India Secures Top Business Climate Rating Among 41 Global Markets in Swedish Chamber Survey 2026
Key Updates:
- India secured the highest business climate rating among over 40 major global markets in the Business Climate Survey 2026 conducted by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India.
- The survey covered 41 markets and compared economic performance, business outlook and operating conditions in key Swedish export destinations.
- Asia-Pacific was the most optimistic region, with India and Vietnam receiving the strongest business climate scores.
- Saudi Arabia's positive responses fell sharply from 90% in 2025 to 44% in 2026, while sentiment weakened in the Middle East and Africa.
- 64% of Swedish companies reported profitable operations across the surveyed markets.
- India, the Philippines and Poland showed the highest growth projections at the individual-market level.
- Around 44% of Swedish companies plan to increase investment during 2026, marginally lower than 45% in 2025.
- About 75% of survey responses were received before the Middle East conflict began on February 28, with 25% received later.
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Time Out released the list of the happiest cities in the world for 2026. The annual survey involved more than 24,000 participants from around the world.
Mumbai is the only Indian city to debut in the IWG 2026 Work From Anywhere Index with a score of 77. Bangkok topped the IWG 2026 Work From Anywhere Index with a score of 106.5, followed by Tokyo (96.5) and Barcelona…
Hokato Hotozhe Sema from Nagaland has secured the World No. 1 ranking in the men's Shot Put F57 category according to the World Para Athletics Rankings. Sema serves as a Subedar in the 9 Assam Rifles.
In the QS Global Full-Time MBA Rankings 2027, IIM Bangalore fell to 64th from 52nd, IIM Ahmedabad to 70th from 58th, and IIM Calcutta to 95th from 64th, with all three remaining in the global top 100. IIM Bangalore is…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Cancels Registration of 5 NBFCs as 8 Others Surrender Licences
Key Updates:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the certificates of registration of five non-banking financial companies (NBFCs): Dar's Financial Services, Rolta Holding and Finance Corporation, Vasudeo Securities, Parsoli Corporation and A C Choksi Financial Services.
- Eight NBFCs surrendered their registrations for various reasons, including Anupam Mercantile, Grand Motor and Finance, Sky Limit International Finance and ASA International India Microfinance, which exited the Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI) business.
- Shivam Securities Pvt Ltd and April Investment and Finance Pvt Ltd surrendered their licences after ceasing to be legal entities due to amalgamation, merger, dissolution or voluntary strike-off.
- Anagram Industries surrendered its licence after meeting the criteria for an unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC) that does not require registration.
- CDN Finance surrendered its licence after meeting the criteria for an unregistered Type I NBFC that does not require registration.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Specified Non-Financial Assets (SNFAs) framework for immovable assets acquired from defaulting borrowers by banks, NBFCs, and other regulated entities. The framework…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft directions to allow All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and corporates to participate in the term money market for periods…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to resume licensing of urban cooperative banks (UCBs) on an 'on tap' basis after a two-decade pause. The decision follows stakeholder feedback on a discussion paper published…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published the updated list of upper-layer non-banking financial companies (NBFC-UL) for 2026-27 (FY27), containing 17 entities. The FY27 list includes four new additions: REC, Power…
Maldives Settles Final Tranche of USD 150 Million Treasury Bills Loan from India
Key Updates:
- The Maldives fully repaid a USD 150 million loan to India by settling the final tranche of USD 50 million treasury bills on September 17, which were subscribed by the State Bank of India (SBI) with the Government of Maldives in 2019 and extended six times, each for a year.
- India bore the interest payments on the treasury bills over the past five years, totalling close to USD 45 million, while the principal was paid by the Maldives government.
- India extended an Rs 30 billion currency swap facility to the Maldives to support its financial system and also subscribed to USD 350 million worth of treasury bonds valid till 2029 and 2030.
- External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced the settlement during a media briefing.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued new loan recovery directions on August 6, 2026. The new loan recovery rules will come into effect from January 1, 2027.
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $230 million loan agreement for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project. The project will construct more than 170 km of…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Lending Against Gold and Silver Collateral Directions, 2025, enabling eligible regulated lenders to accept silver as collateral. Paul Merchants Finance Private Limited…
The Favara-UPI cross-border payment corridor was operationalized on July 30, 2026, enabling real-time transfers from Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) to Indian Rupees (INR). The service is initially available through Bank of…
GIFT City Climbs Nine Places to 37th Rank in Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40)
Key Updates:
- GIFT City has climbed nine places to 37th rank globally in the 40th edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40), up from 46th in the previous edition, and ranks among the top 15 financial centres in the Asia-Pacific region.
- In the GFCI fintech ranking, GIFT City moved up three places to 26th globally from 29th in the previous edition.
- GFCI 40 lists GIFT City among 15 centres expected to become more significant over the next two to three years.
- The GFCI report evaluates 115 financial centres on their fintech ecosystem, covering regulatory environment, skilled talent, access to finance, ICT infrastructure, and innovation support.
- GFCI rankings are calculated using 144 instrumental factors and 39,531 survey assessments gathered from 6,147 international respondents.
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The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has revised the Master Circular for Credit Rating Agencies operating in GIFT City. Credit rating agencies (CRAs) must now provide issuers an opportunity to…
Standard Chartered received in-principle approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to distribute capital market products from GIFT City. The bank expects to launch wealth management…
Fintech platform Niyo has secured a Payment Service Provider (PSP) licence from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to operate from GIFT City. The licence will allow Niyo to expand its…
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vietnam International Financial Center - Da Nang (VIFC-DN) to share institutional knowledge and best practices. The…
Karnataka Cabinet Grants Tulu Additional Administrative Language Status in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada
Key Updates:
- Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced after a Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru that Tulu would be made the state's second additional administrative language, applicable to Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.
- The Cabinet approved a new tourism policy for the Malnad and coastal regions, under which tourism projects will be treated as infrastructure projects and investors will be offered incentives.
- The Cabinet approved the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy, 2026-31, under which a Fisheries, Marine and Blue Economy University will be established by upgrading an existing college, with intake increased from 60 to 200 seats.
- On the demand to rename Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district, the government will issue a draft notification and invite public opinion for a month before a final decision.
- The Cabinet approved projects worth about Rs 32,611 crore, including around Rs 16,000 crore for rural development and another Rs 16,000 crore for Mangaluru, Udupi and the coastal region.
- The Karnataka government will hold Cabinet meetings at 10 to 12 places across the state over the next 15 months under the approach 'Samagra Karnataka, Samruddha Karnataka'.
- A medical college costing around Rs 450 crore was sanctioned for the region.
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Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, was given additional charge of Jammu and Kashmir on September 8, 2026, during the absence on leave of incumbent Manoj Sinha. The appointment was made by the…
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) SPIRE Lab, in collaboration with ARTPARK and with support from Google, released the SraVaani multilingual speech recognition model. SraVaani is trained on 65 Indian…
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to Launch One-Gram Gold Ring Scheme for Newborns on September 28
Key Updates:
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will launch the one-gram gold ring scheme for newborn babies on September 28.
- Over 1.28 lakh gold rings have been procured for distribution under the first installment, each carrying a unique serial number and tamper-proof packaging.
- The rings will be provided to all babies born in state-run hospitals in Tamil Nadu.
- To be eligible for the scheme, beneficiaries must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu.
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Tamil Nadu Government will introduce the TN-Analytical thinking, Reasoning, Innovation, Venture and entrepreneurship, Upskilling (TN-ARIVU) curriculum with artificial intelligence and emerging technology from the 2027-28…
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson presented the maiden Budget of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led coalition government in the Legislative Assembly on August 5, 2026. The State's Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) is…
A 2,000-year-old gold ring featuring an inscription in the ancient Indian Brahmi script was discovered at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi province, Thailand. The inscription on the ring reads…
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the application distribution for the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Scheme and the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Scheme on August 6, 2026. The Nijut Moina Scheme aims to cover 10…
Karnataka Clears Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-2031 with ₹120 Crore Outlay
Key Updates:
- Karnataka has approved the Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-2031, aiming to grow the state's Blue Bioeconomy from about $2 billion to $6-8 billion by 2031.
- The five-year policy has a proposed budget of ₹120 crore and targets around 2,500 high-value technical jobs and 7,500 coastal enterprise and livelihood opportunities.
- The policy will establish the Karnataka Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Blue Economy (KIMBE) as an anchor for research, innovation and commercialisation.
- Dedicated Marine Biotechnology Zones with common infrastructure, logistics, testing and plug-and-play facilities are planned under the policy.
- The policy includes a Seaweed Value Addition Production Linked Incentive (SVA-PLI) for products such as nutraceuticals, biofertilisers, bioplastics, bio-based chemicals and biofuels, along with a pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme.
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The Odisha government approved a deep sea fishing mission with an estimated outlay of Rs 2,295.45 crore to be implemented between 2026 and 2036. The mission is a flagship initiative of the Fisheries and Animal Resources…
The Union government launched 'BIO-NIVESH' on 4 September 2026. 'BIO-NIVESH' is a strategic platform to strengthen engagement between biotechnology innovators and the investment community.
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Karnataka Aerospace Policy 2026-31, targeting investments of Rs 60,000 crore and creation of 60,000 jobs, covering aerospace, defence manufacturing, aviation, space technologies, drones…
NITI Aayog has proposed a ₹50,000-crore BioEconomy Growth Fund for the period 2026-2035 to bridge the gap between lab innovation and commercial biomanufacturing. The fund is part of a roadmap to build a $691 billion…
Tata Electronics Signs 16 MoUs at Semicon India 2026, Announces 363-Acre Vendor Park in Dholera
Key Updates:
- Tata Electronics signed the maximum number of MoUs at Semicon India 2026, with 16 agreements planned with players from Europe, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and India, CEO Randhir Thakur said.
- The company announced a 363-acre Vendor Park in Dholera, Gujarat, where suppliers can acquire land with plug-and-play infrastructure including power, utilities, and roads.
- Tata Electronics has brought together more than 450 ecosystem partners in Dholera spanning construction, equipment, chemicals, and materials for its fab.
- Named partners include Nexperia and BESI (Europe), JSR, Fujifilm, Sumitomo (Japan), Kelington (Malaysia), Ascendas First Space (Singapore), and L&T Semiconductors, Inox Air Products, and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (India).
- The Dholera fab and the Assam packaging facility are on track to meet scheduled commitments made to the government.
- Under the India Semiconductor Mission, formed five years ago, 12 factories are at different stages of completion and India is already exporting Made in India chips globally.
- India's electronics industry grew from ₹2 lakh crore in 2014 to over ₹13 lakh crore in 2026.
- Tata Electronics has created over 1.50 lakh direct jobs, with 65 per cent women in its workforce; each semiconductor job creates 10 ecosystem jobs.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi on September 17, a three-day event running from September 17 to 19 with over 600 exhibitors and around 300…
The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified Semicon 2.0, a ₹1.27 lakh crore scheme to expand India's semiconductor ecosystem. The scheme extends support to chip-design startups, MSMEs…
Tata Power and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) signed a Master Research Agreement (MRA) to accelerate the commercialisation of next-generation clean energy technologies. The collaboration will…
Youth Affairs Department Rolls Out 100-Week Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan with Nationwide Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh
Key Updates:
- The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is launching a 100-week nationwide Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) and the National Service Scheme (NSS), beginning with the Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh on September 18, 2026, across 300 identified locations.
- The Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 2 through a virtual address, and the campaign is structured around four pillars — Prevent, Protect, Recover and Lead.
- Since its launch, the initiative has recorded participation from over 30,200 locations, more than 2.5 crore viewership and over 1 crore pledges.
- The first Sunday of the 100-week campaign will be observed on September 20, 2026, with activities across 485 MY Bharat units, including MY Bharat District Offices and Youth Hostels.
- The opening phase will be followed by a structured 12-week activity calendar from September to December 2026 with three thematic phases — 'My Health, My Pride', 'Fit Youth, Addiction-Free Youth' and 'Life Skills Month'.
- Under the NSS component, activities will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 200 locations per week for 11 weeks, totalling about 2,500 events, while MY Bharat plans 3,235 unit-level activities during the 12-week period.
- The Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh will centre on a collective Youth Pledge and Signature Campaign, complemented by thematic street plays, slogan writing and youth-led discussions.
- Participating institutions span States and Union Territories, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Maharashtra and Kerala.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the 'Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan' on August 2, 2026. The campaign is led by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), launched the district-level competitions of the 'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat' campaign on 13th July 2026. The initiative aims to…
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026 is a nationwide month-long public outreach and public service campaign running from September 17 to October 17, 2026, marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service. The…
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DSJE) organised the Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah 2026 nationwide from June 17 to June 26, 2026. The campaign concluded on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit…
20th Rozgar Mela: PM Modi Hands Out Over 51,000 Appointment Letters Across 45 Locations
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly selected youth at the 20th Rozgar Mela, held at 45 locations across the country.
- New recruits will join central government ministries and departments including the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services and Ministry of Defence.
- With the 20th Rozgar Mela, a total of 12.75 lakh (1.275 million) youth have received appointment letters from various departments and government organisations so far.
- PM Modi said 'Nagrik devo bhava' should be the guiding spirit of public service and urged recruits to work towards making India developed by 2047.
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World Steelpan Day is observed annually on August 11. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed August 11 as World Steelpan Day in 2023 through Resolution 77/316.
The 31st Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar at Ravindra Sadan, Kolkata. The eight-day Mela was held from July 14 to 22, 2026.
The government allocated ₹95,692 crore for rural employment under the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025. This allocation is the highest ever made at the budget…
United States President Donald Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Law Allowing 100% Tariffs on Buyers of Russian Oil, India at Risk
Key Updates:
- US President Donald Trump signed into law a Russia sanctions bill on Friday, September 19, 2026, authorising tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
- The law requires Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on goods imported from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, though it does not name specific countries.
- India and China are among the biggest buyers of Russian oil, and the new law could pave the way for steep tariffs on Indian goods entering the United States.
- The bill, passed by Congress on Wednesday, targets Russia's energy and defence sectors and its 'shadow fleet' of tankers accused of helping Moscow evade sanctions, while giving Trump authority to waive tariffs or sanctions on national security grounds.
- White House legislative director James Braid said the legislation marks the first time in nearly 40 years that Congress has granted new tariff authorities to the executive branch.
- Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 50% on more than 80 countries, many of which the Supreme Court struck down as exceeding his authority; duties under the new law would be harder to challenge because Congress explicitly authorised them.
- India has warned that new US tariffs could affect bilateral ties, while China has opposed the law as 'long-arm jurisdiction' lacking a basis in international law.
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US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries and diesel infrastructure, saying the attacks were causing a global fuel shortage as US diesel prices crossed $6 a gallon on average. Russia…
Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer moved an amendment to the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US House of Representatives naming India among 10 countries that could face 100% tariffs on trade in Russian oil. The…
The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi, where leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration on September 13, 2026, condemning unilateral coercive measures such as economic and secondary sanctions and opposing…
The White House report titled 'The Great Transhipment Scam', prepared by US President Donald Trump's adviser Peter Navarro, estimated illegal transhipment of Chinese goods at roughly $60 billion. India was placed in Tier…
United States Agrees Deal for Permanent Security Control Arrangements in Greenland, Signing Planned in New York
Key Updates:
- President Donald Trump announced on September 18, 2026 that the United States has struck a deal giving it permanent control over security in Greenland, with the governments of Greenland and Denmark confirming the agreement.
- The agreement is expected to be signed in New York City on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly and must still pass through parliamentary procedures in Denmark.
- Under the deal, the United States is guaranteed permanent access to Greenland and overflight rights, may potentially increase the number of bases, and non-NATO members are barred from establishing military bases there, while adversaries are restricted from sensitive investments.
- The deal will remain in place permanently even if Greenland becomes a fully independent country.
- Greenland has hosted a United States military base on its western coast since the 1950s.
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the deal strengthens common security in the Arctic and North Atlantic and recognizes the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlandic self-determination.
- Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described the agreement as gratifying and said it recognizes Greenland's interests.
- Trump had earlier pushed to buy Greenland from Denmark, threatened tariffs in January before calling them off, and formed the framework of a future deal with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
- The NATO military exercise Arctic Shield 2026 was held in Narsarsuaq, Greenland in September 2026, involving around 400 soldiers from about 10 NATO nations.
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On August 28, 2026, United States President Donald Trump announced an agreement giving the United States majority control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said…
On August 24, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Canadian automobiles, automotive parts, and steel, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The tariff was announced after US-Canada trade negotiations collapsed.
President Donald Trump has approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia that could provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. The deal is expected to last 30 years and involve US…
President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves. The agreement involves a partnership with private business and comes…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Urges Unified Civil-Military Aerospace Development at Bengaluru HAL Handover Event
Key Updates:
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for an integrated aerospace ecosystem serving both civil and military aviation, stressing indigenous capabilities to strengthen technological self-reliance.
- At a ceremony in Bengaluru on September 18, attended by Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over two LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance twin-seater trainers and three HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force.
- HAL also handed over four Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited for civil operations.
- Singh flagged delays in defence technology projects, warning they can create gaps in meeting critical defence requirements, increase costs and risk technologies becoming outdated before induction, and called for realistic timelines.
- He urged stronger public-private cooperation, saying public and private companies should be collaborators rather than competitors in building next-generation aerospace capabilities.
- Singh called for greater indigenous development in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, cyber technologies and next-generation propulsion.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will hand over LCA Tejas Final Operational Clearance (FOC) twin-seater trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), and Dhruv Next Generation (NG)…
Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), rolled out its 400th fuselage for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter from its Hyderabad facility. The TBAL…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled policy initiatives for MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups at the DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet 'VIMARSH 2026', held under the theme 'Varta se Vikas', including direct funding, incubation…
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released 'Raksha', a comprehensive strategic framework outlining India's roadmap for defence diplomacy and global defence partnerships over the next 10 years. The framework identifies…
Cochin Shipyard Limited Lays Keel of First of Six Next Generation Missile Vessels for Indian Navy
Key Updates:
- Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) laid the keel for the first of six Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) being built for the Indian Navy, marking its entry into construction of advanced weapon-intensive platforms.
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition at Integrated Headquarters, Indian Navy, laid the keel for the first vessel (BY 531) at a ceremony at the shipyard.
- CSL has six NGMVs in its order book under a contract signed with the Indian Navy on March 30, 2023.
- The NGMVs are high-speed vessels equipped with surface-to-surface missile systems, anti-missile defence systems, air surveillance radars and fire control radars.
- The vessels' primary role is to provide offensive capability against enemy warships, merchantmen and land targets, and they can conduct maritime strike and anti-surface warfare operations as a sea-denial platform, particularly at choke points.
- In a defensive role, the vessels would be deployed for local naval defence operations and seaward defence of offshore development areas.
- Each NGMV will have a complement of 80 personnel and a maximum speed of 33 knots.
- The project aligns with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
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Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered 'Mangrol', the third of eight indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy on August 21, 2026. The vessel is designed for coastal…
On September 11, 2026, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Drydocks World, a subsidiary of DP World, signed an agreement to establish a 50:50 joint venture to operate the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) at Cochin…
Dubai-headquartered Drydocks World, a DP World company, and Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) have formed a 50:50 joint venture to operate and expand the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) in Kochi, with each partner…
United States extends $100,000 H-1B visa fee requirement through September 21, 2027
Key Updates:
- US President Donald Trump extended the $100,000 payment requirement for employers seeking certain H-1B workers through September 21, 2027, with limited national-interest exceptions.
- A federal judge in Massachusetts struck down the government's guidance for implementing the fee in June 2026, and the administration has appealed.
- The White House said registrations from the largest IT staffing and outsourcing firms fell 92% since the payment requirement and a new weighted selection system took effect.
- More than 700 petitions have included the $100,000 payment, according to Trump's Friday proclamation.
- The Department of Homeland Security began pursuing a separate proposal to impose a roughly $103,000 fee on all H-1B petitions subject to the annual visa cap, applying to almost anyone getting a new visa.
- Trump issued a separate executive order directing officials to review would-be H-1B employers for recent or planned layoffs of US workers, including petitions already filed.
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The United States Mint (US Mint) reported that its President Donald J. Trump $1 coins sold out within 24 hours of going on sale on September 2, 2026. The US Mint placed the Trump $1 coins on backorder as of noon…
Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer moved an amendment to the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US House of Representatives naming India among 10 countries that could face 100% tariffs on trade in Russian oil. The…
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced a significant increase in passport service charges for both regular and Tatkaal applications, effective from July 1, 2026. For adult applicants in India, the fee for a…
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now allows immediate denial of incomplete visa and green card applications without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).…
Takeda's Dengue Vaccine Qdenga, Distributed by Dr Reddy's, Expected in India by First Half of 2027
Key Updates:
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Dr Reddy's Laboratories signed a distribution agreement on September 18, 2026, under which Dr Reddy's will promote and distribute the dengue vaccine Qdenga across India's private market for pediatric and adult vaccination.
- Qdenga is India's first approved dengue vaccine, receiving marketing authorisation from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in July 2026 for individuals aged 4-60 years.
- Subject to completion of applicable regulatory processes, Qdenga is anticipated to become available in India in the first half of 2027.
- Qdenga (TAK-003) is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine built on a DENV-2 backbone with structural proteins from DENV-1, DENV-3, and DENV-4, and is administered as a two-dose regimen given three months apart.
- Dr Reddy's will be the exclusive private-market partner for Qdenga, while Takeda retains rights to promote and distribute the vaccine in India's public market along with legal ownership and medical and brand oversight.
- Dengue cases in India have increased 11-fold over the past two decades, and an ICMR nationwide surveillance study found all four dengue serotypes co-circulating, with 1 in 14 patients infected with multiple serotypes concurrently.
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The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted market authorisation to Takeda's QDENGA, the first dengue vaccine approved in India. QDENGA is indicated for individuals aged 4–60 years and can be administered…
PM Modi Opens NGT International Conference 2026 on Environment and Climate in New Delhi
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Green Tribunal (NGT) International Conference on 'The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics' on 19 September 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- The two-day conference (19-20 September 2026) has participation from 17 countries and international organisations including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
- The inaugural session was attended by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava.
- PM Modi launched the NGT Mobile Application during the inaugural session.
- PM Modi stated that India's per-capita carbon emissions remain less than half the global average and that India fulfilled its COP21 Paris Summit commitments ahead of schedule among G20 countries.
- India's solar capacity increased from around 2 gigawatts to more than 160 gigawatts over the past 12 years, per the Prime Minister's address.
- Over 50 lakh homes have rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and around 30 lakh farmers have received solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
- Electric vehicle sales rose around 950-fold, from fewer than 3,000 before 2014 to approximately 25 lakh in the previous year, and India's first Hydrogen Train was recently launched.
- The metro network expanded from about 250 kilometres across five cities in 2014 to over 1,000 kilometres across more than 20 cities.
- More than 70,000 Amrit Sarovars and around 1.5 crore rainwater harvesting structures were built under the Catch the Rain campaign.
- Very dense forest cover increased by more than 22% over the preceding 12 years, according to the Prime Minister.
- CJI Surya Kant traced Indian environmental jurisprudence, citing Articles 48A and 51A of the Constitution, the right to a pollution-free environment under Article 21, and principles including the Precautionary Principle, Polluter Pays Principle, absolute liability and the Public Trust Doctrine.
- CJI Surya Kant noted that adverse effects of climate change can implicate fundamental rights relating to equality, livelihood and health.
- CJI Surya Kant referred to comparative environmental cases from Nepal, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Brazil, Thailand, the United States and Australia.
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India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent for conservation and wise use of wetlands of international importance. The declaration was a key outcome of the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEF), the…
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the two-day International Workshop on Tiger Landscapes in New Delhi. The workshop is themed 'Tiger Landscapes: Conservation…
The Green Forge Complex, inaugurated at the National Agri-food & Biomanufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI) in Mohali, features controlled simulation chambers for genetically modified crop experimentation. The facility can…
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 9th two-day National Security Strategies (NSS) Conference-2026 in New Delhi on August 24, 2026. The conference was held in a hybrid format with over 850 participants from…
NASA Adds $946 Million to SpaceX Contract, Raising Crew Flight Deal to $5.92 Billion Through 2030
Key Updates:
- NASA awarded SpaceX a $946 million contract for three additional astronaut missions to the International Space Station, raising the total contract value to $5.92 billion and extending crewed flights through 2030.
- The expanded agreement covers 17 total missions, including astronaut transport, supplies delivery, ground preparation, launch operations, in-orbit mission management, crew return, capsule recovery, and emergency escape capability aboard Crew Dragon capsules.
- NASA selected SpaceX and Boeing in 2014 to develop crew transport spacecraft after the space shuttle retirement left the United States dependent on Russia's Soyuz; SpaceX was approved for astronaut flights in November 2020 and uses the Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket.
- Boeing's Starliner encountered technical problems on its 2024 crewed test flight, leading NASA to return the capsule empty and bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home on a SpaceX Dragon after their planned 10-day mission lasted more than nine months.
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Vietnamese aerospace company VinSpace has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch its first satellites on a Transporter rideshare mission in 2027. The satellites will test VinSpace's technology in orbit and support…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) propulsion stages and structural components. The propulsion systems for the Crew Module…
SpaceX announced plans for a $100 billion Starship launch complex named Starbase Louisiana on Pecan Island in Vermilion Parish, southern Louisiana. The 125,000-acre (50,585-hectare) site will begin construction in 2027…
Anthropic and Accenture to Invest $2 Billion in Embedded AI Model Evaluation
Key Updates:
- Anthropic and Accenture announced on September 18 that they will form a team of embedded evaluators to work alongside Anthropic's internal teams and safety partners.
- Each company expects to invest at least $1 billion over five years, a combined planned commitment of at least $2 billion, for red-team exercises, alignment assessments and safeguard testing.
- The joint effort will be led by Faculty, Accenture's specialist AI business.
- Embedded evaluators will receive employee-like access, while Anthropic remains responsible for the safety of its own models.
- The partnership is non-exclusive, and standards for evaluator access, reporting and funding remain unsettled.
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IICT and Netflix announced scholarships for 100 students offering up to 80% financial support. The scholarships cover two one-year diploma programmes and four six-month certificate programmes.
On August 21, 2026, Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi signed four MoUs covering skills, technical training, tourism and Japanese GCCs. Yamanashi announced a ₹600-crore fund to support Uttar Pradesh’s MSME sector.
Anthropic researcher Levent Alpöge tasked the AI model Claude Fable 5 with disproving the 87-year-old Jacobian Conjecture. Claude Fable 5 produced a single-line counterexample that disproves the conjecture, a problem…
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, warned that frontier AI models will fundamentally transform offensive and defensive cyber…
Weizmann Institute Researchers Identify DARE Cells That Begin Cell Death Yet Survive to Rebuild Damaged Tissue
Key Updates:
- Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science, led by Prof. Eli Arama and Dr. Tslil Braun, identified 'DARE' cells that initiate apoptosis but survive, publishing their findings in Nature Communications.
- DARE cells activate initiator caspases but a molecular motor protein tethering the enzyme to the cell membrane halts the process before effector caspases complete cell destruction, while NARE cells survive without activating initiator caspase.
- In fruit fly larvae experiments, DARE cells drove compensatory proliferation, replenishing nearly half of injured tissue within 48 hours, and removing them eliminated this regeneration.
- Descendants of DARE cells were seven times more resistant to cell death, and a second radiation exposure caused cell deaths to drop by half compared with the first.
- The study recreated a classic 1970s experiment in which radiation-damaged fly larvae regenerated functional wings, and the findings may offer clues on how malignant cells survive chemotherapy, though direct application to human oncology is not yet established.
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Indian and Japanese researchers discovered a new bacterium named Brachybacterium netajii in the waters of the Hooghly River. The bacterium was isolated by scientists from Netaji Mahavidyalaya, the University of Burdwan…
Researchers at the University of California San Diego demonstrated that a key cellular enzyme can accurately read an eight-letter genetic alphabet, effectively doubling the four letters used by all known life. Detailed…
Indian researchers have developed an experimental cancer drug named RK-251. RK-251 is designed to activate primarily inside cancer cells by exploiting high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in them.
Key Updates:
- The first-ever AIFF U15 Women's Youth League will kick off on October 15, 2026, at the Sporting Planet Sports Complex in Belagavi, Karnataka, with the final on October 31.
- A total of 16 teams from across the country will participate, divided into four groups of four; the top two from each group advance to the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals.
- The 16 teams include SESA Football Academy, HOPS FC, Roots FC, Krida Prabodhini Pune, Juba Sangha FC, Sethu FC, PFC Kerala, Project Mahadeva FC, MGM Ambush Club, DKR Football Academy, SAG Football Academy, Community FC India, Portais Sporting Club, RKM Football Academy, Mumbai Knights FC, and hosts Belgaum United Football Academy.
- The U15 league follows the launch of the AIFF U17 Women's Youth League in July 2026, broadening the national competition pathway for women's youth football in India.
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The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organised the inaugural session of 'Skill Manthan' on the theme 'Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Women' as a virtual dialogue on September 10, 2026. The…
The National Security Guard (NSG) has launched its first Mahila Commando Conversion Course (MCCC) for women personnel from State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The 12-week course began on August…
The National Security Guard (NSG) Training Academy in Manesar, Haryana, launched the first-ever Mahila Commando Conversion Course (MCCC) for women personnel from State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces…
IIT Madras launched Phiball, a three-team basketball variant, on August 29, 2026, the eve of National Sports Day. The inaugural Phiball match was won by A M Jain College team.
Indian Shooter Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar Claims Men's Trap Gold at ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun 2026
Key Updates:
- Indian shooter Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar, aged 15, won gold in the men's trap event at the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun 2026 in Porpetto, Italy, hitting 27 of 30 targets in the final to finish one target ahead of Italy's Francesco Tanfoglio and secure India's first medal at the meet.
- Yugan qualified sixth for the final with a score of 114/125 and entered the medal round via a shoot-off; among other Indians in men's trap qualification, Arjun and Vinay Pratap Singh Chandrawat finished 12th and 13th with 112, and Udhav Singh Rathore was 16th with 111.
- In the women's trap event, Sabeera Haris was the only Indian to reach the final, qualifying sixth with 108/125 through a shoot-off, but finished sixth after hitting nine of 15 targets; Bhavya Tripathi and Krishika Joshi missed the final, both scoring 105 to finish ninth and 10th.
- India won no medals in the junior men's and women's skeet events, with no shooter advancing to either final.
- The Porpetto event is the second junior ISSF World Cup of 2026; the first, held in Cairo, Egypt, in April, saw India top the medal tally with 16 medals (five gold, six silver, five bronze), with Zuhair Khan and Addya Katyal's mixed trap bronze its only shotgun medal.
- The tournament concludes on Saturday with the junior mixed team trap event, the final medal event.
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India won 17 medals, including four gold, four silver, and nine bronze, at the U-23 Commonwealth Fencing Championship in Lagos, Nigeria. The championship began on August 10 and will run until August 14.
Sheetal Devi won her first individual women's compound title at the World Archery Para Series Ahmedabad 2026, defeating Kazakhstan's Aizada Seidan in the final. The final was tied at 144, and Sheetal Devi won via a…
India won the overall title at the Commonwealth Fencing Championship 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, with a total of 35 medals (13 gold, 8 silver, 14 bronze). India claimed the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, awarded to the nation with…
Esha Singh won the gold medal in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou (China) with 40 hits. Manu Bhaker secured the bronze medal with 28 hits after winning a shoot-off.
Kabaddi Star Pawan Sehrawat Replaces Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India's Asian Games 2026 Flag-Bearer
Key Updates:
- Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat replaced shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India's male flag-bearer for the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony in Nagoya, joining shooter Manu Bhaker who carries the women's flag.
- Toor withdrew after his ceremonial kit was scheduled to reach Nagoya airport only at 3pm, making it impossible to collect it and reach the opening ceremony venue on time.
- The 30-year-old Sehrawat was part of the Indian men's kabaddi team that won gold at the previous Asian Games.
- India's chef-de-mission Sahdev Yadav confirmed the change to PTI.
- Manu Bhaker became the first athlete from Independent India to win two medals at a single Olympics, taking bronze in both the individual and mixed team 10m air pistol events at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, athletics contributed 29 medals (6 gold, 14 silver, 9 bronze) and shooting 22 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze), as India finished with a record 106 medals including 28 gold.
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India's 503-member contingent for the Asian Games 2026 received a grand send-off in New Delhi in the presence of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Mandaviya, along with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President…
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) approved a 15-member Indian esports contingent for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The esports competitions will be held from September 23 to October 2, 2026…
The 2026 Asian Games, officially known as Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will be held in Japan's Aichi Prefecture with Nagoya as the main hub from September 19 to October 4. More than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are expected…
Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named as the flag-bearers for the Indian contingent at the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to officially…
International Red Panda Day 2026 Observed on September 19: Key Facts and Significance
Key Updates:
- International Red Panda Day 2026 falls on September 19, observed annually on the third Saturday of September.
- The day was started by the Red Panda Network, a non-profit conserving wild red pandas and their habitat across Nepal and the Eastern Himalayas.
- Red pandas are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with experts estimating fewer than 10,000 remain in the wild.
- Red pandas live in the temperate forests of the Eastern Himalayas, across Nepal, Bhutan, northeastern India, Myanmar, and parts of southern China.
- In India, red pandas are found mainly in Sikkim, the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh; Sikkim has named the red panda its state animal.
- Bamboo makes up 85-90% of a red panda's diet, though the species belongs to the order Carnivora.
- Red pandas belong to their own unique family, Ailuridae, and are not closely related to giant pandas or bears.
- Red pandas rest for up to 13 hours a day and can climb down trees headfirst using semi-retractable claws and flexible ankles.
- The Firefox browser's name and logo were inspired by the red panda, which is sometimes nicknamed the 'firefox'.
- World Panda Day honours giant pandas on March 16, separate from International Red Panda Day.
- Natural predators of red pandas include snow leopards, martens, and birds of prey, and baby red pandas are called cubs, usually born in litters of one to four.
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World Coconut Day is observed annually on September 2. The first World Coconut Day was celebrated in 2009.
India celebrates Teachers' Day on September 5 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was India's second President, serving from 1962 to 1967, and was a…
India launched the Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP) on International Clouded Leopard Day, observed annually on August 4. The clouded leopard is listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act (WPA)…
World Elephant Day is observed annually on August 12. The first World Elephant Day was observed on August 12, 2012.
Odisha to Develop 870-Acre Silicon Valley at Naraj in Cuttack for Semiconductor and IT Projects
Key Updates:
- The Odisha government announced plans to develop Odisha Silicon Valley over 870 acres near Naraj in Cuttack district to host semiconductor, electronics, and IT projects.
- The announcement was made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi on September 18, 2026.
- The state has received investment proposals worth approximately ₹23,600 crore with the potential to generate 6,100 employment opportunities.
- The Naraj site offers connectivity to the Cuttack–Bhubaneswar urban corridor, multimodal access to Paradip and Dhamra ports, and proximity to the Mahanadi River for industrial water needs.
- Odisha has extended 25% additional fiscal support to India Semiconductor Mission-approved projects in semiconductor equipment manufacturing, semiconductor-grade gases, raw materials, and supply-chain segments.
- The state policy also supports engineer relocation, manpower skilling, internships, international patents, and R&D, and the Chief Minister interacted with delegations from Japan, Sweden, and Taiwan.
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Odisha is set to get a ₹3,406.25 crore semiconductor manufacturing facility by SiCSem Private Limited, a Tamil Nadu-based company, approved at the 217th meeting of the Unit Approval Committee (UAC) of Falta SEZ. The unit…
Semiconductor equipment maker Lam Research announced plans to invest around Rs 10,000 crore to set up its first silicon component manufacturing facility in India. The facility will support a vertically integrated process…
The central government plans to develop 44 airports under the Hub and Spoke model, comprising 4 hub airports and 40 spoke airports. The model aims to provide seamless international connectivity by linking Tier-II and…
Odisha received investment proposals worth ₹43,437 crore at the Odisha Food Pro 2026 roadshow in New Delhi. The proposals have the potential to generate over 43,000 jobs.
Luke Lindberg Named to Lead the World Food Programme
Key Updates:
- The United Nations announced the appointment of United States agriculture official Luke Lindberg to head the World Food Programme (WFP).
- Lindberg will replace Cindy McCain as executive director of the Rome-based WFP, with the joint announcement made by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General Qu Dongyu after the WFP board confirmed its agreement.
- Lindberg, the son-in-law of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, is the US Department of Agriculture's undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.
- Lindberg, aged 37, takes the helm as the WFP struggles to raise money to help feed tens of millions of people in need.
- Lindberg has been in his USDA role for just over a year, and President Donald Trump nominated him to head the World Food Program.
- A native of South Dakota, Lindberg founded and served as president of the South Dakota Trade Association and earlier served as chief of staff and chief strategy officer of the US Export-Import Bank in the first Trump administration.
- McCain stepped down in February after suffering a mild stroke in October 2025, and deputy executive director Carl Skau has been acting executive director since her departure and will remain in that position until Lindberg takes over.
- The WFP relies on donations and says as many as 266 million people are facing acute hunger, but it aims to help just 110 million this year because of funding cuts; the United States has for many years been the largest donor, and an American has headed the agency since the early 1990s.
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Justice Sanjay Kumar Agarwal of the Chhattisgarh High Court was appointed Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. Justice Valluri Kameswar Rao of the Delhi High Court was appointed Chief Justice of the Patna High…
The World Bank named Nobel laureate and University of Chicago professor Michael Kremer as its next chief economist, succeeding Indermit Gill, who retired last month; he will take charge on October 1. Kremer, 61, won the…
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced on September 13, 2026 that the State will send 100 professors for training at prestigious global institutions, including the University of Oxford. The announcement was made…
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with InD Events Dubai, the organiser of Gulfood, at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi in the presence…
Vir Chakra-winning 1965 war veteran Alfred Tyrone Cooke passes away
Key Updates:
- Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, a 1965 Indo-Pak War hero and Vir Chakra awardee, died at Base Hospital in New Delhi.
- The Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry award, was given to Cooke for his role in the air battle over Kalaikunda in West Bengal during an air attack launched from East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, on September 7, 1965.
- According to his gallantry award citation, Cooke shot down a Pakistan Air Force Sabre jet during the 1965 war while flying a Hawker Hunter with his wingman, Flying Officer Subodh Chandra Mamgain, holding off a force three times their size.
- Cooke settled in Australia after retiring from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and was in India to attend an event organised by his former unit, 14 Squadron.
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Girish Bharadwaj, a mechanical engineer known as the Bridge Man of India, died at the age of 76 at a private hospital in Sullia, Karnataka. He constructed more than 140 low-cost suspension bridges across Karnataka…
N Purushothama Mallya, a Padma Shri awardee, educationist and writer who worked to promote the Konkani language in Kochi, died at his residence in Cherlai at the age of 97. Born in Mattancherry on May 7, 1929, he was…
Major General Sunil Kumar Razdan, an officer from 7 PARA SF, passed away. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his gallantry in a counter-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 1994.
Brigadier Basant Kumar Ponwar, a 1971 Indo-Pak War veteran and jungle warfare pioneer, died at the age of 77 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. He was born on March 3, 1949, in Indore and was commissioned into the 1st Battalion of…
IFS Officer Hansraj Singh Verma Named India's Next Ambassador to Cuba
Key Updates:
- Senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Hansraj Singh Verma, a 2008-batch officer, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Cuba.
- He currently serves as the Consul General of India in São Paulo, Brazil, and the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed his posting.
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) appointed Sanjeev Jain as the Ambassador of India to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Sanjeev Jain is a 2008-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved a one-year extension for Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri beyond July 14, 2026, extending his tenure up to July 14, 2027. Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS)…
Shah Rukh Khan was appointed as the brand ambassador of Vodafone Idea. Vodafone Idea unveiled its new logo 'Vi' replacing 'V!'.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, recommended that the Centre consider appointing a polar ambassador. According to the committee, the position will help…
Warren Buffett Retires as Berkshire Hathaway Chairman; Son Howard G. Buffett Appointed Successor
Key Updates:
- Warren Buffett stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and became chairman emeritus, remaining on the company's board.
- His son, Howard G. Buffett, will become chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.
- Buffett, who turned 96 on August 30, had stepped down as chief executive at the end of last year, with Greg Abel taking over as CEO.
- Over about six decades, Buffett built Berkshire Hathaway into a trillion-dollar conglomerate with businesses including GEICO and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, and is known as the 'Oracle of Omaha'.
- Howard Buffett, 71, has been a director at Berkshire Hathaway for more than 30 years.
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Rajiv Kumar appointed as Part-time (Non-Executive) Chairman of HDFC Bank for a period of three years, subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He is appointed as an Additional (Independent) Director of…
N Chandrasekaran decided to quit as chairman of Tata Sons, the principal shareholder of the Tata Group. He will continue in the role till February 2027, the end of his current tenure.
British-Ghanaian rap artist Sway DaSafo passes away aged 44
Key Updates:
- Award-winning British-Ghanaian rap artist Sway DaSafo has died at the age of 44.
- His death at his home in Ghana was confirmed by his friend Kash Ahmad, and no cause of death has been announced.
- Born Derek Andrew Safo in London, he was raised in north London and honed his craft on pirate radio.
- He was the first unsigned rapper to win a Mobo Award, taking the prize in 2006.
- In September 2005 he was named best hip-hop act at the Mobo awards, and his 2006 debut album This Is My Demo earned a Mercury Prize nomination.
- Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010, he went into remission the same year and released his biggest hits Still Speedin' and Level Up in 2012.
- Through his record label Dcypha, he signed and developed artists including Tiggs Da Author and KSI.
- He is survived by two sons, Jalil and Ammar-Joseph, and twin daughters, Queen-Inaya and Queen-Imara, whom he was raising as a single parent in Ghana.
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Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died of illness at the age of 97 in Beijing on August 12, 2026. He served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003.
Cassandra Wilson, a two-time Grammy-winning jazz singer, died at the age of 70 on September 2, 2026, at her home in Mississippi. She died of natural causes, as confirmed by the Hinds County Coroner's Office.
Princess Astrid of Norway died at the age of 94 in Oslo, two days after the funeral of her younger brother, King Harald V. Born Astrid Maud Ingeborg on February 12, 1932, she was the middle child of King Olav V and Crown…
Wendell Berry, an acclaimed American writer, farmer and environmentalist, died at the age of 92 on August 31, 2026, at his home in Port Royal, Kentucky. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on August 5, 1934, and was…
