The theme for this year’s summit — “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” — aligns with India’s foreign policy priorities.

    Leaders will deliberate on reforming global governance, peace and security, climate change and artificial intelligence. India expects key outcomes including a Leaders’ Declaration and frameworks for climate finance and socially determined diseases.

    On July 8, PM Modi will pay a state visit to Brasilia for bilateral talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. India and Brazil will review trade ties, currently valued at $12.2 billion, and aim to push the target to $20 billion. Cooperation in oil and gas, renewable energy, critical minerals, defence, agriculture, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure are expected to feature prominently.

    Namibia: energy, minerals, digital pay on radar

    PM Modi will conclude his tour with a landmark visit to Namibia on July 9- the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 27 years.

    India has long supported Namibia’s independence struggle and has maintained strong economic ties. Trade stands at around $600 million, with Indian investments of nearly $800 million, mostly in minerals like zinc and diamonds.

    During the visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and address Namibia’s Parliament. A key highlight will be a technology agreement enabling unified payment interoperability between the two countries — deepening fintech and digital cooperation.

    Namibia’s reserves of uranium, copper, cobalt and rare earths, and recent oil discoveries make it an attractive partner as India diversifies its energy and mineral supplies. The Cheetah translocation project from Namibia to India’s Kuno National Park remains a symbol of trust and collaboration.

  • India, Pakistan exchange lists of prisoners and fishermen

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody, as part of a practice under the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access signed in 2008. The lists were exchanged simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. The agreement mandates the exchange of such lists twice a year — on January 1 and July 1.

    According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India handed over a list of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen who are either Pakistani nationals or believed to be Pakistani. In return, Pakistan provided details of 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen who are Indian or believed to be Indian nationals.

    The MEA said that the government has pressed for the early release and repatriation of all Indian civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing defence personnel believed to be in Pakistan’s custody. New Delhi has asked Islamabad to expedite the release of 159 Indian prisoners and fishermen who have already completed their sentences and to grant immediate consular access to 26 individuals in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian but have not yet been provided consular access.

    In its statement, the government said it remains committed to addressing all humanitarian matters on priority, including issues related to prisoners and fishermen detained in each other’s country. India has urged Pakistan to speed up the nationality verification process for 80 prisoners and fishermen lodged in Indian jails, whose repatriation is pending due to the lack of confirmation of their citizenship.

    Since 2014, sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners from Pakistan. This figure includes 500 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners who have returned to India since 2023.