Author: News Desk

Fifteen mango shipments from India were denied entry into the United States at airports including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta. The reason cited was documentation irregularities related to mandatory irradiation treatment, a process essential for mango imports into the US to eliminate pests. Exporters Forced to Destroy Shipments Due to the high costs of returning perishable fruit to India, exporters chose to dispose of the mangoes locally in the US. This has resulted in estimated losses of around $500,000 for Indian exporters. The US is India’s largest market for mango exports, amplifying the impact of the incident. Irradiation Was…

Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, sister of Qatar’s Emir, is a key figure shaping the country’s cultural future. As the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, she oversees national art initiatives, heritage projects, and museum expansions. With an estimated annual acquisition budget of $1 billion, she is known for acquiring masterworks from globally renowned artists including Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, and Mark Rothko. Founder of Doha Film InstituteBeyond visual art, Sheikha Al-Mayassa has also made a mark in cinema. She founded the Doha Film Institute, which promotes independent filmmaking in the region. The institute runs programs like the Ajyal Film Festival…

The Azim Premji Foundation has pledged ₹2,250 crore over three years to support girls in completing college education. This initiative is the largest direct benefit transfer scheme by any private nonprofit in India. Scholarship Details Eligible girls who have completed classes 10 and 12 from government schools can apply for the Azim Premji scholarship. Selected students will receive ₹30,000 annually for up to 2.5 lakh girls, amounting to ₹750 crore each year and totaling ₹2,250 crore for the full three-year degree. Goal: Empowering Girls Through Education Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation, said the scholarship aims to help…

Jelaja from Ettumanoor, Kerala, is undertaking an extraordinary road trip with her family of seven, including her toddler and 76-year-old mother. The multi-generational group is traveling across India in a fully equipped caravan, showcasing a fresh perspective on family travel. Experienced Drivers Turn AdventurersJelaja and her husband Ratheesh, both experienced truck drivers, have shifted from hauling cargo to exploring the country in comfort. Their caravan journey spans about 4,000 km, starting from Kerala and heading to Ladakh. Popular Social Media Travel DiaryTheir Instagram page, Puthettu Travel Vlog, has gained wide attention. Followers enjoy their updates featuring scenic routes, unique stops,…

In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the Indian government has selected seven parliamentarians from various parties to lead all-party delegations to key international partners. The move follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, and the retaliatory Indian military action on May 7. Leaders from Across the Political Spectrum The selected leaders include a mix of ruling and opposition figures: According to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, these leaders are tasked with presenting India’s unified stance on terrorism to foreign governments, reflecting the national consensus and resolve against extremism. Delegation Destinations and Agendas Each group will consist…

King Charles III and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak both have an estimated net worth of £640 million in 2025, placing them jointly at number 238 on the Sunday Times Rich List. The monarch’s wealth increased significantly, rising 20 places from last year, largely due to profitable wind farm deals by the Crown Estate. These deals doubled returns and increased the sovereign grant that supports royal expenses. However, many royal assets, such as Buckingham Palace, remain publicly owned “in the right of the Crown” and are not part of his personal fortune. King Charles’s private wealth includes estates like Balmoral…

India’s defence budget is likely to increase by Rs 50,000 crore, pushing the total defence allocation beyond Rs 7 lakh crore, government sources told NDTV. This additional fund will be part of the supplementary budget to be proposed during the Parliament’s Winter Session. Current Defence Spending and GrowthThe 2025-26 budget had already allocated a record Rs 6.81 lakh crore to the armed forces, marking a 9.2% rise from Rs 6.22 lakh crore in 2024-25. Defence spending remains the highest among all ministries, accounting for 13% of the total budget. Focus Areas for Additional FundsThe extra budget will mainly support research…

Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide has launched fully driverless robotaxi trials in Abu Dhabi, marking the first deployment of such services in the Middle East. The announcement was made on Friday, with WeRide confirming that the pilot phase will begin this quarter. The robotaxis will operate on public roads without a safety driver on board. Commercial Rollout Expected in 2025WeRide plans to gradually introduce commercial driverless ride services and expand coverage starting in the summer of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. The company will include new high-demand areas such as Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island in its service…

India has revoked the security clearance of Turkey-based Celebi, a company that provides airport ground handling services across the country. The move, announced on May 16, was linked to national security concerns and came amid public backlash over Turkey’s support for Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict. Legal Response by CelebiIn response, Celebi filed a petition with the Delhi High Court, requesting the reversal of the decision. The company argued that the order was vague and lacked specific reasoning. According to the filing, the action threatens 3,791 jobs and could damage investor confidence. Celebi claimed it received no prior warning and…

Prahlada Ramarao was only 35 when Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam selected him to lead the Akash missile project. At the time, Kalam was working at the Defence Research Laboratory in Hyderabad. Ramarao said Kalam taught him how to turn individual skills into teamwork and that India needs more leaders like him. Akash’s Success Made Ramarao Emotional Now 78 and a Padma Shri winner, Ramarao said he was proud when Akash missiles stopped enemy drones and missiles during the May 8–9 attack on India’s western border. “It was the happiest day of my life,” he said. Long Journey to Build Akash…