India, EU conclude 11th round of FTA talks, deal likely in two phases

India and the European Union have concluded the 11th round of FTA negotiations, agreeing to a two-stage approach to finalize the deal by 2025. Amid global trade uncertainties, both sides are focusing on market access for goods, services, and investment.

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India is restricting ready-made garment imports from Bangladesh via land. This action is expected to raise logistics costs. Transit times will also increase. Apparel Export Promotion Council notes potential negative impacts. A significant portion of apparel imports enters India through land ports. The change will affect shipments through Petrapole land port. Ships will now sail to Kolkata and Mumbai.

Transit delays, higher costs: Bangladesh garment import curbs to hit buyers

India is restricting ready-made garment imports from Bangladesh via land. This action is expected to raise logistics costs. Transit times will also increase. Apparel Export Promotion Council notes potential negative impacts. A significant portion of apparel imports enters India through land ports. The change will affect shipments through Petrapole land port. Ships will now sail to Kolkata and Mumbai.

Punjab Kings secured a playoff berth by defeating Rajasthan Royals. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh scored half-centuries. Harpreet Brar took three wickets. Shreyas Iyer became the first captain to lead three different teams into the IPL playoffs. Punjab posted 219 for 5. Rajasthan Royals managed 209 for 7 in reply.

Shreyas Iyer creates IPL history – no captain has ever done this before

Punjab Kings secured a playoff berth by defeating Rajasthan Royals. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh scored half-centuries. Harpreet Brar took three wickets. Shreyas Iyer became the first captain to lead three different teams into the IPL playoffs. Punjab posted 219 for 5. Rajasthan Royals managed 209 for 7 in reply.

The US embassy warns of strict action against visa overstays. Foreigners risk deportation and a permanent US entry ban. International visitors staying over 30 days must register. This advisory comes amid rising Indian travel to America. The US is intensifying efforts against visa fraud and illegal immigration. New visa curbs apply to those facilitating illegal immigration.

Overstaying in US? You risk deportation, entry ban

The US embassy warns of strict action against visa overstays. Foreigners risk deportation and a permanent US entry ban. International visitors staying over 30 days must register. This advisory comes amid rising Indian travel to America. The US is intensifying efforts against visa fraud and illegal immigration. New visa curbs apply to those facilitating illegal immigration.

In a setback for the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the PSLV-C61 mission failed after liftoff from Sriharikota on Sunday. The rocket malfunctioned during its third stage, preventing the EOS-09 satellite from reaching its intended orbit. Isro Chairman V Narayanan cited a drop in chamber pressure within the solid motor as the cause.

1st time in 8 yrs, Isro workhorse PSLV fails on 101st launch; sat lost

In a setback for the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the PSLV-C61 mission failed after liftoff from Sriharikota on Sunday. The rocket malfunctioned during its third stage, preventing the EOS-09 satellite from reaching its intended orbit. Isro Chairman V Narayanan cited a drop in chamber pressure within the solid motor as the cause.

In Uttar Pradesh, a cattle smuggler was killed and two others injured in Jaunpur after a police constable was crushed to death during a vehicle chase. Simultaneously, in Varanasi, police arrested four cattle smugglers following another encounter, with two sustaining leg injuries from retaliatory gunfire after attempting to flee with 24 cattle in a truck.

Cattle smugglers run over UP cop; 1 killed in encounter

In Uttar Pradesh, a cattle smuggler was killed and two others injured in Jaunpur after a police constable was crushed to death during a vehicle chase. Simultaneously, in Varanasi, police arrested four cattle smugglers following another encounter, with two sustaining leg injuries from retaliatory gunfire after attempting to flee with 24 cattle in a truck.

Hyderabad fire: Miraculous escape for 50 in another fire some 8km away

Dehradun police arrested five Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally residing in Clement Town without valid documents. They claimed to have fled Bangladesh due to persecution fears following political unrest. A local woman was also arrested for aiding their stay, while their children were placed in a shelter home.

Five more Bangladeshis rounded up in Uttarakhand

Dehradun police arrested five Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally residing in Clement Town without valid documents. They claimed to have fled Bangladesh due to persecution fears following political unrest. A local woman was also arrested for aiding their stay, while their children were placed in a shelter home.

Indian Air Force and Southern Command successfully neutralised around 70 Pakistani drones. This included a Turkish-origin Songar armed drone. Operation Sindoor took place in Bhuj, Naliya, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assessed the security situation in Rann Of Kutch. Recovered drone wreckage was shown to the commander. Army and IAF units use various air defence systems.

70 Pak drones destroyed in Gujarat, Rajasthan during Operation Sindoor

Indian Air Force and Southern Command successfully neutralised around 70 Pakistani drones. This included a Turkish-origin Songar armed drone. Operation Sindoor took place in Bhuj, Naliya, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assessed the security situation in Rann Of Kutch. Recovered drone wreckage was shown to the commander. Army and IAF units use various air defence systems.

War clouds hit Rajasthan tourism as booking cancellations begin

Kolkata travel companies launch ‘Chalo Kashmir’ drive

10-year-old girl dies in celebratory firing in Patna village

A new study reveals that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common hospital bacteria in India, can degrade medical-grade plastic. This bacteria breaks down materials used in sutures and implants. Researchers isolated an enzyme, Pap1, that degraded 78% of a plastic sample in a week. The bacteria can also consume plastic as its only food source.

Hospital superbug ‘eating’ medical plastics, devices & implants: Study

A new study reveals that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common hospital bacteria in India, can degrade medical-grade plastic. This bacteria breaks down materials used in sutures and implants. Researchers isolated an enzyme, Pap1, that degraded 78% of a plastic sample in a week. The bacteria can also consume plastic as its only food source.

Union Minister Amit Shah announced a new policy for faster liquidation of defunct PACS and registration of new ones, targeting two lakh new PACS by 2029. These PACS will engage in 22 business activities to ensure financial stability, including cooperative-owned manufacturing units and circular economy initiatives in the dairy sector.

Policy soon for easy liquidation of cooperatives: Amit Shah

Union Minister Amit Shah announced a new policy for faster liquidation of defunct PACS and registration of new ones, targeting two lakh new PACS by 2029. These PACS will engage in 22 business activities to ensure financial stability, including cooperative-owned manufacturing units and circular economy initiatives in the dairy sector.

NSA Ajit Doval and Iranian security council secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian discussed expanding cooperation, particularly on Chabahar Port and the INSTC. Ahmadian highlighted the deep-rooted ties and potential for collaboration, emphasizing the importance of strategic projects for regional peace. The conversation occurred after heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with Iran offering assistance in de-escalation.

NSA Ajit Doval, Iranian counterpart discuss bilateral ties

NSA Ajit Doval and Iranian security council secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian discussed expanding cooperation, particularly on Chabahar Port and the INSTC. Ahmadian highlighted the deep-rooted ties and potential for collaboration, emphasizing the importance of strategic projects for regional peace. The conversation occurred after heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with Iran offering assistance in de-escalation.

Security forces aim to eliminate Naxalism before March 2026. Operation Blackforest saw success with coordinated efforts. Forces eliminated 31 Maoists. Anti-Naxal operations continue in multiple states. Maoists are requesting ceasefire and dialogue. Surrenders have increased this year. Operations will continue during the monsoon. Forces are confident to locate and neutralise Maoists. Maoists may resort to desperate attacks.

Operation Blackforest marks ‘beginning of end of Naxalism’: CRPF DG

Security forces aim to eliminate Naxalism before March 2026. Operation Blackforest saw success with coordinated efforts. Forces eliminated 31 Maoists. Anti-Naxal operations continue in multiple states. Maoists are requesting ceasefire and dialogue. Surrenders have increased this year. Operations will continue during the monsoon. Forces are confident to locate and neutralise Maoists. Maoists may resort to desperate attacks.