SC restricts 'retrospective' environmental clearances

The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed, with prospective effect, a 2021 Office Memorandum (OM) granting ex post facto environmental clearances to infrastructure projects, holding that the Union government cannot substantially alter protective environmental checks by issuing mere administrative instructions.

U.S. fast-tracks Act for 100% tariffs on trade partners of Russia

The U.S. Senate has voted to fast-track the passage of a legislation that could see a tariff of 100% being imposed on India for its import of Russian oil.

The Senate on Tuesday exhibited a rare display of bipartisan agreement by voting 86-12 to invoke a cloture motion to advance the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026'.

BS-III vehicles may need some tweaks for E20 fuel, says Centre

Some rubber parts and gaskets in BS-III vehicles may require replacement when using E20 fuel, a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, the Union government informed Parlia-ment on Tuesday.

FCRA Bill 2026, a threat to civil society organisations

According to the government's legislative programme for the monsoon session of Parliament, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, has been listed for consideration. Although the Bill was included in the legislative agenda during the previous session, its consideration was postponed following widespread protests, particularly from Christian organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGO).

India's theatre reform needs a readiness framework

India's theatre-isation is nearing completion. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China have already made this shift: modern conflict favours integrated structures over single-service models. India is now moving in the same direction. The transition, however, may temporarily reduce operational readiness. The key question is what will be lost, how much, and for how long before capability is restored.

India's refusal to uphold a global gig work law

On June 12, in Geneva, the International Labour Conference adopted Convention No. 193, 'Decent Work in the Platform Economy', which is the first binding international treaty written for the rider, driver, picker and data-labeller who earns a living through an app. The vote was lopsided: 406 in favour (which included nations such as China, Brazil, Germany, France, South Africa, and Japan), 8 against, and 36 abstentions.

Ten years and 7 PMs later, did Brexit make a difference?

When Andy Burnham took charge as the U.K.'s Prime Minister on July 20, he became the seventh occupant of 10 Downing Street since the country decided to exit the European Union (EU) by a narrow margin in the Brexit referendum held in June 2016.

Behind China's Al gift, a constraint

• China's open-weight Al models can be downloaded, customised and deployed on local servers, allowing countries to retain control over their data without relying on proprietary, API-based services.

• Even as Beijing promotes open-weight Al as a global public good, it is already weighing restrictions on overseas access to its most capable frontier models, signalling that this openness may not be permanent.

The IACS and the making of modern Indian science

The late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries marked a period of profound intellectual and cultural awakening across India, with Bengal emerging as its prominent centre. Although similar currents of intellectual, social, and cultural reform were taking shape in several other parts of the country, the scale, diversity, and enduring influence of this awakening found their fullest expression in Bengal.

India getting ready for Xi, Putin visits in September

India is getting ready for visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vla-dimir Putin, with both leaders planning to attend the BRICS summit to be held in Delhi on Septem-ber 12 and 13, sources here said on Wednesday. Consultations are continuing with regard to these up-coming high-level visits.

LS passes paper leak Bill amid Opposition protests

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wed-nesday insisted that "no shots were fired" at students during the July 20 protest in Delhi, rejecting Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's allegation that Home Minister Amit Shah had ordered security forces to open fire on the protesters. He was replying to the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amend-ment Bill, 2026.

RS passes Bill to criminalise disrespect to Vande Mataram

The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amend-ment) Bill, 2026 on Wed-nesday, in the absence of members from Opposition parties.

Private R&D spends cross govt.s in FY24

India's spending on research and development (R&D) surged to 0.83% of GDP in 2021-22, the first time that the coun-try crossed the 0.8% threshold a level last-seen in 2009-10, according to newly disclosed govern-ment data.

'Virtual magnet' claims reveal why EVs need their rare-earths

A large amount of effort has gone towards replacing permanent magnets in the rotor with either electromagnets or just a piece of iron; however, efficiency, starting torque capability, and the maximum speed achievable are some important constraints that have kept such motors out of EVs

Nepal's tiger numbers climb 20% to estimated 429, says survey

Nepal's tiger population has risen by roughly 20% in the past four years to an estimated 429, officials said on Wednesday, a conservation milestone despite challenges from human-wildlife conflict. The latest nationwide survey found tiger numbers had increased from 355 in 2022, reinforcing the Himalayan nation's reputation as a success story in big-cat conservation.