Top court appoints high-powered panel to review Aravalli definition report

The Supreme Court on Tuesday constituted a High-Powered Committee (HPC) under Kanchan Devi, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), to obtain a "fair, impartial and independent" opinion and "resolve critical ambiguities" in the report on the definition of the Aravalli hills submitted last October by a panel headed by the Environment Secretary. The HPC has been asked to submit its comprehensive report by August 31. 

For larger PNG footprint, Govt looks at consumer-friendly centralised portal

Moving to push piped natural gas (PNG) connections amid the squeeze in supply of LPG owing to the crisis in West Asia, the government is actively considering a proposal to launch a national centralised portal for consumers to apply for PNG connections. 

1.5 crore artificial groundwater recharge, storage works under JSJB initiative: Minister

Creation of over 1.5 crore artificial groundwater recharge and storage works have been reported across the country under the Centre's Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative, with the majority of them created through community's contribution, Union JalShakti Minister C.

R. Patil said on Tuesday.

Venezuela's Rodriguez arrives today on India visit, to meet PM

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez is coming to India for a five-day visit from June 3 to 7. The visit assumes significance as it comes five months after Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro was captured by the US forces on January 3, and Rodriguez, formerly Venezuela's Vice-President, was appointed the country's Acting President. 

Monsoon onset over Kerala on June 4: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said that the southwest monsoon onset over Kerala is most likely to be on June 4. "Conditions are favourable for further advance of south-west monsoon into Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, some more parts of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal on June 4," the India Meteorological Department said. 

With 5 new judges, SC's strength increases to 37

Four former High Court Chief Justices and a senior advocate were sworn in as Supreme Court judges Tuesday. With this, the Supreme Court now has a working strength of 37 judges against a sanctioned strength of 38. 

Mehbooba to Omar, LoP: Time has come to make a united outreach to PM, Shah 

Changes In Immigration Rules, Foreigners on visa up to 180 days have to register before period expiry to extend stay

The Union Home Ministry has notified changes in the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, making it mandatory for foreigners coming to India on a visa for 180 days or less to register themselves any time before the expiry of the said period in case they want to extend their visit. The new provision, notified on Monday, will replace the previous rule that required the registration to be done within 14 days after the expiry of 180 days of arrival in India. 

Sovereignty of country paramount, not personal liberty, in drugs case: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said if there is a conflict between the country's sovereignty and personal liberty, the former will take priority, especially in cases involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The court made the remarks while setting aside a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that had granted bail to a man accused of operating a drug-trafficking network from inside a jail using mobile phones. 

In navigating Trump's US & Xi's China, Japan is imagining a new Asia story

Tokyo is not breaking from its One China policy. But it has increasingly signalled that a military conflict over Taiwan would have direct consequences for Japan. 

Don't forget the economy in military strategy

China's aim has not been territorial annexation. It has been to tie India down south of the Himalayas. 

An Indian antibiotic on the global stage

The CDSCO should consider an expedited pathway for innovative antibiotics that address critical unmet medical needs and have already undergone rigorous evaluation by trusted regulators. 

Data upgrade: New WPI, PPIs on June 15

The Commerce ministry, on June 15, will release the new Wholesale Price Index (WPI) series with 2022-23 as the base year, starting with data for May as well as a back-series from April 2023 onwards.

India slips to 7th spot in global stock market cap ranking

India slipped to seventh spot in the global stock market capitalisation rankings as South Korea — buoyed by semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix — replaced it from the sixth spot. In just one week, India has slid from fifth to seventh place, yielding the sixth spot to Taiwan along the way.

India, UK discuss ways to resolve CETA deadlock

A delegation of UK trade officials, led by Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal amid new irritants emerging in the path of perationalising the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the two countries.

US announced tariff cut on some equipment: GTRI

The US administration has announced a reduction in tariffs on selected industrial and agricultural equipment containing steel, aluminium or copper from 25% to 15%, think tank GTRI said on Tuesday. For India, the changes offer limited benefits, it said. While exporters of engineering goods, HVAC equipment, electrical equipment and agricultural machinery may gain from the reduced 15% tariff, some manufacturers could potentially qualify for the new 10% rate.

How Nvidia chip reshapes Al for personal computing

Intel, the legacy chipmaker for personal computers, has struggled to keep pace with the AI boom. Nvidia is unrivalled in the Al space because of its powerful GPUs, the demand for which has skyrocketed.

Parentage over privacy: Why SC upheld DNA test in paternity case

The Supreme Court recently dismissed a challenge to orders that directed a man to undergo a DNA test in a civil suit filed by a person claiming to be his biological son and, in doing so, reiterated an understanding of when the courts can and cannot direct such tests. The bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh held that "as far as the right of privacy is concerned, we are balancing, in this case CP's privacy with [alleged son's] desire for closure on a question that has loomed large on his life throughout". 

Don't take that puff: 'Herbal' cigarettes are not healthy alternatives to tobacco

In recent years, several supposedly "healthy" alternatives to cigarettes have been growing in popularity. Among these products are tobacco-free "herbal" cigarettes that market themselves as "safer", "natural" alternatives that can help you with everything from depression to anxiety to stress. At first sight, this safety claim would appear to make sense. After all, the most harmful part of conventional cigarettes is the nicotine in its tobacco. So, wouldn't a product made with herbal ingredients be less harmful? A recent study, however, has busted the claim that tobacco-free means risk-free.

Bangladesh minister elected President of 81st session of UNGA

United Nations, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was on Tuesday elected as the President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in a closely-contested election.