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Category: Government of India

  • Rafale fuselage production shifts to India with Tata-Dassault deal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) on Thursday signed four production transfer agreements to manufacture the fuselage of the Rafale fighter aircraft in India. This marks a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains.

    Tata Advanced Systems will set up a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad to manufacture key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section.

    The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the assembly line in FY2028, with the facility set to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month.

    “For the first time, Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France. This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India. Thanks to the expansion of our local partners, including TASL—one of the major players in the Indian aerospace industry—this supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale program and, with our support, will meet our quality and competitiveness requirements,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

    The signing of these contracts reflects Dassault Aviation’s strong commitment to India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar’ initiatives.

    This partnership aims to strengthen India’s position as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain while supporting its goal of greater economic self-reliance.

    “This partnership marks a significant step in India’s aerospace journey. The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation,” said Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

    “It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms,” Singh added.

    IANS

  • Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces addition of 280 electric buses, targets fully electric fleet by 2027

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, marking World Environment Day on Thursday, announced the addition of 280 electric buses to the city’s public transport fleet.

    “We have decided to add 280 electric buses to Delhi’s fleet. By 2027, the entire fleet of buses operated by the Delhi government will be electric,” Gupta said.

    “We are also introducing a new EV policy,” she added.

    Highlighting the safety and comfort features of the new buses, Gupta said,
    “These buses are a tremendous asset for Delhi. They are highly comfortable, equipped with cameras and a panic button. The buses also have a low floor and are air-conditioned.”

    She also criticized past governments for overlooking environmental concerns.

    “Delhi was deprived of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign under the last government. Our target is to plant 70 lakh trees this year,” she said.

    Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav praised the Centre’s efforts to combat vehicular pollution, pointing to the adoption of smart EVs and hydrogen-powered buses.

    “The central government is continuously working to reduce vehicular pollution. This new campaign for smart EVs and hydrogen buses is a huge step in this direction”, he said.

    Yadav also reflected on the national tree-planting campaign.

    “Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, around 109 crore people planted nearly 140 crore trees yesterday. This year, PM Modi planted a Banyan sapling. Last year, he planted a Peepal sapling. His gift of electric buses to Delhi will surely help purify the air.”

    Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister flagged off 200 electric buses as part of the Delhi government’s sustainable transport initiative.

    Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, CM Rekha Gupta, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, and Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa were present at the event.

    (With inputs from ANI)

  • Sensex Climbs Over 400 Points, Nifty Above 24,750 Ahead of RBI Meet

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market closed in the green on Thursday ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s key monetary policy committee (MPC) decision on the repo rate.

    At the end of trading, the Sensex was up 443.79 points (0.55 per cent) at 81,442.04, and the Nifty gained 130.70 points (0.53 per cent) to close at 24,750.90.

    On Friday, the MPC’s decisions will be announced by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. According to experts, the Central Bank is likely to cut the repo rate by 0.25 per cent.

    Meanwhile, the rally extended to mid-cap and small-cap stocks. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was up 378.35 points (0.65 per cent) at 58,303, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index rose 175.50 points (0.96 per cent) to 18,432.60.

    On a sectoral basis, IT, financial services, pharma, FMCG, metals, realty and energy ended in the green, while auto, PSU banks, media and private banks finished in the red.

    According to Sundar Kewat from Ashika Institutional Equity, the Nifty traded in a volatile range as participants remained cautious ahead of the RBI’s monetary policy decision.

    “Easing US treasury yields and a weakening US dollar provided some support to Indian equities, although global sentiment remains cautious amid persistent US-China trade tensions,” he added.

    According to analysts, a “golden crossover” is visible on the daily chart, indicating the potential for a strong uptrend in the short term.

    “Support continues to hold at 24,500; unless the Nifty breaks below this level, a serious correction is unlikely. On the contrary, a steady or even sharp recovery appears possible in the near term,” said Rupak De from LKP Securities.

    The Indian rupee appreciated, driven by a rebound in risk sentiment and foreign fund inflows. The currency also benefited from the general strength observed across other regional currencies.

    “Looking ahead, market participants are pricing in another interest rate cut from the RBI, buoyed by stable inflation figures. The rupee’s future trajectory will largely depend on the RBI’s upcoming policy stance and any liquidity measures it introduces,” said Dilip Parmar from HDFC Securities.

    (IANS) 

  • OpenAI finds more Chinese groups using ChatGPT for malicious purposes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    OpenAI is seeing an increasing number of Chinese groups using its artificial intelligence technology for covert operations, which the ChatGPT maker described in a report released Thursday.

    While the scope and tactics employed by these groups have expanded, the operations detected were generally small in scale and targeted limited audiences, the San Francisco-based startup said.

    Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, there have been concerns about the potential consequences of generative AI technology, which can quickly and easily produce human-like text, imagery and audio.

    OpenAI regularly releases reports on malicious activity it detects on its platform, such as creating and debugging malware, or generating fake content for websites and social media platforms.

    In one example, OpenAI banned ChatGPT accounts that generated social media posts on political and geopolitical topics relevant to China, including criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game, false accusations against a Pakistani activist, and content related to the closure of USAID.

    Some content also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, generating X posts, such as “Tariffs make imported goods outrageously expensive, yet the government splurges on overseas aid. Who’s supposed to keep eating?”.

    In another example, China-linked threat actors used AI to support various phases of their cyber operations, including open-source research, script modification, troubleshooting system configurations, and development of tools for password brute forcing and social media automation.

    A third example OpenAI found was a China-origin influence operation that generated polarized social media content supporting both sides of divisive topics within U.S. political discourse, including text and AI-generated profile images.

    OpenAI has cemented its position as one of the world’s most valuable private companies after announcing a $40 billion funding round valuing the company at $300 billion.

    (Reuters)

  • India Services PMI Remains Strong at 58.8 in May, Driven by Robust Demand

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s services sector maintained its high pace of growth in May, driven by strong demand for exports, which also saw firms increase staff hiring to an all-time high during the month, according to the latest HSBC survey.

    The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers’ Business Activity Index (PMI) registered 58.8 in May. This was broadly in line with April’s reading of 58.7 and therefore signalled another sharp rate of expansion. The survey states that growth was reportedly underpinned by healthy demand conditions, new client wins and greater staffing capacity.

    Notably, companies observed a near-record improvement in international demand for their services during May. Over the course of the survey’s 19-and-a-half-year history, faster increases in new export orders were only recorded in May and June 2024. When citing sources of growth, firms mentioned Asia, Europe and North America in particular, the survey said.

    Similar to the trend for output, new orders rose at a sharp pace that was largely aligned with those registered from February to April. To accommodate ongoing expansions in new business, service providers continued to recruit additional staff, the survey added.

    Price gauges showed an intensification of input cost and output charge inflation, with the rates of increase edging above their historical averages in each case.

    Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC, said: “India registered a services PMI of 58.8 in May 2025, broadly in line with the steady readings from recent months. Strong international demand continued to fuel services activity, as evidenced by the new export business index’s uptick from April.”

    “To keep up with swelling demand, India’s service providers heavily increased staff recruitment. Indeed, the employment index rose to the highest reading ever recorded by this survey. Meanwhile, price pressures continued to intensify, with both input prices and prices charged rising last month,” Bhandari added.

    (IANS)

  • PM Modi plants sapling in Delhi, pushes Aravalli Green Wall Project on World Environment Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a special tree plantation drive at Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in Delhi, planting a sapling as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. The event marked a renewed push for environmental conservation, with a focus on reforesting the ancient Aravalli range under the Aravalli Green Wall Project.

    In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Today, on #WorldEnvironmentDay, we strengthened the #EkPedMaaKeNaam initiative with a special tree plantation drive. I planted a sapling at the Bhagwan Mahavir Vanasthali Park in Delhi. This is also a part of our effort to reforest the Aravalli range—the Aravalli Green Wall project.”

    The PM also planted a Sindoor sapling at his residence in New Delhi. The plant was gifted to him by the brave mothers and sisters of Kutch, Gujarat, who had displayed extraordinary courage and patriotism during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

    Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister emphasized the ecological importance of the Aravalli range—one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world—spanning the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. He noted that the region has been facing a series of environmental challenges over the years, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring and protecting the fragile ecosystem.

    PM Modi outlined the government’s vision for rejuvenating the Aravalli landscape, which includes improving water systems, curbing dust storms, halting the eastward expansion of the Thar desert, and working in coordination with local administrations. He stressed that plantation efforts will not be limited to traditional methods; instead, innovative techniques suitable for urban and semi-urban areas with limited space will also be encouraged.

    To ensure accountability and transparency, all plantation activities will be geo-tagged and monitored through the Meri LiFE portal—part of India’s broader sustainability mission.

    Calling on the younger generation to take active part in the initiative, the Prime Minister said, “I call upon the youth of our nation to take part in this movement and add to our planet’s green cover.”

    The Aravalli Green Wall project is aimed at creating a continuous green belt to combat desertification, improve biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience across the 700-kilometre stretch of the Aravalli range. The initiative is expected to bring ecological and socio-economic benefits to 29 districts across Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat.

  • India’s Services Sector on a Roll: PMI Strong, Hiring Hits Record

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s services sector maintained its high pace of growth in May, driven by strong demand for exports, which also saw firms increase staff hiring to an all-time high during the month, according to the latest HSBC survey.

    The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers’ Business Activity Index (PMI) registered 58.8 in May. This was broadly in line with April’s reading of 58.7 and therefore signalled another sharp rate of expansion. The survey states that growth was reportedly underpinned by healthy demand conditions, new client wins and greater staffing capacity.

    Notably, companies observed a near-record improvement in international demand for their services during May. Over the course of the survey’s 19-and-a-half-year history, faster increases in new export orders were only recorded in May and June 2024. When citing sources of growth, firms mentioned Asia, Europe and North America in particular, the survey said.

    Similar to the trend for output, new orders rose at a sharp pace that was largely aligned with those registered from February to April. To accommodate ongoing expansions in new business, service providers continued to recruit additional staff, the survey added.

    Price gauges showed an intensification of input cost and output charge inflation, with the rates of increase edging above their historical averages in each case.

    Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC, said: “India registered a services PMI of 58.8 in May 2025, broadly in line with the steady readings from recent months. Strong international demand continued to fuel services activity, as evidenced by the new export business index’s uptick from April.”

    “To keep up with swelling demand, India’s service providers heavily increased staff recruitment. Indeed, the employment index rose to the highest reading ever recorded by this survey. Meanwhile, price pressures continued to intensify, with both input prices and prices charged rising last month,” Bhandari added.

    (IANS)

  • Putin tells Trump Russia has to respond to Ukrainian attacks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday that he would have to respond to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s nuclear-capable bomber fleet, while also describing peace talks with Ukraine as “useful.”

    The war in Ukraine is intensifying after nearly four months of cajoling and threats to both Moscow and Kyiv from Trump, who says he wants peace after more than three years of the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.

    After Ukraine bombed bridges and attacked Russia’s fleet of bombers deep in Siberia and Russia’s far north, Putin on Wednesday said he did not think Ukraine’s leaders wanted peace.

    Shortly after Putin discussed the attacks with top ministers in Moscow, Trump said he had spoken by telephone with Putin for one hour and 15 minutes, and that they had discussed the Ukrainian attacks and Iran.

    “We discussed the attack on Russia’s docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides. It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace,” Trump said on social media.

    Russia has unleashed several massive aerial attacks on Ukraine over recent weeks.

    “President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields,” Trump said.

    A foreign policy aide to Putin, Yuri Ushakov, said the Russian leader told Trump on the call that ceasefire talks between Moscow and Kyiv have been productive, despite what he termed attempts by Ukraine to “disrupt” them.

    “Let me stress that our president described in detail the content of the talks and that these talks on the whole were useful,” Ushakov said.

    Memorandums outlining peace plans were exchanged and will be analysed, Ushakov said, “and we hope that afterwards the two sides will be able to continue their talks.”

    Ushakov confirmed the two presidents discussed other international issues, particularly the Middle East conflict and how Russia could help deal with Iran and its nuclear programme.

    On Iran, Trump said he believed Putin agreed with Washington that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon,” and accused Tehran of “slowwalking” decisions regarding the talks.

    Trump has been unusually silent on the Ukrainian attacks on the Russian bombers – one of the three pillars of Russia’s nuclear arsenal – though Moscow demanded that the United States and Britain restrain Ukraine.

    The Kremlin said Trump had told Putin that Washington was not informed in advance of the Ukrainian attacks. Trump’s Ukraine envoy said the risk of escalation from the war in Ukraine was “going way up” after the strikes.

    Russia and the United States are by far the world’s biggest nuclear powers: together they hold about 88% of all nuclear weapons.

    Each has three ways of nuclear attack – strategic bombers, land-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles – and any attack on any part of the “triad” is considered a grave escalation.

    WAR OR PEACE?

    In some of his most hawkish remarks in recent months on the outlook for peace, Putin on Wednesday said the bridge attacks had been directed against civilians and accused Ukrainian leadership of being a “terrorist organisation” supported by powers who were becoming “terrorist accomplices.”

    “The current Kyiv regime does not need peace at all,” Putin said at a meeting with senior officials. “What is there to talk about? How can we negotiate with those who rely on terror?”

    Ukraine has not commented on the bridge attacks. It denies it targets civilians, as does Russia, though civilians have been killed by both sides.

    Kyiv has similarly accused Moscow of not seriously wanting peace, citing as evidence Russian resistance to an immediate ceasefire. Russia says certain conditions must first be met.

    Putin, in his public remarks, did not mention the bomber attacks, which came just before Russia and Ukraine met for direct peace talks in Istanbul where Moscow set out what the United States has called “maximalist” aims.

    Before Putin spoke, other Russian officials said military options were “on the table” for its response to Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russia and accused the West of being involved in them.

    “We urge London and Washington to react in such a way as to stop further escalation,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. Ryabkov oversees relations with the U.S. and arms control.

    British and U.S. officials have said they had no prior knowledge of the weekend attacks on Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers. The White House has said Trump was not informed of Ukraine’s drone attack before it unfolded.

    (Reuters)

  • World Environment Day: PM Modi launches ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ tree plantation drive, to flag off 200 buses in Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ata-start=”117″ data-end=”499″>Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked World Environment Day on Wednesday by planting a sapling at Mahavir Jayanti Park in the national capital, as part of the second phase of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. The campaign, which encourages individuals to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, aims to promote environmental consciousness through personal and symbolic action.

    Launched by the Prime Minister last year with the planting of a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park, the initiative returns in an expanded version this year — targeting the plantation of 10 crore trees across India between June 5 and September 30.

    In a post on X, PM Modi said, “This #WorldEnvironmentDay, let’s deepen our efforts towards protecting our planet and overcoming the challenges we face. I also compliment all those working at the grassroots to make our environment greener and better.”

    The plantation drive also marks the anniversary of the campaign’s launch.

    The theme of the campaign — planting a tree in the name of one’s mother — seeks to blend environmental action with cultural values. Officials said the gesture is meant to highlight the nurturing role of both mothers and trees in sustaining life and securing the future.

    In another post on X, the Prime Minister noted that India has seen an increase in forest cover over the past decade. “It would make you all very happy that in the last decade, India has undertaken numerous collective efforts which have led to increased forest cover across the nation. This is great for our quest towards sustainable development,” he said.

    In a parallel move to promote sustainable urban mobility, PM Modi will also flag off 200 electric buses under the Delhi government’s clean transport initiative. The introduction of these electric buses aims to reduce air pollution and boost the adoption of green transportation in the national capital.

    IANS

  • Nintendo Switch 2 launches globally with shortages expected amid pent-up demand

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Nintendo’s 7974.T Switch 2 launched on Thursday and is widely expected to be in short supply globally amid pent-up demand for the more powerful next-generation gaming device.

    “The level of demand seems to be sky-high,” said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy.

    The Switch launched in 2017 and followed the underperforming Wii U. The home-portable device became a juggernaut with games including two “The Legend of Zelda” titles and COVID-19 pandemic breakout hit “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”.

    The Switch 2 bears many similarities with its predecessor but offers a larger screen and improved graphics and debuts with titles including “Mario Kart World”.

    “The much larger audience of Switch users should translate to stronger adoption in the opening part of its lifecycle,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Ampere Analysis.

    “Nintendo is better prepared this time around” to deal with the high demand, he said.

    The launch of the $499.99 Switch 2 is a test of Nintendo’s supply chain management during U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war.

    Nintendo last month forecast sales of 15 million Switch 2 units during the current financial year.

    President Shuntaro Furukawa said Nintendo will strengthen production capacity to respond to strong demand and focus on sales promotion in an effort to exceed the forecast.

    The company, which is known for conservative forecasts, also expects to sell 4.5 million Switch units.

    Nintendo said it received 2.2 million applications for its Switch 2 sales lottery on its My Nintendo Store in Japan. Pre-orders at Target TGT.N sold out in less than two hours.

    “You are looking at weeks or months until you can walk into a store and buy a Switch 2,” said Toto of Kantan Games.

    Investor expectations for the new device are similarly lofty.

    Nintendo’s shares are trading near highs and have gained almost 30% this year.

    Concerns include whether momentum for the Switch 2 will be sustained after hardcore gamers have upgraded.

    “The volume of first-party games on offer at launch isn’t as strong as it could be, so some more casual users may wait and see how the games available build over the next one to two years before making the leap,” said Ampere’s Harding-Rolls.

    Ampere forecasts Switch 2 sales to exceed 100 million units in 2030. Nintendo has sold 152 million Switch units in total.

    (Reuters)

  • DBT, Jan Dhan schemes revolutionised welfare delivery in India: FM Sitharaman

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Several groundbreaking financial inclusion schemes by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government have revolutionised welfare delivery in India in the last 11 years, by plugging leakages and ensuring transparency, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

    Over the past decade, the NDA government has taken pathbreaking steps to uplift several people from the clutches of poverty, focussing on empowerment, infrastructure and inclusion.

    “Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has revolutionised welfare delivery in India, by plugging leakages and ensuring transparency. Over 1,200 government schemes now leverage DBT, enabling direct transfer of Rs 44 lakh crore to beneficiaries’ bank accounts,” said FM Sitharaman in a post on X.

    This system has already saved the nation Rs 3.48 lakh crore in leakages and inefficiencies, she informed.

    Also, PM MUDRA Yojana has given wings to grassroots dreams and made entrepreneurship inclusive.

    “Under this scheme, over 52 crore loans worth Rs 33 lakh crore have been sanctioned, out of which 68 per cent belong to women,” said the Finance Minister.

    PM Jan Dhan Yojana has made banking universal. Under the world’s largest financial inclusion programme, 55.44 crore accounts have been opened, out of which 55.7 per cent are held by women, said the Finance Minister.

    According to PM Modi, the push for DBT, digital inclusion and rural infrastructure has ensured transparency and faster delivery of benefits till the last mile.

    Since the money goes directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries, the leakage has been curbed, which has resulted in a halving of subsidy allocations from 16 per cent to 9 per cent of total expenditure, government data showed in April.

    “It is due to this that over 25 crore people have defeated poverty. The NDA remains committed to building an inclusive and self-reliant India, where every citizen has the opportunity to live with dignity,” said PM Modi in a post on X.

    (IANS)

     

  • Indian delegation meets EU representatives in Belgium, conveys firm resolve against terrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, held a series of high-level engagements in Brussels on Wednesday with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), emphasising India’s resolute stance against cross-border terrorism.

    The Indian MPs visited the European Parliament and engaged with MEPs, including from the Delegation for Relations with India, the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), and the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE).

    The delegation briefed MEPs about the cross-border terrorism targeting India, including terror attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor and India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

    The discussions focused on enhancing India-EU strategic cooperation, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism, broader India-EU ties, high-level engagements and the deepening Parliamentary exchanges.

    The MEPs condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and supported India’s right to defend itself and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The Indian Embassy Belgium & Luxembourg said, “Taking India’s strong message against terrorism to the world, members of All-Party Delegation met with Members of European Parliament (MEPs) and discussed combating terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, global peace, and deepening of India-EU ties.”

    “The EU side was briefed about the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack and the calibrated and targeted response of India through Operation Sindoor, giving the message of zero tolerance to terrorism. MEPs expressed their solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack,” the embassy added.

    Earlier in the day, the delegation was briefed by Ambassador of India to EU, Belgium & Luxembourg Saurabh Kumar. The delegation also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the Indian Embassy.

    Furthermore, the delegation interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, which expressed its deep solidarity with India’s strong and principled stance and zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

    The delegation underscored the vital role of the diaspora in amplifying India’s voice on the global stage.

    The delegation also had a productive exchange of views with some of Brussels’ leading think-tanks and members of the strategic community.

    Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a post on X, “During our visit to Brussels, my colleagues from the all-party delegation and I engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the scourge of terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism targeting India. We deliberated on India’s counter-terrorism initiatives, notably including Operation Sindoor, with prominent think tanks in the region. Our interaction underscored a unified and unambiguous stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism.”

    After concluding visits to France, Italy, Denmark, and the UK, the delegation is on a 3-day visit to Belgium.

    Apart from Prasad, the delegation includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, Samik Bhattacharya, and Ghulam Ali Khatana; Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi; AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai; Congress MP Amar Singh; former Union Minister M.J. Akbar; and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • DGCA flags safety gaps in Turkish Airlines’ operations in India during ramp inspections

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Turkish Airlines to ensure full compliance with international and national aviation safety regulations after a series of inspections revealed multiple lapses in operations across Indian airports.

    Between May 29 and June 2, the DGCA conducted Safety Oversight and Ramp (SOFA/RAMP) inspections of Turkish Airlines’ passenger and cargo flights at Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The inspections were conducted under Article 16 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation to assess adherence to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices as well as DGCA norms.

    At Bengaluru airport, the DGCA found that the marshaller responsible for ground operations did not hold proper authorization or a valid competency card. This shortfall raises concerns about the safety of aircraft movements on the ground.

    Further, the inspection revealed that during aircraft arrivals, an authorized Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) was not always present, with technicians performing arrival procedures in their stead. M/s Airworks, the authorised engineering service provider for Turkish Airlines, must ensure strict compliance with maintenance protocols.

    Cargo handling processes also came under scrutiny. The DGCA noted that dangerous goods, including explosives, were transported without the mandatory permissions required for carriage in Indian airspace. These permissions were neither attached nor mentioned in the relevant Dangerous Goods Declaration.

    Ground handling arrangements were found wanting as well. Turkish Airlines was operating without a formal Service Level Agreement (SLA) with its ground handling agent at Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Essential equipment such as ladders, trolleys, and Ground Power Units (GPUs) lacked proper accountability and monitoring. Moreover, Globe Ground India was providing ground services without a formal handover from the previous contractor, Celebi, raising questions over operational oversight.

    The DGCA has directed Turkish Airlines to promptly address these deficiencies and comply fully with ICAO standards and DGCA regulations.

  • PM Modi reiterates commitment to welfare of the poor as NDA completes 11 years

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the poor, calling the past 11 years of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule a period of transformative and inclusive governance. 
     
    In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said the government’s sustained efforts had helped lift more than 25 crore people out of poverty. “Over the past decade, the NDA Government has taken pathbreaking steps to uplift several people from the clutches of poverty, focussing on empowerment, infrastructure and inclusion,” he said. Citing key welfare schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana and Ayushman Bharat, the Prime Minister said these initiatives had expanded access to housing, clean cooking fuel, banking and healthcare, particularly for marginalised communities.
     
    The Prime Minister also underlined the role of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), digital inclusion, and investments in rural infrastructure in ensuring the transparent and efficient delivery of benefits. According to him, these initiatives, driven by a governance model rooted in compassion, have ensured that help reaches the last mile, offering citizens the dignity of self-reliance.
     
    The NDA government, he said, remains committed to building an inclusive and self-reliant India—“where every citizen has the opportunity to live with dignity.”
     
    A key element of this welfare architecture has been the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a food security programme launched in 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package. Initially introduced to provide free food grains to migrants and economically vulnerable sections during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme has undergone several extensions over the past few years.
     
    In its latest phase, the PMGKAY has been extended for five years starting January 1, 2024, at an estimated cost of ₹11.80 lakh crore. More than 81 crore beneficiaries—including Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and Priority Households (PHH) identified under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)—will receive free food grains as per their monthly entitlements.
     
    Under the scheme, wheat is being distributed in six states and Union Territories—Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi and Gujarat—while rice is allocated to the rest of the country. Beneficiaries include families falling under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) categories, as identified by respective state governments and UT administrations.
     
    AAY households are those headed by widows, the terminally ill, disabled or elderly persons without assured means of subsistence. Other eligible groups include primitive tribal families, landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans, slum dwellers, daily-wage earners in the informal sector, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families of HIV-positive individuals.
     
    Earlier in the evening, the Prime Minister also chaired a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers, though no official details from the meeting were immediately released.

  • PM Modi launches ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ with tree plantation on World Environment Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked World Environment Day on Wednesday by planting a sapling at Mahavir Jayanti Park in the national capital, as part of the second phase of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. The campaign, which encourages individuals to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, aims to promote environmental consciousness through personal and symbolic action.

    Launched by the Prime Minister last year with the planting of a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park, the initiative returns in an expanded version this year — targeting the plantation of 10 crore trees across India between June 5 and September 30.

    In a post on X, PM Modi said, “This #WorldEnvironmentDay, let’s deepen our efforts towards protecting our planet and overcoming the challenges we face. I also compliment all those working at the grassroots to make our environment greener and better.”

    The plantation drive also marks the anniversary of the campaign’s launch. On this special occasion, PM Modi planted a sapling to celebrate the success of the programme.

    The theme of the campaign — planting a tree in the name of one’s mother — seeks to blend environmental action with cultural values. Officials said the gesture is meant to highlight the nurturing role of both mothers and trees in sustaining life and securing the future.

    In another post on X, the Prime Minister noted that India has seen an increase in forest cover over the past decade. “It would make you all very happy that in the last decade, India has undertaken numerous collective efforts which have led to increased forest cover across the nation. This is great for our quest towards sustainable development,” he said.

    IANS

  • Buddha’s sacred relics arrive in Sarnath to ceremonial welcome

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The sacred relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Sarnath on Tuesday, welcomed with traditional chants and official honours as hundreds of monks and devotees gathered at the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar.

    The relics, which began their journey from the National Museum in New Delhi, were flown to Varanasi and then transported to Sarnath in a ceremonial procession. The District Magistrate of Varanasi, Satyendra Kumar, along with the Senior Superintendent of Police and other dignitaries, received the relics at the VIP Lounge of Varanasi airport before accompanying them to the final site.

    The Uttar Pradesh Police presented a guard of honour, while NCC cadets and a ceremonial band participated in the welcome. Devotees, including a large number of Buddhist monks and nuns, had assembled at the vihar to pay their respects.

    Speaking at the event, Most Venerable Seewali Bhante recalled his recent visit to Vietnam, where the relics were previously displayed, and described the widespread public reverence he witnessed during the month-long exposition.

    Officials from the International Buddhist Confederation, National Museum representatives, and senior monks were also present. The procession and public homage underscore the significance of Sarnath—a site where the Buddha delivered his first sermon—as a centre of global Buddhist pilgrimage.

    The event is part of a broader initiative to strengthen cultural and spiritual ties among Buddhist communities worldwide.

  • Indian delegation reaffirms anti-terror resolve during high-level meetings in US

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation on Wednesday held a series of high-level meetings in Washington to underscore India’s firm stand against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

    After their arrival on late Tuesday, the Indian delegation began their official engagements on Wednesday, which included meetings with US Congress members, policy leaders and members of the Indian Diaspora.

    The delegation, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, held discussions with the leadership of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives and members of the India Caucus, and later met Republican Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast, and Democratic Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, among others.

    Gregory Meeks, the Democratic Ranking Member, said, “Pleasure to host Chairman Shashi Tharoor & members of the Indian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. My colleagues & I expressed condolences for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam & reaffirmed Congress’s commitment to the US-India partnership.”

    During the interactions, the delegation briefed American lawmakers on Operation Sindoor and India’s stance against cross-border terrorism.

    According to the Indian Embassy, “The Parliamentary delegation briefed the committee members on the success of Operation Sindoor in defining a new normal in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism.”

    The US House Committee leadership condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam unequivocally, reiterating the United States’ solidarity with India.

    “India and the USA stand together in their unwavering resolve and fight against terrorism in all its forms,” said the Indian Embassy.

    The Indian parliamentarians also held talks with Congressmen Ro Khanna and Rich McCormick, co-chairs of the House India Caucus, and Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn, co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus.

    Senator Cornyn shared on X, “Good meeting with Indian parliamentary delegation about US-India relationship.”

    Tharoor appreciated the interactions, stating, “Great to meet you and your Senate Foreign Relations Committee colleagues, Senate Rich McCormick! We greatly valued all of you finding the time for us on a busy day and expressing your solidarity with our fight against terrorism. We also appreciated your enthusiasm for greater and stronger cooperation between our countries on a wide range of areas. The potential is unlimited!”

    Congressman Ro Khanna also reiterated bipartisan support for India’s fight against terror, saying, “United States has a bipartisan commitment to the India relationship and stands with India to dismantle these terrorist networks in Pakistan.”

    Tharoor acknowledged Khanna’s support and said it was “terrific” to meet him, adding that the delegation was “grateful for the strong support of the India Caucus” in the House of Representatives.

    Later in the day, the delegation met members of the Indian diaspora.

    “The All Party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor met prominent members of the Indian diaspora in USA. The delegation spoke about India’s resolute and united stand against terrorism and the new normal created by India through Operation Sindoor. The Indian diaspora members shared their message of solidarity with the victims of terrorism and support for India’s fight against terrorism,” said the Indian embassy.

    At a news conference, Tharoor said that India received “total support and solidarity” in fighting terrorism from US lawmakers whom the delegation met on Wednesday.

    “We didn’t have a single sceptical or negative voice,” he said. “On the contrary, what we got was very, very positive responses.”

    There was “total support and solidarity for India and its fight against terrorism” and expressions of “complete understanding of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism,” Tharoor said.

    “Broadly speaking, we have left the hill very pleased with the quality of the conversations the level of interest,” he added.

    “On the hill, there was a fairly bi-partisan acceptance that as largest, vibrant, very diverse democracies, both nations together, have a lot to offer to the world. This agenda of economics is the core point,” but it also relates to “a larger, longer-term play of democracy across the world is central,” he said.

    Tharoor also urged the Indian diaspora to speak up with their members of US Congress for India.

    “They will listen to you,” he said. “They are conscious of you. They respect you. You’re all very, very high achievers, and people can do significant things. We are proud of you.”

    During the two-day visit, the Indian representatives will continue their meetings with members of the US Congress and administration, think tanks, media, and key policymakers.

    The Embassy emphasised that the delegation aims to build consensus and deepen strategic cooperation on shared security priorities.

    Apart from Tharoor, the delegation includes Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas MP Shambhavi Choudhary, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Sarfaraz Ahmad, Shiv Sena’s Milind Murli Deora; BJP’s Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya; and Telugu Desam Party’s GM Harish Balayogi. Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, is also accompanying the delegation.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • PM Modi to launch ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ with tree plantation on World Environment Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will mark World Environment Day on Wednesday by planting a sapling at Mahavir Jayanti Park in the national capital, as part of the second phase of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. The campaign, which encourages individuals to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, aims to promote environmental consciousness through personal and symbolic action.

    Launched by the Prime Minister last year with the planting of a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park, the initiative returns in its expanded version this year — targeting the plantation of 10 crore trees across India between June 5 and September 30.

    In a post on X, PM Modi said, “This #WorldEnvironmentDay, let’s deepen our efforts towards protecting our planet and overcoming the challenges we face. I also compliment all those working at the grassroots to make our environment greener and better.”

    The plantation drive will also mark the anniversary of the campaign’s launch. On this special occasion, PM Modi will plant a sapling and celebrate the success of the program.

    The theme of the campaign — planting a tree in the name of one’s mother — seeks to blend environmental action with cultural values. Officials said the gesture is meant to highlight the nurturing role of both mothers and trees in sustaining life and securing the future.

    In another post on X, the Prime Minister noted that India has seen an increase in forest cover over the past decade. “It would make you all very happy that in the last decade, India has undertaken numerous collective efforts which have led to increased forest cover across the nation. This is great for our quest towards sustainable development,” he said.

    IANS

  • Indian stock market opens in green amid mixed global cues

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The domestic benchmark indices opened higher on Thursday amid mixed global cues, with buying seen in the pharmaceutical, automotive and IT sectors in early trading.

    At approximately 9:29 am, the Sensex was trading 268.8 points, or 0.33 per cent, higher at 81,267.09, while the Nifty added 82.75 points (0.34 per cent) to reach 24,702.95.

    The Nifty Bank was down 29.70 points, or 0.05 per cent, at 55,647.15. The Nifty Midcap 100 index was trading at 58,188, having risen 263.35 points (0.45 per cent). The Nifty Smallcap 100 index was at 18,398.75 after climbing 141.65 points (0.78 per cent).

    According to analysts, the Nifty ended higher on Wednesday and the India VIX fell by nearly 5 per cent, a development that bulls would have liked to see.

    “For the Nifty, 24,462 remains intact and that’s keeping optimism alive. Should this level break, the market will most likely drop to its key support at 23,800. Short-term resistance sits between 24,760 and 24,882. Globally, stock bulls have tailwinds,” said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities.

    Meanwhile, in the Sensex pack, Eternal, PowerGrid, M&M, HDFC Bank, HCL Tech, TCS, IndusInd Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank were the top gainers. Conversely, Nestle India, Titan, Bajaj Finance, Tata Motors and Tech Mahindra were the top losers.

    According to analysts, both geopolitical and economic news are likely to weigh on markets in the near term.

    “The major economic news is the sharp dip in the US ISM PMI data. This indicates that the US economy is slowing down sharply. The US 10-year bond yield has declined to 4.36 per cent and, given the slowing US economy, is likely to trend lower,” according to Dr V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Ltd.

    “This will turn out to be good for emerging markets (EMs) like India in the medium term. ‘Buy on dips’ continues to be the ideal strategy for now. Rate-sensitive stocks will be preferred in view of the expected rate cut by the RBI MPC,” said experts.

    In the Asian markets, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, China and Jakarta were trading in the green, whereas only Japan was trading in the red.

    In the last trading session in the US, the Dow Jones closed at 42,427.74, down 91.90 points (0.22 per cent). The S&P 500 ended with a gain of 0.44 points (0.01 per cent) at 5,970.81, and the Nasdaq closed at 19,460.49, up 61.53 points (0.32 per cent).

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers, purchasing equities worth ₹1,076.18 crore on 4 June, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased equities worth ₹2,566.82 crore.

    (IANS) 

  • PM Modi hails addition of two new Ramsar sites in Rajasthan

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded India’s ongoing efforts in environmental conservation after two more wetlands in Rajasthan were added to the Ramsar list of internationally important wetlands.
     
    The newly designated Ramsar Sites are Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur. With their inclusion, the total number of Ramsar Sites in India has now risen to 91.
     
    Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav shared the update on X, describing it as a reflection of the Prime Minister’s consistent commitment to preserving nature. “Another milestone in PM @narendramodi ji’s efforts to protect Amrit Dharohar. The addition of Khichan and Menar in Rajasthan to the Ramsar list highlights India’s growing network of protected wetlands,” he posted.
     
    Responding to the announcement, Prime Minister Modi wrote on X, “Great news! India’s strides in environmental conservation are happening with great vigour and are powered by public participation.”
     
    Earlier in the evening, the Prime Minister also chaired a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers, though no official details from the meeting were immediately released.
     
    The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. 

  • In First White House Visit, Merz to Address Trade and Security with Trump

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will hold his first face-to-face talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday in a high stakes meeting in the Oval Office as Europe seeks to stave off looming U.S. tariffs and sustain U.S. backing for Ukraine.

    The 69-year-old conservative, who took the helm of Europe’s largest economy last month, is scheduled to join Trump for lunch and one-on-one talks that analysts say could set the tone for U.S.-German ties for years to come.

    Germany’s export-oriented economy stands more to lose from U.S. tariffs than others and the country is also the second largest military and financial backer of Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion, after the United States.

    The meeting comes amid a broader fraying of the transatlantic relationship. Trump’s administration has, for example, intervened in domestic European politics in a break with past practice, aligning with right-wing political movements and challenging European policies on immigration and free speech.

    The encounter will be closely watched after some recent meetings in the Oval Office, with the leaders of Ukraine and South Africa, for example, turned tense when Trump ambushed them with false claims and accusations.

    Merz and his entourage have sought coaching from other leaders on how to deal with Trump to avoid conflict.

    The meeting comes just weeks before a critical summit of the NATO Western military alliance which is looking increasingly strained given Trump’s threats not to come to the aid of U.S. allies that do not up their spending on defence.

    Such threats are of particular concern to Germany, which has relied on U.S. nuclear deterrence for its security since the end of World War Two.

    Merz has already made some bold policy moves that he can highlight to appease Trump, analysts said. He has backed Trump’s demand to more than double NATO’s spending target to 5% of economic output, earning unprecedented praise last weekend from U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

    Merz, who has vowed a more assertive foreign policy, also coordinated a visit by European leaders to Kyiv just days after taking office, two European diplomat sources said.

    “This shows that Germany is willing to accept a greater responsibility for Ukraine and the European security order – these are all things that have been wished for in the United States over years and will be welcomed,” said Sudha David-Wilp of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

    “Germany is well-positioned to show that it can help the United States achieve its foreign policy goals.”

    The fact Merz was invited to stay in the Blair House guest quarters across from the White House is a positive signal, said analysts.

    KINDRED SPIRIT OR FOE?

    Merz and Trump could even find some common ground given their business backgrounds, their membership in right-of-centre political parties, their focus on fighting illegal immigration and their fondness for golf, said Steven Sokol, President and CEO of the American Council on Germany.

    They also both had run-ins with former German chancellor Angela Merkel – who once squeezed Merz out of top-level politics.

    Moreover Merz has described himself as “a convinced transatlanticist”, chairing the “Atlantic Bridge”, a non-profit fostering U.S.-German ties, for 10 years.

    “They might discover a kindred spirit,” Sokol said.

    Still, Trump was unpredictable, while Merz was impulsive, warned analysts, and there were huge frictions in the relationship.

    “The challenge that he could face is … if Trump says something is erroneous, do you correct him? Do you risk turning it into an argument?” said Jeffrey Rathke, a former U.S. diplomat and president of the American-German Institute at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

    “Or do you find a way to indicate that you see it differently, but not let it sidetrack the conversation.”

    U.S. administration officials remain upset that Merz criticized Trump shortly before the 2024 U.S. election, a source familiar with its thinking said.

    And, on the eve of his own election victory, Merz criticised the “ultimately outrageous” comments flowing from Washington during the campaign, comparing them to hostile interventions from Russia.

    Another possible landmine could be a recent German proposal for a levy on online platforms such as Alphabet’s Google GOOGL.O, and Meta’s Facebook META.O, especially given Trump’s close ties with the U.S. tech industry, he said.

    (Reuters) 

  • PM Modi, Union Ministers extend birthday greetings to UP CM Yogi Adityanath

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended his wishes to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on his birthday, praising his efforts toward the state’s development.
     
    In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Birthday wishes to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath Ji. He has tirelessly worked to transform UP across different sectors, which has improved the quality of life for the people of the state. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life.”
     
    In response, CM Yogi expressed his gratitude and said the Prime Minister’s wishes are a source of inspiration and strength. He wrote, “Respected Prime Minister, I thank you very much for your warm wishes that fill my heart with affection, inspiration, and energy! Your good wishes are a source of inexhaustible energy and will provide immense strength to fulfil our resolve to bring positive change in the lives of 25 crore residents of the state. Under your successful guidance, illuminated by the spirit of Nation First, Uttar Pradesh is moving steadily on the path of achieving the concept of ‘Developed India – Developed Uttar Pradesh’.”
     
    Several senior leaders also conveyed their greetings to the Chief Minister. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari wished Adityanath on social media and acknowledged his contribution to the state’s progress.
     
    Meanwhile, on his birthday, CM Yogi was present in Ayodhya to witness the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Sharing the moment on X, he described it as a matter of great fortune to witness the consecration of idols in eight newly constructed temples on the first floor of the complex.
     
    “This auspicious occasion is a new expression of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’. Victory to Siyavar Shri Ramachandra!” he wrote.
     
    -ANI

  • Aid Ship Carrying Greta Thunberg Heads to Gaza Amid Israeli Warning

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A humanitarian aid vessel named Madleen, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), is en route to Gaza with a group of activists, including prominent climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. The mission aims to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave and challenge the longstanding Israeli blockade.
     
    The ship departed from a port in Sicily on Sunday with 12 activists on board, carrying what organizers described as a “symbolic” amount of aid intended to highlight the urgency of Gaza’s worsening food shortage. The activists say the territory has been under a total blockade for over 90 days, compounding an Israeli-imposed land, sea, and air blockade that has been in place since 2007.
     
    Thunberg has shared images from the vessel on social media, underscoring her participation in the effort to breach the blockade, which the FFC claims has been enforced since March 2 with increased severity. The activists argue the blockade is contributing to severe humanitarian suffering.
     
    Israeli authorities issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that any attempt to breach the naval blockade would be prevented. The Israeli government maintains that the restrictions are a necessary security measure aimed at limiting weapons smuggling to militant groups in Gaza. The flotilla’s voyage comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where aid agencies have reported acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

  • US vetoes UN Security Council demand for Gaza ceasefire

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States on Wednesday vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave.

    The other 14 countries on the council voted in favor of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than 2 million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month.

    “The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza,” Acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote, arguing that it would also undermine U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire.

    Washington is Israel’s biggest ally and arms supplier.

    The Security Council vote came as Israel pushes ahead with an offensive in Gaza after ending a two-month truce in March. Gaza health authorities said Israeli strikes killed 45 people on Wednesday, while Israel said a soldier died in fighting.

    Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticized the Israeli government’s decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict humanitarian aid as “unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive.”

    Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told the council members who voted in favor of the draft: “You chose appeasement and submission. You chose a road that does not lead to peace. Only to more terror.”

    Hamas condemned the U.S. veto, describing it as showing “the U.S. administration’s blind bias” towards Israel. The draft Security Council resolution had also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and others.

    RIVAL AID OPERATIONS

    The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians.

    Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble.

    Under global pressure, Israel allowed limited U.N.-led deliveries to resume on May 19. A week later a controversial new aid distribution system was launched by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and Israel.

    Israel has long accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. Israel and the U.S. are urging the U.N. to work through the GHF, which is using private U.S. security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution at so-called secure distribution sites.

    “No one wants to see Palestinian civilians in Gaza go hungry or thirsty,” Shea told the Security Council, adding that the draft resolution did not “acknowledge the disastrous shortcomings of the prior method of aid delivery.”

    The U.N. and international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral, militarizes aid and forces the displacement of Palestinians.

    No aid was distributed by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation on Wednesday as it pressed the Israeli military to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its so-called secure distribution sites after a deadly incident on Tuesday.

    The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to “guide foot traffic in a way that minimizes confusion or escalation risks” near military positions, provide clearer civilian guidance and enhance training of soldiers on civilian safety.

    ‘DELAYS AND DENIALS’

    The GHF posted on Facebook that “ongoing maintenance work” would delay the opening of its distribution sites on Thursday. It said on Tuesday that it has so far distributed more than seven million meals since it started operations.

    Despite U.S. and Israeli criticism of the U.N.-led Gaza aid operation, a U.S. ceasefire plan proposes the delivery of aid by the United Nations, the Red Crescent and other agreed channels. Israel has agreed to the ceasefire plan but Hamas is seeking changes that the U.S. has rejected as “totally unacceptable.”

    Ahead of the U.N. Security Council vote, U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher again appealed for the U.N. and aid groups to be allowed to assist people in Gaza, stressing that they have a plan, supplies and experience.

    “Open the crossings – all of them. Let in lifesaving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in. Ensure our convoys aren’t held up by delays and denials,” Fletcher said in a statement.

    The U.N. has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone.

    “Enough of suffering of civilians. Enough of food being used as a weapon. Enough is enough is enough,” Slovenia’s U.N. Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told the Security Council.

    A similar humanitarian-focused draft resolution is now expected to be put to a vote in the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, where no countries have a veto power and it would likely pass, diplomats said.

    Danon warned: “Don’t waste more of your time, because no resolution, no vote, no moral failure, will stand in our way.”

    (Reuters)

  • Man City’s third-placed finish may be better achievement than title win: Guardiola

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described his team’s first trophyless campaign since 2017 as a season of growth and reflection, dismissing notions of failure and suggesting it may have been a greater achievement than a previous title win.

    “I want to suffer when I’m not winning games,” Guardiola told Reuters in an exclusive interview. “I want to feel bad. I want to sleep badly. I want that when the situation goes bad, it affects me… I want that!

    “I’m angry… my food, it tastes worse… I don’t need to eat much because I need to feel that (anger). Because if it doesn’t, what sense would it have? Winning or losing… We’re here in this world to feel different experiences, different moods.”

    The 54-year-old, who has won 12 domestic top-flight league titles across Spain, Germany and England, spoke about last season’s challenges, which saw City finish third in the Premier League and fail to secure silverware in domestic or European competitions. It marked only the second trophyless season of his managerial career.

    Guardiola rejected the idea that the season was disastrous, instead arguing that it may have been the most valuable of his tenure at City.

    “You judge happiness if you win. You judge success if you win and win. And that is a problem,” he said.

    “I will not judge myself or my team because of bad seasons or good seasons… Maybe finishing third in a season and never giving up otherwise you finish 10th or 12th, maybe that’s a better season than when we won the fourth Premier League in a row.

    “We faced so many difficulties that were higher due to injuries, relaxation, I was not good enough… for many reasons. Maybe the analysis about my period is that the last season was better. Qualifying for the Champions League when we were on the verge of not getting it.

    ‘WINNERS ARE BORING’

    Reflecting on setbacks, Guardiola quoted former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica: “Success is how many times you stand up when you fall down.” He added: “Fall down, stand up. Fall down, stand up… That is the biggest success.”

    “Winners are boring,” he said, adding that he always looked forward to post-match interviews with players and coaches from losing sides. “It’s nice to see the losers. That is when you really learn.”

    Despite his remarkable record, Guardiola dismissed any notion of exceptionalism. “Do you think I feel special because I won a lot of titles? No! Forget about it!” he said. “I feel that special is the doctor that saves lives. The people who invented penicillin. That is a genius. Me? Genius? Come on.”

    “I don’t want to pretend to be humble: of course I’m good! I’m proving that over many years I’m good… But the success I had, I was chosen. In certain moments, to lead Lionel Messi and the other ones, to be in those type of places I made incredible teams… But other managers, in the right moment, in that position, maybe they could have done the same.”

    Looking ahead to the upcoming season and the Club World Cup, Guardiola emphasised the importance of team spirit. “Play good. Create a good vibe, good team spirit… Try to make the new players bring us an energy that we need to lift the team again. And at the end, we can lift trophies,” he said.

    Guardiola also reflected on the pressures of public-facing jobs with constant scrutiny.

    “The stress is always there because you are being judged every single day, but it is what it is,” he said.

    “Nobody put a gun to my head forcing me to choose this job. I have chosen that… There is no professional in football that wins all the time, because it’s simply impossible. So, it happened last season… you accept it, improve, learn and there will be good learnings for the future.”

    (Reuters)

  • Trump bans nationals from 12 countries, citing security concerns

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday banning the nationals of 12 countries from entering the United States, saying the move was needed to protect against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.

    The countries affected are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

    The entry of people from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, will be partially restricted. The travel restrictions were first reported by CBS News.

    “We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video posted on X. He said the list could be revised and new countries could be added.

    The proclamation is effective on June 9, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT (0401 GMT). Visas issued before that date will not be revoked, the order said.

    During his first term in office, Trump announced a ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

    Former President Joe Biden, a Democrat who succeeded Trump, repealed the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”

    Trump said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbor a “large-scale presence of terrorists,” fail to cooperate on visa security and have an inability to verify travelers’ identities, inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the United States.

    “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” Trump said.

    He cited Sunday’s incident in Boulder, Colorado in which a man tossed a gasoline bomb into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators as an example of why the new restrictions are needed.

    An Egyptian national, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, has been charged in the attack. Federal officials said Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa and had an expired work permit – although Egypt is not on the list of countries facing travel limits.

    BEING IN THE U.S. A ‘BIG RISK’

    Somalia immediately pledged to work with the U.S. to address security issues.

    “Somalia values its longstanding relationship with the United States and stands ready to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised,” Dahir Hassan Abdi, the Somali ambassador to the United States, said in a statement.

    Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro, responded on Wednesday evening by describing the U.S. government as fascist and warning Venezuelans of being in the U.S.

    “The truth is being in the United States is a big risk for anybody, not just for Venezuelans … They persecute our countrymen, our people for no reason.”

    Calls early on Thursday to the spokesperson of Myanmar’s military government were not answered. The foreign ministry of Laos did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Trump’s directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term. He previewed his plan in an October 2023 speech, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and “anywhere else that threatens our security.”

    Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect national security threats. That order directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their “vetting and screening information is so deficient.”

    (Reuters)

  • Boisson lights up French Open, Sinner and Djokovic book semi-final showdown

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Wild card Lois Boisson lit up the French Open on Wednesday when the home hope downed sixth-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva to make the semi-finals before Novak Djokovic set up a blockbuster meeting with world number one Jannik Sinner.

    While Sinner stretched his Grand Slam winning streak to 19 matches after back-to-back titles at the U.S. Open last year and the Australian Open in January, Boisson, ranked 361st, thrilled the home crowd with a dazzling performance.

    Three-time French Open winner Novak Djokovic stole the show in the evening by outlasting German third seed Alexander Zverev 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 to remain in the hunt for a record 25th Grand Slam title at the venue of his Olympic gold medal last year.

    Victory after three hours and 17 minutes was the 38-year-old Serbian’s 101st win at Roland Garros but he had to draw from his seemingly endless reserves of energy and experience to prevail.

    “There was a lot of tension, pressure but it’s normal when you play Zverev, one of the best in the world, in the last five-six years,” Djokovic said.

    “My game is based on a lot of running. I’m 38, it’s not easy to keep running like that but, OK, it works.”

    Sinner was barely troubled as he defeated Alexander Bublik 6-1 7-5 6-0 and became the first Italian man to reach six Grand Slam semi-finals.

    The 23-year-old, who served a three-month doping ban before returning to action in Rome last month, raced through the first set after twice breaking the Kazakh, who had stunned fifth seed Jack Draper in the previous round.

    Looking to become the first man representing Kazakhstan to defeat a world number one, Bublik, who hit 37 drop shots against Draper, pulled out this weapon again in the second set.

    Sinner broke and held to take it before the 27-year-old Bublik, ever the entertainer, delighted fans with an underarm serve but ultimately could do nothing to stop the Italian’s march into the last four.

    BOISSON SPARKLES

    Earlier Boisson became the toast of France after staging the tournament’s biggest upset with a 7-6(6) 6-3 win over Andreeva, who had been tipped as a title contender, in an electrifying match that had the home crowd on the edge of their seats.

    The 22-year-old had stunned third seed Jessica Pegula in round four, but on Wednesday pulled off another major shock, beating Andreeva, who had not lost a set in the tournament.

    “Every player dreams of winning a Slam – and for a French player, Roland Garros even more so. I’ll go for it because my dream is to win the final, not the semi-final,” Boisson said.

    Andreeva, the 18-year-old sixth seed who was bidding to become the youngest female player to reach back-to-back French Open semi-finals in nearly three decades, quickly found herself chasing Boisson’s fierce forehand.

    The underdog, who has been a breath of fresh air in the tournament with her no-nonsense power game and down-to-earth approach, looked to have run out of steam as Andreeva went 3-0 up but she proceeded to win the next six consecutive games.

    Andreeva repeatedly lost her temper and was handed a warning when she fired a ball into the stands in frustration.

    With the home crowd the loudest it had been since the start, chants of ‘Lois, Lois’ echoed across the Philippe Chatrier court, with the decibel level lifted even further because the roof was closed due to rain.

    Boisson, who will jump almost 300 places in the rankings next week, will face 2023 U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, who came out on top in an error-ridden quarter-final against Australian Open champion Madison Keys with the pair littering the court with 101 unforced errors.

    UNFORCED ERRORS

    With a total of 49 unforced errors in the first set alone they both struggled to hold serve and Gauff, a semi-finalist in Paris last year, wasted a set point before Keys, who reached the French Open last four in 2018, edged ahead with a tiebreak win.

    Gauff, who reached the final in 2022 and is the youngest woman to claim 25 main-draw wins at Roland Garros since Martina Hingis (1995-2000), bounced back to win the next two sets.

    “So many unforced errors,” Gauff, who also had 10 double faults, said to herself after sinking another easy baseline shot into the net.

    “I was just trying to be aggressive,” the 21-year-old Gauff said. “Usually if you’re playing too passive, in the end the more aggressive player is going to win. I knew in the second and the third that I had to try my best.”

    (Reuters)

  • Ronaldo fires Portugal into Nations League final

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Portugal fought back to beat Germany 2-1 on Wednesday, with the 40-year-old bagging his 137th international goal to send them into the Nations League final.

    It was Portugal’s first win over Germany since 2000 with Ronaldo’s goal earning them a spot in their second Nations League final, after winning the inaugural edition in 2019.

    Spain and France will clash in the other semi-final on Thursday to decide who will face Portugal in the decider on Sunday.

    Germany dominated the first half, but it remained goalless thanks to the heroics of Portugal keeper Diogo Costa.

    The shotstopper made an excellent start to the first half, keeping out a low shot from Germany’s Leon Goretzka after four minutes with a strong save.

    Costa came to Portugal’s rescue again with an incredible save from Nick Woltemade’s close-range effort and two minutes later, he produced another quick reaction stop, diving low to tip away another attempt from Goretzka.

    Germany took the lead in the 48th minute, as Florian Wirtz headed in unmarked in the box, following a pinpoint lobbed pass from Joshua Kimmich.

    However, Portugal turned the match around, first equalising through substitute Francisco Conceicao in the 63rd minute, before Ronaldo tapped in five minutes later after Nuno Mendes teed him up.

    For Conceicao, the win carried extra significance, as his father Sergio scored a hat-trick the last time Portugal beat Germany – at the European Championship in 2000.

    “We need to enjoy the victory – we won for the first time in a while against Germany. Tactically we were exceptional and our commitment helped… it was a team victory,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said.

    “Now we can recover and evaluate,” he added. “We want another performance with personality in this shirt.”

    Germany looked to shift the momentum when substitute Karim Adeyemi unleashed a powerful rising strike with his left foot, only to see it crash against the outside of Costa’s right-hand post.

    Portugal could have grabbed a third goal very late in the match but Germany keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen stretched impressively to perform a double save.

    It was a disappointing 100th appearance for Germany captain Kimmich.

    “The defeat is absolutely deserved. We weren’t playing well enough in the first half. After going 1-0 up, nothing came of it in the second half,” he told reporters.

    “We have to learn from this. If we’re not at 100%, we can’t beat a top European team. Today was one of our worst games, purely based on our performance.”

    (Reuters)

  • Dharmendra Pradhan calls for mass participation in ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ on World Environment Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has called upon citizens across the country to actively participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign, aligning it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The renewed initiative aims to plant 10 crore trees between June 5 and September 30, to mark World Environment Day, celebrated globally on June 5.

    In a video message released ahead of the occasion, Pradhan emphasized that the campaign goes beyond just planting trees. “It is an emotional tribute to our mothers and Mother Nature,” he said, urging especially students to plant a sapling in the name of their mothers as a symbol of love, gratitude, and environmental stewardship.

    He noted that since its inception in 2024, the campaign has evolved into a people’s movement, inspired by the symbolic act of the Prime Minister, who planted a Peepal tree in memory of his mother at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi on June 5 last year. Over 5.5 crore trees have already been planted under the initiative, with active participation from citizens across India.

    Pradhan highlighted creative grassroots efforts from states such as Chhattisgarh, Tripura, and Rajasthan, where communities have adopted innovative methods like seed balls and bio fencing to support the campaign.

    The Minister also referenced the United Nations Environment Programme’s emphasis on lifestyle changes alongside technological innovation in combating climate change. He praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in launching Mission LiFE, which integrates sustainable practices into everyday living.

    In a notable achievement, more than 29 lakh students have generated over 50 lakh QR codes to digitally track the growth and maintenance of the trees they planted. This initiative, he said, helps create a national environmental database, allowing for real-time monitoring and a data-driven approach to ecological conservation.

    Congratulating students, teachers, and parents for their enthusiastic support, Pradhan urged all citizens to plant a tree in their mother’s name and share its story. “Each sapling is not just a tree but a message of love, commitment, and hope for a greener future,” he said.

    The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign merges emotional resonance with environmental responsibility, transforming tree planting into a personal and national mission. Trees, like mothers, provide life, care, and protection, he noted — making this initiative a profound gesture of tribute and action.

  • Indian Railways launches AI-driven crackdown on automated ticket bookings, records highest-ever per-minute ticketing

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major step toward ensuring fairness and accessibility in its ticketing system, Indian Railways has launched a wide-ranging digital reform initiative aimed at curbing unauthorized automated bookings. Central to this overhaul is the deployment of AI-powered bot mitigation systems, which have already led to the deactivation of over 2.5 crore suspicious user IDs on the IRCTC platform. This measure has significantly improved access for genuine users, especially during peak booking hours.

    As part of its broader digital transformation, Indian Railways has also integrated its ticketing system with a top-tier Content Delivery Network (CDN). This move is intended to enhance website performance and prevent disruptions caused by bot-driven traffic, which previously accounted for nearly half of all login attempts during the critical first five minutes of Tatkal bookings.

    The success of these upgrades was dramatically demonstrated on May 22, when IRCTC set a new record by booking 31,814 tickets in a single minute. This achievement underscores the scalability and robustness of the modernized infrastructure, now better equipped to handle massive volumes of simultaneous requests.

    To further enhance fairness, Indian Railways has introduced new user authentication protocols. Non–Aadhaar-verified users are now required to wait three days after registration before booking high-demand tickets such as Opening Advance Reservation Period (ARP), Tatkal, or Premium Tatkal. Meanwhile, Aadhaar-authenticated users can continue to book tickets without delay.

    These reforms have yielded measurable improvements in overall platform performance. The daily average of user logins has surged from 69.08 lakh in FY 2023–24 to 82.57 lakh in FY 2024–25, representing a 19.53 percent increase. Similarly, average daily ticket bookings rose by 11.85 percent during the same period. E-ticketing has now become the dominant mode of reservation, accounting for 86.38 percent of all reserved tickets.

    In addition to backend improvements, Indian Railways has restructured its website delivery, with 87 percent of static content now served via CDN, which ensures faster page loading and reduces server load. The system also employs sophisticated AI tools to detect and block bot activity in real-time. Suspicious user accounts are being actively identified and deactivated, with channels open for public complaints through the Cyber Crime Portal.