U.S. MoU best way out of war, says Iran President

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday defended a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States as the best way out of a stalled war while also acknowledging that his country's citizens face "many problems".

Doval heads to China with an eye on Xi Jinping's visit

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is expected to vi-sit Beijing on Monday and Tuesday for the 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs) on the boundary question, and ahead of a possible visit to India next month by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mr. Doval's visit and talks with Chinese Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also take stock of the broader bilateral relationship.

Core concerns

The slowdown in the growth of India's core industrial sectors in July was not surprising, with other indicators predicting eas-ing demand conditions as well. Growth in the index of core industries (ICI) slowed to 5.4% in July from 6% in the previous month. This was in keep-ing with the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, which in July eased to its lowest level since August 2021 due to weak domestic demand conditions.

The rural-urban divide in female labour force participation

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025 reveals a significant increase in the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) since 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic. The over-all FLFPR for those aged 15 years and above increased from 30% in 2019-20 to 40% in 2025. The increase was more pronounced in rural areas, where the FLFPR rose from 33% to 45.9%, compared with an increase from 23.3% to 27.7% in urban areas. This substantial rural-urban difference warrants a more granular analysis.

Vande Mataram and the right to dissent

• Vande Mataram was given equal status with Jana Gana Mana in 1950 for its historic role in the freedom struggle, but was never made the national anthem or a coanthem.

• The 1937 Congress compromise limited official renditions to the first two stanzas, keeping the later devotional verses invoking Hindu goddesses out of civic and official life.

• The 2026 amendment has renewed debate over the song's later stanzas and the constitutional questions surrounding religious freedom, freedom of conscience and the State's role in patriotic expression.

India can become global shipbuilding hub: Rajnath

A vacuum created by the declining capacities of traditional shipbuilding indus-tries across the world presents a major oppor-tunity for India to emerge as a global shipbuilding hub, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday.  

Goyal to begin Japan visit today to boost trade, investments

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is leading a 200-member bu-siness delegation to Japan on a four-day visit starting Monday to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries.

PM calls upon space start-ups to make India a talent hub

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon In-dia's private space sector to build an ecosystem that can attract global talent, companies, and investment, saying the country should create an "aura" that makes it a destination for people seeking to build careers in the sector.

SC committee pulls up Assam government for inaction over mining activity near Kaziranga

Amid a controversy over a plan to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Kaziran-ga National Park, a Su-preme Court-constituted panel has pulled up the As-sam government over its handling of mining on the southern boundary of the one-horned rhino habitat.  

DR Congo and M23 fighters agree to road map for peace talks

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group have agreed on a road map for peace talks, according to a joint statement published on Sunday by Switzerland.

Global space norms find a firm footing in India's new re-entry rules

• A spacecraft returning to the earth has to navigate several risks. It could affect airspace and maritime zones, or even crash within the territory or jurisdiction of another state. This makes sustainability an important consideration

• Days after the success of Vikram-1, IN-SPACe released the country's first guidelines for planned re-entry