Doping setback for India at CWG: Judoka suspended, sanction on weightlifting team

Even Before the Glasgow Commonwealth Games were declared open on Thursday, the Indian contingent suffered a setback as two of its medal prospects - one each in judo and weightlifting -were withdrawn following anti-doping rule violations.

Jaishankar: There must be zero tolerance for terrorism

A day after a policeman on Amarnath Yatra duty was shot dead in Anantnag-the first terror attack in Kashmir since the killing of 26 people, including 25 tourists, in Pahalgam last year-External Affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that there must be "zero tolerance for terrorism", adding such acts will have consequences.

"There must be zero tolerance for terrorism. Nor should there be any doubt that acts of terrorism will have consequences," Jaishankar said, while speaking at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila. 

Need a regulatory framework for virtual digital assets, says House finance panel

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, in its report on the Securities Market Code (SMC), has called for a "comprehensive examination" and an "appropriate regulatory framework" for Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs) such as cryptocurrencies.

DRDO flight test of 'Kusha' takes off

In a major step towards the development of indigenous long-range air defence capabilities, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Thursday successfully conducted the first flight test of the 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM), at the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

A long-range SAM typically has a range of over 200 km. India operates Russian S-400 Triumf, which is understood to be capable of hitting targets up to 400 km away. 

US-Saudi deal & a new nuclear model for West Asia

On July 22, a press release by the US Department of Energy announced that Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman had signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement -commonly known as a 123 agreement -and an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement. Apart from describing this as a "legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear nonpro-liferation", the press release said that the agreement would also "advance American and regional security by upholding high standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation".

How submarine hunter Malvan will help shield India's coastline

The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned the INS Malvan, its second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).

ASW-SWC is a specialised class of warships in India that is designed for anti-submarine and patrolling operations along the littoral zone the shallow maritime zone near the shore that is strategically and economically critical. Other countries too deploy such littoral craft, but under different names.

The craft and its crest

INS Malvan is the second of eight Mahe-class vessels being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), Kochi, and the sixth of 16 ASW-SWCs under construction by CSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The first ship in the class, INS Mahe, was commissioned in November last year. The ship derives its name from the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, a region synonymous with maritime vision and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

US-Saudi nuclear pact can reshape West Asia balance

The Saudi deal could embolden Iran to builda nuclear weapon, potentially pushing it further towards China & Russia.

Israel-which Trump has now brought into the pact's equation -has warned that a such a deal could pave the way for Saudi Arabia to develop nuclear weapons. 

Fast-track courts: When they can be established, where they lag

There is no single central legislation that governs these courts. The 14th Finance Com-mission (2015-2020) recommended FTCs to expedite the trial of heinous crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and property disputes pending for over five years. It also recommended them for cases involving vulnerable demographics, such as women and children.

In 2019, following an amendment to the criminal laws and a directive from the Supreme Court, the Union government launched a centrally sponsored scheme to establish fast-track special courts (FTSCs). Funded partially by the Nirbhaya Fund, these courts are exclusively for the timebound trial of rape cases and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The many benefits of replacing paper currency notes with durable plastic ones

Last Week, a tender floated by a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) subsidiary revealed the central bank's intention to go ahead with a trial of plastic notes, some 15 years after a similar field trial was announced.

The Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt Ltd's (BRBNMPL) tender invited bids for 3.4 crore polymer sheets that are to be used to print currency notes. These aren't just any old plastic sheets but have special security features. The tender said the 3.4 crore sheets were an "immediate requirement"-once field trials were successful, BRBNMPL would look to buy larger quantities. But is there any benefit in replacing paper notes (made with 100% cotton) with plastic ones?

Trump: N-deal only if Saudi normalises ties with Israel via Abraham Accords

President Donald Trump said on Thursday a civil nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia is conditional on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel, an action the kingdom has so far refused to take. 

Rubio meets Lavrov in Manila, says US to help end Ukraine war

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the United States remains prepared to play a "constructive role" in helping bring an end to the war in Ukraine, following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Manila.

Govt allows FDI in inventory model for e-commerce exports

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on Thursday permitted foreign direct investment (FDI) in the inventory-based model of e-commerce, a step that is aimed at boosting exports.

This comes a day before the US is expected to replace 10% global tariffs under Section 122 with new tariffs.

The US has currently pro-posed a 12.5% tariff on India for "importation of goods that are deemed to be produced through forced labour".