DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 11:37:34 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-boosts-gold-holdings-in-india-to-5758-tonnes-domestic-prices-edge-higher-645426.html Mumbai Oct 29 Indias gold reserves are increasingly being stored within the country as the Reserve Bank of India RBI continues to shift its holdings back home The move comes at a time when nations across the world are using financial sanctions and asset freezes as tools of geopolitical pressureAccording to official data the RBI brought around 64 tonnes of gold to India during the first six months of the current financial yearAs of Septemberend Indias total gold holdings stood at 8808 tonnes out of which 5758 tonnes are now kept in domestic vaultsThe remaining 2903 tonnes are held with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements BISAdditionally 14 tonnes are part of gold deposit arrangements as per the official dataSince March 2023 the RBI has brought back 274 tonnes of gold from overseas locationsThis largescale repatriation began after the RussiaUkraine conflict and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan when G7 nations froze the foreign currency reserves of both countriesThe RBIs decision to keep a larger share of its gold at home reflects growing concerns over the safety of overseas reserves amid rising global tensionsMeanwhile gold prices in India rose on Wednesday tracking gains in international bullion markets ahead of the US Federal Reserves interest rate decisionOn the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold opened nearly flat at Rs 119647 per 10 grams compared to its previous close of Rs 119646Later it rose by Rs 401 or 034 per cent trading at Rs 120047 per 10 grams during early tradeSilver prices also gained opening at Rs 144761 per kg and rising Rs 989 or 069 per cent to Rs 145331 per kgIn the global market spot gold edged up 02 per cent to 395742 per ounce after touching its lowest level since October 7 on TuesdayHowever easing USChina trade tensions limited gains even as investors awaited an expected US Fed rate cutSo far this year gold prices have surged nearly 52 per cent hitting an alltime high of 438121 per ounce on October 20The rally has been driven by global uncertainties expectations of rate cuts and continued buying by central banks including the RBI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-boosts-gold-holdings-in-india-to-5758-tonnes-domestic-prices-edge-higher-645426.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-honouring-scientific-achievements-645156.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias scientific community received a resounding tribute last week with the announcement of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar RVP 2025 list honouring 24 distinguished scientists and one pioneering research team for transformative contributions across diverse domains Building on the inaugural edition the awards underscore the Union governments vision of Viksit Bharat through Vigyan a developed India powered by scientific temper and innovationAt the apex stands the Vigyan Ratna the nations highest civilian honour in science and technology instituted in 2023 and first conferred in 2024 upon Dr Govindarajan Padmanabhan the eminent biochemist whose decadeslong work on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum illuminated drug resistance mechanisms and inspired global antimalarial strategiesConferred annually on National Space Day which is celebrated on August 23 it mirrors the prestige of the Bharat Ratna but is dedicated solely to lifetime scientific excellenceComplementing this pinnacle are three other categoriesEight senior researchers received the Vigyan Shri for sustained impact in fields ranging from quantum materials to sustainable agricultureFourteen early and midcareer innovators all under 45 were named Vigyan YuvaShanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardees a reimagining of the iconic SS Bhatnagar Prize to nurture Indias next generation of scientific leadersThe sole Vigyan Team award went to the CSIR Aroma Mission a multiinstitutional consortium that has revitalised aromatic crop cultivation across 60000 hectares empowering more than 50000 farmers in 26 states with highyielding lavender rosemary and lemongrass varieties generating Rs 1200 crore in rural revenue since 2017The 2025 cohort reflects Indias widening scientific footprintAmong the Vigyan Shri recipients are a climate modeller whose AIdriven monsoon forecasts have reduced crop losses by 18 per cent in Odisha and a materials scientist whose biodegradable polymer from agricultural waste is now scaling for medical implantsThe Yuva awardees include a 38yearold astrophysicist decoding fast radio bursts at Punes Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and a 41yearold biotechnologist engineering salttolerant rice strains already under field trials in coastal Tamil NaduLaunched in 2023 to replace 16 fragmented science awards the RVP scheme streamlines recognition under a single transparent frameworkNominations are vetted by a 300member searchcumselection committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to Union government Ajay Kumar Sood ensuring peerdriven meritocracyUnlike earlier prizes RVP carries no cash component instead offering a sanad citation and a medal cast in panchdhatu symbolising unity of five classical elementsThe awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony on National Science Day on February 28 2026As India targets a 1 trillion research economy by 2047 the RVP not only celebrates past breakthroughs but signals a national resolve to place science at the heart of development IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-honouring-scientific-achievements-645156.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/s-koreas-gdp-expands-12-pc-in-q3-fastest-growth-in-6-quarters-645163.html Seoul Oct 28 The South Korean economy expanded at the fastest pace in 1 12 years in the third quarter supported by solid exports and rising private consumption central bank data showed on Tuesday Real gross domestic product GDP a key gauge of economic growth rose 12 per cent in the JulySeptember period from the previous quarter preliminary data from the Bank of Korea BOK showed reports Yonhap news agencyIt marked the fastest quarterly expansion since the first quarter of 2024 when the economy grew 12 per cent and was up from a 07 per cent onquarter increase in the second quarterThe thirdquarter figure also beat the BOKs expectation of a 11 per cent gainOn an onyear basis the economy expanded 17 per cent in the third quarter accelerating from a 06 per cent increase in the previous quarterThe countrys GDP unexpectedly contracted 02 per cent in the first quarter as a domestic political crisis sparked by former President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration coupled with uncertainties from US President Donald Trumps sweeping tariff measures weighed on consumer spending and slowed export growthBut the economy has rebounded on the back of the government stimulus measures and strong exports particularly in the brisk semiconductor sectorRising domestic demand and exports drove the economic expansion in the third quarterPrivate consumption rose 13 per cent marking the fastest growth since the third quarter of 2022 while government spending climbed 12 per cent the highest since the fourth quarter of 2022Exports increased 15 per cent from the previous quarter supported by strong global demand for semiconductors and automobilesFacilities investment grew 24 per cent while construction investment slipped 01 per centThe BOK said that domestic demand and net exports contributed 11 percentage points and 01 percentage point respectively to the thirdquarter economic growthThe rise in private consumption was driven by improved consumer sentiment government stimulus measures the launch of new smartphones and electric vehicles and increased medical spending at general hospitals following the return of trainee doctors BOK official Lee Dongton said at a press briefingDespite the impact of US tariffs exports particularly semiconductor shipments have held up relatively well But it remains to be seen how automobiles and other sectors will be affected by the new tariffs going forward he addedThe annual growth rate for 2025 could theoretically reach above the BOKs targeted 09 per cent if fourthquarter growth comes in at minus 01 per cent or higherThe BOK projected Asias fourthlargest economy to expand 09 per cent this year and 16 per cent in 2026 and it is expected to release a revised outlook in November IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/s-koreas-gdp-expands-12-pc-in-q3-fastest-growth-in-6-quarters-645163.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/openais-big-bet-on-india-free-chatgpt-go-access-for-1-year-starting-nov-4-645173.html New Delhi Oct 28 OpenAI on Tuesday announced that it will offer free access to ChatGPT Go for one year to all users in India who sign up during a special promotional period starting November 4 The offer comes as part of OpenAIs celebration of its first DevDay Exchange event in Bengaluru which will also be held on the same dayChatGPT Go is OpenAIs recently launched subscription plan that gives users access to many of the platforms advanced features including higher message limits more image generation longer memory and the ability to upload more files and imagesAll these features are powered by OpenAIs latest GPT5 modelThe plan was first launched in India in August this year after users requested a more affordable way to use ChatGPTs advanced toolsWithin just a month of its launch the number of paid ChatGPT users in India more than doubledFollowing this strong response OpenAI expanded ChatGPT Go to nearly 90 countries worldwideIndia is currently ChatGPTs secondlargest market and one of the fastestgrowingMillions of users across the country students professionals and developers are already using ChatGPT daily to learn new skills boost creativity and build innovative projectsThe new offer reflects OpenAIs continued Indiafirst approach and supports the governments IndiaAI Mission which aims to expand access to artificial intelligence tools and encourage innovation across the countryOpenAI is also working with civil society groups educational platforms and governmentled initiatives to make AI tools more accessible and inclusiveExisting ChatGPT Go subscribers in India will also be eligible for the free 12month offer with more details to be announced soonNick Turley Vice President and Head of ChatGPT said the company has been inspired by how Indian users are using ChatGPT GoAhead of our first DevDay Exchange event in India were making ChatGPT Go freely available for a year to help more people across India easily access and benefit from advanced AI Were excited to see the amazing things our users will build learn and achieve with these tools he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/openais-big-bet-on-india-free-chatgpt-go-access-for-1-year-starting-nov-4-645173.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/attacks-on-adani-group-coordinated-effort-to-undermine-indias-growth-lawyer-645176.html New Delhi Oct 28 Supreme Court advocate Ishkaran Singh Bhandari has said that recent reports by foreign media targeting the Adani Group are part of a larger coordinated effort to undermine Indias economic growth and private industrial progress In a conversation with IANS Bhandari said this is not the first time such attempts have been made to malign the Adani GroupFor years the Adani conglomerate has been repeatedly targeted These are the same companies that play a crucial role in Indias economic backbone operating in key sectors such as ports airports and energy he saidForeign interests do not want Indian enterprises to gain strength and global recognition in these strategic areas he told IANSHe recalled that the Adani Group had earlier faced similar allegations from Hindenburg Research which has been shut down which even led to a Supreme Courtmonitored investigationDespite the probe and the formation of a special committee no evidence of wrongdoing was ever found Yet the narrative continues to be pushed for ulterior motives Bhandari notedCalling the campaign a longrunning international conspiracy he cited examples of global financiers like George Soros who according to him have openly linked Adanirelated controversies to political outcomes in IndiaPeople who dont even live in India are trying to interfere with our economic stability he saidBhandari dismissed such reports as fit for the dustbin adding that raising them in Parliament or during election debates serves an antiIndia purposeDefending LICs investment in Adani Ports he said If an American company can profit from investing in Mumbai Airport why cant LIC invest in Adani Ports There is nothing questionable about itLICs investment processes are transparent and multilayered It has always invested in Indian enterprises thats part of its mandate Bhandari mentionedHe argued that questioning LICs investments while ignoring those of foreign investors exposes the hypocrisy behind such criticismIndia is now the worlds fourthlargest economy Those trying to weaken LICs profitability under the guise of transparency are actually seeking to undermine Indias growth story he saidBhandari urged citizens and lawmakers to reject agendadriven foreign narratives that attempt to erode confidence in Indian industry and private investment These baseless reports are designed to shake faith in Indias economic momentum and must be firmly dismissed he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/attacks-on-adani-group-coordinated-effort-to-undermine-indias-growth-lawyer-645176.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html New Delhi Oct 28 Scanning MRI of a persons tongue may help in the early detection and ongoing monitoring of Motor Neurone Disease MND a neurodegenerative disease according to a study Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia found that people living with MND also known as ALS who have difficulty speaking or swallowing tend to have smaller tongue musclesThis could serve as an early indication of neurodegenerative disease said Dr Thomas Shaw from the varsitys School of Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceThere are eight interconnected muscles in our tongues each with a different role allowing us to eat swallow and speak But for someone with a motor neuron disease the tongue muscles like many others in the body progressively weaken and sadly waste away Shaw saidBeing able to detect and track this symptom early would help patients and clinicians especially with interventions like early access to clinical trials he addedWhile studying tongue muscles inside the mouth of a person living with MND has traditionally been difficult and invasive the team examined more than 200 historical MRI scans including some of people living with MND for the studyApplying a combination of AIassisted and advanced imaging techniques we were able to get precise measurements of tongue muscle volume and shape Shaw saidCrosssectional comparisons showed significant differences between the scans of people with MND and those without he addedThe research published in Computers in Biology and Medicine confirmed previous study findings which showed people whose MND symptoms occur in the mouth tongue throat and neck muscles have a shorter survival time compared to those with an onset of symptoms in their limbsSpeech pathologist Dr BrookeMai Whelan from UQs School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences said the tongue was a complex organ executing thousands of precisely coordinated movements every day which are only noticed when they begin to failUnderstanding which specific tongue muscles waste away in MND will help us develop strategies to compensate including modifying the persons speech patterns to rely on unaffected muscle groups he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tongue-may-hold-clues-to-detect-track-motor-neurone-disease-study-645177.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html New Delhi Oct 28 More than 1 in 3 or 36 per cent young adults particularly Generation Z within the legal drinking age have never consumed alcohol according to a global report The report by data analytics company Euromonitor International noted that the growing trend of sobriety among younger consumers is largely driven by a desire to feel healthier and avoid longterm health risks 87 per cent of respondentsSome 30 per cent are also avoiding due to practical considerations such as saving money and improving sleep quality 25 per centThe report noted the rise in the Zebra striping trend as consumers seek to moderate their alcohol consumptionZebra striping refers to a trend where individuals alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages during a single social occasion creating a pattern that helps moderate their drinkingOnly 17 per cent of respondents reported drinking weekly in 2025 down from 23 per cent in 2020Among those who consume alcohol at least occasionally 53 per cent say they are actively trying to cut back up from 44 per cent five years ago Notably the share of individuals who never drink alcohol rose by 3 percentage points since 2020The report showed that although the global alcoholic drinks industry has reached 253 billion litres in 2024 growth appears to be stagnatingAccording to the report this form of mindful drinking is becoming popular across all ages and demographics but is especially evident among younger consumersHowever India is set to see an increase of 357 million litres in alcoholic drinks consumption from 2024 to 2029 making it a leading growth market the report saidIt also highlighted the growth in the global nonalcoholic marketWhile the alcoholic beverages industry was marked by modest global total volume growth of just 06 per cent bringing the total market value to 17 trillion in 2024 nonalcoholic spirits sales grew by 17 per cent in total volume nonalcoholic RTDs by 14 per cent nonlow alcohol beer by 11 per cent and nonalcoholic wine by 7 per centThe adult nonalcoholic drinks market is expected to grow by 24 per cent in total volume terms between 2025 and 2029 surpassing 102 billion litres in 2029 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/36-pc-gen-z-within-legal-drinking-age-have-never-consumed-alcohol-report-645186.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html New Delhi Oct 28 Dyslexia is a different way of expressing knowledge said Sanjay Kumar Secretary Department of School Education and Literacy noting that with early identification and proper support kids with the condition can achieve success Kumar was speaking at the Walk for Dyslexia 2025 held in the national capital where the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Secretariat were lit up in red The walk was organised across the nation by the Changeinkk Foundation UNESCO MGEIP Orkids Foundation and Soch Foundation to spread awareness on DyslexiaDyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects reading writing and spelling resulting from differences in how the brain processes language October is observed as Dyslexia Awareness MonthKumar stressed the need to create awareness and acceptance around Specific Learning Disabilities SLDs particularly Dyslexia which remains one of the most common yet misunderstood learning differences among childrenEvery child learns differently Dyslexia is not a limitation but a different way of understanding and expressing knowledge With early identification support and empathy children with Dyslexia can achieve remarkable success Todays walk is a walk for awareness for compassion and for inclusion the Secretary saidHe also underlined the crucial role of PRASHAST 20 a mobile appbased screening tool developed by NCERT in helping schools identify children with disabilities including Dyslexia at an early stageEarly detection coupled with greater awareness among teachers parents and the wider community can make a real difference in ensuring that every child with Dyslexia receives the right support and opportunities to learn and thrive within an inclusive education system Kumar saidThe Department of School Education and Literacy under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme has undertaken several measures to strengthen early screening identification and support for children with SLDs including DyslexiaThese include the implementation of PRASHAST 2 the inclusion of dedicated modules on inclusive education in the Integrated Teacher Education Programme ITEP to strengthen preservice teacher preparationFurther the government has also provided customised learning support including teaching learning material necessary aids and appliancesassistive devices texttospeech reading tools etc accommodation and therapeutic support for children with SLD DyslexiaBlocklevel screening and identification camps are also held across States and UTs to ensure timely diagnosis and certificationAccording to global estimates Dyslexia affects one in every five individuals globally In India around 1215 per cent of all children with Special Needs CwSN enrolled in schools have been reported to have SLDs which may include children with Dyslexia as per government data IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/early-identification-support-can-help-kids-with-dyslexia-achieve-success-official-645193.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-sdis-q3-net-profit-sinks-amid-uncertainties-us-tariff-factors-645195.html Seoul Oct 28 Samsung SDI Co said on Tuesday its thirdquarter net profit sharply dropped from a year earlier amid sluggish sales of electric vehicle EV batteries and US tariffrelated factors Net profit came to 57 billion won 4 million over the JulySeptember period down 975 per cent from a year earlier according to the companys regulatory filingSamsung SDI added it posted an operating loss of 5913 billion won for the third quarter compared with a profit of 1299 billion won a year ago Sales fell 225 per cent to 305 trillion wonSamsung SDI attributed the sluggish earnings to weak sales of EV batteries coupled with Washingtons new tariff policies impacting the energy storage system ESS battery sectorSince last year demand for EV batteries has decreased with consumers demand shifting toward the entry segment said Kim Jongsung executive vice president at Samsung SDIThe demand for ESS has been rising in the United States but profitability has lagged behind expectations due to tariff burdens he addedThe company however noted that despite ongoing uncertainties it achieved significant progress by actively promoting sales of EV and ESS batteries during the JulySeptember periodSamsung SDI said it has secured multiple supply contracts totaling over 110 Gigawatt hours GWh with global automotive groups along with other deals in a large governmentled ESS supply projectFor the fourth quarter Samsung SDI said it expects improved earnings due to a recovery in the European EV and US ESS marketsIn particular the company plans to concentrate its capabilities on the ESS market strengthen its presence in the EV sector and enhance operational efficiency the company saidSamsung SDI currently the only prismatic battery supplier among nonChinese battery makers expects its competitiveness in the US ESS market to further strengthen given the growing preference for prismatic batteries due to their safety and high energy density features it addedKim noted starting next year the demand for ESS will continue to rise on the back of the environmentfriendly development drive and the rise of the artificial intelligence industryDespite weakened earnings performance shares of Samsung SDI traded at 311500 won as of 203 pm up 92 per cent from the previous session The thirdquarter report was released during market hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-sdis-q3-net-profit-sinks-amid-uncertainties-us-tariff-factors-645195.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html New Delhi Oct 28 With an increasing population of senior citizens in India the silver economy is set for a rapid expansion and growth said the government on Tuesday Silver economy is an economy driven by goods and services designed to meet the needs of the elderly typically those over 50 years of ageAs per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfareled Population Projection July 2020 report the elderly population 60 years and above in the country is projected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036The 2021 Longitudinal Ageing Study of India LASI reveals that 12 per cent of Indias population comprises elderly individuals a proportion projected to rise to 319 million by 2050 growing at an annual rate of approximately 3 per centThis rapid demographic transition offers tremendous growth potential for health and wellnessfocused enterprisesIt includes support that prioritises family and communityled initiatives while ensuring financial security digital literacy training longterm care insurance digital healthcare access assistive technologies and engagement platforms are crucial for effectively integrating older adults into the silver economyIndias silver economy is valued at approximately Rs 73000 crore in 2024 with projections indicating substantial multifold growth in the years ahead Research identifies senior citizens along with professionals in the 45 to 64 age bracket as the wealthiest age cohort globally the statement saidThis burgeoning silver economy creates substantial opportunities for businesses and organisations dedicated to addressing the needs and preferences of the elderly demographic The market is poised for rapid expansion both domestically and internationally presenting considerable scope for innovation and development within this sector it addedMeanwhile in a bid to tackle the challenges encountered by the elderly population the government has undertaken numerous initiatives policies and action plansThe Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment MoSJE serves as the nodal ministry entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of senior citizens in IndiaKey initiatives promoting the care wellbeing and dignity of senior citizens include the Atal Pension Yojana APY the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana AVYAY the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens IPSrC and the Rashtriya Vayoshri YojanaFurther the government has also constituted a dedicated helpline tollfree number 14567 a Senior Care Ageing Growth Engine SAGE Portal Senior Able Citizens for ReEmployment in Dignity SACRED Portal Geriatric Caregivers Training and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana PMJAY to boost the health and wellbeing of the elderly in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/surging-elderly-population-to-boost-silver-economy-in-india-govt-645210.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/toll-revenues-in-india-up-16-pc-in-jan-sep-due-to-higher-vehicle-movement-645211.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias highway toll revenues grew by nearly 16 per cent yearonyear to Rs 49193 crore in JanuarySeptember 2025 due to higher vehicle throughput and periodic toll rate revisions a report said on Tuesday In the same period tollpaying traffic volumes rose by 12 per cent to 26864 lakh the report from ICRA Analytics saidNationwide electronic toll collection touched a record high of Rs 57940 crore in 2024 marking an increase of nearly 11 per cent onyearTollpaying transactions rose from 30383 lakh in 2023 to 32515 lakh in 2024 marking an annual growth of about 7 per cent in overall traffic the report saidWhile traffic volumes have grown strongly in the past two years ICRA reported that revenues grew faster than volumes partly due to a higher share of heavy vehicles and revised user feesThe western and southern corridors consistently contributed over half of national toll revenues From January to September 2025 West India continues to lead with nearly 30 per cent of national toll revenues followed by South 25 per cent and North 23 per cent the report saidEast and Central India together contribute about onequarter of total collections reflecting steady regional balance the release notedEast Central and West India are freightcentric regions with commercial vehicles accounting for over 50 per cent of toll traffic ICRA Analytics saidThe patter reflects strong industrial and logistics activity along key miningtoport corridors through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Chhattisgarhs mineral belt and key regions in North East said Madhubani Sengupta Head of Knowledge Services ICRA AnalyticsSengupta added that the overall pattern underlines Indias multimodal highway usage where central western and eastern corridors propel freight movement while the north and south facilitate commuter and intercity passenger mobilityCorridors like NH44 NH47 and NH52 in Central India carries both longhaul freight and growing intercity passenger traffic reflecting the zones transition from resource corridor to mixeduse highway networkIn contrast North and South India continue to be passengerled with cars and jeeps forming 6570 per cent of toll transactions driven by dense urban clusters commuter belts and higher personal vehicle penetration IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/toll-revenues-in-india-up-16-pc-in-jan-sep-due-to-higher-vehicle-movement-645211.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/commercial-office-rental-grows-6-pc-yoy-to-rs-90-per-sq-ft-in-9m-2025-645219.html New Delhi Oct 28 The commercial office real estate sector is growing steadily across the top 7 cities with a 6 per cent yearly rise in monthly office rentals from Rs 85 per square feet Sq ft in first nine months 9M of 2024 to Rs 90 per sq ft in 9M 2025 a report said on Tuesday Predictably the Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services ITITeS sector comprised the largest share at 27 per cent followed by coworking at 23 per cent and BFSI at 18 per centCompared to last years corresponding period the ITITeS sectors leasing share declined marginally by 1 per cent On the other hand coworking saw an overall share increase of 2 per cent from a 21 per cent share in 9M 2024 to a 23 per cent share in 9M 2025 Anarock Research said in its reportAmong the cities Pune witnessed the highest growth of 97 per cent in net office absorption from 314 Mn sq ft in 9M 2024 to approx 62 Mn sq ft in 9M 2025 Kolkata was the only city to record a decline in net office leasing of 19 per centBengaluru witnessed the highest net office leasing of approximately 995 million sq ft followed closely by DelhiNCR with net office leasing of approximately 82 million sq ft and MMR with approximately 66 Mn sq ftDemand for flexible workspaces has been evolving postpandemic with companies adapting to hybrid work models cost efficiency and flexibility Startups and corporates and several other enterprises with a hybrid work model prefer coworking spaces over regular office spacesIn contrast despite increased new office completions in the top 7 cities average vacancy levels saw a marginal 3 per cent yearly decline from 1670 per cent in 9M 2024 to 1620 per cent in 9M 2025Chennai is the only city to record a singledigit office vacancy of 890 per cent the least among all top cities the report statedGlobal headwinds including tariffs geopolitical tensions and layoffs in ITITeS sectors seem to have had no negative impact on office space demand in the top citiesOffice absorption continued to soar by 34 per cent from 3131 million square feet in 9M 2024 to 42 Mn square feet in 9M 2025For instance out of the total gross office leasing of 5828 Mn sq ft in 9M 2025 over 40 per cent or approx 2334 Mn sq ft was leased by the GCCs alone Bengaluru saw the highest gross leasing of 83 Mn sq ft by GCCs followed by Pune with 373 Mn sq ft and Chennai with 357 Mn sq ft said Anuj Puri Chairman ANAROCK GroupSeveral companies are now looking for highquality Grade A office spaces with better infrastructure and amenities and greencertified sustainability features Puri added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/commercial-office-rental-grows-6-pc-yoy-to-rs-90-per-sq-ft-in-9m-2025-645219.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-pe-investments-reach-15-trillion-in-jan-sep-india-highly-attractive-destination-645227.html New Delhi Oct 28 Global private equity PE investment hit 15 trillion in the first three quarters of 2025 despite a slowdown in deal activity a report said on Tuesday Regarding Indias PE landscape the report from global consultancy KPMG said that the country remains a highly attractive destination for global investors underpinned by strong macroeconomic fundamentals favourable demographics and rising domestic consumptionThe global PE deal volume has positioned itself for a potential fouryear high if momentum continues into Q4 KPMG notedThe buoyant investment is notable given the significant decline in deal volume from 15083 deals in the first three quarters of 2024 to 13574 in the first three quarters of 2025 the report notedIn Q3 2025 total deal value reached 5371 billion across 4062 transactions up from 512 billion in Q3 2024 despite a much lower volume of deals the report saidThe number of deals decreased from 5032 to 4062 in Q3 2025 from the previous yearAs of Q3 2025 PE investment in India stood at 149 billion across 217 deals a decline from 263 billion across 289 deals in 2024 due to geopolitical and trade uncertainties particularly around the US tariff policiesKPMG however said that investor sentiment remains optimistic with many global PE firms continuing to deepen their presence in India often acting as business builders rather than passive investorsThe maturing ecosystem is reflected in the growing size of Indiafocused funds and the increasing breadth of sectors attracting capital from technology and healthcare to financial services and specialised manufacturingThe strength of Indias capital markets has also made it a favourable environment for IPO exits further enhancing its appeal the consultancy firm noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-pe-investments-reach-15-trillion-in-jan-sep-india-highly-attractive-destination-645227.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html New Delhi Oct 28 The pharma and healthcare sector in India witnessed robust deal momentum valued at 35 billion in Q3 2025 according to a report on Tuesday Grant Thornton Bharats Pharma and Healthcare Dealtracker report showed that the sector recorded a total of 72 transactions up 28 per cent in volumes and 166 per cent in value quarter on quarterThis included three IPOs worth 428 million and one QIP worth 88 million the report saidExcluding public market activity private deals accounted for 3 billion across 68 transactions marking a sharp rebound in investor appetiteThe report noted that the surge was driven by seven high value deals worth 26 billion reflecting renewed investor confidence in scale and consolidation plays across pharma biotech and hospital segmentsQ3 marked a resurgence in deal activity driven by a healthy mix of scale capability and innovationled investments said Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J Partner and Healthcare Industry Leader Grant Thornton BharatThe momentum in pharma and biotech supported by strategic consolidations signals growing confidence in Indias life sciences potential he addedFurther the report showed that mergers and acquisitions MampA activity surged in Q3 recording 36 deals worth 25 billion This marked a 57 per cent rise in volumes and a remarkable 122x jump in value over the previous quarterPrivate Equity in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector witnessed 32 deals worth 425 million in Q3 2025 It reflected a 3 per cent decline in volumes and a 27 per cent drop in values compared with the previous quarterHospitals saw 19 deals worth 264 million Multispecialty consolidation gained pace in western India and NCR while singlespecialty formats like dialysis IVF oncology and women and childcare drove volumes the report saidThe continued investor interest in hospitals singlespecialty formats and wellness platforms highlights the sectors evolution toward clinical excellence wider reach specialisation and technologyled consumercentric care Despite global uncertainties the sustained flow of capital reflects the longterm resilience and structural growth of Indias healthcare ecosystem Bhanu Prakash said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-pharma-and-healthcare-sector-witnessed-35-billion-deals-in-q3-2025-report-645240.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-small-finance-banks-advances-poised-to-cross-rs-2-lakh-crore-this-fiscal-645244.html New Delhi Oct 28 Advances of small finance banks SFBs are poised to cross Rs 2 lakh crore this fiscal marking a growth of 1617 per cent yearonyear YoY and surpassing last fiscals 13 per cent growth rate a report said on Tuesday The uptick will be driven by continued expansion in the nonmicrofinance segments coupled with the calibrated recovery of the microfinance loan book from the degrowth seen last fiscalAmid the healthy credit growth building a granular and sustainable liability franchise remains crucial for SFBs Crisil Ratings said in its reportAccording to the report the share of nonmicrofinance advances in SFB loans had already risen to 67 per cent as of March 2025 from 50 per cent as of March 2022Within this mortgage loans housing loans and loans against property had the largest share having grown at an estimated 3year compound annual growth rate CAGR of 38 per centThis was followed by vehicle loans and micro small and medium enterprise MSME loans which grew at 3year compounded annual growth rates CAGRs of 32 per cent and 31 per cent respectivelySFBs have also increased the share of gold loans agricultural credit loans against fixed deposits and wholesale funding in their loan portfolios over the past three fiscalsThis fiscal credit growth in the nonmicrofinance segments is expected to be 2325 per cent While lower interest rates will support demand for affordable housing policy spurs for MSMEs and tailwinds from the recent reduction in the goods and services tax on vehicle loans will be helpful too said Aparna Kirubakaran Director Crisil RatingsMicrofinance on the other hand will grow at a relatively slower 45 per cent but that will still be a rebound from the 14 per cent decline last fiscal she addedMeanwhile according to the report segmental diversification has been a longrunning growth theme for SFBs most of which were microfinance institutions MFIs at the time of conversionThe approach will continue this fiscal as well with recent headwinds in microfinance persuading a sharper focus on diversification to other segments to minimise assetquality concernsDiversification is also crucial because the Reserve Bank of India RBI guidelines mandate thresholds of 3 per cent and 1 per cent for gross and net nonperforming assets respectively for SFBs to acquire a universal banking licenseGiven the susceptibility of microfinance loans to sociopolitical pressures diversification particularly into secured asset classes would support asset quality In addition these guidelines qualitatively accord preference to SFBs with a diversified loan portfolio the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-small-finance-banks-advances-poised-to-cross-rs-2-lakh-crore-this-fiscal-645244.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bus-operated-by-air-indias-ground-handler-catches-fire-at-delhi-airport-no-injuries-reported-645247.html New Delhi Oct 28 A bus operated by AI SATS a thirdparty groundhandling service provider for Air India caught fire near bay number 32 at Delhi Airports Terminal 3 T3 on Tuesday morning According to multiple reports the incident took place just a few metres away from an aircraftFortunately no passengers were onboard the bus at the time of the fire The blaze was quickly brought under control by the airport fire team and no injuries or damage to nearby aircraft were reportedIn a stray incident a bus operated by one of the Ground handlers caught fire around noon today Our expert ARFF team on ground immediately swung into action and extinguished the fire within a couple of minutes Delhi Airport said while responding to a passengers query on social media platform XThe bus was stationary and fully vacant at the time of the incident There were no injuriescasualties All operations continue to be normal Safety of our passengers and staff remains paramount to us they addedHowever a query sent to AI SATS went answered while writing the articleThe incident comes amid a series of recent operational disruptions faced by Air India Earlier this month a USbound Air India flight from Mumbai to Newark had to return shortly after takeoff due to a suspected technical snagOn October 22 Air India said that the crew of flight AI191 operating from Mumbai to Newark made a precautionary airreturn to Mumbai due to a suspected technical issueThe flight landed safely back in Mumbai and the aircraft is undergoing necessary inspections according to Air India spokespersonIn another case a Delhibound flight from Milan was stranded following a technical issue leaving over 250 passengers stuck overseas before the airline arranged a relief flightHowever the airline claimed it had extended all immediate assistance to affected passengers including hotel accommodation and mealsFull refunds or complimentary rescheduling were also offered as per passenger preference the airline stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bus-operated-by-air-indias-ground-handler-catches-fire-at-delhi-airport-no-injuries-reported-645247.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-it-sector-expected-to-reach-400-billion-by-2030-amidst-ai-related-disruptions-645264.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias information technology IT sector is projected to reach 400 billion by 2030 led by firms delivering domainspecific automation that outperforms traditional service models on speed quality and cost a report said on Tuesday The countrys strong talent pool global client trust and cost efficiency will enable it to leverage the increased global demand for AIdriven solutions a report by venture firm Bessemer Venture Partners indicatedAI is automating tasks previously performed by humans and disrupting the billablehour model that supports traditional Indian IT services which makes deep strategic pivots crucial to stay competitive the report notedThe venture firm mentioned that agile AInative challengers are adapting more quickly to such changes than incumbent companiesThree types of fastmoving AIfirst challengers that will disrupt existing models are AIenabled services services built for AI and pure softwareled platforms the report saidThe venture firm forecast that Indias IT services industry will grow with margins intact despite challenges from AIrelated disruptionsIt noted that three years after the launch of ChatGPT Indias IT revenues continue to climb and margins remain surprisingly resilient because uptake of generalpurpose large language models is concentrated in only two sectors technology and media or advertisingIncumbent IT firms continue to play a crucial role in solving complex business problems that are nuanced rather than providing onesizefitsall SaaS deploymentsThe strong balance sheets of these companies further strengthen client confidence Bessemer Venture Partners saidFortune 500 companies still trust that IT services vendors can manage multiyear projects absorb macro shocks and deliver consistent execution the report saidThe market capitalisation of Indias top ten IT firms has more than doubled from 166 billion to 354 billion in the past decade driven by annual revenue growth exceeding 7 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-it-sector-expected-to-reach-400-billion-by-2030-amidst-ai-related-disruptions-645264.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-production-clocks-4-per-cent-growth-in-september-645291.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias industrial production recorded a 4 per cent growth in September this year compared to the same month last year driven by a strong performance in the manufacturing sector according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday The industrial growth rate based on the Index of Industrial Production IIP had accelerated to 4 per cent in August from a fourmonth high of 35 per cent in July which in turn had surged from 15 per cent in June The 4 per cent growth rate has been maintained in September as wellThe data showed that the manufacturing sector which provides quality jobs for the young graduates passing out of the countrys universities and engineering institutes registered a robust 48 per cent growth in September this year over the same month of the previous year This is higher than the corresponding figure of 38 per cent registered in AugustWithin the manufacturing sector 13 out of 23 industry groups recorded a positive growth in September this year compared to the same month of the previous year The top three positive contributors for the month are Manufacture of basic metals 123 per cent Manufacture of electrical equipment 287 per cent and Manufacture of motor vehicles trailers and semitrailers 146 per centElectricity generation recorded a 31 per cent growth in September while the mining sector proved to be a laggard with a negative growth of are 04 per cent during the monthThe figures on usebased classification show that the production of capital goods which comprise machines used in factories went up by 47 per cent in September over the same month of the previous year This segment reflects the real investment taking place in the economy which has a multiplier effect on the creation of jobs and incomes going aheadThe production of consumer durables such as refrigerators air conditioners and TV sets jumped by a robust 102 per cent during the month reflecting the rise in demand for these products due to rising incomes enabling buyers to improve their living standardsThe infrastructure and construction sector clocked a doubledigit surge for the second month in a row at 102 per cent in September compared with the same month of the previous year on the back of bigticket government projects being implemented in the highways railways and ports sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-production-clocks-4-per-cent-growth-in-september-645291.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/noel-tata-others-block-mehli-mistrys-re-appointment-at-tata-trusts-report-645294.html New Delhi Oct 28 A rift in the Tata Trusts has intensified as its office holders Venu Srinivasan Noel Tata and Vijay Singh have rejected businessman Mehli Mistrys renewal for life trusteeship a report said on Tuesday Mistry is likely to explore legal options to get renewal for life trusteeship NDTV Profit reported citing sourcesNoel Tata chairs the philanthropic trust while Vijay Singh and Venu Srinivasan act as vice chairmenThe report said that the ouster of Mistry could be challenged based on the October 24 resolution passed by the Tata Trusts which gives a life term to the present trusteesThe Trustees recognise that they are all equally responsible charged with public duty and specifically tasked by Mr Ratan N Tata To this end they resolve that on the expiry of the tenure of any Trustee that Trustee will be reappointed by the concerned Trust without any limit being attached to the period of tenure of such reappointment and in accordance with law the resolution saidTata Trusts has been embroiled in an internal conflict over the nomination of a director to the Tata Sons BoardThe rift at Tata Trusts would impact strategic decisions at Tata Sons On a daytoday basis Tata Sons is unlikely to be disrupted but strategic decisions will be affected the report quoted Shriram Subramanian managing director and founder of InGovern as sayingTata Trusts the charitable arm that controls about 66 per cent of Tata Sons has been recently mired in internal disagreementsThe dispute reportedly involves Board appointments and governance matters creating two factions One led by Noel Tata and another by four trustees close to Mehli Mistry who is associated with the Shapoorji Pallonji familyThis internal rift became visible after the controversy surrounding the reappointment of Vijay Singh to the Tata Sons Board which was rejectedMeanwhile shares of Tata Group companies have declined by over Rs 7 lakh crore in market value or 21 per cent over the past year after the passing of the groups patriarch IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/noel-tata-others-block-mehli-mistrys-re-appointment-at-tata-trusts-report-645294.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nsic-pays-rs-4389-crore-dividend-to-government-of-india-for-fy-2024-25-645301.html New Delhi Oct 28 The National Small Industries Corporation Limited NSIC a Mini Ratna enterprise under the Ministry of MSME on Tuesday said that it has paid a dividend of Rs 4389 crore to the Government of India for the financial year 202425 Jitan Ram Manjhi Union Minister of MSME and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje Minister of State Ministry of MSME received the dividend check from Subhransu Sekhar Acharya CMD NSICThe Union Minister applauded NSICs efforts in empowering MSMEs through integrated support services and both leaders expressed confidence in NSICs continued role in fostering enterprise creation and skill developmentMeanwhile Dr Acharya highlighted NSICs financial milestones including a revenue of Rs 3431 crore and Profit after Tax PAT of Rs 14630 crore up by 1560 per cent from the previous yearEarlier the Government PSU the NSIC signed Memorandums of Understanding MOU with several private sector banks to enhance the availability of credit for MSMEs under its MSME Credit facilitation programmeAccording to an official statement the MOUs also seek to improve the credits affordability and accessibility for MSMEsMOUs were signed with IndusInd Bank Karnataka Bank Axis Bank Dhanlaxmi Bank and AU Small Finance BankUnion MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and MSME Secretary SCL Das were also present on the occasion The MoUs were exchanged between NSICs Director Finance Gaurav Gulati and senior officials from various banks the release saidThe partnership seeks to assist MSMEs in connecting to the official financial system and providing them with handholding support According to the statement the MOU is intended to be a force multiplier in the banks endeavours to reach the last mile and focusses on helping them reach more worthy micro and small businessesPrime Minister Narendra Modis recent calls for the Vocal for Local initiative are in line with this development In order to support domestic manufacturing generate employment and strengthen the local economy it pushes businesses and citizens to prioritise locally produced goods over imports IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nsic-pays-rs-4389-crore-dividend-to-government-of-india-for-fy-2024-25-645301.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mcx-introduces-options-on-bullion-index-shares-jump-25-pc-645127.html Mumbai Oct 27 The Multi Commodity Exchange of India MCX on Monday launched options contracts on its MCX iCOMDEX Bullion Index MCX BULLDEX giving investors a new way to trade and manage risk in the fastrising gold and silver markets The options contracts became effective today October 27 The MCX BULLDEX index is made up of the highly traded and liquid gold and silver futures on the exchangeBy combining both metals the index offers market participants including investors and institutions a balanced exposure to the bullion segmentMCX said the new options contracts will give traders a powerful risk management tool that combines the advantages of diversified underlying assets with the flexibility of options tradingThe exchange added that the launch aligns with its goal of deepening Indias commodity markets through innovation transparency and investorfriendly productsSpeaking about the development Praveena Rai MD amp CEO of MCX said The introduction of options on MCX BULLDEX marks a pivotal development in Indias commodities ecosystemThis is a unique and innovative product that will enhance the range of offerings in the commodity derivatives market and help participants take exposure to a basket of commodities in the bullion segment Rai addedThe launch comes at a time when gold and silver prices have seen a sharp rally this year Gold has surged more than 50 per cent while silver has jumped nearly 70 per cent driven by strong global demand and safehaven buyingThe monthly index contracts will have a threemonth trading cycle near month midmonth and far monthOnce a nearmonth contract expires a new one is introduced ensuring continuous tradingInvestors can trade these options from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 11301155 pm depending on US daylight saving timingsAccording to MCX the derivative contract will be valued at a minimum of Rs 5 lakh at the time of its launch in the marketFollowing the announcement MCX shares jumped 25 per cent to hit a days high of Rs 924490 on the BSE IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mcx-introduces-options-on-bullion-index-shares-jump-25-pc-645127.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-markets-open-higher-on-positive-us-china-trade-talks-645078.html Mumbai Oct 27 Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Monday supported by progress in trade talks between the United States and China Investors showed optimism after reports suggested that both countries are close to signing a deal to ease trade tensionsThe Sensex was trading at 84450 up by 239 points or 028 per cent while the Nifty stood at 25874 gaining 79 points or 030 per centOn the weekly timeframe the index witnessed a correction of nearly 311 points from its high indicating heightened volatility and profit booking at higher levelsA breakdown below 25670 could trigger weakness toward 2550025400 while on the upside resistance is placed at 25950 followed by 26000 and 26100 analysts saidSustaining above these resistance levels will be crucial for the index to resume its upward trajectory they addedAmong the top performers on the Sensex were Tata Steel Bharti Airtel Tech Mahindra and HDFC Bank which rose up to 14 per centOn the other hand stocks like Infosys BEL Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bajaj Finance were among the laggards falling up to 14 per centBroader markets also traded in the green with the Nifty MidCap index rising 046 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index up 023 per centThe rally in domestic equities came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen said on Sunday that President Trumps proposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods were off the tableHe also mentioned that China is expected to increase soybean imports and delay restrictions on rare earth exports easing global trade concernsAll sectoral indices on the NSE were trading higher with the Nifty Realty index leading the gains up by 1 per centExperts said that positive global cues and optimism around the USChina trade deal lifted market sentiment helping Indian equities start the week on a strong noteComments from the US treasury Secretary Scot Bessent that there is a substantial framework for trade negotiations with China indicate that a USChina trade deal is on the cards analysts saidFor India the fundamentals are also turning positive with brisk festival season sales and reports of a smart pick up in capital spending by the private sector This long awaited trend has significant positive implications for Indias growth and stock market they mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-markets-open-higher-on-positive-us-china-trade-talks-645078.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-fall-as-us-china-trade-deal-nears-silver-extends-losses-645083.html Mumbai Oct 27 Gold prices declined on Monday after posting their first weekly loss since midAugust as hopes of a trade deal between the United States and China reduced demand for safehaven assets The fall also came after a sharp rally in gold prices in recent weeks which analysts said had gone too far too fastMCX gold prices opened 077 per cent lower at Rs 122500 per 10 grams on Monday compared to the previous close of Rs 123451Similarly silver prices on the MCX began the day 309 per cent lower at Rs 142910 per kg against the previous close of Rs 147470During the early trade gold futures on the MCX were trading down by Rs 1088 or 088 per cent at Rs 122363 per 10 grams while silver futures slipped by Rs 1130 or 077 per cent to Rs 146340 per kgSpot gold slipped 07 per cent to 408392 an ounce in Singapore after touching a low of nearly 4065 earlier in the sessionLast week gold prices dropped 33 per cent ending a strong rally that had pushed the metal to a record high of over 4380 an ounce just a week agoThe decline came as US and Chinese officials signaled that they were close to finalising a comprehensive trade agreementPresident Donald Trumps visit to the region for diplomatic talks has raised expectations of a breakthrough deal which could ease geopolitical tensions that have been supporting gold prices in recent monthsAnalysts noted that the recent pullback was largely due to profit booking as investors who benefited from golds steep rise since August chose to lock in gainsDespite the correction gold remains up more than 55 per cent this year supported by centralbank purchases and investor concerns over rising government deficits and weakening currenciesGold prices continue to decline as safehaven demand weakens amid optimism over a potential USChina trade deal and a stronger US dollar analysts saidThis week is a crucial one for the bullion market with key events including meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping a US Federal Reserve announcement and several major tech company earnings reports they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-fall-as-us-china-trade-deal-nears-silver-extends-losses-645083.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tcs-refutes-uk-media-report-on-losing-1-bn-mamps-contract-calls-it-misleading-645084.html New Delhi Oct 27 Tata Consultancy Services TCS has denied a UK media report claiming that British retailer Marks amp Spencer MampS ended a 1 billion contract with the Indian IT giant after cyberattackrelated failures The company called the report misleading and factually inaccurateIn a clarification to the stock exchanges TCS said that the article titled MampS ousts Indian outsourcer accused of 300m cyberattack failures contained several wrong details including the reported size of the contract and its connection with the cyber incidentThe report published is misleading with factual inaccuracies including the size of the contract and the continuity of TCS work for Marks amp Spencer MampS the tech giant saidTCS explained that the MampS service desk contract mentioned in the report had gone through a routine competitive tender process that began in January 2025According to the company Marks amp Spencer decided to work with other partners much prior to the cyber incident in April 2025 adding that the two matters were clearly unrelatedThe IT firm also noted that the service desk contract was a very small part of its overall partnership with MampSTCS continues to work on numerous other areas in its role as a strategic partner for MampS and is proud of this longstanding partnership the company saidRegarding the cyberattack TCS clarified that it had conducted a complete scan of its systems and found no vulnerabilities from its endIt further stated that it does not provide cybersecurity services to MampS as those are handled by another vendorThe clarification came after reports suggested that MampS chose not to renew its 1 billion technology helpdesk deal with TCS following a cyberattack that caused the retailer losses worth about GBP 300 millionBoth companies have since confirmed that the contract decision was made before the incident and was part of a regular renewal process IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tcs-refutes-uk-media-report-on-losing-1-bn-mamps-contract-calls-it-misleading-645084.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html New Delhi Oct 26 India remains on the forefront of the drive to ensure that Artificial Intelligence AI was transparent oriented to public good and governed by international regulations As the Lead Chair of the Global Partnership on AI GPAI India organised the Global India AI Summit in Delhi in July 2024 which focused on key pillars of AI ecosystem including Computer Capacity Data Sets Application Development Start Up Financing and Safe and Trustworthy AI India will now host the AI Impact Summit in Delhi in February next year where the theme will be the harnessing of AI for addressing realworld challenges such as health care education agriculture climate change and governance Prime Minister Modi has taken a personal interest in promoting advancement of AI he had foreseen the transformative role of AI for humanity He has already earned the credit for putting India on the world map of digitisationMeanwhile India has moved ahead with measures to fight misuse of AI on social media for producing deepfakes videos with synthetic voices and manipulated images and tightened IT Rules 2021 in this regard On October 21 the Centre released amendments to the Rules and invited public feedback on the same within a fortnight This is a timely step considering the fact that a perceived unfair government control on social media was known to have evoked strong protests from youth in many areas in Indias neighbourhoodThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY in its official notice said that with the increasing availability of generative AI tools and the resulting proliferation of synthetically generated informationcommonly known as deepfakes the potential for misuse of such technologies to cause user harm spread misinformation manipulate elections or impersonate individuals has grown significantly and added that it is on recognising these risks and following extensive public discussions and parliamentary discussions that MeitY had drawn up the amendmentsThe framework of amended rules enjoins on the companies offering AI generation tools to embed permanent visible watermarks or metadata identifiers on all synthetic content prescribing coverage of at least 10 percent of the display area of images and videos Likewise audio content must carry identifiers during the first 10 percent of playback duration The amendments formally set out to define for the first time a synthetically generated information as content artificially or algorithmically created generated modified or altered using a computer resource in a manner that makes it appear as authentic or trueSignificant social media intermediaries large platforms designated under the IT Rules will be prohibited from enabling users to suppress or remove the identifiers making it harder to disguise the origin of AI generated material The platform is obligated to ask the users to declare whether uploaded content is synthetically generated before publication and deploy automated detection systems to verify such declarations The rules of course apply only to publically available content and not to private or unpublished materialIn a further move the government has brought all digital services that use mobile numbersfrom WhatsApp and payment apps to food delivery platformsunder telecom cybersecurity regulations and empowered the concerned authorities to order suspension of user accounts across multiple services The TelecommunicationsTelecom Cyber Security Amendment Rules notified on October 22 establish a governmentrun mobile number verificationMNV system and mandate database checks before buying or selling used phonesThey are meant to deal with the cybercrime surge based on stolen or forged mobile connections MNV platformthe centrepiece of the new rules will verify whether phone numbers provided by users corresponded to legitimate telecom subscribersThe government seeks to bring AIgenerated material under the same due diligence and takedown obligations that currently apply to unlawful online information MeitY says the rules aimed at promoting user awareness enhancing traceability and ensuring accountability while maintaining an enabling environment for innovation in AIdriven technologies A new provision clarifies that platforms removing synthetic content through grievance redressal mechanisms will retain their legal protection from liability over such contentThe government has introduced new procedural safeguards into the content takedown rules restricting the power to senior officers The rules limit content removal powers to officials at Joint Secretary rank and above and Deputy Inspector General or higher in Police Previously even junior officials sometimes of rank as low as Section Officer could send removal notifications Further all notifications must now include specific legal basis statutory provisions and detailed reasoning A Secretarylevel officer will review all orders on a monthly basis to ensure necessity and proportionality It maybe mentioned that Social Media Platform X had recently challenged the government arguing that thousands of officials were allowed to issue arbitrary orders without judicial oversightThe tightening of rules for online content removal is prima facie a good move as it compels serious application of mind at a senior level before sending an order to the intermediary The order will have to define the legal basis and statutory provision being invoked the nature of the unlawful act and the electronic location of the content India has taken this initiative at a time when potential misuse of AI is attracting attention worldwide The European Unions AI Act to come into effect in 2026 mandates labelling for synthetic audioimage video or text content Chinas labelling measures which came into force recently were even more detailed and strict The Indian approach is to address concerns of misinformation false political narratives and deepfakes without discouraging innovation and creative expressionA balance between regulatory penalties under the IT Act and the safe harbour provisions for intermediaries has been attempted by MeitY and this is a welcome step India leads the world in adoption of AI applications and MeitY has taken a timely initiative to help the AI based economic advancement of the country The new rules for strengthening telecom cyber security have also come not a day too soon as they ensure compliance with data protection laws and thus check the widespread malady of data theftThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rapid-5g-rollout-adoption-lay-foundation-for-indias-6g-vision-govt-645038.html New Delhi Oct 26 The Government is taking major steps to make the country a global leader in nextgeneration communication technologies according to official data on Sunday Building on the rapid rollout and adoption of 5G the government is now focusing on developing 6G technology under its Bharat 6G Vision which aims to make India a hub for advanced telecom innovation by 2030According to the government Indias 6G vision is based on the principles of affordability sustainability and universal accessThe goal is to ensure that every citizen benefits from highspeed connectivity while promoting indigenous research innovation and collaboration with global partnersThe initiative is closely linked with the national goal of building a Viksit Bharat Developed India by 2047Sixthgeneration or 6G technology will be the next major upgrade in wireless communication following 5G It is expected to be 1000 times faster than 5G with almost zero delay in data transferThis will enable realtime applications such as remote surgeries advanced robotics smart cities and immersive virtual experiencesTo support the development of 6G the government has launched several initiatives It has funded two advanced testbeds the 6G Terahertz THz Testbed and the Advanced Optical Communication Testbed to boost research and innovationAdditionally 100 5G labs have been set up in academic institutions across India to prepare the ecosystem for 6G and strengthen collaboration between industry and academiaAs of now 104 research proposals related to 6G network ecosystems have been approved aligning Indias RampD efforts with the global 6G roadmapThe government has also launched the Telecom Technology Development Fund TTDF to promote indigenous RampD in telecom technologiesSo far 115 projects worth over Rs 310 crore have been approved under the scheme focusing on both 5G and 6G technologiesA major step towards achieving this vision is the creation of the Bharat 6G Alliance B6GA a joint effort of the government industry academia and research institutionsThe alliance aims to create a selfreliant globally competitive ecosystem for advanced telecom technologies IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rapid-5g-rollout-adoption-lay-foundation-for-indias-6g-vision-govt-645038.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kotak-mahindra-banks-q2-net-profit-dips-27-pc-to-rs-3-253-crore-644867.html Mumbai Oct 25 Private sector lender Kotak Mahindra Bank on Saturday reported a 27 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in its net profit at Rs 3253 crore for the JulySeptember quarter Q2 FY26 The bank had posted a net profit of Rs 3344 crore in the same period last yearDespite the marginal dip in profit the banks net interest income NII rose 4 per cent onyear to Rs 7311 crore from Rs 7020 crore in Q2 FY25 while the net interest margin NIM stood at a healthy 454 per centThe lenders advances book expanded 16 per cent onyear to Rs 462688 crore as of September 30 from Rs 399522 crore a year earlier reflecting robust credit demandOn the liabilities side average total deposits grew 14 per cent onyear to Rs 510538 crore compared with Rs 446110 crore in Q2 FY25 Average current deposits also rose 14 per cent to Rs 70220 crore from Rs 61853 crore in the corresponding quarter last yearAsset quality saw further improvement with the gross nonperforming assets GNPA ratio declining to 139 per cent as of September 30 2025 from 149 per cent a year agoThe Net NPA NNPA ratio also improved to 032 per cent from 043 per cent in the same period The banks Provision Coverage Ratio PCR remained strong at 77 per centAccording to its exchange filing CASA ratio as at September 30 stood at 423 per cent and Credit to Deposit ratio stood at 875 per cent Standalone Return on Assets ROA for Q2 FY26 annualised was 188 percent while Return on Equity ROE was 1038 percent on an annualised term IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kotak-mahindra-banks-q2-net-profit-dips-27-pc-to-rs-3-253-crore-644867.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR has launched the Mission for Advancement in HighImpact Areas MAHAMedical Technology MedTech to boost the countrys medical technology ecosystem said the Ministry of Science and Technology on Saturday The initiative also in partnership with the Gates Foundation looks to accelerate innovation in the countrys medical tech sector and reduce reliance on highcost imports It will also help promote equitable access to affordable and highquality medical technologiesThe mission will provide funding support to a wide range of entities including academic and RampD institutions hospitals startups MSMEs the medtech industry and collaborations between entities the Ministry saidWith milestonelinked funding of Rs 525 crore per project and up to Rs 50 crore in exceptional cases the mission will support projects that bring impactful MedTech solutions to market it addedThe fiveyear mission comes with a total outlay of Rs 750 crore in funding About 50 projects will be funded in five yearsThe mission aims to support the development of a broad spectrum of innovative medical devices and in vitro diagnostics including equipment and key subcomponents implants assistive and surgical devices consumables and softwarebased medical solutionsIn addition the mission urges projects aligned with national health priorities such as tuberculosis cancer neonatal care primary health care etc the Ministry saidBeyond funding the mission will also provide support through national initiatives such as Patent Mitra IP protection and technology transfer MedTech Mitra regulatory guidance and clearances a Clinical Trial Network for clinical validation and evidence generation as well as mentorship from industry expertsParticipants first need to send concept notes open till November 7 via the ANRF portalThe shortlisted concept proposals will then be allowed to submit the full proposals The window for submission will open in December 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/anrf-icmr-launches-mission-to-accelerate-indias-medical-technology-innovation-644883.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/seshasayee-paper-q2-net-profit-falls-21-pc-to-rs-224-crore-644889.html Mumbai Oct 25 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd reported a 213 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in consolidated net profit for the second quarter of FY26 as per a regulatory filing on Saturday The companys net profit stood at Rs 224 crore down from Rs 285 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous yearMeanwhile Revenue from operations also fell 131 per cent to Rs 3463 crore compared to Rs 3985 crore in the same period last yearEarnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation EBITDA came in at Rs 263 crore a 144 per cent decrease from Rs 307 crore a year earlierThe EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 76 per cent marginally lower than 77 per cent in the yearago quarterDuring the quarter the company invested Rs 26 crore in a special purpose vehicle SPV to acquire a 261 per cent equity stake in line with the terms of its investment agreementSeshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd is a leading manufacturer of writing and printing paperMeanwhile Seshasayee Paper and Boards shares closed slightly higher on Friday ahead of the Q2 result announcement The scrip ended the session at Rs 2560 up 020 per cent In the last five days the stock jumped nearly 15 per cent however in the last 30 days it remained flat This year till date the stock has plunged over 18 per cent and in a year the shares of the company fell 14 per centSeshasayee Paper and Boards Limited SPB the flagship company of the SPBESVIN Group owns and operates an integrated pulp paper and paperboard mill at Pallipalayam in Erode Tamil Nadu and another paper mill in Tirunelveli District Tamil NaduIncorporated in June 1960 SPB was promoted in association with its foreign collaborator Ms Parsons and Whittemore USA IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/seshasayee-paper-q2-net-profit-falls-21-pc-to-rs-224-crore-644889.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html New Delhi Oct 25 The integration of artificial intelligence AI in medicine is redefining diagnostics and patient care in India said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday Addressing the 54th Foundation Day and College Convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences UCMS University of Delhi Singh highlighted the rapidly changing paradigms of medical education in India as well as those of health careThe Minister noted that the integration of AI in medicine which he himself has experimented with through telemobile clinics is set to redefine diagnostics and patient careAI can communicate in the patients own language and even provide comfort through humanlike interaction Singh said calling it a hybrid model that combines empathy with innovationThe Minister noted that India has emerged as a global healthcare leader with an indigenous DNA vaccine for Covid19 and gene therapy and also emphasised the growing global credibility of Indias life sciences sectorHe also mentioned the paradigm shift in medical education in the past decadeTen years ago there were only about 45000 undergraduate medical seats today the number is close to 15 lakh he saidFurther Singh credited initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras for transforming healthcare delivery to accessible affordable and availableNoting that the age of working in silos is over Singh urged academic institutions to integrate with industry and government laboratoriesThe Minister also urged doctors to deal with a biphasic disease spectrum the coexistence of communicable and noncommunicable diseases alongside an ageing population and rapid technological changesSingh also conferred degrees upon undergraduate and postgraduate students and urged the new generation of doctors to embrace innovation while staying rooted in compassionThose receiving their degrees today will be at the prime of their careers when India celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047 he saidDestiny has given you this opportunity to be the architects of a healthier more selfreliant India IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-integration-redefining-diagnostics-and-patient-care-in-india-dr-jitendra-singh-644893.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html New Delhi Oct 25 Miniratna company HLL Lifecare Limited under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday paid a record dividend of Rs 6953 crore to the government for the financial year 202425 The dividend cheque was presented to Health Minister JP Nadda by Dr Anitha Thampi Chairperson HLL in the presence of Anupriya Patel Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and other senior officialsNadda asserted that HLL is a reliable name in the field of medical services and is committed towards the national vision of accessible affordable and quality healthcare to allHLL along with its subsidiaries and Amrit pharmacies have emerged as a key player in transforming the health sectorIn the last 10 years over 67 crore people have benefited through the affordable medicines of the Amrit Pharmacies thereby saving more than Rs 8000 crore in terms of their outofpocket expenditure the minister informedThe financial year 202425 witnessed comprehensive growth across both HLLs manufacturing and service portfoliosRevenue from operations increased to Rs 4500 crore reflecting a 20 per cent growth over the previous year The companys net worth rose significantly to Rs 1100 crore as on March 31 2025On a consolidated basis including its subsidiaries HITES GAPL and Lifespring Hospitals the HLL Group recorded a total revenue of Rs 4900 crore marking a 19 per cent growth over the previous fiscalEstablished in 1966 HLL Lifecare Limited has evolved from addressing Indias population control challenges to becoming a multiproduct multiservice healthcare enterprise playing a pivotal role in the nations health sector transformationThrough initiatives such as AMRIT Pharmacies the company continues to make essential medicines and surgical products affordable thereby reducing outofpocket expenses for patients across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mini-ratna-hll-lifecare-pays-rs-695-crore-dividend-to-government-644902.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bhashini-bharatgen-adi-vaani-positioning-india-as-global-leader-in-multilingual-innovation-644904.html New Delhi Oct 25 India is emerging as a global leader in multilingual innovation with platforms such as Bhashini BharatGen and AdiVaani the government said on Saturday Indias linguistic landscape is among the most diverse in the world with 22 Scheduled Languages and hundreds of tribal and regional dialects spoken across its vast geographyTo preserve its rich linguistic heritage the government is leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence AI Natural Language Processing NLP machine learning and speech recognition to build intelligent scalable language solutionsThe key platforms driving linguistic inclusion include Bhashini and BharatGen which offer multilingual support while AdiVaani aims to bring tribal languages into the digital foldIndias future in language preservation is powered by cuttingedge technology integrating AI and digital archives to keep its rich linguistic heritage vibrant and accessible Platforms like Bhashini BharatGen and AdiVaani along with targeted initiatives such as SPPEL and TRIECE empower citizens nationwide to engage with services in their native languages the government said in an official statementThis comprehensive approach not only safeguards Indias cultural diversity but also drives inclusive digital growth positioning the country as a global leader in multilingual innovation it addedSPPEL or the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages focuses on documenting and digitally archiving endangered Indian languages particularly those spoken by fewer than 10000 peopleThe Tribal Research Information Education Communication and Events TRIECE scheme supports innovative research and documentation projects aimed at preserving tribal languages and culturesThese initiatives enable seamless communication realtime translation voiceenabled interfaces and localised content deliveryBy building a robust technological ecosystem that respects linguistic diversity India is setting the foundation for an inclusive digital future where every citizen regardless of their mother tongue can participate fully in the digital economy and governance the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bhashini-bharatgen-adi-vaani-positioning-india-as-global-leader-in-multilingual-innovation-644904.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-to-move-60-daily-domestic-flights-to-terminal-2-at-delhi-airport-644907.html New Delhi Oct 25 Air India on Saturday said that its 60 daily domestic flights at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport will move from Terminal 3 T3 to Terminal 2 T2 starting October 26 The airline said that only some domestic flights will operate from T2 not allAir India is moving 60 of its daily domestic flights at Delhi to T2 and 120 other daily domestic flights at Delhi will continue to operate from T3 All international flights will continue to operate from T3This is happening due to the ongoing terminal enlargement activities at T3 by Delhi International Airport Ltd DIAL to augment international passenger capacity the airline said in a statementAir India flights moving to T2 have been renumbered to AI1XXXIf the domestic flight number has four digits and begins with 1 then it departs from or arrives at Delhi T2 for example AI1737 If the flight number does not follow this format it will operate from T3 the airline informedFree airport shuttle buses run every 20 minutes between T1 T2 and T3 and passengers with reduced mobility can easily take buggy rides between T2 and T3Meanwhile IndiGo will also resume operations from Terminal 2 of Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport starting October 26 after a temporary shift earlier this year due to maintenance work The airline will now operate flights from all three terminals T1 T2 and T3 with a revised distribution of flight numbers to help improve airport efficiency and passenger convenienceUnder the new plan all IndiGo flights numbered 6E 2000 to 6E 2999 will operate to and from Terminal 2 which is reopening for IndiGo services Flights numbered 6E 5000 to 6E 5999 as well as all international flights will depart from and arrive at Terminal 3 All other domestic IndiGo flights will continue to operate from Terminal 1 the airline saidCivil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Saturday inaugurated the renovated Terminal 2 at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport IGIA IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/air-india-to-move-60-daily-domestic-flights-to-terminal-2-at-delhi-airport-644907.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html New Delhi Oct 25 Canadian researchers have found that scanning the tiny blood vessels in the eyes may help predict a persons risk of developing heart disease and how fast theyre biologically ageing The study published in the journal Science Advances suggests that retinal scans could one day serve as a noninvasive window into the bodys overall vascular health and biological ageing status offering new opportunities for early detection and interventionBy connecting retinal scans genetics and blood biomarkers we have uncovered molecular pathways that help explain how aging affects the vascular system said Marie Pigeyre Associate Professor at McMaster Universitys Department of Medicine in CanadaThe eye provides a unique noninvasive view into the bodys circulatory system Changes in the retinal blood vessels often mirror changes occurring throughout the bodys small vessels added PigeyreTo conduct the study the team combined retinal scans genetic data and blood sample analyses from over 74000 participantsPeople with simpler less branched blood vessels were found to be at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and showed signs of biological ageing such as higher inflammation and shorter lifespanCurrently assessing agerelated diseases like heart disease stroke and dementia requires multiple tests The hope is that retinal scans alone could eventually be used as a quick accessible way to assess ageing and cardiovascular risk However more research is neededThe team also reviewed blood biomarkers and genetic data and identified potential biological causes behind changes in the eyes blood vessels This helped them identify specific proteins that may drive ageing and disease MMP12 and IgGFc receptor IIbBoth proteins are linked to inflammation and vascular ageing According to Pigeyre these proteins could be potential targets for future drugsOur findings point to potential drug targets for slowing vascular ageing reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and ultimately improving lifespan she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/study-shows-eye-scans-may-provide-clues-to-ageing-heart-disease-risk-644831.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-global-climate-action-with-expanding-forest-cover-sustainable-forestry-govt-644839.html New Delhi Oct 25 Efforts undertaken to expand forest cover and promote sustainable forestry underscore Indias commitment to global climate action the government said on Saturday India recently achieved a significant milestone in global forest statistics by advancing to the ninth position worldwide in terms of total forest area according to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAOs Global Forest Resources Assessment GFRA 2025In the previous assessment in 2020 India was ranked 10th The country has also maintained its third position globally in the annual net gain of forest areaThis shows what strong national commitment can achieve Indias consistent efforts in expanding forest cover promoting sustainable forestry and implementing missions like Green India Mission underscore its commitment to environmental conservation and global climate action the government said in an official statementTo enhance forest cover the government increased funds in the Budget 202526The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFCC allocated Rs 341282 crore a 9 per cent increase from the revised estimate of Rs 312596 crore in 202425Other measures include the launch of the National Mission for a Green India GIM the National Afforestation Programme and Mission LiFE Lifestyle for EnvironmentWhile GIM seeks to expand forest and tree cover restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity and carbon sinks the afforestation programme aims for the regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas in the countryThe Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative under Mission LiFE is an emotional call to encourage tree plantation by linking it to the love for ones mother or motherlandThese measures resulted in about 72739 thousand hectares of forest area in India roughly 2 per cent of the world total as per GFRA 2025 dataFurther the country gained success in expanding planted forests with bamboo and rubber plantations the statement saidWith an increase in forest cover India also ranked fifth among the top global carbon sinks with its forests removing 150 million tonnes of CO per year during 20212025 advancing the global climate goalsAsia including India saw forest carbon removals increase to 09 Gt CO per year in 20212025 with deforestation emissions dropping significantly as per data from the FAO IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-committed-to-global-climate-action-with-expanding-forest-cover-sustainable-forestry-govt-644839.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-records-first-weekly-loss-after-nine-week-surge-644842.html New Delhi Oct 24 Gold ended a nineweek winning streak this week with a sharp correction as the market reassessed a rally that had pushed prices into overbought territory The price of 24carat gold 10 grams ended at Rs 122419 on Friday down from Rs 123827 from its previous close according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJASpot gold fell 03 per cent to close at 411305 an ounce in New York resulting in a weekly loss of approximately 33 per centThe price for 10 grams of bullion closed last week at Rs 130874 and the price had been declining throughout the week Analysts said that the pullback was sharp but the yellow metal pared losses on Friday due to a weakerthanexpected US inflation report which bolstered expectations for further monetary easing by the Federal ReserveThis development also led to a slight decline in bond yields and an increase in bullion prices Traders anticipate two rate cuts before yearend a scenario that bolstered gold pricesInvestors also assessed the potential for improved USChina relations as US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping prepare for their upcoming meeting There are forecasts that a deescalation of trade tensions may lessen demand for safehaven assets like goldA recent correction occurred after a strong rally that started in midAugust which saw prices reach an alltime high of 438152 an ounce on Monday Profittaking and significant outflows from goldbacked ETFs intensified the selling pressureGold is up by 57 per cent this year driven by centralbank purchases dovish signals from the US Federal Reserve and strong ETF inflowsEarlier this week a Ventura Securities report said that gold has generated returns of approximately 63 per cent in rupee terms since last Dhanteras and a possible rally towards Rs15 lakh per 10 grams is possible by 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-records-first-weekly-loss-after-nine-week-surge-644842.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html New Delhi Oct 24 Researchers have developed microscopic metal particles that can kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue offering a potential new direction for more targeted and less toxic cancer treatments The study by the team from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology RMIT in Australia remains at the cellculture stage and has not been tested in animals or humans Xinhua news agency reportedHowever it suggests a new strategy for designing cancer treatments that exploits cancers own weaknessesThe international team led by RMIT researchers created tiny particles known as nanodots from molybdenum oxide a compound based on a rare metal called molybdenum It is often used in electronics and alloysBy tweaking their chemical composition the scientists enabled the particles to release reactive oxygen molecules unstable forms of oxygen that damage cancer cells and trigger their selfdestructionIn tests the particles killed three times more cervical cancer cells than healthy cells within 24 hours without the need for light unusual for technologies that rely on oxidative stress according to the study published in the journal Advanced ScienceCancer cells already live under higher stress than healthy ones Our particles push that stress a little further enough to trigger selfdestruction in cancer cells while healthy cells cope just fine said Zhang Baoyue first author from the RMIT School of EngineeringThe result was particles that generate oxidative stress selectively in cancer cells under lab conditions Zhang saidMost cancer treatments affect both cancerous and healthy tissue but technologies that selectively stress cancer cells could enable gentler more targeted therapies researchers saidThey added that these particles are made from common metal oxide instead of costly or toxic noble metals like gold or silver making them likely cheaper and safer to develop IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tiny-metal-particles-show-potential-in-targeting-cancer-cells-study-644843.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-south-must-shape-next-phase-of-climate-governance-say-experts-644851.html New Delhi Oct 25 Amid rising climate crises Global South must take charge to shape the next phase of climate governance said experts here At a PreCOP Dialogue titled From Baku to Belém Shaping the Next Phase of Climate Action at the India Habitat Centre New Delhi hosted by independent think tank Chintan Research Foundation CRF leading climate experts policymakers and practitioners deliberated on advancing the global climate action agenda particularly in the leadup to the Conference of Parties COP 30 in Belém Brazil in NovemberThe event focused on evaluating progress since the Paris Agreement addressing existing gaps in climate governance and setting expectations to enhance climate action through the UNFCCC frameworkShishir Priyadarshi President CRF highlighted how the Global South must now reclaim its agency in shaping the next phase of climate governanceThe time has come when holding the mirror is more important than looking at the compass It is time to be clear about what we have achieved and what we have not Moving from goalsetting to goalenabling is now needed and we must determine how to achieve those goals This would only be possible through alignment between the Global North and the Global South Priyadarshi saidThe expert set three major expectations from COP 30 the operationalisation of the New Collective Quantified Goal NCQG advancing adaptation and loss and damage mechanisms and reinforcing accountabilityThese solutions should be economically viable technologically inclusive and socially just Priyadarshi saidDr Pooja Sehbag Research Associate CRF outlined the urgency of the current climate crisis and the need to evaluate global actions She also underscored the gaps between the expected and achieved goals of the post2020 COPs where collective underperformance was observed globallyDr Prodipto Ghosh Distinguished Fellow The Energy Resources Institute TERI provided a historical overview of climate negotiations and outlined Indias potential in driving actionDeveloping countries have to set an example China has treated climate change as both an economic and technological challenge investing heavily in research and development to bring new technologies to the forefront of the transition It now leads the world in solar deployment India can follow Chinas example and become the next major deployment hub for this transition Ghosh saidProf Arun Sharma Group Head for Sustainability and Climate Change at Adani Group focused on the pivotal role of the private sector in accelerating ambitious climate actionMitigation will depend significantly on private sector finance it requires viable business models for effective fund deployment and technology diffusion At Belém we must recognise the limits of the COP process and focus on enhancing business models for climate action Sharma saidAddressing financial gaps is critical India and China still face significant disparities in total electricity generation India must focus on electrification and lastmile decarbonisation particularly through green hydrogen he addedKenneth Felix Haczynski da Nóbrega Ambassador of Brazil to India highlighted Brazils advocacy for enhanced civil society participation in the climate policy processCOP 30 will focus on bringing the climate change challenge closer to civil society worldwide We need greater B2B involvement at COP 30 similar to that seen in G20 and BRICS da Nóbrega saidThe dialogue underscored the importance of collaborative climate action driven by civil society engagement equitable climate finance and critical evaluation of policy effectiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-south-must-shape-next-phase-of-climate-governance-say-experts-644851.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-recognises-two-more-coes-to-promote-rampd-in-critical-mineral-value-chain-644856.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Ministry of Mines has recognised two more institutes namely Indian Institute of Science IISc Bangalore and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology CMET Hyderabad as Centres of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission the government informed on Saturday The Centres of Excellence CoEs will conduct innovative research and development to elevate technology readiness to pilotplant and precommercial demonstration levels TRL 78 for for critical minerals supporting clean energy mobility transition electronics defence and space sectors Ministry of Mines saidThe initiative aims to consolidate core competencies to develop technologies for secure supply chains of critical mineralsSeven institutes were already recognised as CoEs and the new approvals increased the total to nine CoEs the Ministry saidThe CoEs will undertake innovative and transformational research to strengthen and advance the nations science and technology capability in the area of critical minerals the Ministry saidEach CoE will operate as a consortium on a hubandspoke model to leverage RampD in critical minerals and pool the core competence of each constituent under one umbrellaThey require the inclusion of at least two industry partners and two RampD or academic partners in their networkThe nine recognised CoEs have together brought in around 90 industry and academic or RampD spokes according to the ministryAs part of the National Critical Mineral Mission the Centre had earlier this month opened the application window for the Rs 1500 crore Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive SchemeThe scheme aims to enhance industry capacity for recycling critical minerals from ewaste spent lithiumion batteries and other scraps such as catalytic converters in endoflife vehiclesIncentives for large recyclers are set at Rs 50 crore while small recyclers will receive up to Rs 25 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-recognises-two-more-coes-to-promote-rampd-in-critical-mineral-value-chain-644856.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-proposes-to-allow-banks-to-finance-corporate-acquisitions-with-stricter-safeguards-644860.html Mumbai Oct 25 The Reserve Bank of India RBI has proposed to permit banks to extend loans to Indian companies for acquiring full or controlling stakes in domestic or overseas firms as part of strategic investments aimed at creating longterm value Only listed companies with a satisfactory net worth and a profitable track record over the last three years will be eligible for such financing under the draft normsUp to 70 per cent of the acquisition cost may be financed by banks with the remaining 30 per cent having to come from the acquiring companys own equity contributionAccording to the proposal either the acquiring company or a stepdown special purpose vehicle SPV created specifically for the acquisition can receive the fundingA thorough policy framework on acquisition finance including borrower eligibility security margins risk management and monitoring procedures has also been required by the central bankThe draft stipulates that the SPV and the acquiring company must be body corporates rather than financial intermediaries like alternative investment funds AIFs or nonbanking financial companies NBFCsAdditionally there must be no familial ties between the target and acquirer entitiesAs required by the Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI two independent valuations must be performed in order to ascertain the target companys acquisition valueBanks must evaluate credit risk based on the target companys and the acquirers combined balance sheetsThe central bank released this draft circular outlining the proposal which aims to increase the reach of acquisition financing while maintaining responsible lending practicesBanks are currently only allowed to participate in a small number of these transactionsBefore finalising the guidelines the RBI asked stakeholders for their input on the draft IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rbi-proposes-to-allow-banks-to-finance-corporate-acquisitions-with-stricter-safeguards-644860.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html New Delhi Oct 25 While technology must be leveraged for strengthening diagnosis and detection the human touch should not go said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday Nadda was addressing the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS New Delhi hereAddressing the gathering Nadda congratulated the graduating students and commended AIIMS for its unparalleled contribution to advancing medical science education and patient care in IndiaHe exhorted the young doctors to serve with empathy uphold the highest standards of ethics and harness innovation to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the nationAIIMS has taken a lead in artificial intelligence AI genomics precision medicine and telehealth an area changing the landscape of healthcare While technology can help in detection and also make patients happier the human touch and compassion should not go That must remain Nadda saidHe commended the institution for its enduring commitment to excellence in medical education cuttingedge research and patient careIn the field of medical sciences training and healthcare delivery AIIMS has made its own place not only in India but globally the Minister saidHighlighting the remarkable progress achieved in Indias healthcare and medical education sector over the past decade Nadda noted that while the country had only one AIIMS at the end of the past century today there are 23 AIIMS institutions across India reflecting the governments commitment to expanding quality healthcare and medical training to every regionHe further informed that in the last 11 years the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 819Similarly undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51000 to 129000 and postgraduate seats from 31000 to 78000 Nadda added that in the next five years an additional 75000 seats are expected to be added across both undergraduate and postgraduate levelsUnion Health Minister also highlighted the progress India made in maternal and child health the underfive mortality rate and neonatal mortality rate as well as tuberculosis cases and deathsProf VK Paul Member Niti Aayog urged the students to consider joining academics to teach guide and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals thereby contributing to the vision of a Viksit BharatWe have a profound societal responsibility to give back to the community that has nurtured us As you move forward let excellence become your daily practice and innovation your guiding principle Paul said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tech-can-boost-diagnosis-but-human-touch-and-compassion-should-not-go-jp-nadda-644862.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/broader-indices-outshine-benchmarks-this-week-16-smallcaps-gain-over-15-pc-644863.html New Delhi Oct 25 The broadcap indices outperformed major benchmarks in the volatile festivaltruncated week as the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices rose by 05 per cent and 1 per cent Broadcap indices or broad market indices are benchmarks that track the performance of a wide range of companies to represent the overall financial market or a significant segment of itThe surge was driven by foreign institutional inflows and largely positive Q2 earnings according to analystsAs many as 41 smallcap stocks gained between 10 and 36 per cent during the week and nearly 16 smallcap stocks logged returns above 15 per centDuring the week the BSE Sensex rose 030 per cent or 259 points and closed at 84211 The Nifty50 rose 033 per cent or 853 points and closed at 25795 Both indices have however gained nearly 5 per cent in OctoberAnalysts anticipated shortterm volatility identifying resistance at 25850 and immediate support at the 25600 to 25500 zoneForeign institutional investors FIIs became net buyers this week buying equities valued at Rs 34274 crore while domestic institutional investors DIIs maintained a 27week buying streak with net purchases totalling Rs 5945 croreAs of October FIIs have sold a net total of Rs 24402 crore while DIIs purchased a net of Rs 3398976 crore according to latest dataAmong sectors the Nifty IT index gained 3 per cent the PSU Bank added 2 per cent the Nifty Metal index gained 15 per cent the Nifty Media index was up 13 per cent and the Nifty Oil amp Gas index was up 1 per cent Conversely the FMCG and auto sectors declined by approximately 05 per cent eachAnalysts reported that the week started with festive optimism but momentum slowed due to geopolitical tensions and profittaking despite record festive sales indicating strong consumer demandLooking ahead investors are keen on IndiaUS trade negotiations and key interest rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/broader-indices-outshine-benchmarks-this-week-16-smallcaps-gain-over-15-pc-644863.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mid-cap-sips-deliver-174-pc-xirr-in-10-years-outperform-peers-report-644608.html New Delhi Oct 23 Midcap equity is the most favourable choice of segment for longterm Systematic Investment Plans SIP as it demonstrated a high likelihood of providing 8 to 10 per cent returns over longer time frames a report said on Thursday A 10year monthly rolling return study of largecap midcap and smallcap SIP investments demonstrated strong and consistent returns in midcap investments a report from asset management firm WhiteOak Capital saidThe Nifty Midcap 150 TRI delivered strong and consistent performance with average and median returns of 174 per cent and 179 per cent respectivelyThe index recorded 100 per cent positive outcomes over 10 years with returns exceeding 10 per cent in 98 per cent of cases It also gave above 12 per cent returns in 95 per cent of cases and above 15 per cent in 79 per cent of periods the report saidThe report claimed that an investor starting a SIP in the midcap index and annually switching to the previous years topperforming index would achieve an XIRR Extended Internal Rate of Return of 1524 per cent by September 30 2025 In contrast remaining invested in the midcap index would yield an XIRR of 1730 per cent over the same timeframeWhiteOak reported that over a 10year period the continued midcap approach averaged a 1743 per cent XIRR compared to 1562 per cent for the switching strategy the asset management firm saidWhiteOak Capital mentioned that largecap stocks generally exhibit lower volatility and provide portfolio stability but midcap stocks outperformed peers in terms of returns over different time periodsThe analysis by the asset management firm found that SIP frequency daily weekly or monthly had little longterm impact on the returnsThe key takeaway from the analysis is to focus on investing a small amount regularly for the long term it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mid-cap-sips-deliver-174-pc-xirr-in-10-years-outperform-peers-report-644608.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-effective-office-rents-up-38-pc-yoy-in-q2cy25-report-644609.html New Delhi Oct 23 The effective rents for Grade A and A office space in India rose by 38 per cent year on year in the second quarter of 2025 a report said on Thursday Mumbai emerged as the topper in Indias city ranking with the highest quarterly rental growth of 36 per cent QoQ according to the quarterly Commercial Property Rental Index from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and CRE MatrixGurugram and Delhi emerged as the other strongest markets across Indias major citiesDelhi leads in annual growth with rents soaring 164 per cent YoY reflecting the premium commanded by scarce highquality office assets in the city the report saidGurugram recorded a 32 per cent increase quarteroverquarter and an 81 per cent rise over the last 12 months Navi Mumbai recorded the highest threeyear compound annual growth rate at 9 per cent making it Indias most resilient postCOVID office market the report saidChennais northern suburbs led the quarterly growth at 98 per cent while Bengalurus Whitefield grew by 8 per cent quarteronquarter maintaining the highest rental index value at 243Abhishek Kiran Gupta CEO and Cofounder CRE Matrix said that Bengalurus Whitefield and Chennais northern suburbs sharp quarterly uptick proves that tenant demand is spreading beyond the traditional CBDsOver the past five years the Central Business District of Navi Mumbai posted an exceptional 96 per cent CAGR the institute notedWe hope CPRI will become the goto benchmark for not only the landlords and tenants but also investors in REITs said Prof Venkatesh Panchapagesan Chairperson Real Estate Research Initiative RERI and faculty of the Finance amp Accounting area IIMBUnlike conventional pricebased indices that rely on headline rents the IIMBCRE Matrix CPRI focuses on effective rents which adjust for variations in lease terms such as rentfree periods abnormal security deposits free car parks and escalation clauses the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-effective-office-rents-up-38-pc-yoy-in-q2cy25-report-644609.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/digital-payments-make-up-998-pc-of-all-transactions-in-h1-2025-rbi-644615.html New Delhi Oct 23 Indias digital payments landscape continues its rapid expansion with digital transactions accounting for 998 per cent of the total payment volume and 977 per cent of the total transaction value in the first half of 2025 H1 2025 according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India RBI Unified Payments Interface UPI continues to dominate the digital ecosystem accounting for 85 per cent of transactions by volume and 9 per cent by value in the first six months of the yearDuring this time the UPI system handled 10637 crore transactions valued at Rs 1433 lakh crore compared to Rs 117 lakh crore in the previous year According to the RBI UPIs effectiveness roundtheclock accessibility and userfriendliness continue to make it the most popular retail fast payment system in IndiaOn the other hand although it only made up 01 per cent of the total volume the Real Time Gross Settlement RTGS system which facilitates highvalue transfers held the largest share in terms of value at 69 per cent In 2024 there were 295 crore RTGS transactions up from 148 crore in 2019 and the transaction value increased from Rs 13887 lakh crore to Rs 19382 lakh croreRTGS handled 161 crore transactions totalling Rs 10792 lakh crore in the first half of 2025 aloneThe RBI explained the divergent trends in volume and value shares by pointing out that RTGS mainly handles largevalue transfers with a minimum transaction threshold of Rs 2 lakh whereas UPI processes a large number of smallvalue transactions Of the Rs 1572 lakh crore in total payment transactions that took place during that time Rs 1536 lakh crore were handled digitallyThe Clearing Corporation of India Limiteds CCIL largevalue payment systems saw growth as well The number of CCIL transactions increased from 35 lakh in 2019 to 45 lakh in 2024 and their value increased from Rs 1270 lakh crore to Rs 2780 lakh crore CCIL recorded 288 lakh transactions totalling Rs 1734 lakh crore in the first half of 2025The RBI data demonstrates how UPI and other innovations along with persistent efforts to encourage cashless transactions throughout the economy have led to Indias payments ecosystem becoming overwhelmingly digital IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/digital-payments-make-up-998-pc-of-all-transactions-in-h1-2025-rbi-644615.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-lower-amid-us-china-trade-tension-644664.html Mumbai Oct 24 Indian stock markets opened lower on Friday amid reports that the United States may launch a fresh investigation into China over their 2020 trade deal Rising oil prices driven by new US sanctions against Russia also weighed on investor sentimentAt the opening bell the Sensex was down 113 points or 013 per cent at 84443 while the Nifty slipped 27 points or 010 per cent to 25866Commenting on Niftys technical outlook analysts said The index continues to exhibit a sideways to bullish bias holding firmly above key support levels at 25700 and 25750Immediate resistance is placed at 25950 with further upside targets at 26000 and 26100 The overall trend remains bullish provided the index sustains above 25780 on a closing basis they addedHeavyweights such as Hindustan Unilever Kotak Bank Axis Bank Titan Power Grid ITC NTPC Tech Mahindra Maruti Suzuki and Axis Bank were among the top laggards losing up to 35 per centOn the other hand ICICI Bank Tata Steel Bharat Electronics BEL Mahindra amp Mahindra Bharti Airtel HDFC Bank and State Bank of India were trading in the green helping limit the overall lossesIn the broader markets buying activity continued as the Nifty MidCap index inched up 005 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index added 009 per centSectorwise metal stocks were the top performers with the Nifty Metal index rising 1 per cent followed by modest gains in the Realty and Financial Services indicesHowever FMCG stocks faced pressure with the Nifty FMCG index falling 14 per cent making it the biggest sectoral loser of the dayGiven the current setup of heightened volatility and mixed market signals traders are advised to adopt a cautious buyondips approach especially when using leverage market analysts saidBooking partial profits during rallies and maintaining tight trailing stoplosses will be key to managing risk effectively as per the analysts IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-lower-amid-us-china-trade-tension-644664.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-drop-ahead-of-key-us-inflation-data-644670.html Mumbai Oct 24 Gold prices fell on Friday morning on the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX as investors awaited key US inflation data due later in the day The MCX Gold December futures were down 044 per cent at Rs 123552 per 10 grams while MCX Silver December contracts declined 098 per cent to Rs 147052 per kilogramExperts said that gold prices were on track to end their nineweek winning streak as heavy selling pressure pulled the yellow metal down from record highsThe drop comes as investors book profits amid stretched valuations renewed optimism over a potential USChina trade deal and a stronger US dollar they addedLooking ahead markets will focus on the release of US CPI data later today updates on the US government shutdown and next weeks meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping analysts saidEarlier this week gold saw its biggest intraday fall in five years dropping more than 5 per cent in a single sessionDespite the recent correction gold remains up over 50 per cent so far this year supported by global trade tensionsMarket focus has now shifted to the upcoming trade talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next weekIn the international market spot gold fell 02 per cent to 411868 per ounce at 315 am GMT marking its first weekly decline in ten weeksBullion has dropped about 3 per cent this week heading for its biggest weekly loss since midMayA stronger US dollar also weighed on gold prices making the metal more expensive for holders of other currencies The dollar index rose for the third straight sessionMarket attention is now on the US Consumer Price Index CPI report which is expected to show that core inflation stayed at 31 per cent in SeptemberThe release of this report was delayed earlier due to a temporary government shutdownInvestors are also factoring in a likely 25basispoint interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve next weekLower interest rates generally boost gold prices as they reduce the opportunity cost of holding the nonyielding asset IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-drop-ahead-of-key-us-inflation-data-644670.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/padma-shri-advertising-legend-piyush-pandey-passes-away-pranav-adani-says-devastated-644675.html Mumbai Oct 24 Piyush Pandey a Padma Shri recipient and architect of the Indian advertising passed away at the age of 70 it was announced on Friday Pandey the Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide of Ogilvy was widely regarded as the architect of modern Indian advertising According to the advertising agency he was battling an infection that took a serious turnTo our entire Ogilvy family It is with an unfathomable sense of loss that I write to you about the passing away of our beloved Piyush Pandey Piyush was battling an infection that took a serious turn He passed away peacefully this morning I cannot even imagine how each one of us is going to process this terrible loss in our own way according to the agency statementPranav Adani Director of Adani Enterprises the Adani Groups business incubator and flagship company mourned Pandeys deathDevastated by the passing of my very dear friend Piyush Pandey the creative genius who shaped Indian advertising into a global powerhouse His ideas were the industrys benchmarks and have inspired generations of storytellers Will sorely miss his warmth and wit Pranav Adani posted on X social media platformPandeys career was a series of iconic campaigns that became cultural phenomenon He helped craft one of Indias most memorable political slogans Ab ki baar Modi sarkarHis ad portfolio includes some of the most memorable advertisements in Indian history like Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein for Cadbury Dairy Milk featuring the dancing girl Asian Paints Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai and the cute ZooZoo characters for VodafonePandey also spearheaded public service campaigns like the Do Boond Zindagi Ke Polio Abhiyaan with Amitabh BachchanHe is survived by his family his colleagues who became his extended family and amazing work that continues to define the heart and soul of Indian advertising IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/padma-shri-advertising-legend-piyush-pandey-passes-away-pranav-adani-says-devastated-644675.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chhath-puja-2025-to-generate-rs-38-000-crore-trade-across-india-cait-644680.html New Delhi Oct 24 The grand festival of Chhath Puja dedicated to worshipping the Sun God is set to give a major boost to the Indian economy with trade worth around Rs 38000 crore expected across the country according to the Confederation of All India Traders CAIT on Friday This marks a sharp rise of 2258 per cent from last years Rs 31000 crore and Rs 27000 crore in 2023 reflecting the festivals growing cultural and economic significanceThe fourday festival celebrated with devotion and grandeur has not only become a symbol of faith and purity but also a driver of local trade and Swadeshi productsCAIT said that around 150 million people are participating in Chhath Puja rituals this year which include fasting bathing and offering prayers to both the setting and rising sunOnce celebrated mainly in Bihar the festival has now become a panIndian event symbolising purity discipline and the deep connection between nature and humanityIn Delhi alone Chhathrelated trade is expected to cross Rs 6000 crore this year The city which has a large Purvanchali population has made elaborate arrangements for devotees setting up around 1500 ghats for ritualsMajor ghats such as Yamuna Ghat Kalindi Kunj Wazirabad and Geeta Colony have been beautifully decorated to welcome lakhs of worshippersThe festival is celebrated with equal fervour in Bihar Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh West Bengal Chhattisgarh Uttarakhand Haryana Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh and other statesAcross India markets are witnessing massive footfall as devotees purchase traditional Chhath essentials such as bamboo baskets sup daura dalia earthen lamps sugarcane fruits sweets sarees utensils and puja materialsCAIT Secretary General and MP from Chandni Chowk Praveen Khandelwal said Chhath Puja is not just a religious festival but also a reflection of Indias social harmony and cultural unityHe added that it supports local traders and smallscale industries strengthening Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Vocal for Local and Aatmanirbhar BharatMost of the products used during Chhath Puja are handmade by local artisans boosting the cottage industry and creating employment opportunitiesKhandelwal emphasised that Chhath also promotes cleanliness environmental awareness and selfdiscipline making it one of Indias most holistic and meaningful festivals IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chhath-puja-2025-to-generate-rs-38-000-crore-trade-across-india-cait-644680.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ministers-industry-leaders-mourn-ad-guru-piyush-pandeys-demise-644684.html New Delhi Oct 24 Union Ministers and industry leaders on Friday expressed their grief over the passing away of ad guru Piyush Pandey Piyush Pandey a Padma Shri recipient and architect of Indian advertising passed away at the age of 70 He was the Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide of OgilvyAccording to the advertising agency he was battling an infection that took a serious turn His last rites will reportedly be performed at 11 am at Shivaji Park in MumbaiCommerce Minister Piyush Goyal called Pandey a phenomenon in the world of advertisingTruly at a loss for words to express my sadness at the demise of Padma Shri Piyush Pandey A phenomenon in the world of advertising his creative genius redefined storytelling giving us unforgettable and timeless narratives Goyal wrote in a post on the social media platform XThe Minister called Pandey a friend whose brilliance shone through his authenticity warmth and wit who leaves behind a deep void that will be hard to fillMy deepest condolences to his family friends and admirers Om Shanti he addedMinister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed sadness at the passing of PandeyCalling him a titan and legend of Indian advertising Sitharaman said he transformed communication by bringing everyday idioms earthy humour and genuine warmth into it His legacy will continue to inspire generationsFormer Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called Pandey a doyen of Indian advertisingThe creative colossus was a wonderful storyteller who communicated through metaphors reflecting everyday life and relatable emotions His passing away is the end of an era he added on XPandey was a man who left gigantic footprints on the ad industry said Anand Mahindra Chairman of the Mahindra Group on XMore than the campaigns he Pandey crafted or the brands he built Mahindra noted that the adgurus hearty laugh and his irrepressible zest for life will be the most rememberedHe reminded us that even in the serious business of persuasion joy and humanity must never be forgottenAlwida my friend You made life richer for all of us Mahindra saidShiv SenaUBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also expressed grief and called Pandey a communication genius and a truly inspiring personPiyush Pandey wasnt just an ad man he was one of Indias finest storytellers He taught us that emotion is the truest language of creativity His words made brands human and ideas immortal Farewell to a legend who made us feel think and smile added Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on XPandeys career was a series of iconic campaigns that became a cultural phenomenon He helped craft one of Indias most memorable political slogans Ab ki baar Modi sarkarHis ad portfolio includes some of the most memorable advertisements in Indian history like Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein for Cadbury Dairy Milk featuring the dancing girl Asian Paints Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai and the cute ZooZoo characters for Vodafone IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ministers-industry-leaders-mourn-ad-guru-piyush-pandeys-demise-644684.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-manufacturing-pmi-hits-2-month-high-at-584-in-oct-644686.html New Delhi Oct 24 Indias manufacturing activity showed renewed strength in October with the HSBC Flash India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index PMI rising to a twomonth high of 584 up from 577 in September a report showed on Friday The data compiled by SampP Global indicates that the countrys manufacturing sector continues to expand at a solid pace supported by strong domestic demand and easing cost pressuresThe rise in the manufacturing PMI reflects an improvement in business conditions driven by higher new orders increased production and steady employment levelsAccording to HSBCs Chief India Economist Pranjul Bhandari the recent GST rate cuts have helped boost domestic demand while keeping input costs under controlShe added that both new orders and output remain above the average seen between January and JulyThe HSBC Flash Manufacturing PMI picked up slightly likely on the back of GST rate cuts which are supporting domestic demand and curbing cost pressures Bhandari saidHowever exportrelated challenges persist due to the impact of US tariffs which continue to weigh on new export orders and future business optimismBoth new orders and output are above the average JanuaryJuly levels However the drag from US tariffs continues to affect new export orders and future optimism which remain below the JanuaryJuly levels she mentionedMeanwhile the HSBC Flash India Composite Output Index which measures the combined performance of the manufacturing and services sectors fell to 599 in October from 610 in SeptemberThe seasonally adjusted index still remained well above the neutral 50mark indicating continued economic expansion albeit at a slower paceExperts said that the strong rebound in manufacturing suggests continued resilience in domestic demand and industrial activity heading into the final quarter of the year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-manufacturing-pmi-hits-2-month-high-at-584-in-oct-644686.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/apec-summit-2025-draws-keen-attention-with-s-korea-us-trade-deal-at-stake-644689.html Seoul Oct 24 With only seven days remaining until the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation APEC summit eyes are on whether South Korea and the United States could strike an official tariff deal at the twoday event as the countries are making lastminute efforts to resolve differences over Seouls 350 billion investment commitment to Washington The 2025 APEC summit is scheduled to take place in the southeastern city of Gyeongju from next Friday with a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump also expected reports Yonhap news agencyThe main focus is on whether the two sides can finalize their trade agreement before the summit a deal that would have a significant impact on the Korean economy which is heavily dependent on exportsOn Wednesday the presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yongbeom and Industry Minister Kim Jungkwan traveled to Washington to hold followup tariff negotiations with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick less than a week after returning home from the US capitalThe two returned home early Friday Their latest US trip will likely mark the last facetoface highlevel trade talks between the two countries before the upcoming APEC summitThe two countries have been working to iron out differences over the details of the proposed 350 billion investment package such as financing methods and profit allocationOn July 30 Seoul and Washington reached a framework agreement under which the US agreed to lower reciprocal tariff for South Korea to 15 percent from 25 percent in return for Koreas 350 billion investment in the US along with increased cooperation in the shipbuilding semiconductor battery and other advanced industries The US also agreed to cut the 25 percent tariff on Korean cars to 15 percentTrump earlier said the investment would be made upfront while Seoul officials have argued the investment pledge was intended to finance projects rather than a cash payment and called for financial safeguards such as a currency swap arrangementFollowing monthslong followup talks the presidential policy chief said earlier this week that the two countries have come quite to the tail end of their trade negotiations noting substantive progress on most of the issuesThe biggest sticking point remaining in ongoing trade negotiations appears to be the scale of direct investment by South Korea along with the timing of the investmentSeoul officials recently said the US administration has shown signs of softening its stance on its demand that Seoul should make its entire 350 billion investment commitment upfront in cashThe Korean government is said to have proposed making installments for the 350 billion investment over 10 years to reduce the burden on its foreign exchange FX reserve as the country can use up to 20 billion from the FX reserve in a single year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/apec-summit-2025-draws-keen-attention-with-s-korea-us-trade-deal-at-stake-644689.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-expands-india-first-agricultural-ai-apis-to-apac-countries-644693.html New Delhi Oct 24 US tech giant Google on Friday announced that it is expanding its Agricultural Landscape Understanding ALU API and Agricultural Monitoring and Event Detection AMED API initially launched in India to trusted testers in Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia and Japan The ALU API launched for Indian developers in October 2024 identifies fields water bodies and vegetation boundaries The AMED API enhances ALU by providing fieldlevel insights on the most cultivated crops and their sowing and harvest timelines at individual field levels with data updates every 15 days helping detect agricultural eventsThe freely available APIs leverage remote sensing and machine learning to provide local ecosystems with insights that can help build costeffective simple and targeted agricultural solutions the statement saidThese local use cases have delivered on our ambition for AI to assist targeted datadriven action and solutions that benefit stakeholders across Indias agriculture landscape said Alok Talekar Lead Agriculture and Sustainability Research Google DeepMindGoogle highlighted Indian deployments as evidence for wider regional application saying that the APIs have aided startups government projects and research institutions in enhancing sustainability and resilience in the countrys agricultural sectorTogether these models provide essential information and insights that serve as a base layer for the agriculture ecosystem to develop precision agriculture tools optimise resource allocation and improve farm management practices Google saidIndia is integrating APIs into Krishi DSS an Amnex platform for the agriculture ministry to enhance advanced analytics for policymakers and field officersThe Council on Energy Environment and Water plans to use APIs to create targeted incomesupport mechanisms that promote climatefriendly crops Google mentioned that startups use APIs to improve climatesmart advisory services for over 10 million farmers and to optimise rural credit processes IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-expands-india-first-agricultural-ai-apis-to-apac-countries-644693.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/world-bank-programme-to-provide-better-health-coverage-to-11-million-people-in-kerala-644696.html New Delhi Oct 24 The World Banks Board of Executive Directors on Friday approved a new programme to improve the life expectancy and quality of life for 11 million elderly and vulnerable people in Kerala with wider access to health coverage The 280 million Kerala Health System Improvement Programme will build a more comprehensive health system resistant to climate shocksIt will also strengthen Keralas digital health systems through expanded eHealth services integrated data platforms and enhanced cybersecurityThe programme aims to treat and support over 90 per cent of patients registered for hypertension and diabetes in the state through individual electronic tracking mechanisms It will also establish a homebased care model for bedbound homebound and vulnerable elderly to provide comprehensive health servicesGood health empowers people creates jobs and drives economic growth Strong resilient health systems also help economies prevent and better respond to health emergencies and pandemics said Paul Procee the World Banks Acting Country Director for IndiaIn Kerala women have one of the highest educational attainments in the country and can contribute more to the states economic growth with optimum health The programme will ensure a 40 per cent increase in patients whose hypertension is controlled and 60 per cent increase in cervical and breast cancer screening for women to accelerate efforts to end preventable deaths he addedKerala has achieved sustained health gains for over two decades with improvements in neonatal 34 per 1000 live births infant 44 per 1000 live births underfive mortality 52 per 1000 live births and maternal mortality 19 per 100000 live births ratesThis stems from high literacy rates public health awareness and decentralised governance However a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases hypertension diabetes cancer and a rapidly ageing population with the elderly comprising over 20 per cent of the total population has strained the health systemHowever there are gaps in emergency and trauma care with over 4000 deaths in road traffic reported annuallyThe new programme will engage with local government bodies such as gram panchayats and municipal corporations to adopt standard protocols and procedures for antibiotic use and address zoonotic disease outbreaks by fasttracking reliable laboratory information for patientsPrimary health facilities in the districts of Wayanad Kozhikode Kasaragod Palakkad and Alappuzha will also adopt climateled solutions to improve energy efficiency and manage extreme heat and floodsKerala has adopted One Health approaches and experiences from ongoing World Bank support have been tapped to establish a sound system of community surveillance said Deepika Chaudhery and Hikuepi Katjiuongua the Task Team Leaders of the programmeThis programme will ensure elderly people in Kerala receive wider access to health coverage through innovative initiatives The programme will also support a multilevel trauma and emergency care system to ensure that 85 million people receive timely and highquality service they addedThe 280 million loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development IBRD has a final maturity of 25 years with a grace period of five years IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/world-bank-programme-to-provide-better-health-coverage-to-11-million-people-in-kerala-644696.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/19-pc-assets-of-indian-mutual-fund-industry-came-from-b30-locations-in-sep-report-644720.html New Delhi Oct 24 As much as 19 per cent of the assets of the Indian mutual fund industry came from beyond the top 30 cities B30 locations in September 2025 a report said on Friday Assets from B30 locations increased from Rs 1414 trillion in August to Rs 1450 trillion in September representing a growth of 26 per cent While on a yearonyear YoY basis the same rose by 15 per centMeanwhile Assets from top 30 cities T30 locations also grew 14 per cent YoY basis in Sep 2025 ICRA Analytics said citing data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India AMFIAccording to the report the B30 location continued to tend towards equity assetsNearly 7660 per cent of the assets from B30 locations are in equity schemes and 912 per cent in balanced schemes in September At the same time close to 1167 per cent of the assets from the B30 location are in debtoriented schemes while the same from the T30 location accounts for 3039 per centIn September 2025 2752 per cent of assets held by individual investors are from the B30 locations while 493 per cent of institutional assets come from B30 locationsInstitutional assets are concentrated in T30 locations accounting for 9507 per cent of the total In September 2024 2694 per cent of assets were held by individual investors from B30 locations and 482 per cent of institutional assets from B30 locationsMeanwhile according to the report as of September 2025 approximately 2737 per cent of retail investors opted for direct investments while 6530 per cent of retail investors came through the route of NonAssociate DistributorsNearly 2890 per cent of High Net Worth Individual HNI assets were directly invested Additionally 4770 per cent of the mutual fund industrys assets were invested directly and 4596 per cent came from NonAssociate Distributors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/19-pc-assets-of-indian-mutual-fund-industry-came-from-b30-locations-in-sep-report-644720.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-launches-4-mobile-solutions-enhancements-to-its-mf-platform-644724.html New Delhi Oct 24 The National Stock Exchange NSE announced on Friday that it has introduced four new mobile solutions and major enhancements to its NSE MF Invest mutual fund platform These initiatives are aimed at enhancing accessibility transparency and convenience for investors trading members and listed companies according to a statementThe new digital suite features an upgraded Investor App for easy portfolio tracking through manual entry or by linking their trades executed on NSE available in 13 languages including English and HindiUsers can avail themselves of the link to their broker account registered with NSE in the Unique Client Identification UCIThe mobile application in iOS and Android is available in English Hindi Marathi Gujarati Bengali Kannada Tamil Telugu Punjabi Malayalam Oriya Assamese and UrduNSE also launched a WhatsApp chatbot for market updates statistics and price informationFurther it introduced a Member Portal App with realtime compliance dashboards for submission and penalty statuses and onthego access to key resources such as investor awareness Programs circulars and FIIDII statisticsNSE also launched an NEAPs app for companies to monitor submission status compliance calendars and stock performance All applications are now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play StoreIt also introduced significant enhancements to the NSE MF Invest platform aimed at elevating investor convenience and providing ease of doing business for market participants the release notedNSE MF Invest has implemented enhancements including a carting facility and payment retriggering to allow up to 10 orders lump sum SIP STP and SWP in one session and folio autopopulationFolio auto population automatically populate transactions mapped to investors on the NSE MF Invest Platform reducing manual entry errors and order rejections the release notedIt also introduced mapping for EUIN subbroker code and ARN to reduce manual entry mistakes IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nse-launches-4-mobile-solutions-enhancements-to-its-mf-platform-644724.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nit-rourkelas-smart-hybrid-microgrid-to-ensure-green-energy-supply-in-rural-areas-644729.html New Delhi Oct 24 Researchers from the National Institute of Technology NIT Rourkela have developed a smart control system that can automatically manage the electricity flow from solar wind and battery sources This innovative hybrid microgrid can deliver a clean and continuous power supply to areas in the countryside that have no access to the main electric power grid and even during fluctuating solar radiation changing wind speeds and varying electrical loadsThe research published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications aims to reduce the potential use of fossil fuel reserves and provide power to remote regions that are not covered by the main electricity gridThis work focuses on power management among different sources loads and storage systems Energy management techniques in renewablesintegrated microgrids provide social benefits by ensuring reliable electricity access especially in remote communities They promote sustainable development create local employment opportunities and improve living standards said Prof Arnab Ghosh and Prof Krishna Roy Assistant Professors Department of Electrical Engineering NIT RourkelaAdditionally they reduce dependence on fossil fuels enhance energy security and support community resilience through cleaner affordable and more equitable energy solutions the team addedTo address the issue of fluctuations researchers developed a dynamic Power Management Scheme PMS that enables all energy producers and storage units to coordinate seamlesslyThis controlling technique allows the batteries to store energy safely and efficiently enabling greater storage capacity and longer battery life while reducing overall expendituresBy automatically switching converters according to the most readily available resources solar in the morning and wind Biomass Gasifier BMG and Pico Hydropower PH during the rest of the day the system ensures that the active power flow is balanced across different loadsThis multisource converterbased hybrid setup can provide an effective solution for the needs of remote communities and can be a source of approximately 10 kWh of dependable energy sufficient for four households in rural areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nit-rourkelas-smart-hybrid-microgrid-to-ensure-green-energy-supply-in-rural-areas-644729.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-reforms-festive-season-drive-consumer-sentiment-by-14-pc-points-report-644738.html New Delhi Oct 24 Indias consumer sentiment saw an uptick of 14 percentage points in October 2025 driven by the onset of the festive season and recently introduced GST reforms aimed at easing the indirect tax burden The festive season coupled with governmentled GST reforms designed to reduce the cost of living seems to have enabled more household savings and increased capacity for discretionary spendingThese factors have collectively led to a positive movement in Indias National Index score reflecting broader optimism around jobs personal finances investments and the economy Ipsos a market research firm said in its reportAccording to the report regionally sentiment was largely positive across the AsiaPacific and Indonesia saw the highest gain with a rise of 65 percentage pointsThailand followed with an increase of 36 points South Korea with 26 points Malaysia with 21 points and India with 14 pointsFrom late September through October India has been in a celebratory mood with a host of festivals creating a feelgood atmosphere across the country The festive season seems to have spurred consumer spending reflecting the spirit of celebration said Suresh Ramalingam CEO Ipsos IndiaThe festive fervour combined with the governments recent GST reforms aimed at reducing the cost of living and enhancing household savings appears to have provided a further boost to consumer sentiment he addedIn contrast Australia and Japan experienced declines in consumer sentiment falling by 21 and 20 percentage points respectivelyAccording to the report in Latin America the picture was mixedArgentina showed the largest drop in sentiment globally with a decline of 35 percentage points followed by Colombia at 31 points Brazil however registered a significant increase of 22 points the report saidAmong the 30 countries surveyed Indonesia holds the highest National Index score at 588 reflecting a strong monthly gain of 65 percentage points in consumer sentimentIndia ranks second with a national index score of 584 marking an increase of 14 points over the previous monthFor the third consecutive month no country has reached or surpassed the 60point mark highlighting a general moderation in global consumer sentiment IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-reforms-festive-season-drive-consumer-sentiment-by-14-pc-points-report-644738.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission PMABHIM has in the last four years strengthened Indias pandemic preparedness with enhanced health surveillance systems to boost fight against pandemics the government said on Friday The PMABHIM programme was launched on October 25 2021 during the global wave of Covid19 infectionsWith an investment of Rs 64180 crore over the period 202126 the programme aimed to address gaps in infrastructure in health research and surveillance in the countryFour years after its launch PMABHIM has transformed Indias health infrastructure investing Rs 64180 crore to strengthen pandemic preparedness and emergency response capabilities the government said in an official statementBy upgrading facilities from primary to tertiary care levels and enhancing surveillance systems the scheme has built a more resilient healthcare system it addedPMABHIM prioritises pandemic and disaster preparedness by expanding an ITenabled realtime disease surveillance network that integrates laboratories at block district regional and national levels to detect investigate and prevent outbreaks effectivelyIn addition it promotes health research and innovation particularly on Covid and other infectious diseases by advancing the One Health approach which recognises the interdependence of human animal and environmental healthKey initiatives under PMABHIMs Centrally Sponsored Scheme CSS component include the approval of 17788 buildingless SubHealth Centres for upgradation into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs AAMs and 11024 Urban AAMs UAAMs to extend primary healthcare in slum and underserved urban areasIn addition 3382 Block Public Health Units BPHUs are being established to bolster blocklevel health administration and service delivery while 730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories IPHLs are being developed one in each district to enhance diagnostic and surveillance capabilitiesFurther to strengthen tertiary care 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks CCBs are being set up in districts with populations exceeding five lakhOverall administrative approvals worth Rs 3292882 crore have been accorded to States and Union Territories for these initiatives covering 9519 AAMs 5456 UAAMs 2151 BPHUs 744 IPHLs and 621 CCBsThese efforts mark a major step toward building a resilient decentralised and accessible public health network capable of delivering timely and quality healthcare across the country the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bse-warns-investors-against-fake-social-media-accounts-using-its-officials-photos-644746.html Mumbai Oct 24 The Bombay Stock Exchange BSE on Friday warned investors about miscreants using BSEs officials photos to create fake social media IDs to spread misleading wealth advisory It has come to the attention that photos of senior BSE officials are being used to create fake social media IDs The IDs created claim to provide a wealth advisory solution to mislead gullible investors the stock exchange said in a statementBSE officials are allowed to initiate or endorse any wealth management or advisory services in any capacity however investors should not to misguided by such fake misrepresentationsInvestors are urged not to rely on any stockshare recommendation from any such fake social media handle and verify the source of communication before making any investment decisions the stock exchange saidFurther BSE advised investors to engage with only registered intermediaries whose list is available on SEBI and BSE websitesThe stock exchange said that it only conveys information through its official websites and social media handlesAny official communication from BSE is made only through wwwbseindiacom and BSEs social media handles bseIndia Instagram bseIndia Facebook BSEIndia LinkedIn BSEIndia X Twitter BSEworldBSEIndia YouTube BSE statedEarlier BSE said that it had resolved 190 complaints from investors against 126 companies in the month of September 2025The Bombay Stock Exchange received 173 complaints against 102 companies in September this yearThe complaints from earlier times are among those that the Bombay Stock Exchange has settledThe stock exchange also disclosed that as of September 2025 Suraj Products Ltd Bajaj Auto Limited and Reliance Home Finance Limited were the top three companies with complaints that had been pending for more than a month to be resolvedDuring the five years between April 2020 and March 2025 the Securities and Exchange Board of India investigated 76 cases involving investmentrelated fraud and the offenders were ordered to disgorge Rs 949 crore in illicit gainsTo stop identify and combat fraud involving investments a number of central government law enforcement and regulatory organisations have been acting IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bse-warns-investors-against-fake-social-media-accounts-using-its-officials-photos-644746.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/netherlands-based-gx-group-announces-rs-500-crore-investment-to-make-photonics-chips-in-india-644751.html New Delhi Oct 24 GX Group a Netherlandsbased telecom equipment maker announced the launch of GX Quantum Photonics Private Limited on Friday to make advanced Photonics modules and chip systems in India These modules and chip systems are used for nextgeneration broadband 5G6G and quantum communication technologies the statement saidThe company mentioned that an initial investment commitment of Rs 500 crore is made which will establish Indias first Photonics chip development or manufacturing and RampD hubIt announced that the investment is supported by Invest International of the Netherlands which has formed a strategic collaboration with SMART Photonics BV a global leader in Indium Phosphidebased photonic integrated circuitsThis initiative aims to reduce import dependence and enables secure exportready optical components and reinforces Indias position in the 50 billion global Photonics module the statement saidGX Group informed that the project is projected to generate over 300 skilled manufacturing jobs and will support AI data centres EV LiDAR and quantum communicationsIndias growth story is incomplete without technological independence Through GX Quantum Photonics we are creating the nations first Photonics modules and chipsets designed developed and built in India said Paritosh Prajapati CEO of GX GroupOur vision goes beyond manufacturing we aim to make India a global Photonics hub that powers AIready networks smart infrastructure and secure digital ecosystems he addedThe global Photonics industry valued at 920 billion in 2023 is projected to reach 164 trillion by 2032 the statement notedPhotonics module and optical transceiver segment is expected to grow from 20 billion to 50 billion by 2030 driven by 5G6G rollouts hyperscale data centres and AI infrastructureGX Quantum Photonics is also an applicant under the Production Linked Incentive PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing ECMSThis initiative directly supports the Government of Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and aligns with Semicon India and Quantum Mission aimed at positioning India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing ESDM IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/netherlands-based-gx-group-announces-rs-500-crore-investment-to-make-photonics-chips-in-india-644751.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/26-495-domestic-departures-per-week-from-oct-26-march-28-new-airports-added-govt-644756.html New Delhi Oct 24 The government on Friday said the winter schedule for domestic airlines has been finalised and New Amravati Hissar Purnia and Rupsi airports have been added in the schedule According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation after the slot conference meeting held in September the final slots clearances have been received from respective airport operators which shows 595 per cent departures per week growth proposed compared to Winter Schedule 2024Winter Schedule 2025 WS25 effective from October 26 2025 till March 28 2026 of the scheduled domestic airlines has been finalised the ministry saidIt has been observed that there are 26495 departures per week which have been finalised tofrom 126 airports as per WS25 compared to 25610 departures per week from 129 airports in Summer Schedule 2025 SS25While IndiGo leads with 15014 departures per week Air India is second with 4277 flights followed by AI Express at 3171 flightsOut of these 126 airports Amravati Hissar Purnia and Rupsi are the new airports proposed by the scheduled airlines in the WS25 whereas operations from Aligarh Moradabad Chitrakoot Bhavnagar Ludhiana Pakyong and Shravasti airports were suspended in the WS25 the Civil Aviation Ministry addedIndias civil aviation sector has emerged as one of the fastestgrowing sectors making the country the thirdlargest domestic aviation market in the world The number of airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025As India moves toward its centenary year of independence the government is charting an ambitious growth path for the aviation sector which targets expanding the number of airports in the country from 163 in 2025 to over 350 by 2047 and passenger traffic is expected to cross one billionWith 25 million jobs projected by 2047 and expanding opportunities in MRO drone manufacturing and pilot training aviation will become a vital pillar of Indias 10 trillion economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/26-495-domestic-departures-per-week-from-oct-26-march-28-new-airports-added-govt-644756.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ayush-ministry-icmr-to-host-national-seminar-to-boost-liver-health-through-ayurveda-644761.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Ministry of Ayush on Friday announced a twoday national seminar to boost liver health through Ayurveda taking forward its commitment to evidencebased traditional medicine the Ministry said on Friday The national seminar Hepatobiliary Wellness through Ayurveda Bridging Traditional Wisdom with Contemporary Science will be organised along with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR from October 25 to 26 in Odishas BhubaneswarThe seminar themed Yakrut Suraksha Jiveeta Raksha protect the liver preserve life marks a significant initiative towards advancing integrative researchbacked solutions for liver and biliary health an area that demands collaborative inquiry between Ayurveda and modern biomedical scienceAyurvedic Sciences offer a holistic framework for hepatobiliary wellness emphasising prevention balance and sustainable healthcare Through collaborative research we are scientifically validating Ayurveda principles and formulations to better understand their mechanisms and clinical relevance Such integrative efforts not only strengthen Ayurvedas global credibility but also pave the way for innovative evidencebased solutions that can transform liver care and public health outcomes said Prof Rabinarayan Acharya Director General Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRASThe twoday seminar will feature deliberations across five key themes fostering collaborative research in liver and biliary healthIt will focus on holistic preventive and therapeutic approaches including Ayurveda dietetics Dinacharya Rutucharya Panchakarma and detoxification therapies alongside sessions on scientific validation and diseasespecific management of NAFLD hepatitis and liver cirrhosis emphasise evidencebased integration presenting experimental research on the safety efficacy and mechanisms of Ayurveda formulations as well as protocols for harmonising Ayurveda with modern hospital practices including innovations like the gutliver axisHepatobiliary disorders present complex challenges that demand crossdisciplinary inquiry and innovation Collaborative research between Ayurveda and modern biomedicine opens new frontiers for understanding disease mechanisms developing safer therapies and enhancing patient care By integrating traditional insights with contemporary scientific rigour we can create comprehensive healthcare models that are preventive personalised and globally relevant added Dr Sanghamitra Pati Additional Director General ICMR and Director RMRC Bhubaneswar IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ayush-ministry-icmr-to-host-national-seminar-to-boost-liver-health-through-ayurveda-644761.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-announces-new-helpline-number-for-poshan-pmmvy-schemes-644765.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Ministry of Women and Child Development on Friday announced a change in the tollfree helpline number for POSHAN and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana PMMVY The new number will make it easier for citizens to remember and access support servicesThe new helpline number 1515 will be live from November 1 replacing the existing number 14408 the Ministry saidThis change has been introduced to simplify recall and improve accessibility for beneficiaries seeking assistance under POSHAN and PMMVY schemes it addedThe Ministry noted that as the integration is in process users may experience a brief transition periodDuring this time if callers are unable to connect to the new number 1515 they are advised to continue using the old number 14408 it saidPOSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in 2018 to address the rising concern of malnutrition among pregnant women lactating mothers and young childrenNotably the Poshan Maah initiative under the Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly advanced Indias fight against malnutrition It has played a key role in building a healthier and stronger nation through nutrition reducing stunting among childrenOn the other hand the PMMVY scheme launched in 2010 and then renamed in 2017 provides financial assistance to support nutritious diets and improve healthseeking behaviour amongst pregnant women and lactating mothers and also promotes positive attitudes toward the girl childThe PMMVY offers cash incentives as partial compensation for wage loss to enable mothers to rest before and after the delivery of the first childIt is a centrally sponsored scheme under Mission Shaktis subscheme Samarthya and provides direct financial assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfer DBT modeUnder PMMVY a cash incentive of Rs 5000 is provided in two instalments for the first child and Rs 6000 is provided in one instalment postbirth for the second girl childNoting that it remains committed to ensuring smooth communication and uninterrupted support for all beneficiaries across the country the Ministry stated that the new helplines will continue to serve as a single point of contact for queries information and support related to POSHAN and PMMVY IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/centre-announces-new-helpline-number-for-poshan-pmmvy-schemes-644765.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dot-focuses-on-building-phishing-resilient-ecosystem-to-safeguard-telecom-sector-644767.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Department of Telecommunications DoT on Friday organised a webinar as part of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month to promote awareness preparedness and resilience against evolving cyber threats in Indias telecom ecosystem The session hosted by the office of the Director General Telecom DGT HQ brought together over 250 participants including officials from DoT field units telecom service providers and internet service providers The event focused on strategies to counter phishing enhance cyber governance and strengthen organisational resilienceThe webinar was inaugurated by Sunita Chandra Director General of Telecom and attended by Suresh Puri Additional Director General DGT HQ along with other senior officers from DoT HQSpeaking on the occasion DG Telecom emphasised the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring cyber safety She underlined the importance of user awareness and proactive engagement in safeguarding digital assetsAddl DG Suresh Puri briefed participants on the ongoing efforts to operationalise the TelecomCSIRT Computer Security Incident Response Team and enhance readiness across DoT field units to tackle cyber incidentsCyber security expert Rohit Gautam highlighted that phishing remains among the most pervasive cyber threats globally responsible for nearly 90 per cent of data breaches He discussed how humancentric attacks including phishing vishing and deepfakeenabled scams exploit user trust leading to global losses estimated at over 95 trillion annuallyIndustry expert Abhijit Tripathy elaborated on the importance of Governance Risk and Compliance GRC frameworks in building cyberresilient organisations He explained how the synergy of people processes and technology can strengthen internal controls and minimise vulnerabilitiesAnother cyber expert Sampat Ray shed light on the growing menace of AIdriven cyberattacks including deepfakebased phishing malicious mobile applications and voice scams He urged organisations and individuals to remain alert against such sophisticated fraudsThe webinar successfully underlined the importance of collective responsibility informed decisionmaking and sustained vigilance in securing the nations telecom infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dot-focuses-on-building-phishing-resilient-ecosystem-to-safeguard-telecom-sector-644767.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-office-leasing-touches-a-record-high-outperforms-asian-peers-644774.html New Delhi Oct 24 Indias office market outperformed the AsiaPacific region in Q3 2025 with 88 million square feet of leasing activity defying broader slowdown trends a report said on Friday Fullyear leasing volumes of Bengaluru NCR and Mumbai together are expected to touch 50 million sq ft surpassing the previous record of 41 million sq ft set in 2024 the report from real estate services firm Knight Frank saidThis increase in leasing has driven prime rents higher increasing 43 per cent YoY across major cities despite the arrival of new supply it notedDespite a supply influx of nearly 9 mn square feet during the quarter prime office rents across Indias three largest office markets Bengaluru NCR and Mumbai rose an average of 43 per cent YoY highlighting the markets enduring strength the report saidAcross the APAC region prime office rents fell 14 per cent YoY with rental growth flatlining at 00 per cent QoQ down from 02 per cent in Q2 2025The surge in leasing volumes in India was also driven by commitments from global capability centres and a revival in thirdparty IT servicesBengaluru led in performance with prime rents increasing 88 per cent yearoveryear and 2 per cent quarteroverquarter driven by demand in areas like Outer Ring Road and Whitefield DelhiNCR and Mumbai posted 2 per cent QoQ growth with YoY increases of 3 per cent and 39 per cent respectivelyIn comparison several AsiaPacific markets saw muted rental growth as landlords prioritised occupancy amid elevated vacancies Indias strong performance reflects a resilient occupier base a diversified tenant profile and a stable economic outlook the report notedVacancy rates edged up marginally due to the new completions but remain in check at approximately 115 per cent in Bengaluru 125 per cent in Delhi and 173 per cent in MumbaiKnight Frank forecasted that Indias office market will maintain steady rental growth through 2026 supported by sustained economic fundamentals governmentled digital initiatives and the expansion of GCCs across TierI and emerging TierII cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-office-leasing-touches-a-record-high-outperforms-asian-peers-644774.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nhai-to-display-monthly-annual-pass-details-at-toll-plazas-to-raise-user-awareness-644776.html New Delhi Oct 24 The National Highways Authority of India has directed its field offices to prominently display information regarding the availability of the Local Monthly Pass and the Annual Pass at all fee plazas to enhance transparency and raise user awareness the government informed on Friday The initiative aims to ensure that users are wellinformed about the availability rates and procedures for availing of the Local Monthly Pass and Annual Pass facility an official statement saidThe information will be displayed on signage boards at visible locations including fee plaza approaches customer service areas and entry or exit points in English Hindi and the local regional language the Ministry of Road Transport amp Highways saidNHAI has directed field offices under its jurisdiction to place these boards at fee plazas for 30 days and ensure that all signboards are clearly visible during the day and night as per applicable fee rules For wider dissemination the information will also be uploaded on the Rajmargyatra mobile application and corresponding NHAI project websitesLocal Monthly Pass can be availed by commuters with private vehicles residing within a 20 km or as applicable radius of a fee plaza by submitting an Aadhar card a Vehicle Registration Certificate and proof of residential address etcThe monthly pass is issued at the fee plaza helpdesk after verification of documents the ministry informedSimilarly the Annual Pass facility with a validity of one year or 200 fee plaza crossings is applicable only for private vehicles including cars jeeps or vansThe annual pass can be purchased through the Rajmargyatra application and is digitally activated on the valid FASTag attached to the vehicle after paying a onetime fee of Rs 3000 The annual pass is valid at around 1150 fee plazas on national highways and expressways across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nhai-to-display-monthly-annual-pass-details-at-toll-plazas-to-raise-user-awareness-644776.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/lic-raises-stakes-in-tata-consumer-products-and-dabur-india-644801.html New Delhi Oct 24 Life Insurance Corporation of India LIC has increased its shareholding in two leading FMCG companies Tata Consumer Products and Dabur India according to regulatory filings made by both firms on Friday LIC increased its stake in Tata Consumer Products from 6633 per cent to 8645 per cent a 2012 percentage point increase Between July 11 and October 23 2025 more than 199 crore worth of equity shares were purchased as part of the additional investmentIn a similar vein LIC increased its stake in Dabur India by 2067 percentage points from 4918 per cent to 6985 per cent Between February 18 and October 23 of this year the public sector insurer acquired over 366 crore sharesThe action demonstrates LICs ongoing interest in Indias rapidly expanding consumer goods industry which has held up well in the face of wider market volatilityEarlier last month the LIC said that it had attracted strong investor interest on the first day after the government scrapped goods and services tax GST on individual traditional life insurance policiesAccording to reports the insurer received inflows totalling more than Rs 1100 crore in a single day This development is noteworthy because retail policyholders typically pay LIC about Rs 5000 crore in premiums each monthThe positive sentiment among policyholders and the potential boost for the insurance sector are demonstrated by the inflows observed on the first day following the tax reliefAccording to industry experts the elimination of GST has reduced the cost and increased the appeal of traditional life insurance plans for individual consumers which is anticipated to increase sales in the upcoming monthsEarlier this financial year LIC had reported a steady rise in both profit and premium incomeThe company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 10957 crore in the AprilJune quarter Q1 of FY26 a 391 per cent increase compared to the same period previous year 9Q1 FY25 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/lic-raises-stakes-in-tata-consumer-products-and-dabur-india-644801.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-ev-growth-accelerates-with-multi-fuel-push-report-644579.html New Delhi Oct 23 India is rapidly moving toward sustainable mobility through a mix of electric hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles a new report said on Thursday The data compiled by the India Energy Storage Alliance IESA titled Automotive Electrification in India Market Report was released under IESAs emobility initiative the India Electric Mobility Council IEMCAs the worlds fourthlargest automobile producer India is at a crucial turning point in its automotive journeyThe report highlights that while petrol and diesel vehicles still dominate the roads the shift toward cleaner mobility is gaining strong momentumGovernment policies industry investments and rising consumer awareness are all pushing the country toward a more sustainable transport futureSeveral states including Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are leading the way in electric vehicle EV adoptionThese states together account for more than half of Indias total EV sales They are actively supporting the transition by promoting local EV manufacturing improving charging infrastructure and creating dedicated mobility clustersThe IESA report points out that Indias journey toward cleaner transport is unique because it is following a multifuel multipathway approachAlongside batterypowered electric vehicles there is growing interest in compressed natural gas CNG hybrid flexfuel and hydrogenpowered vehiclesEach of these technologies plays a role in reducing emissions and addressing different transportation needsTo support this shift the governments upcoming Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency CAF 3 norms set to take effect from April 2027 will reward automakers that produce more zero and lowemission vehiclesThese norms introduce new incentives known as volume derogation factors for vehicles powered by batteries hybrids and alternative fuelsDebmalya Sen President of IESA said that policy support is vital for driving this change and shaping consumer choicesHe added that while some states are advancing directly to zeroemission vehicles others are taking a gradual route through alternative fuels depending on their market readiness and infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-ev-growth-accelerates-with-multi-fuel-push-report-644579.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over-80-pc-women-believe-more-female-tech-leaders-can-improve-workplace-culture-report-644580.html New Delhi Oct More than 80 per cent of women believe more female leaders can improve workplace culture in the technology sector according to a report on Thursday The Women in Tech Report by Acronis a cybersecurity and data protection company uncovered gender gap perceptions in career development and leadership opportunitiesIt showed striking differences in how men and women perceive career opportunities workplace challenges and barriers to advancement in the technology sectorThe report showed that 82 per cent of women believe increasing female leadership would positively impact workplace culture However only 74 per cent of men agree with itThe 2025 survey highlights a consistent perception gap between men and women on the state of career opportunities in technologyWhile men generally view the industry as more equitable women report significant barriers tied to bias worklife balance and leadership opportunitiesOnly 60 per cent of women believed men and women have equal access to career development and growth compared to 75 per cent of men Over 60 per cent of women said worklife balance challenges significantly impact career progression for women while only 49 per cent of men agreeMore than 40 per cent of women cited bias and stereotypes as the main barrier for females starting cybersecurity careers compared to 33 per cent of menOur new survey findings shine a spotlight on just how differently men and women experience working in the tech industry said Alona Geckler SVP Business Operations and Chief of Staff at AcronisClosing the gender gap requires more than good intentions Organisations must recognise these disparities and design programs that expand leadership opportunities confront bias headon and create environments where worklife balance doesnt present any barriers that may potentially derail womens careers Geckler addedThe report is based on a global survey of more than 650 IT professionals across eight countries the US UK Switzerland Germany Spain Italy Singapore and Japan IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over-80-pc-women-believe-more-female-tech-leaders-can-improve-workplace-culture-report-644580.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-vc-investment-hits-120-billion-in-q3-led-by-ai-exit-activity-report-644587.html New Delhi Oct 23 Global venture capital investment reached 120 billion across 7579 deals in Q3 2025 marking the fourth consecutive quarter above 100 billion a report said on Thursday Artificial intelligence AI remained the leading sector for funding while exit activity rose to 1499 billion collectively accounting for a significant chunk of activity according to the report from global consultancy KPMGIndia experienced a banner quarter for exits in Q3 2025 with exit value surging to a high not seen in at least seven years Despite the soft VC investment in Q3 there continued to be optimism in the market given the growth in startup exit activity particularly in terms of IPO exits the report saidThe KPMG report said that due to Indias strong macroeconomic fundamentals and vibrant capital markets there is substantial optimism that VC investment will begin to rebound once trade uncertainties are resolvedFurther IPO activity is also expected to increase over the next few quarters in India the report addedMacros are still strong the capital markets are still vibrant and a lot of capital has been raised that will need to get deployedso funding should increase as uncertainties calm But investors will be focused heavily on the path to profitability and cash flows because without those you wont get a capital market exit said Nitish Poddar Partner and National Leader Private Equity KPMG in IndiaAI model development and AIpowered applications attracted the largest funding rounds while investors are also focusing on defence technology robotics health technology quantum computing and alternative energy Corporate VC participation rose to 586 billion with the United States at the forefront while software continued to dominate investment sectorsGlobal exit value increased from 1192 billion in Q2 to 1499 billion in Q3 marking the highest level since Q4 2021 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-vc-investment-hits-120-billion-in-q3-led-by-ai-exit-activity-report-644587.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-48v-li-ion-electric-hand-pallet-truck-unveiled-644596.html New Delhi Oct 23 Godrej Enterprises Groups Material Handling Equipment business on Thursday launched GEPT 20 Indias first 48V Liion powered electric hand pallet truck marking a significant leap in warehouse mobility and efficiency This announcement came at a time when Indias logistics sector is experiencing a surge in order volumes and the demand for faster safer operations The GEPT 20 is intended for the countrys evolving warehousing landscapeIt delivers three times higher productivity than conventional hand pallet trucks thanks to its fast lifting long runtime precise control and robust durability the company saidWith a runtime of over 4 hours on a single charge the GEPT 20 effortlessly handles loads up to 2 tonnesIts turtle speed mode ensures safe manoeuvring in highdensity workspaces making it ideal for modern warehouses retail backrooms and industrial facilitiesAt Godrej Enterprises Group we are driven by a vision to transform Indias industrial landscape through innovation efficiency and sustainabilityThe GEPT 20 is not just a product launchits a strategic step towards electrifying logistics and empowering businesses with smarter cleaner technologies said Anil Lingayat Business Head Material Handling Equipment Business Godrej Enterprises GroupBy introducing Indias first 48V Liion powered electric hand pallet truck were reaffirming our commitment to building futureready solutions that enhance productivity and contribute meaningfully to the nations green and selfreliant growth story he addedThe hand pallet truck powered by advanced Liion battery technology offers rapid charging zero maintenance and a longer lifecyclea clear upgrade over traditional alternativesThis launch aligns with Godrej Enterprises Groups commitment to sustainable innovation aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of supply chains while empowering Indias logistics and warehousing ecosystem Lingayat statedAs industries across manufacturing ecommerce retail and infrastructure scale up to meet rising domestic and global demand solutions like the GEPT 20 will play a critical role in enabling faster safer and cleaner operations a step forward in building the nations futureready green logistics IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-first-48v-li-ion-electric-hand-pallet-truck-unveiled-644596.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/vp-radhakrishnan-hails-surge-in-innovation-patents-644598.html New Delhi Oct 23 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday hailed the countrys rise from the 81st position in 2015 to the 38th position in the Global Innovation Index 2025 noting the surge in patents scientific publications and technologyled growth During a meeting with Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh and officials from the Ministries at Parliament House Radhakrishnan commended the Ministries for their role in strengthening Indias innovationdriven scientific ecosystem and advancing research in frontier technologiesThe VP was apprised of key initiatives and ongoing programmes of the Ministries aimed at promoting scientific research and innovation technology development and commercialisation advancements in biotechnology quantum computing and cybersecurity systems as well as meteorological services climate and ocean studies and disaster risk mitigationHe appreciated the countrys breakthroughs in vaccine development the BharatGenAI large language model and progress in quantum computingThe VP also emphasised the importance of ethical biotechnology research inspiring youth to pursue scientific careers and enhancing collaboration with industryHighlighting rapid improvements in weather forecasting and the vast potential of Indias blue economy he called for continued global partnerships to ensure India remains at the forefront of scientific advancementOn Tuesday Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal along with senior officials of the Ministry called on Radhakrishnan at Parliament HouseDuring the meeting the President was briefed on the Ministrys key initiatives and ongoing activities including the current status of manufacturing and foreign trade efforts towards ease of doing business and major initiatives such as Make in India the PLI Scheme PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Startup India the National Manufacturing Mission FTAs One District One Product industrial corridors SEZs and the protection of intellectual property rightsThe Vice President appreciated the Ministrys efforts in positioning India as a global hub for manufacturing and exports and emphasised the importance of coordinated action across departments to realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/vp-radhakrishnan-hails-surge-in-innovation-patents-644598.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iitdelhi-global-auto-majors-explore-solutions-to-chinas-rareearth-curbs-report-644353.html New Delhi Oct 22 Chinas restrictions on rare earths are driving a global transition to rareearthfree electric vehicle motors a recent report said adding that the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi is also developing such alternative solutions With China out to hold the world at ransom by restricting the supply of rare earths major automakers in the US Germany Japan and India are developing EVs that do not use rare earths for their batteries the report from European Times saidIn India the IIT Delhi is putting efforts into developing motors that require fewer or no rare earth elements it addedGlobally auto majors from the US Europe and Japan including Tesla BMW General Motors Borowarner Jaguar Land Rover ZF Vitesco Renault Nissan MercedesBenz Toyota and Bentley are working on rareearthfree EV modelsTesla has cut heavy rare earths by 25 per cent per vehicle while BMW and others are progressing with magnetfree or lowrareearth designs MercedesBenz has reduced the heavy rare earth content in its nextgeneration electric vehicles close to 0 per cent the report saidBeijing imposed the latest curbs on rare earth elements and related technologies on October 9 following similar measures in 2018 and 2023 These actions have disrupted supplies of neodymium and dysprosium essential for permanent magnet motors and increased political and supplychain risksIn April 2025 when US President Donald Trump imposed additional tariffs on Chinese products Beijing imposed export controls on various heavy rare earth materials directed against the US and other countries including India putting the automobile sector in India in difficultyChina holds half of the worlds rare earth deposits which it uses to blackmail other nations the report saidThough in August Beijing withdrew its export restrictions on rare earth magnets to India till September 9 Indian companies were yet to have a single import application approved the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iitdelhi-global-auto-majors-explore-solutions-to-chinas-rareearth-curbs-report-644353.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/some-anti-allergy-drugs-may-raise-dementia-risk-in-elderly-study-644360.html New Delhi Oct 22 Some antihistamines antiallergy drugs have the potential to raise dementia risk in elderly claimed a new study on Wednesday Dementias are estimated to affect more than 574 million people worldwide a number that is expected to almost triple to 1528 million cases by 2050Early signs include memory loss difficulty finding words confusion and changes in mood and behaviourAn analysis in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that older inpatients admitted by physicians who prescribe higher amounts of firstgeneration antihistamines face an elevated risk of delirium a sudden severe state of confusion while in the hospitalFirstgeneration antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are among the leading causes of medicationrelated harms in older adults and although these medications are indicated for histaminerelated conditions such as hives and anaphylaxis they may be prescribed inappropriately said the researchers from the University of TorontoThe team analysed data on 328140 patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted by 755 attending physicians to 17 hospitals in Ontario Canada in 20152022They found that the overall prevalence of delirium was 348 per cent Patients admitted to physicians who more commonly prescribed firstgeneration antihistamines had 41 per cent increased odds of experiencing delirium compared with patients admitted to physicians who rarely prescribed firstgeneration antihistaminesDelirium which occurs in up to 50 per cent of hospitalised older adults has been associated with major adverse outcomes in older adults including increased mortality and longterm cognitive impairmentWe hope our study raises awareness among hospitalists that sedating antihistamines can be harmful and should be prescribed with caution said corresponding author Aaron M Drucker from the University of Toronto and Womens College HospitalFirstgeneration antihistamines are indicated for histaminemediated conditions such as urticaria and anaphylaxis but may be prescribed inappropriately for nonhistaminemediated pruritic conditions such as typeIV hypersensitivity drug eruptions or nonspecific pruritusEven when prescribed for histaminemediated conditions firstgeneration antihistamines do not have efficacy benefits over nonsedating antihistamines which are associated with fewer harms the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/some-anti-allergy-drugs-may-raise-dementia-risk-in-elderly-study-644360.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-company-responses-to-super-emitter-alerts-went-up-tenfold-un-environment-644375.html Nairobi Oct 22 Government and industry responses to UNEPs more than 3500 satellite methane alerts climbed from 1 to 12 per cent in the past year Nevertheless action must accelerate to minimise global temperature rise and achieve the Global Methane Pledge goal of curbing methane emissions 30 per cent by 2030 a new UN Environment Programme UNEP report said on Wednesday Historically emission inventories have underestimated methane emissions making realworld data a critical tool to track and reduce this potent driver of global warmingThe fifth edition of the UNEPs International Methane Emissions Observatory IMEO publication An Eye on Methane From measurement to momentum finds that member oil and gas companies of IMEOs Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 20 OGMP 20 are set to track onethird of emissions from global production using realworld measurementsWhile government and company responses to alerts from IMEOs Methane Alert and Response System MARS have grown tenfold over the previous year nearly 90 per cent remain unansweredAtmospheric methane continues to be the secondbiggest driver of climate change after carbon dioxide responsible for about onethird of the planets warmingReducing methane emissions can quickly bend the curve on global warming buying more time for longterm decarbonisation efforts so it is encouraging that datadriven tools are helping the oil and gas industry to report on their emissions and set ambitious mitigation targets said Inger Andersen Executive Director of UNEPHowever to keep the Paris Agreement targets within reach the important progress on reporting must translate into cuts to emissions Every company should join the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 20 and both governments and operators must respond to satellite alerts then they must act to reduce emissions said AndersenThe OGMP 20 is the worlds global standard for methane emissions measurement and mitigation in the oil and gas sector It provides the foundation of methane regulations in the worlds largest buying market the European Union Over the past five years OGMP 20 membership has more than doubled to 153 companies in the countries covering 42 per cent of global oil and gas productionIn total onethird of global oil and gas production reports or will soon report emissions at OGMP 20s Gold Standard meaning emissions are tracked with realworld measurements This positions a large amount of the global industry to effectively measure and thus mitigate emissionsOf the companies that reported emissions data 65 companies representing 17 per cent of global oil and gas production achieved Gold StandardSome 50 companies representing a further 15 per cent achieved Gold Standard Pathway meaning these companies are on track to soon reach Gold Standard reporting Another 22 companies reported emissions data but did not meet Gold Standard requirements IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-company-responses-to-super-emitter-alerts-went-up-tenfold-un-environment-644375.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-effort-to-develop-7-nm-processor-will-boost-chip-design-capabilities-govt-644376.html New Delhi Oct 22 India is now progressing in advanced chip design with an initiative to create a 7nanometre processor to strengthen the countrys readiness for future fabrication fab integration the government said on Wednesday This marks a crucial advancement in the countrys pursuit of semiconductor selfreliance and represents a major leap in semiconductor design with higher transistor density and enhanced computing efficiency an official statement saidThe Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras has developed a processor under its SHAKTI programme based on an opensource instruction set architectureDesigned for high performance and energy efficiency the 7 nm processor targets server applications across financial services communications defence and strategic sectorsThe indigenous 7 nm processor design initiative marks Indias entry into advanced node RampD placing it among the emerging nations advancing research and design at cuttingedge technology nodes such as those pioneered by the United States Taiwan and South Korea the statement saidThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology coordinates the SHAKTI project aligning with the India Semiconductor MissionThis mission has approved 10 semiconductor projects under a Rs 76000 crore plan with investments exceeding Rs 16 lakh crore having been approved across six statesThe government said that the design will enhance readiness for future fabrication integration and support emerging technologies like 5G artificial intelligence and supercomputing and decrease dependence on imported chips for critical applicationsThe statement also outlined a future roadmap with initiatives for sub7 nm research the establishment of advanced design testing and packaging facilities and the expansion of skilled employment through semiconductor initiatives under the Ministry of Electronics and Information TechnologyBy bridging innovation academia and industry India is laying the foundation for a globally competitive semiconductor ecosystem Through sustained RampD and strategic investment the nation is set to emerge as a vital hub in the global semiconductor value chain the statement noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-effort-to-develop-7-nm-processor-will-boost-chip-design-capabilities-govt-644376.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/survey-vehicles-to-map-road-defects-of-over-20-000-km-of-national-highways-ministry-644393.html New Delhi Oct 22 The National Highways Authority of India NHAI will deploy Network Survey Vehicles in 23 states to survey 20933 kilometres of National Highways in order to gather detailed road inventory and pavement condition data to expedite corrective maintenance a government statement said on Wednesday The deployment of NSVs will enable the NHAI to collect necessary data related to road inventory and pavement condition including all relevant road defects like surface cracking potholes and patches etc the Road Transport amp Highways Ministry statement saidThe data collected through NSV surveys will highlight deficiencies in road conditions prompting the NHAI to take corrective measures for better upkeep of National Highways enhancing the riding experience of the commuters it addedA 3D laserbased NSV system is capable of capturing and reporting road defects automatically without any human intervention with the help of highresolution 360degree cameras differential GPS inertial measurement units and distancemeasuring indicatorsOnboard data acquisition and processing software will generate inventory and pavement reports for two four six and eightlane projectsTo implement this initiative the NHAI has invited bids from qualified companies the statement notedSurvey data will be uploaded to the NHAIs AIbased Data Lake for analysis by a dedicated expert team converting the information into actionable insights for road maintenance and asset management The ministry said that results will be stored in the Road Asset Management System in designated formats for future useNHAIs Rajmargyatra app enables users to gift the FASTag annual pass the government said earlier this week urging citizens to consider this perfect gift for travellers during the Diwali and festive seasonFASTag annual pass provides a seamless and economical travel option to the National Highway users and is applicable on about 1150 toll plazas across India The annual pass costs Rs 3000 and is valid for one year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/survey-vehicles-to-map-road-defects-of-over-20-000-km-of-national-highways-ministry-644393.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/bok-holds-key-rate-steady-for-3rd-time-amid-surging-home-prices-weaker-won-644438.html Seoul Oct 23 South Koreas central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday to maintain financial stability amid a redhot housing market and a weakening currency In a widely expected decision the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea BOK held its key rate steady at 25 per cent during its ratesetting meeting in Seoul reports Yonhap news agencyIt marked the third consecutive onhold decision though the BOK has stressed the need to support the economic recovery through monetary easingIt is necessary to further monitor financial stability conditions such as the effects of real estate market stabilisation measures on housing markets in Seoul and its surrounding areas and on household debt as well as exchange rate volatility the BOK said in a released statementFive out of the boards six members supported the rate freeze decision while four of them voiced the need to keep open the possibility of further rate reductions in the next three months BOK Gov Rhee Changyong told a press briefingThe central bank began its monetary easing cycle in October last year cutting the key interest rate by a total of 100 basis points since then with the most recent reduction implemented in MayBut its policy room has been limited as surging home prices in Seoul and nearby areas have fueled household debtReal estate prices in Seoul and the greater Seoul area are too high considering income levels and the need to maintain social stability I believe current real estate prices are eroding economic growth Rhee saidEconomic growth remains low and the current environment does not really allow for a rate freeze But the reduction in borrowing costs could accelerate the real estate market By keeping rates on hold we signal that the pace and magnitude of a rate cut would likely be gradual he addedThe median expectation is now for an additional rate cut in November before a prolonged pauseThe government has rolled out a series of measures to cool the real estate market Most recently the government designated 21 additional districts in Seoul as speculative zones bringing all 25 districts in the capital under tougher regulationsIt also tightened lending rules lowering the mortgage loan cap to as little as 200 million won US139600 from 600 million won set in JuneOutstanding household loans extended by South Korean banks have continued to rise reaching a record high of 11702 trillion won at the end of last month though their growth has slowed due to stricter regulationsThe countrys household debttoGDP ratio stood at 897 percent as of endJune up 03 percentage point from three months earlier marking the first onquarter increase in the ratio in 15 quartersThe wons slide has also been a key concern for policymakersThe local currency has fallen well below 1420 per dollar its lowest level in months amid the continued strength of the US dollar and uncertainties surrounding tariff negotiations with the United States and a rate cut could further weaken the won and trigger capital outflowsThe local currency opened at 14318 per dollar Thursday down 2 won from the previous sessionI expect the currency to ease somewhat if tariff talks are concluded and uncertainty diminishes But we need to see specifics regarding the pledged 350 billion in investment funds among other details Rhee said Our focus is not on the level itself but on curbing volatilityIn July Seoul and Washington reached a framework deal in which the US would impose a 15 percent tariff on South Korean goods rather than the initially threatened 25 percent while Seoul would create a 350 billion fund for US investments IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/bok-holds-key-rate-steady-for-3rd-time-amid-surging-home-prices-weaker-won-644438.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-surges-700-points-nifty-reclaims-26-000-as-it-stocks-lead-market-rally-644442.html Mumbai Oct 23 Indian stock markets opened on a strong note on Thursday even as global cues remained mixed The benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty started the session with solid gains driven largely by strength in IT stocksThe Sensex opened 72781 points higher at 8515415 while the Nifty reclaimed the 26000 mark opening 1886 points higher at 2605720For now upside objective is set at 26186 with 26800 appearing as an optimistic objective market experts saidMeanwhile downside marker is placed at 25780 but an outright reversal is not expected today they addedAmong the top performers on the BSE were Infosys HCLTech and Tech Mahindra which saw healthy buying interestOn the other hand Bajaj Finserv Maruti and Power Grid were among the major laggardsSimilar trends were seen on the NSE where Infosys HCLTech and Tech Mahindra led the gains while IndiGo Eicher Motors and Sun Pharma Life witnessed selling pressureBroader market indices also traded higher with the Nifty SmallCap 100 rising 033 per cent and the Nifty MidCap 100 climbing 044 per centSectorwise the Nifty IT index emerged as the top gainer up 184 per cent while the Nifty Realty index was the only one in the red slipping 008 per centAnalysts said that investors showed renewed optimism in the market with strong buying seen in technology shares supporting the early trade momentumReports of an imminent trade deal between India and US is doing the rounds in market circles and the market reaction through Nifty implied open confirms this experts saidComments from President Trump and responses from PM Modi indicate an early trade deal The expected deal involves some concessions from both sides they addedMeanwhile the Foreign Institutional Investors FIIs extended their buying streak for the fifth consecutive session on October 21 as they bought equities worth Rs 96 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-surges-700-points-nifty-reclaims-26-000-as-it-stocks-lead-market-rally-644442.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-plans-indias-first-dedicated-ai-university-nara-lokesh-644445.html Amaravati Oct 23 Andhra Pradesh plans to establish Indias first dedicated Artificial Intelligence AI university state Education IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh said The minister who is currently on a visit to Australia also announced that AI curriculum is being introduced from the high school level supported by new AI and Robotics Labs across government schoolsLokesh held a series of strategic engagements with top universities business leaders and innovation experts across Brisbane and the Gold Coast aimed at strengthening the states global education partnerships investment prospects and sports infrastructure developmentAccording to the ministers office here at the Education Roundtable hosted by Queensland Trade and Investment he emphasised Andhra Pradeshs pioneering education reformsThe minister noted that the state is successfully integrating AI into governance to improve public services in education healthcare and welfare delivery The meeting saw participation from leading universities and government officials representing Queenslands education sectorAt Griffith Universitys Gold Coast campus Lokesh met Vice President Global Marnie Watson and explored the universitys advanced sports infrastructure Watson briefed the Minister on Griffith Universitys achievements since its establishment in 1975 and its international reputation for social justice sustainability and innovation across its five campuses in QueenslandDuring discussions Lokesh proposed the establishment of a Griffith University India Centre in Andhra Pradesh to coordinate student exchanges joint research and academic collaboration He urged the university to partner with Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation APSSDC and leading Andhra institutions such as SRMAP Andhra University and VITAP for dualdegree programs syllabus codesign and skill certification aligned with global standards He also invited Griffith University to participate in the upcoming Partnership Summit 2025 and AP Global Education Forum in NovemberIn Brisbane Lokesh participated in a highlevel Business Roundtable organised by the Consulate General of India and the AustraliaIndia Business Council AIBCAddressing the gathering he highlighted Andhra Pradeshs key role in IndiaAustralia trade especially following the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement ECTA which has doubled bilateral trade to USD 241 billionLokesh underscored Andhra Pradeshs transformation under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with over Rs 10 lakh crore of new investments in the past 16 months including major commitments from Google and ArcelorMittal He invited Australian investors to explore the states industryfriendly policies and to attend the Partnership Summit 2025 in VisakhapatnamThe minister met Professor Cal Zenger from James Cook Universitys Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture discussing collaboration in aquaculture genetics He sought support in developing diseaseresistant highyield breeds of shrimp and fish as well as training programmes for APs aquaculture farmers and AIbased monitoring systems to enhance productivity and environmental sustainabilityLokesh also met senior representatives from Populous a globally renowned sports architecture firm behind iconic venues such as the London Olympic Stadium Ahmedabads Narendra Modi Stadium and New Yorks Yankee Stadium Lokesh invited the firm to contribute designs and expertise for Andhra Pradeshs ambitious Sports Hub Vision driven by Chief Minister Naidu IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-plans-indias-first-dedicated-ai-university-nara-lokesh-644445.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/apple-ships-record-49-million-iphones-to-india-in-q3-2025-644455.html New Delhi Oct 23 Riding high on the success of its new iPhone 17 series and festive season demand Apple Inc recorded its highestever quarterly shipments to India sending 49 million smartphones to the country during the JulySeptember quarter of 2025 Q3 CY25 According to research firm Omdia this marks a 47 per cent yearonyear YoY growth and represents Apples strongest performance in the Indian market to dateWhats more India accounted for 9 per cent of Apples total global iPhone shipments in the quarter the highest share ever for the country underscoring Indias growing importance in the companys global strategyThe launch of the iPhone 17 series on September 9 played a key role in driving record salesThe new lineup features major camera upgrades including a 48MP Fusion Main camera and a 48MP Fusion UltraWide lens alongside a 63inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotionThe device also comes with the new A19 chip for enhanced performance and Ceramic Shield 2 technology offering three times better scratch resistance and reduced glareApple is expected to post its highestever festive quarter in India this year with analysts forecasting a 28 per cent increase in sales compared to last year driven by the early popularity of the iPhone 17 seriesThis milestone comes on the heels of another major achievement for the Cupertinobased company record iPhone exports from IndiaIn the AprilSeptember period of the current financial year Apple shipped iPhones worth about 10 billion over Rs 88500 crore marking a 75 per cent growth compared to the same period last year according to industry estimatesThe success reflects the strong push of the governments Make in India and productionlinked incentive PLI schemes which have encouraged Apple to expand its manufacturing base in Tamil Nadu and KarnatakaA majority of the iPhones produced in India this year nearly 78 per cent were exported to the US up from 53 per cent a year earlier IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/apple-ships-record-49-million-iphones-to-india-in-q3-2025-644455.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-madras-joins-applied-materials-india-to-boost-indias-semiconductor-innovation-644468.html New Delhi Oct 23 The Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras on Thursday announced a partnership with Applied Materials India to deploy the AppliedTwin digital twin framework to advance cuttingedge semiconductor research and workforce development The AppliedTwin platform is a sophisticated digital twin solution designed to model and optimise semiconductor manufacturing equipment and processes the institute saidOn Thursday a handson workshop on AppliedTwin was conducted at IIT Madras drawing participation from more than 150 students and faculty members IIT Madras and the Tamil Nadu government are planning to establish a semiconductor fabrication facility with integrated reliability and packaging capabilitiesDeployment of AppliedTwin digital framework at IIT Madras marks a major leap toward strengthening Indias semiconductor RampD infrastructure and building an industryready workforce the release saidProf V Kamakoti Director IIT Madras said that the AppliedTwin framework will enable faculty and students to accelerate concept creation prototyping testing and process exploration virtually thereby reducing RampD cost and time significantlyBy integrating advanced digital twin technologies into our curriculum and research we aim to contribute significantly to the countrys goal of becoming a global hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing Kamakoti saidThe foundational software powering AppliedTwin is designed to foster collaboration and build an innovation network across suppliers government customers and RampD institutionssupporting the development of Indias semiconductor ecosystemThe software solution offered to IIT Madras includes a multiphysics modelling tool and TOPO a topography simulatorStudents across institutions and MSMEs can access the software through the IITM platform through Swayam Plus the release notedWith access to virtualised semiconductor process experimentation students and researchers will gain handson understanding of real fabrication workflows before Indias physical FAB infrastructure reaches full scale the institute said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/iit-madras-joins-applied-materials-india-to-boost-indias-semiconductor-innovation-644468.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/deendayal-antyodaya-yojana-nrlm-enabling-rural-poverty-alleviation-womens-empowerment-644471.html New Delhi Oct 23 The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission DAYNRLM is a key programme working to alleviate poverty in Indias rural areas and empowering women said the government on Thursday The flagship poverty alleviation programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development to reduce poverty by enabling poor households to access gainful selfemployment and skilled wage employment opportunities resulting in sustainable and diversified livelihood options for the poorIt mobilises rural poor households into Self Help Groups SHGs and continuously nurtures and supports them to take economic activities till they attain an appreciable increase in incomeThe mission launched in 2016 has so far mobilised 1005 crore rural households into 909 lakh SHGs across India the government said in an official statementIt has also supported 46 crore female farmers and 374 lakh enterprises through various entrepreneurship programmesOther key achievements include the deployment of 35 lakh Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis the formation of 6000 integrated farming clusters 195 lakh producer groups benefiting over 50 lakh rural women 374 lakh enterprises supported in 282 blocksFurther women SHGs accessed Rs 11 lakh crore in loans since 201314 while 47952 Bank Sakhis were employed in the bank branches to facilitate credit linkage of the SHGsThe mission also promoted sustainable livelihoods through agriculture nontimber forest produce livestock and nonfarm enterprisesThe DAYNRLM has become a cornerstone of rural poverty alleviation and womens empowerment in India It has expanded access to formal credit skills and market opportunities enabling sustainable livelihoods and financial resilience the government saidThrough focused initiatives in skill development entrepreneurship and convergence with key government schemes NRLM has diversified income sources and strengthened the rural economyIts robust monitoring systems strong SHGbank linkages and capacitybuilding measures ensure transparency and accountability making it a powerful driver of inclusive growth and improved living standards in rural communities the government saidNational Rural Livelihood Mission NRLM was launched in 2010 as a missionmode scheme by restructuring the erstwhile Swarnajayanti Grameen Swarojgar Yojana SGSYIn 2016 the programme was renamed Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihood Mission DAYNRLM The central and state governments jointly fund this centrally sponsored scheme It is one of the worlds largest initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of the poorThe Mission is also working to empower SHG women through awareness generation and behaviour change communication on issues such as domestic violence womens education and other genderrelated concerns nutrition sanitation health etc IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/deendayal-antyodaya-yojana-nrlm-enabling-rural-poverty-alleviation-womens-empowerment-644471.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/fire-breaks-out-at-isros-it-server-building-in-ahmedabad-no-casualties-reported-644483.html Ahmedabad Oct 23 A fire broke out at the IT server building inside the Indian Space Research Organisation campus in Ahmedabad triggering a swift response from the city fire department The blaze reportedly started on the upper floor of the building located near the outer gate of the ISRO premises Four fire tenders were rushed to the spot and firefighters managed to bring the situation under control within a short time Fortunately no casualties were reported Employees working in the building were safely evacuated as a precautionary measurePreliminary reports suggest that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire though the exact reason is yet to be confirmed Officials said the flames caused significant damage to the IT infrastructure with several computers and equipment destroyed in the incident The extent of the damage is currently being assessedThe affected servers reportedly contained critical data and an internal inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the fire and the scale of the lossA similar incident was reported in 2018 at ISROs Space Applications Centre SAC in Ahmedabad when thick smoke was seen billowing from one of the countrys most important space laboratoriesThe fire suspected to have been caused by a short circuit broke out in a major facility of the centre the citys fire department had said at the time A CISF guard was injured after inhaling smoke while firefighters managed to control the blazeDuring that incident then SAC Director Dr Tapan Misra confirmed that the antenna test facility had caught fire resulting in damage to some specialised equipmentThe ISRO has a longstanding presence in Ahmedabad through its Space Applications Centre SAC one of the premier facilities of the organisationEstablished in 1972 SAC plays a vital role in developing payloads for communication meteorology remote sensing and space science Located in the Satellite area of Ahmedabad SAC was founded under the leadership of Dr Vikram Sarabhai the father of Indias space programme who envisioned the city as a hub for scientific and technological advancementThe centre is instrumental in designing satellitebased systems that support national missions in communication disaster management weather forecasting and resource mapping Over the years the Ahmedabad unit has become a crucial link between space technology and societal applications contributing significantly to Indias space successes from INSAT and IRS satellites to recent advancements in navigation and planetary exploration IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/fire-breaks-out-at-isros-it-server-building-in-ahmedabad-no-casualties-reported-644483.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/upi-clocks-highest-ever-single-day-payments-of-rs-102-lakh-crore-as-gst-rate-cuts-spur-demand-644521.html New Delhi Oct 23 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted on Thursday that the unified payments interface UPI platform processed 754 million payments worth Rs 102 lakh crore on October 18 marking the highest singleday tally as consumer demand surged due to the GST rate cuts During the threeday period between Dhanteras and Diwali the average UPI volumes stood at 7369 million higher than 64746 million in the corresponding period a month ago the Finance Minister saidIt has been a cracker of a Diwali for retailers this year as GST rate cuts have boosted consumption enabling the middle class to add more items to their shopping bags this festive season she observedFrom labgrown diamonds to casual wear and products to adorn homes both mass and premium segments of the market picked up Sitharaman remarkedShe pointed out that the rollout of Goods and Services Tax GST 20 has injected fresh momentum into Indias growth story by enhancing household purchasing power easing business operations and simplifying tax administrationBy rationalising slabs and lowering rates across a range of consumer goods the reform has delivered tangible savings for households freeing up disposable income and helping stimulate demand the Finance Minister addedAccording to the Confederation of All India Traders CAIT Diwali sales soared to an alltime high of Rs 605 lakh this yearThis marks a 25 per cent jump over the 2024 festive sales of Rs 425 lakh crore from the Navratri to Diwali period and is the highestever sales in Indias trading history according to Research and Trade Development Society the research wing of CAITMainline retail accounted for nearly 85 per cent of total sales indicating a strong revival of the brickandmortar market the survey showedThe reduction in GST rates across key consumer and retail categories such as confectionery home decor footwear and readymade garments consumer durables and daily use items significantly improved price competitiveness and increased purchase momentumAbout 72 per cent of surveyed traders reported higher sales volumes directly attributable to reduced GST according to the surveyConsumers expressed greater satisfaction with stable prices amid festive demand aiding consumption continuity postDiwaliThe noncorporate and nonagricultural sector has emerged as a central pillar of Indias growth driven by 9 crore small businesses crores of small manufacturing units and the largest base of consumers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/upi-clocks-highest-ever-single-day-payments-of-rs-102-lakh-crore-as-gst-rate-cuts-spur-demand-644521.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/spicejet-delhi-patna-flight-returns-mid-air-due-to-technical-issue-644527.html New Delhi Oct 23 Ahead of the auspicious occasion of Chhath a Patnabound SpiceJet aircraft returned to Delhi on Thursday morning shortly after takeoff following a technical issue According to SpiceJet flight SG 497 which was operating from Delhi to Patna with a Boeing 737 aircraft made a normal landing at the Delhi airport and all passengers were safely deplanedHowever the airline did not share details about the number of passengers on boardOn October 23 SpiceJet flight SG 497 operating from Delhi to Patna returned back to Delhi after takeoff due to a technical issue the airline said in a statementThe aircraft landed normally and passengers were deplaned safely An alternate aircraft was arranged to accommodate the passengers which is now en route to Patna the airline addedThe incident adds to a series of technical issues reported by the budget carrier in recent monthsEarlier on September 12 a SpiceJet flight operating from Kandla Gujarat to Mumbai lost an outer wheel during takeoff but landed safely in MumbaiOn September 12 an outer wheel of a SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Kandla to Mumbai was found at the runway after takeoff The aircraft continued its journey to Mumbai and landed safely an SpiceJet spokesperson said on September 12The Q400 aircraft continued its journey to Mumbai and taxied to the terminal under its own power after landing the airline had said at the timeMore recently a Kathmandubound SpiceJet flight faced a suspected tailpipe fire at Delhi airport but safely returned to the bayThe airline clarified that no warnings or indications were observed in the cockpit and the pilots returned as a precautionary measureSpiceJet which has been dealing with financial and operational challenges reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 234 crore in the AprilJune quarter Q1 of FY26 compared to a profit of Rs 158 crore in the same period last yearThe airline attributed the losses to grounded aircraft and the costs of bringing them back into service along with reduced leisure travel due to geopolitical tensions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/spicejet-delhi-patna-flight-returns-mid-air-due-to-technical-issue-644527.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/isro-to-launch-us-bluebird-6-satellite-weighing-65-tonnes-by-year-end-dr-v-narayanan-644547.html New Delhi Oct 23 Indian Space Research Organization ISRO is gearing up for another collaboration with the US with its BlueBird6 satellite and a 65tonne weighing satellite is expected to be launched by the yearend said ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan on Thursday The collaboration comes on the heels of the successful launch of the NASAISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission NISAR by ISRO in JulyBlue Bird is a communication satellite We have received the satellite and we are working for the launch and the launch vehicle buildup is going on Narayanan told IANS during a media briefing for ESTIC2025The date will be announced by the Prime Minister at the appropriate time he said adding we are targeting to accomplish before this years endThe Block 2 BlueBird communications satellite developed by the USbased AST SpaceMobile will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota on board Indias most powerful rocket LVM3BlueBird6 is one of the heaviest commercial satellites weighing 65 tonnes The Low Earth Orbit LEO satellite arrived in India from the US on October 19Meanwhile Narayanan also spoke about the Gaganyaan mission the progress made under the countrys first human spaceflight missionNarayanan revealed that development work for the Gaganyaan Mission is nearing completion with about 85 to 90 per cent of subsystemlevel activities finalisedWe are now conducting integrated tests and software validation Three uncrewed missions will be launched before the crewed flight to ensure full safety and system reliability the ISRO Chief told IANSEmerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave ESTIC 2025 scheduled from November 3 to November 5 at Bharat Mandapam will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe event will focus on accelerating breakthroughs in key scientific domains and fostering collaborations across sectorsSpeaking about the conclave Narayanan said that the event is not only for ISRO but for the entire science and technology departments of the countryThere are 13 science and technology departments involved The event will mainly showcase our potential appreciate talents also understand the vision of each department what is in the store and how the Indian industry startup ecosystems are contributing to the science and technology area how the academia is involved the ISRO Chief saidDr A Rajarajan Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre VSSC Thiruvananthapuram stressed the need for a lunar module launch vehicle to enable the landing of an Indian on Chandrayaan by 2040We have configured a Lunar Module Launch Vehicle LMLV which is in the initial stages of design and configuration It requires a 75000 kg payload capability of LEO Rajarajan told IANSWe are taking care of advancing the manufacturing capability of this vehicle in all aspects he added while emphasising the need for industry collaborationsAny vehicle development is challenging It has its own cycle time We have to put an ecosystem in place to manufacture everything incorporate all the advancements that have happened all over the world to be on par in 2040 Rajarajan saidESTIC 2025 is expected to unite Nobel Laureates industry leaders young innovators women entrepreneurs and emerging science leaders to define the next frontiers of science and technological innovation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/isro-to-launch-us-bluebird-6-satellite-weighing-65-tonnes-by-year-end-dr-v-narayanan-644547.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/coal-india-iit-madras-to-establish-centre-for-sustainable-energy-644344.html New Delhi Oct 22 Coal India Limited CIL on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to establish the Centre for Sustainable Energy The Centre at IIT Madras will serve as a hub for cuttingedge RampD and capacitybuilding initiatives in sustainable energy technologiesSupported by CILs funding and aligned with its strategic diversification goals the Centre will focus on developing solutions for repurposing coal mines creating lowcarbon technologies and reimagining coal as a valuable feedstock in Indias clean energy future according to Coal MinistryThis partnership underscores a shared commitment to leading Indias energy transition through indigenous research innovation and technology development to achieve the nations netzero ambitions by 2070 it said in a statementPM Prasad Chairman CIL said that Coal India is transforming from being the nations energy provider to becoming a key enabler of Indias clean energy transitionThis MoU marks a historic step in Coal Indias journey toward sustainable growth Through this collaboration with IIT Madras Coal India aims to generate indigenous solutions that ensure energy security decarbonization and socioeconomic progress he addedV Kamakoti Director IIT Madras stated that industryacademia collaborations have been a cornerstone of IIT Madras journey toward leading Indias transition to a lowcarbon economyThe partnership with Coal India epitomizes the institutes commitment to this cause Together we aim to develop scalable and impactful solutions that support Indias sustainable energy future he emphasisedAccording to the ministry the Centre will also contribute to human capital development through PhD postdoctoral and internship programs nurturing the next generation of researchers and engineers to lead Indias green energy transformation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/coal-india-iit-madras-to-establish-centre-for-sustainable-energy-644344.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/industry-bodies-welcome-cdscos-draft-guidance-on-medical-device-software-644350.html New Delhi Oct 22 Industry bodies on Wednesday welcomed the draft guidance on medical device software issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO Medical device software is software that is either integrated into a hardware medical device Software in a Medical Device or SiMD or operates independently as a standalone application for medical purposes Software as a Medical Device or SaMDThe CDSCO in an official notice on Tuesday shared the draft of the guidance document to bring more clarity on regulatory aspects of medical device software and to align the requirements with best global practicesThis guidance document provides scope definition classification standards requirements of technical documents and Quality Management system applicable for Medical Device Software The applicants may refer to the documents during submission of application for grant of licence to manufacture or import Medical Device Software for sale and distribution in the country Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi the Drug Controller General of India DCGI the head of CDSCO in the noticeMedical device software is used for diagnostics treatment and patient monitoring and is subject to strict regulatory standards to ensure patient safety and effectivenessWe welcome the updated revised Governments draft guidance note on Software as a Medical Device SaMD as a timely and progressive step towards strengthening Indias regulatory ecosystem With digital health solutions playing an increasingly critical role in patient care it is essential that our regulatory framework ensures both patient safety and innovation Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator Association of Indian Medical Device Industry AiMeDNath also proposed hosting a webinar to educate stakeholders and invite feedback to align Indias framework with the International Medical Device Regulators Forum IMDRF and other global best practicesThis will ensure patient safety while enabling Indian innovations to thrive internationally he addedThe Medical Technology Association of India MTaI also welcomed the draft guidance document and commended CDSCO for its proactive step in framing a comprehensive regulatory framework for SiMD and SaMD including artificial intelligence AI machine learning ML and cloudbased medical applicationsThis draft guidance reflects CDSCOs commitment to keeping pace with the fastevolving landscape of digital health technologies By providing clarity on definitions classification and quality management requirements it creates a foundation for safe innovative and globally competitive MedTech software solutions from India said Pavan Choudary Chairman MTaIMTaI also suggested streamlining compliance requirements for lowrisk SaMDs to ensure regulatory proportionality and ease of implementation aligning technical and quality standards with global best practices and providing greater clarity on clinical evaluation protocols and algorithm change management particularly for AIMLbased medical devices IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/industry-bodies-welcome-cdscos-draft-guidance-on-medical-device-software-644350.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-likely-to-open-weak-after-steep-global-fall-prices-may-drop-to-rs-122rs-123-lakh-per-10-gm-644259.html Mumbai Oct 22 The rush for gold may slow down after Diwali as the yellow metal is expected to open on a weak note in the domestic market on Wednesday This comes after international gold prices fell sharply by 55 per cent the steepest decline since August 2020Analysts expect Indian gold prices to correct to around Rs 122Rs 123 lakh per 10 grams when markets open on WednesdayThe fall in global prices has triggered profitbooking among investors who had benefited from golds recent rallySilver too lost over 2 per cent trading near 476 per ounce after tumbling 71 per cent in the previous sessionGold and silver both extended their slide from record highs while Asian stock markets showed mixed trends following a muted session on Wall StreetExperts said the sharp drop in precious metals reflects a wave of profittaking after their rapid rise this yearMany investors have grown cautious believing that golds rally may have entered a bubble zone analysts notedThis years rally had been driven by worries about the fiscal health of major economies especially the US and expectations that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates further by the end of the yearGold prices had surged nearly 60 per cent this year fuelled by central banks diversifying away from the dollar and retail investors buying into exchangetraded fundsMarket sentiment also turned cautious after signs of possible progress in trade talks between the US and ChinaUS President Donald Trump said he expects a good deal in his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping though he admitted the talks might still face hurdlesAnalysts believe that while gold remains a preferred safehaven asset in the long term shortterm volatility is likely to continue as investors balance profittaking with global economic signals IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-likely-to-open-weak-after-steep-global-fall-prices-may-drop-to-rs-122rs-123-lakh-per-10-gm-644259.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/satya-nadellas-pay-jumps-to-965-million-in-fy25-highest-since-becoming-microsoft-ceo-644267.html Mumbai Oct 22 Microsoft CEO Satya Nadellas total compensation for the financial year 20242025 has risen to 965 million his highest since taking charge of the company more than a decade ago The sharp increase reflects Microsofts major progress in artificial intelligence AI under his leadershipIn a note to shareholders the companys board said Nadella and his leadership team have successfully positioned Microsoft as a global leader in AI during a generational technology shiftThe companys regulatory filing shows that around 90 per cent of Nadellas pay comes in the form of Microsoft shares in addition to a 25 million base salaryIn the previous financial year Nadella earned 791 million He became Microsofts third CEO in 2014 succeeding Steve Ballmer and cofounder Bill GatesThe filing also revealed higher pay packages for Nadellas top executives Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood earned 295 million while Judson Althoff who now heads Microsofts commercial business received 282 millionMicrosoft shares have gained about 23 per cent this year driven by steady growth in its Azure cloud computing business which continues to outperform competitors like Amazon Web ServicesSince becoming CEO Nadella has transformed Microsoft into a cloudfirst and AIdriven companyHis early bet on cloud computing helped Azure become one of the top players in the global marketHe also expanded Microsofts portfolio through key acquisitions including LinkedIn GitHub and gaming giant Activision Blizzard strengthening the companys presence in software professional networking and entertainmentOne of Nadellas most significant moves was backing OpenAI when it was still a littleknown startupMicrosofts initial 1 billion investment in OpenAI grew into a much deeper partnership with an additional 10 billion investment as ChatGPT became a household nameToday AI features powered by OpenAI are integrated across almost all Microsoft products from Office tools to cloud servicesBorn and raised in Hyderabad Nadella completed his engineering degree from Mangalore University in 1988 and later pursued a masters in computer science from the University of WisconsinMilwaukeeHe joined Microsoft in 1992 and quickly rose through the ranks leading several divisions before taking over as CEO in 2014 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/satya-nadellas-pay-jumps-to-965-million-in-fy25-highest-since-becoming-microsoft-ceo-644267.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mosquito-saliva-mayboostbodys-immune-system-againstchikungunya-644273.html New Delhi Oct 22 A team of Singaporean researchers has identified a mechanism where mosquito saliva can help boost the human bodys immune response during chikungunya virus CHIKV infection The research published in Nature Communications showed that sialokinin a bioactive peptide in Aedes mosquito saliva binds to neurokinin receptors on immune cells and suppresses monocyte activationThis helps reduce inflammation and facilitates early viral dissemination The findings offer new insight into how mosquito bites shape disease outcomes said the team from the ASTAR Infectious Diseases Labs ASTAR IDL in SingaporeThis study provides compelling evidence that mosquito salivary proteins are not just passive carriers of viruses but active modulators of host immunity said Dr SiewWai Fong corresponding author and Senior Scientist at ASTAR IDLTargeting sialokinin or its receptor interactions could represent a novel therapeutic strategy to mitigate inflammation and improve outcomes in CHIKV and potentially other arboviral infections Fong addedCHIKV is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and causes painful joint swelling that can persist for monthsThe team identified sialokinin a protein in mosquito saliva as a key factor that shapes how the body responds to infectionThe study found that sialokinin binds neurokinin receptors in the immune system temporarily suppressing inflammation in the early stages of infectionLaboratory and preclinical studies revealed that this early dampening of the immune response allows the virus to spread more easily to other tissues which may in turn contribute to severe symptoms later onConsistent with this patients with more severe chikungunya symptoms were found to have higher levels of antibodies against sialokinin indicating a stronger immune reaction to the peptide which may contribute to disease severityThe findings underscore the importance of understanding vectorhost interactions in the context of emerging infectious diseases As climate change accelerates the spread of mosquitoborne viruses identifying and neutralising salivary factors like sialokinin may offer new avenues for disease control and prevention IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mosquito-saliva-mayboostbodys-immune-system-againstchikungunya-644273.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-auto-deals-surge-to-46-billion-in-q3-2025-in-strongest-quarter-ever-644297.html New Delhi Oct 22 Indias automotive sectors deal value touched 46 billion with 30 transactions in the JulySeptember Q3 2025 period marking the strongest quarter in over a year a report said on Wednesday The surge was primarily fuelled by Tata Motors 38 billion acquisition of Iveco SPA which accounted for 95 per cent of total mergers and acquisitions MampA value in Q3 2025 the report from Grant Thornton Bharat saidThe quarter reflected a strategic pivot toward global expansion electrification and supply chain recalibration as both strategic acquirers and private investors intensified focus on futureready mobility platforms the report addedDeal volumes remained unchanged quarteronquarter but values surged due to the outbound Tata Motors acquisitionWhile MampA activity was dominated by crossborder consolidation plays private equity PE interest remained steady in scalable techenabled segments such as electric mobility fleet electrification and MobilityasaService MaaSMampA activity recorded seven deals totalling 41 billion reflecting a 1234 per cent increase in value compared to Q2 Crossborder transactions accounted for 71 per cent of volumes and 99 per cent of valuePrivate equity activity included 23 deals worth 531 million marking a 15 per cent increase in volume but a 17 per cent drop in value compared to Q2 Seventy per cent of these deals were under 10 millionMobilityasaService MaaS continued to dominate PE deal flow accounting for nearly 80 per cent of total PE valueFurther International Finance Corporation IFCbacked funding in electric bus operators worth 137 million further reinforced investor confidence in urban electrification and multimodal transport infrastructurePublic market activity remained subdued in Q3 2025 with no major IPOs or QIPs recorded However investor focus remains high on the anticipated Toyota IPO in 2026 which is expected to reshape investment flows and reinvigorate sectoral interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-auto-deals-surge-to-46-billion-in-q3-2025-in-strongest-quarter-ever-644297.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-groups-market-capitalisation-tops-6344-billion-for-1st-time-644301.html Seoul Oct 22 Samsung Groups entire market capitalisation surpassed 900 trillion won 6344 billion for the first time on Wednesday driven by semiconductor maker Samsung Electronics bullish run data showed Samsung Groups total market capitalisation stood at 9079 trillion won 6344 billion up 67 percent from 5433 trillion won at the end of last year according to the data from the Korea Exchange reports Yonhap news agencyThe increase was largely attributed to a sharp increase in the share price of Samsung Electronics which swelled 853 per cent from 53200 won on Dec 31 to 98600 won on WednesdaySamsung Electronics share price rose sharply in recent weeks boosted by a tech rally on Wall Street and a positive outlook for the chip sector amid a boom in the artificial intelligence AI marketMeanwhile Samsung SDI has partnered with the Korea Electrical Safety Corp KESCO to cooperate in strengthening the safety of energy storage system ESS infrastructure amid an expected increase in demand for such equipment in the near futureUnder a memorandum of understanding MOU the two sides will cooperate on developing safety management policies and safety improvement measures for ESS and uninterruptible power supply UPS systems They will also collaborate on accident prevention manuals and coordinated emergency response systems while also working to encourage voluntary participation of users to install fire suppression and remote monitoring systemsSamsung SDI and KESCO plan to form a workinglevel task force to produce specific implementation plans and establish a longterm cooperation frameworkThe partnership comes as South Korea expects a rapid growth of its ESS market in line with the governments energy transition policy This agreement is an opportunity to extend our technological leadership to a broader social responsibility said Choi Joosun chief executive officer CEO of Samsung SDI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-groups-market-capitalisation-tops-6344-billion-for-1st-time-644301.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/over-onethird-of-indian-employees-in-zoho-apple-nvidia-from-tier-3-colleges-report-644307.html New Delhi Oct 22 Over onethird of Indian employees at major tech firms such as Zoho Apple and NVIDIA graduated from the countrys tier 3 colleges a report said on Wednesday This highlights a shift towards skillsbased hiring the report from Blind an anonymous social media app said based on its survey of 1602 Indian professionalsThe survey categorised colleges based on the NIRF 2025 rankings into tier 1 tier 2 tier 3 and overseas institutesWhile traditional financial firms still place value on college names major tech firms tend to prioritise skills At companies like Zoho Apple NVIDIA SAP and PayPal where many respondents said college had no influence on their careers an average of 34 per cent of surveyed employees were Tier 3 graduates the report saidTraditional financial and tech firms such as Goldman Sachs Visa Atlassian Oracle and Google continued to rely on campus recruitment with an average of 18 per cent of respondents being tier 3 graduatesWhile 59 per cent of tier 3 alumni and 45 per cent of overseas graduates considered their college education merely a line on their resume the vast majority of tier 1 and tier 2 alumni attributed their career development to campus recruitmentAs many as 15 per cent of tier 3 alumni reported significant salary benefits from their education while 74 per cent indicated it was helpful only in the early stages or not at allAround 53 per cent of overseas graduates reported that college had little or no effect on their earningsBlind said that 41 per cent of surveyed professionals graduated from tier 1 colleges such as IITs IISc top IIMs BITS Pilani etc 30 per cent from tier 2 colleges 25 per cent from tier 3 and 4 per cent from overseas institutions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/over-onethird-of-indian-employees-in-zoho-apple-nvidia-from-tier-3-colleges-report-644307.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/domestic-equity-markets-gain-momentum-on-back-of-resilient-q1-gdp-data-report-644309.html New Delhi Oct 22 Domestic equity markets went up following robust macroeconomic indicators as Indias economy expanded by 78 per cent yearonyear YoY in Q1 FY26 marking the strongest growth in five quarters a report said on Wednesday While the Services PMI surged to 629 in August 2025 its highest level in over 15 years driven by a sharp rise in new orders and resilient demandSentiment was further boosted as the GST Council simplified the existing four tax slabs 5 12 18 28 per cent into a tworate structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent and proposed a special 40 per cent slab for select luxury items such as highend cars tobacco and cigarettes ICRA Analytics said in its reportEquity markets gained further extension after the US Federal Reserve delivered its first rate cut of the year in September citing recent weakness in the labour marketHowever overall gains were capped amid lingering uncertainty over IndiaUS trade negotiations and continued foreign institutional investor outflows from domestic equitiesMeanwhile according to the report among the trends spotted in the Equity Mutual Fund category as on September all categories across equity mutual funds gave positive category average returns over 3year 5year and 10year period small cap Fund gave maximum category average return over 5year and 10year period and large cap fund gave negative category average returns of around 492 per cent over 1year periodSimilarly there were trends spotted in the Debt Mutual Fund category this month Credit risk funds gave maximum average returns over 6month 1year 3year and 5year periods Lowduration fund gave the maximum average return over 1 month 1857 per centAll categories across debt mutual funds gave positive returns across 1year 3year 5year and 10year periods and credit risk funds gave maximum average returns over 6month 1year 3year and 5year periods IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/domestic-equity-markets-gain-momentum-on-back-of-resilient-q1-gdp-data-report-644309.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/meity-proposes-mandatory-labels-metadata-tagging-to-combat-deepfakes-644320.html New Delhi Oct 22 The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued draft amendments to the IT Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules 2021 that mandate platforms to clearly identify synthetically generated content and introduce new technical obligations for services facilitating its creation The proposed changes introduce a clear definition of synthetically generated information and require platforms especially major social media intermediaries SSMIs to label such content through metadata and visible or audible markingsUnder IT rules SSMIs are those platforms that have more than 5 million registered users in India such as Facebook YouTube Snapchat etcProposed rule mandates that social media platforms facilitating AI content creation must ensure that the information is prominently labelled or embedded with permanent unique metadata or identifierThe identifier must be visible or audible covering at least ten per cent of the surface area of the visual display or in the case of audio content during the initial ten per cent of its duration the rules statedThe draft rules also said that the metadata or identifier must not be alterable suppressed or removedIf a platform knowingly allows unlabelled or falsely declared AIgenerated content it will be deemed to have failed in exercising due diligence under the IT ActPlatforms that enable the creation or modification of synthetic content would also be required to adopt technical measures to verify and declare if uploaded content is AIgenerated the ministry saidThe ministry added that the move is part of its broader push to maintain an open safe trusted and accountable Internet while addressing growing risks of misinformation impersonation and election manipulation driven by generative AIThe ministry has invited stakeholder feedback on the draft by November 6 2025The government had earlier this month selected five projects under the programme launched by IndiaAI to advance realtime deepfake detection strengthen forensic analysis and further other AIrelated security issues IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/meity-proposes-mandatory-labels-metadata-tagging-to-combat-deepfakes-644320.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/startup-founder-slams-taj-hotel-for-schooling-on-how-to-sit-wear-clothes-footwear-644321.html New Delhi Oct 22 YourStory Founder and CEO Shradha Sharma has slammed authorities at the Taj Hotel for shaming her for sitting in regular padmasana style at its fine dining restaurant House of Ming In a post along with a video shared on the social media platform X Sharma shared the incident that occurred when she went to House of Ming to have dinner along with her sister during DiwaliSharma who sat in a padmasana position on the chair was reprimanded by the manager and asked to sit properly as other guests raised objections to her way of sittingAn ordinary person who through hard work earns their own money and comes to the Taj Hotel with their dignity intact even today in this country they have to face humiliation and insult And what is my fault Just this that I sat down in a regular padmasana style Is it my fault that the Taj is teaching me how to sit what to do Sharma said in the post on XThe manager also insulted her for the choice of clothes traditional salwar kameez and footwear kolhapuri chappalsShe said that she worked hard and earned the money to afford a place at the fine dining but the hotel is reeking of richness culture and classThe manager told her This is fine dining and a lot of rich people come here So you should sit in a way adding that I dont know what to wear closed shoesI am wearing Kolhapuri slippers And what I wear I bought it with my own hard work and came here But to come here and say that you sit with your feet down this is wrongAnd someone has an objection and a problem And it shows that we are still reeking of this richness and this culture and this class Why I work hard and thats why I am hereAnd I am paying for this myself So what is the issue What is the problem with anyone here Sharma saidNoting that she has a lot of respect for industrialist Ratan Tata who was an investor in her company the incident left her disappointed with TajWhile Taj is yet to respond to the allegations the post received several comments supporting her and slamming the hotel groupNo one should ever face something like this TajMahalHotel this isnt just a mistake its a serious failure Hope you take accountability and ensure it never happens to anyone else said one userPadmasana isnt the problem the problem is the Macaulaymoulded mindset that still measures dignity by Western posture Weve produced generations ashamed of their own civilization while pretending to be global Countless Bhartiyas have faced such insults countless times added anotherHowever some also asked her not to expect a homely atmosphere at a fine dining place citing hygiene issues among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/startup-founder-slams-taj-hotel-for-schooling-on-how-to-sit-wear-clothes-footwear-644321.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/chatgpt-atlas-all-about-google-chromes-rival-644323.html New Delhi Oct 22 OpenAI has unveiled ChatGPT Atlas a new AIpowered web browser designed to redefine how people use the internet Built entirely around ChatGPT the browser aims to merge artificial intelligence with traditional web browsing offering a seamless and interactive online experienceThe company says Atlas is now available globally for macOS users and will soon arrive on Windows iOS and AndroidAt its core Atlas places ChatGPT directly inside the browser rather than adding it as an extensionThe newtab page doubles as both a chat window and a traditional search bar allowing users to browse websites get AIgenerated answers and view regular search results all in one placeUsers can switch between links images videos and news without leaving the chat interface One of the biggest highlights of ChatGPT Atlas is its optional browser memoryThis feature allows the browser to remember key details from visited websites enabling users to ask followup questions like Summarise the job postings I checked last week without reentering linksOpenAI says users will have full control over what the AI remembers and can easily clear data or browse privatelyBy default browsing content will not be used for model training unless users choose to opt inAnother major upgrade is the introduction of Agent Mode which allows ChatGPT to take actions directly inside the browserFor example it can research topics open tabs extract data and even interact with services like Instacart to build shopping carts from recipesProduct lead Adam Fry explained that this means Atlas can now book reservations or flights or even edit a document that youre working onThe browser also includes a feature called cursor chat which lets users highlight any text such as an email and ask ChatGPT to rewrite or refine it instantlyAltman described Atlas as a step toward a new way of using the internetwhere the chat experience becomes a natural part of web navigationThe way that we hope people will use the internet in the future the chat experience in a web browser can be a great analogue he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/chatgpt-atlas-all-about-google-chromes-rival-644323.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cyberattack-on-jaguar-land-rover-costs-uk-economy-255-billion-disrupts-over-5-000-businesses-644331.html New Delhi Oct 22 A major cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover the British car manufacturer owned by Indias Tata Motors has cost the UK economy an estimated 255 billion 19 billion according to a report released on Wednesday by the Cyber Monitoring Centre CMC The attack forced a sixweek shutdown of JLRs production impacting thousands of suppliers and dealerships nationwide marking it as the most expensive cyber event ever recorded in the UKMore than 5000 companies across the UK were affected by the incident the report saidThe CMC is an independent group made up of experts in cybersecurity including a former head of Britains National Cyber Security CentreThey said the financial damage could have been even worse if JLR had faced longer delays in restarting production after the hackThe report described this attack as the most costly cyber event ever to hit the UK Most of the losses came from JLR having to stop making cars which also affected its many suppliersJLR has three factories in Britain that together produce about 1000 cars every day Due to the hack production was shut down for almost six weeksJLR finally began to start production again earlier this month Before the shutdown the company was losing about 50 million pounds every weekTo help JLR and its suppliers during this difficult time the British government provided a loan guarantee of 15 billion pounds at the end of SeptemberThis cyberattack on JLR was one of several big hacks that hit important British companies this yearFor example the retailer Marks amp Spencer lost around 300 million pounds when its online services were shut down for two months after a breach in AprilThe CMC has a system to rate the financial impact of such cybersecurity incidents on British businessesThey ranked the JLR hack as a Category 3 systemic event which is on a scale of one to fiveThe report said the attack caused a major disruption not only to JLRs manufacturing but also to its supply chain and to car dealerships across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cyberattack-on-jaguar-land-rover-costs-uk-economy-255-billion-disrupts-over-5-000-businesses-644331.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-emerges-as-most-attractive-investment-destinations-amid-infra-boom-expanding-middle-class-blackstone-president-644338.html New Delhi Oct 22 Blackstone President and Chief Operating Officer Jon Gray has called India one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world describing it as the fastestgrowing country in the G10 Speaking at an event Gray praised Indias strong economy growing middle class and major push in infrastructure development calling it a compelling longterm opportunity for global investorsGray highlighted three areas that he believes hold the strongest investment potential real estate secondary markets and IndiaHe said that despite facing challenges over the last few years commercial real estate is now entering a favourable phaseIts been three and a half very tough years for commercial real estate but now a good dynamic has taken over New supply has dropped by nearly 70 per cent costs are coming down and assets have been repriced This is the time to be an investor in commercial real estate Gray saidHe also pointed to secondary markets as a growing opportunity noting that the industry has expanded significantly from 23 billion to 200 billion over the last 15 yearsSome worry that this has gotten too big but its still just one and a half percent of total assets under management We believe discounts and opportunities in secondaries will continue to persist he explainedWhen speaking about India Gray said the country stood out for its resilience and potentialThis is the G10s fastestgrowing country Theres been some geopolitical tension recently but India is investing heavily in infrastructure and has a rapidly rising middle class This is a place we particularly like he saidHis comments come shortly after the International Monetary Fund IMF revised Indias GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal year to 66 per cent up from its earlier estimate of 64 per centThe IMF said Indias strong domestic growth was helping offset the impact of US tariffs on its exportsIt expects the Indian economy to grow by 62 per cent next year according to its latest World Economic Outlook IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-emerges-as-most-attractive-investment-destinations-amid-infra-boom-expanding-middle-class-blackstone-president-644338.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-electronics-to-use-its-own-exynos-chip-in-upcoming-galaxy-s26-smartphones-644131.html Seoul Oct 21 Samsung Electronics Co plans to use its inhouse Exynos mobile processor in upcoming Galaxy S26 smartphone models industry sources has said The companys System Large Scale Integration LSI division a fabless unit that focuses on designing and developing advanced systemonchip SoC products has completed development of the latest Exynos 2600 chip and will supply it for parts of the Galaxy S26 series starting in November according to the sources reports Yonhap news agencyExynos chipsets are designed and produced by Samsung Electronics semiconductor businessAccording to the sources the companys inhouse tests show strong performance from the Exynos 2600 compared with competitors and the company believes the chip compares favorably with Apple Incs A19 Pro used in the iPhone 17 Pro modelsThe Exynos 2600 is expected to appear in at least one Galaxy S26 model anticipated to be unveiled early next yearIf the toptier Galaxy S26 Ultra uses an Exynos chip it would be the first Ultra model to include an inhouse processor since the Galaxy S22 series in 2022Previously Samsung Electronics used Qualcomm Incs Snapdragon chipsets across all Galaxy S23 models while Exynos appeared only in some S24 variantsThe Galaxy S25 S25 Plus and S25 Ultra launched earlier this year all use Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsMeanwhile launch of the new generation Galaxy S26 series models in India is expected next year in January or MarchAccording to multiple reports and industry watchers the model is slated to compete with with several flagships in the market including the iPhone 17 Pro MaxIf reports can be believed the price of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G mobile price in India is expected to be around Rs 159999 for the base modelThere is also buzz doing rounds that it may offer 12GB of RAM with 3 storage options of 256GB 512GB and 1TBHowever industry watchers expect that the official pricing will be based on the storage variants IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/samsung-electronics-to-use-its-own-exynos-chip-in-upcoming-galaxy-s26-smartphones-644131.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-cool-after-record-highs-jewellery-sales-jump-3540-pc-during-dhanteras-644137.html Mumbai Oct 21 Gold and silver prices fell on Tuesday as investors booked profits after both metals hit record highs in the previous session even as festive jewellery sales during Dhanteras jumped 3540 per cent across India Silver Exchange Traded Funds ETFs which had delivered stellar oneyear returns of around 6570 per cent also saw a sharp correction as global prices cooled following improved physical supply and easing safehaven demandSilver had turned hot earlier this month when global spot prices surged past 40 an ounce amid concerns of a physical shortage The rally extended further crossing 50 in midOctoberHowever by the end of last week prices began to retreat as easing trade tensions reduced safehaven demand On October 17 silver prices in the US fell by over 6 per cent and the correction soon spilled over into Indian marketsAccording to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJA silver prices in India fell 7 per cent on October 20 slipping from Rs 171275 per kg to Rs 160100 per kg The decline directly impacted silver ETFs which mirror domestic silver pricesData from Ace MF shows that silver ETFs logged steep singleday losses with most funds dropping up to 7 per cent on October 20Analysts noted that the ETFs are now trading at or below fair value a sign that investor demand has started to cool after months of heavy inflowsMeanwhile in the international market gold prices also softened after touching record highs on Monday Spot gold was down 03 per cent at 434029 per ounce as of 0248 GMT after hitting an alltime high of 438121 in the previous sessionUS gold futures for December delivery eased 01 per cent to 435640 per ounce as investors booked profits amid expectations of further interest rate cuts by the US Federal ReserveThe Multi Commodity Exchange MCX will also observe special Muhurat trading today October 21 with a preopen session from 130 pm to 144 pm followed by the Muhurat trading window from 145 pm to 245 pmDespite the shortterm correction festive demand for gold and silver remains strong The All India Gem amp Jewellery Promotion Council said that around 50 to 60 tonnes of jewellery were sold nationwide over the two days of Dhanteras generating nearly Rs 85 crore in salesIt added that while the sales volume was similar to last year the overall value grew by 3540 per cent due to higher prices and rising consumer interestSilver in particular has seen a remarkable surge with sales nearly doubling this season With Dhanteras coinciding with the weekend and followed by Diwali and Bhau Beej the fiveday festive period is expected to deliver exceptional results it mentionedWe anticipate total jewellery sales reaching 100 to 120 tonnes valued between Rs 1 lakh crore and Rs 135 lakh crore they said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-silver-prices-cool-after-record-highs-jewellery-sales-jump-3540-pc-during-dhanteras-644137.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/study-shows-earlier-menopause-poor-heart-health-can-affect-brain-644152.html New Delhi Oct 21 Women experiencing earlier menopause can affect heart health and can together affect brain and cognitive performance according to a study on Tuesday While previous studies have established that earlier menopause is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimers dementia later in life little is known about the combined impact of earlier age at menopause and reduced cardiac function on brain and cognitive outcomes the team saidReduced cardiac function can affect brain health by limiting the essential supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain This reduced blood flow can damage brain tissue contribute to silent strokes and increase the risk of dementia underscoring the critical connection between heart and brain healthThe new study suggests that an early menopause negatively influences the associations between cardiac function and gray matter volume white matter hyperintensity burden and cognitive performanceWe still dont fully understand how menopause and especially earlier menopause affects brain aging By examining the intersection of heart and brain health we were keen to shed light on this important but often overlooked area of research said lead author Tallinn Splinter from the University of Toronto CanadaThe study presented at the ongoing 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando involved more than 500 participants to investigate whether earlier age at menopause influences the association between cardiac function and brainCardiac function was assessed using resting left ventricular ejection fraction measured on cardiac MRI Brain MRI was used to quantify grey matter volume and white matter hyperintensity burdenCognition was assessed with standardised neuropsychological testsThe researchers found that earlier menopause and reduced cardiac function may have a compounding negative effect on brain healthThese findings underscore the importance of integrating sexspecific factors such as age at menopause into research on dementia risk and informing targeted prevention and intervention strategies said Dr Stephanie Faubion medical director for The Menopause Society IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/study-shows-earlier-menopause-poor-heart-health-can-affect-brain-644152.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nagaland-university-researchers-find-plant-compound-to-treat-diabetic-wound-foot-ulcers-644165.html New Delhi Oct 21 Researchers at the Nagaland University have identified a naturally occurring plant compound called Sinapic acid as a powerful therapeutic agent that can significantly enable wound healing in patients with diabetes A diabetic wound is a slowhealing sore most often a foot ulcer Also known as diabetic foot it raises the risk of nerve damage neuropathy and poor blood circulation foot ulcers infections and amputation in severe casesThe study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports demonstrated that oral administration of Sinapic acid can accelerate diabetic wound healing in preclinical modelsSinapic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in various edible plantsThe research established that the compound works by activating the SIRT1 pathway which plays a crucial role in tissue repair angiogenesis and inflammation controlThe discovery marks a major advancement that could result in safe natural and effective treatments for diabetic wound managementDiabetes mellitus remains one of the worlds most pressing chronic diseases affecting hundreds of millions globally Among its serious complications is delayed wound healing often resulting in diabetic foot ulcers infection and in severe cases amputation Existing synthetic drugs have shown limited efficacy and often cause undesirable side effects said Prof Pranav Kumar Prabhakar Head Department of Biotechnology School of Engineering and Technology Nagaland UniversityWe found that a lower dose 20 mgkg was more effective than a higher one 40 mgkg a phenomenon known as Inverted DoseResponse This result not only optimises dosage strategy but also has significant clinical implications for future drug development he addedImportantly the discovery will help reduce the risk of amputation and accelerate recovery in diabetic foot ulcers and providing an affordable natural oral therapy improving accessibility for patients in rural and resourcelimited settingsThe research developed robust preclinical evidence that Sinapic acid enhances wound healing improves metabolic health and mitigates oxidative stress in diabetic models The next phase includes pilot clinical trials said the researchers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nagaland-university-researchers-find-plant-compound-to-treat-diabetic-wound-foot-ulcers-644165.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ayurveda-day-transformed-from-national-observance-into-a-global-health-movement-csir-niscpr-644182.html New Delhi Oct 21 Ayurveda Day has transformed from national observance into a global health movement said Dr Naresh Kumar Chief Scientist CSIRNational Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research CSIRNIScPR Speaking during the 10th Ayurveda Day celebration at the institute last week the scientist highlighted the remarkable global expansion of AyurvedaThe occasion marked a significant milestone in promoting Ayurveda as a holistic approach to health and wellbeing rooted in sustainability and natural livingThe celebration was also commemorated by a NIScPR SVASTIK lecture under the umbrella of the national initiative SVASTIK Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional Knowledge to communicate scientifically validated traditional knowledge to societyKumar also emphasised the need for Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers to counter misinformation and prevent adulteration advocating for standardised formulations evidencebased integration rational marketing and public awareness He also appreciated the SVASTIK initiative which disseminates traditional knowledge among the public with a scientific outlookDr Kishore Patel from the CCRASCentral Ayurveda Research Institute CARI New Delhi delivered an insightful NIScPR SVASTIK lecture on the foundational principles of AyurvedaExplaining the causes of diseases linked to lifestyle and stress Patel underscored the importance of balanced nutrition mindful eating and ethical living through the concepts of chra Rasyana and Sadvtta for achieving holistic wellbeingRajesh Kumar Singh Roshan Controller of Administration CSIRNIScPR elaborated on the historical roots of Ayurveda and the contributions of ancient physicians such as chrya NgrjunaHe also spoke about the growing global recognition of Ayurveda as a comprehensive system of health careProf Ranjana Aggarwal an eminent organic chemist CSIR and former Director of CSIRNIScPR emphasised that a holistic perspective that integrates the natural social and spiritual sciences forms the foundation of Indias scientific heritageShe pointed out that false information frequently misrepresents traditional knowledge in the digital age highlighting the importance of clear communication scientific validation and educational inclusionAyurveda Day was earlier celebrated on Dhanteras every year in honour of Lord Dhanwantari the physician of the gods The date based on the lunar calendar used to vary every yearHence the Ministry of Ayush designated September 23 as Ayurveda Day giving the ancient knowledge system a universal calendar identity and enabling greater participation at the global level IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ayurveda-day-transformed-from-national-observance-into-a-global-health-movement-csir-niscpr-644182.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/korean-airs-q3-net-profit-drops-67-pc-over-increased-costs-644192.html Seoul Oct 21 Korean Air Co said on Tuesday its thirdquarter net income declined over 60 per cent from a year earlier as increased operating costs weighed down on its earnings The national flag carriers net profit reached 918 billion won 643 million during the JulySeptember period down 67 per cent from a year ago the airline said in its statementSales dropped 6 per cent onyear to 4 trillion won compared with 424 trillion won from the same period last year Operating profit came to 3763 billion won down 39 per cent onyearThe company said overall operating expenses increased due to higher maintenance costs despite a drop in fuel pricesThe passenger business sales totaled 242 trillion won down 1962 billion won from a year earlier The decline was mainly due to the shift in the Chuseok holiday from September in 2024 to October this year as well as temporary variables including stricter US entry regulationsSales of the cargo business reached 107 trillion won down 531 billion won from last year amid a slight slowdown in the global air cargo market in light of US tariff risksRevenue fell due to increased global supply and intensifying price competition Fuel costs decreased but overall operating expenses rose as depreciation maintenance costs and airport and passengerrelated costs increased reducing operating profit as well the airline saidLooking ahead Korean Air said it expects improved performance across its passenger network in the fourth quarter supported by its performance during the long Chuseok holiday in October and the yearend peak travel seasonWe will improve profit through flexible capacity operations that reflect changes in market conditions the maximum attraction of ecommerce demand and the expansion of high valueadded cargo according to the airline IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/korean-airs-q3-net-profit-drops-67-pc-over-increased-costs-644192.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sees-sharp-surge-in-sme-ipos-supported-by-strong-retail-participation-market-sentiment-644198.html New Delhi Oct 21 The SME IPO market in India saw a sharp surge in activity during the financial year 202324 FY 202324 and FY 202425 supported by strong retail participation and favourable market sentiment the latest Reserve Bank of India RBI October Bulletin has said Small and medium enterprises had raised Rs 591719 crore in FY24 to which Rs 566093 crore 9480 per cent was raised issuing fresh shares and Rs 31026 crore 519 per cent through offer for sale OFSThe numbers soared significantly in FY25 with SMEs raising Rs 911097 crore Fresh issues Rs 834437 crore contributed 915 per cent while the OFS part was Rs 7756 crore or 85 per centMost of the SME IPOs during this period recorded high oversubscription levels and listing gainsAccording to the Bulletin Macroeconomic and policy factors like overall market buoyancy and advancement in payment and settlement mechanisms in the IPO market drove this boomThe SME firms used most of the raised funds for capital enhancement or working capital However despite robust listing gains postlisting performances of these SME stocks reveal both opportunities and risks for the investorsWhile the buzz around SME IPOs may seem exciting investing solely on market sentiment can be risky During bullish phases in the market enthusiasm and investors appetite may cause investors to overlook due diligence In this phase demand for IPOs surges and expectations of substantial listing gains can lead to inflated valuations the Bulletin saidHowever market reversals can quickly dampen this optimism SME IPOs may offer impressive gains in favourable conditions but carry higher volatility and risk during downturns making due diligence indispensableInvestors should carefully evaluate the companys fundamentals growth prospects and risk factors before committing capital the bulletin suggestedMeanwhile given the strong growth of startups in India most of which have innovative business models the provision of risk capital for these firms becomes crucialKeeping in view the spurt of SME IPOs in recent months and the associated challenges from the perspective of investor protection SEBI in consultation with NSE BSE and merchant bankers had initiated the review of the IPO framework for the SME segmentThese measures aim to reduce information asymmetry and regulatory arbitrage ensure proper utilisation of IPO proceeds prevent market manipulation and protect retail investors the bulletin noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-sees-sharp-surge-in-sme-ipos-supported-by-strong-retail-participation-market-sentiment-644198.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-resumes-flights-from-delhi-airports-terminal-2-from-oct-26-644211.html New Delhi Oct 21 IndiGo will resume operations from Terminal 2 of Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport starting October 26 after a temporary shift earlier this year due to maintenance work the Indias lowcost carrier said on Tuesday The move is part of the airlines revised terminal plan aimed at improving passenger convenience and streamlining operations across the airportThe airline will now operate flights from all three terminals T1 T2 and T3 with a revised distribution of flight numbers to help improve airport efficiency and passenger convenienceUnder the new plan all IndiGo flights numbered 6E 2000 to 6E 2999 will operate to and from Terminal 2 which is reopening for IndiGo servicesFlights numbered 6E 5000 to 6E 5999 as well as all international flights will depart from and arrive at Terminal 3All other domestic IndiGo flights will continue to operate from Terminal 1 the airline saidWith the objective of enhancing customer convenience and airport efficiency IndiGo will operate flights numbered 6E 2000 6E 2999 tofrom Terminal 2 and flights numbered 6E 5000 6E 5999 along with all international departures tofrom Terminal 3 All other domestic flights will continue to operate tofrom Terminal 1 it mentionedThis change follows a temporary relocation earlier this year in April 2025 when all IndiGo flights were moved from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 due to maintenance workWith the reopening of T2 the airline has now resumed normal operations across all terminalsIndiGo has advised passengers to check their flight number and terminal details carefully before traveling as terminal changes may also come with flight schedule adjustmentsTravelers can find the latest information on IndiGos website or mobile appMeanwhile IndiGo is also expanding its international footprint with the launch of daily direct flights between New Delhi and Guangzhou China starting November 10The route will be served using the airlines Airbus A320 aircraft The flight from Delhi will depart at 945 PM reaching Guangzhou at 440 AM while the return leg will depart at 550 AM arriving in Delhi at 1010 AMThis marks a significant step in restoring air connectivity between India and China after a long pause since 2020IndiGo recently restarted daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou on October 26 becoming one of the first Indian carriers to resume direct service to China IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indigo-resumes-flights-from-delhi-airports-terminal-2-from-oct-26-644211.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/farmers-embrace-innovation-clean-energy-under-pm-modis-leadership-minister-644213.html New Delhi Oct 21 Farmers are embracing innovation and clean energy under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday The minister shared a success story of a farmer generating 25000 units of electricity through solar in his crop field while growing crops under solar panels25000 units of electricity are generated daily from the solar panels above while lush crops flourish in the same fields below a shining example of how Indias farmers are embracing innovation and clean energy under the visionary leadership of PM Modi Joshi wrote on his official X accountEarlier the minister said that India added a record 25 GW of renewable capacity in the AprilSeptember period this year and with approximately 125 GW of solar capacity India is now the worlds third largest solar producerIndia achieves a historic feat in clean energy with a record 25GW renewable capacity added in AprilSeptember 2025 H1FY26 led by solar power This milestone reflects PM Narendra Modis vision for a brighter sustainable future as the nation accelerates its journey to global leadership in renewables the minister statedAs the country accelerates its journey to global leadership in renewables this milestone reflects PM Modis vision for a brighter sustainable future he addedThe nation has surpassed 50 per cent of installed electricity capacity from nonfossil sources meeting its renewable energy goals five years ahead of scheduleThe minister stated that Indias success story is about the people not just the numbers during the opening ceremony for the 8th session of the International Solar Alliance ISA assembly which is set to take place in the nations capital from October 27 to 30 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/farmers-embrace-innovation-clean-energy-under-pm-modis-leadership-minister-644213.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/exercise-can-counteract-depression-symptoms-induced-by-junk-food-diet-study-644233.html New Delhi Oct 21 People eating more junk food can counteract its ill effects on mental health by cardio exercises such as running according to an animal study on Tuesday Researchers at University College Cork in Ireland identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioural effects of consuming a Westernstyle dietThe research demonstrated that voluntary running exercise can mitigate depressionlike behaviours induced by highfat highsugar diets associated with both circulating hormones and gutderived metabolitesThe findings provide crucial insights into how lifestyle interventions might be optimised to support mental health in an era of widespread ultraprocessed food consumption said Professor Yvonne Nolan from the varsityIn the study published in the peerreviewed journal Brain Medicine the team exposed adult male rats to either standard chow or a rotating cafeteria diet consisting of various highfat and highsugar foods for seven and a half weeks with half of each dietary group having access to running wheelsThe study revealed that voluntary wheel running exerted an antidepressantlike behavioural effect in poor diet quality suggesting that physical activity may benefit individuals consuming Westernstyle dietsProfessor Nolan and team found that the diet dramatically altered the gut metabolome affecting 100 out of 175 measured metabolites in sedentary animalsExercise showed more selective effects modulating only a subset of these changes Three metabolites previously linked to mood regulation stood out for their response pattern anserine indole3carboxylate and deoxyinosine were all decreased by the cafeteria diet but partially restored by exercise Nolan saidFurther the research utilised comprehensive behavioural testing batteries to assess multiple domains of brain functionWhile the junk food alone did not significantly impair spatial learning or recognition memory in these adult rats exercise produced modest improvements in spatial navigationThe team also examined anxietylike behaviours finding subtle anxiolytic effects of exercise independent of dietary compositionThe findings suggest that while exercise can provide mood benefits regardless of diet quality achieving full neuroplastic benefits may require attention to nutritional status This has implications for designing interventions that maximise both feasibility and biological impact the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/exercise-can-counteract-depression-symptoms-induced-by-junk-food-diet-study-644233.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-extends-diwali-greetings-644096.html New Delhi Oct 20 Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Monday extended Diwali greetings to Indians and millions of people celebrating the festival of lights across the world Musk reposted a Diwali greeting on the social media platform X saying Happy Diwali while tagging a post from his companys subsidiary Tesla India saying Wishing you an electrifying and safe DiwaliMusk on October 2 became the worlds first person ever to reach a net worth of 500 billion followed by Oracles Larry Ellison at a distant second According to Forbes billionaires index Musks net worth stood at 5001 billion on October 2His feat came as Tesla shares rose over 14 per cent so far this year closing 33 per cent higher on Wednesday US time adding more than 6 billion to Musks wealthMusks AI startup xAI was valued at 75 billion as of July xAI was targeting a 200 billion valuation after a fundraise although Musk said the company was not raising capital at that timeMeanwhile Tesla has started delivering standard Model Y to its customers in India while the delivery of the Long Range variant is going to commence soonThe electric vehicle maker has announced that the new Model Y owners will be provided with a complimentary Wall Connector allowing convenient installation in their parking space for easy home charging The Model Y is available at a starting price tag of Rs 5989 lakhIn August Tesla inaugurated its first showroom in the National Capital Region NCR at the Worldmark 3 complex in Aerocity marking the electric carmakers second retail location in India after MumbaiSeveral other global tech industry leaders also extended their Diwali wishes during the day Apple CEO Tim Cook shared wishes along with sharing an image taken by an Indian photographer with an iPhone 17 Pro Max Google CEO Sundar Pichai also extended his greetings for the festival of lights IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-extends-diwali-greetings-644096.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-retinal-implant-restores-vision-in-patients-with-irreversible-blindness-644101.html New Delhi Oct 20 A wireless retinal implant showed potential to restore central vision in patients with advanced agerelated macular degeneration AMD according to clinical trial results published on Monday Advanced atrophic AMD also known as geographic atrophy GA is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in older adults affecting more than 5 million people worldwideThe study led by researchers from the University College London University of Pittsburgh and Stanford Medicine revealed that 27 out of 32 participants had regained the ability to read a year after receiving the deviceThe device called PRIMA is the first eye prosthesis to restore functional sight to patients with incurable vision loss giving them the ability to perceive shapes and patterns also known as form visionIts the first time that any attempt at vision restoration has achieved such results in a large number of patients said JoséAlain Sahel chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburghs School of Medicine USMore than 80 per cent of the patients were able to read letters and words and some of them are reading pages in a book Sahel saidThe study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that over 81 per cent patients achieved clinically meaningful improvements in visual acuity while 84 per cent reported using prosthetic vision at home for reading numbers or wordsOn average participants improved by 25 letters about five lines on a standard eye chart when using the device More than 80 per cent of participants gained 10 or more lettersAs AMD progresses the centre of vision becomes increasingly blurry due to the irreversible damage to the lightsensing cells in the central part of the retina In a healthy retina those cells capture ambient light from the environment and transform it into pulses of electricity which are then sent to nerve cells lining the back of the eye and eventually to the brain through the optic nerveThe device called PRIMA replaces these lost photoreceptors with a 22 mm wireless implant that converts light into electrical signals to stimulate remaining retinal cellsA camera mounted on specialised glasses captures images and projects them onto the implant using invisible nearinfrared light The implant then converts the light into electrical pulses restoring the flow of visual information to the brain Patients can adjust zoom and contrast settings to enhance functional visionAfter one year of using the system all procedurerelated adverse events had subsided and the majority of participants showed significant improvement in their ability to read letters on the eye chart One participant improved by as many as 59 letters or 12 lines IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-retinal-implant-restores-vision-in-patients-with-irreversible-blindness-644101.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-economy-shows-resilience-amid-uncertain-external-environment-rbi-644117.html New Delhi Oct 20 The Indian economy continues to exhibit resilience amid an uncertain external environment and remains poised to register high growth The RBIs October Bulletin said on Monday Indicators of capacity utilisation and domestic demand signalled improvement Lead indicators of manufacturing and services continued to show a robust expansion Inflation remained benign well below the target rate the Bulletin saidGlobal uncertainty has edged up In the US both trade and economic policy uncertainty increased in September Global growth however has broadly held up Investor sentiments dampened in October on renewed USChina trade tensions and prolonged US government shutdown after a phase of buoyancyThe Indian economy displayed resilience amidst broader global uncertainty and weak external demand Highfrequency indicators point to a revival in urban demand and robust rural demand Headline consumer price index CPI inflation moderated sharply in September marking its lowest reading since June 2017 according to the RBI BulletinThe IMF revised upwards Indias GDP growth projections for 2025 by 20 bps to 66 per cent Indias growth projection for 2026 was however revised downwards reflecting the mediumterm impact of the steep US import tariffsThe OECD also revised upwards Indias GDP growth projections for 2025 by 40 bps to 67 per cent from the earlier 63 per cent underscoring the continued momentum in domestic demandDespite an external environment that has deteriorated since the August policy the Indian economy remains poised to register high growth The sobering of inflation has given greater leeway for monetary policy to support growth without compromising on the primary mandate of price stability said RBI Governor Sanjay MalhotraAs India strives towards achieving Viksit Bharat by the centenary year of its independence it would need the coordinated support of fiscal monetary regulatory and other public policies to attain its goal he addedThe recent rationalisation of GST rates by the government is a major step in this direction In terms of monetary policy actions we will remain vigilant of the incoming data and stay focussed on our objective of maintaining price stability while supporting growth In pursuit of this objective we will be proactive objective and consistent in our communication while backing it up with credible actions the Governor added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-economy-shows-resilience-amid-uncertain-external-environment-rbi-644117.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 23:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/auto-exports-rise-168-pc-in-s-korea-in-sept-on-robust-demand-for-eco-friendly-cars-643971.html Seoul Oct 20 South Koreas auto exports increased 168 per cent from a year earlier in September driven by robust demand for ecofriendly cars in Europe and Asia data showed on Monday The value of outbound shipments of automobiles came to 641 billion last month the highest figure for any September according to the data from the Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources reports Yonhap news agencyIn terms of volume exports gained 11 per cent onyear to 228000 vehiclesThe value of accumulated auto exports from January to September reached an alltime high of 541 billionThe ministry said demand for Korean cars went up in major regions except for North America where Korean cars are currently subject to 25 per cent tariffs by the administration of US President Donald TrumpExports to the European Union surged 528 per cent onyear to 958 million in September while shipments to Asia spiked 623 per cent to 823 millionShipments to North America however shrank 53 per cent to 28 billion with exports to the US dipping 75 per cent to 24 billionBy type exports of ecofriendly cars such as electric vehicles EVs hybrid cars and hydrogen cars soared 475 per cent from a year earlier to 90496 vehicles last monthIt marked the first time monthly exports of ecofriendly cars topped 90000 units accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all auto exportsIn particular shipments of hybrid cars jumped 557 per cent to 57824 vehicles and exports of EVs advanced 389 per cent to 29288 units rising for the fourth consecutive monthAt home sales of automobiles went up 208 per cent onyear to 158000 units last month hitting the highest mark since November 2023Domestic EV sales shot up 135 per cent onyear to an alltime monthly high of 28760 unitsThe accumulated volume of EV sales here in the JanuarySeptember period climbed 575 per cent to 170000 units already surpassing the annual sales of 142000 posted last year according to the dataIt also showed domestic production of cars climbed 89 per cent to 334000 units in September as the number of working days increased from a year earlierThis year the Chuseok holiday fell in early October whereas in 2024 it took place in September IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/auto-exports-rise-168-pc-in-s-korea-in-sept-on-robust-demand-for-eco-friendly-cars-643971.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/record-fundraising-in-samvat-2081-indian-companies-raise-rs-29-lakh-crore-despite-muted-market-sentiment-643978.html Mumbai Oct 20 Indian equity markets witnessed a recordbreaking year of fundraising between last Diwali and this Diwali with companies mobilising the highestever amount through mainboard IPOs SME IPOs and qualified institutional placements QIPs in Samvat 2081 During Samvat 2081 as many as 433 Indian firms raised over Rs 29 lakh crore through various routes up from Rs 253 lakh crore raised by 429 firms in Samvat 2080In comparison 251 firms had raised around Rs 79900 crore in Samvat 2079 while 165 firms collected Rs 107 lakh crore in Samvat 2078The achievement came even as secondary market activity remained subdued and listing gains were relatively weak highlighting the continued confidence of investors across all categoriesOf the total fundraising this year 111 companies garnered nearly Rs 18 lakh crore through mainboard IPOs while 275 small and medium enterprises SMEs mobilised Rs 11860 croreAnother 47 firms raised Rs 98993 crore via QIPs Market experts attributed the record mobilisation to strong economic growth favourable market conditions and rising investor confidenceThey pointed out that both domestic and foreign investors ranging from retail buyers to mutual funds and foreign portfolio investors showed keen interest in primary market opportunities even as the broader markets remained flatHowever despite the strong fundraising listing performance in 2025 has been relatively muted Of the 85 mainboard IPOs listed so far this year 29 opened below their issue price while 27 saw modest listing gains of 110 per centTwelve IPOs delivered gains between 1120 per cent 13 rose 2550 per cent and only three stocks managed to gain over 50 per cent on debutAnalysts believe stretched valuations and fading investor enthusiasm contributed to the weaker debutsIn contrast 2024 saw much stronger listing performances That year out of 93 mainboard IPOs five stocks doubled investors money on listing 12 gained 5099 per cent 25 rose 2550 per cent and 30 delivered smaller gains between 125 per centA similar pattern was visible in the SME segment In 2025 218 SME IPOs hit the market of which 76 listed below issue price while 27 delivered 50100 per cent gainsIn 2024 however 247 SMEs debuted and over 100 of them delivered between 50400 per cent returns on listing reflecting the frenzy in smaller issues at the time IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/record-fundraising-in-samvat-2081-indian-companies-raise-rs-29-lakh-crore-despite-muted-market-sentiment-643978.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/victory-of-light-over-darkness-union-ministers-extend-greetings-for-diwali-643980.html New Delhi Oct 20 Union Ministers on Monday extended their greetings for Diwali to the countrymen calling the festival of lights a symbol of the victory of light over darkness Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignoranceIt is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country where people light diyas and candles and offer prayers to Lord LakshmiIn a post on social media platform X Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal shared Heartfelt Diwali greetings to all fellow citizensMay this sacred festival symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and truth over untruth bring happiness prosperity health and renewed energy into the lives of all of us he addedUnion Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri wished citizens happiness and prosperityHeartiest congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the sacred festival of Diwali a symbol of the victory of light over darkness truth over untruth and righteousness over unrighteousness May this sacred festival of light bring happiness and prosperity to everyones life that is the wish Puri saidUnion Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Pralhad Joshi called for strengthening the bonds of harmony in societyHeartfelt greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Diwali May the festival bring peace prosperity and positivity to every home and strengthen the bonds of harmony in our society the Minister saidOn this sacred festival of Deepotsav heartfelt greetings to all my fellow countrymen May this grand festival of lights illuminate your lives with happiness prosperity and renewed energy and by the grace of Lord Shri Ram may our nation continue to advance steadfastly on the path of progress and glory added Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya M Scindia on XUnion Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also extended greetings on the occasion of Diwali wishing love peace and harmony across the countryTo all my fellow citizens Happy Diwali May the divine glow of diyas bring warmth happiness amp success to every home May this festival inspire us to spread love peace amp harmony across our nation Rijiju posted on XEarlier President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended Diwali greetings to the countrymen and wished for happiness and prosperity for all IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/victory-of-light-over-darkness-union-ministers-extend-greetings-for-diwali-643980.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/covid-mrna-vaccine-may-be-used-to-fight-lung-skin-cancer-643986.html New Delhi Oct 20 The breakthrough mRNA vaccine that enabled the world to fight Covid19 may also be used to fight cancers of the lung or skin according to a study Researchers from the University of Florida and the University of Texas called it a defining moment in a decadeplus of research testing mRNAbased therapeutics designed to wake up the immune system against cancerIn their study presented at the ongoing 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Berlin the team shared that the patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a Covid19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the vaccineThe findings from an analysis of more than 1000 patients records are preliminary but if validated in a randomised clinical trial now in design the study could have a widespread clinical impactThe implications are extraordinary this could revolutionise the entire field of oncologic care said senior researcher Elias Sayour paediatric oncologist at the University of FloridaWe could design an even better nonspecific vaccine to mobilise and reset the immune response in a way that could essentially be a universal offtheshelf cancer vaccine for all cancer patientsShort for messenger RNA mRNA molecules are found in every cell and carry the genetic information needed to make proteinsTo find out if the Covid mRNA vaccine works like the nonspecific vaccine the team analysed existing data from patients with Stage 3 and 4 nonsmall cell lung cancer and metastatic melanoma treated at MD Anderson from 2019 to 2023The most dramatic difference was seen in patients not expected to have a strong immune response based on their tumours molecular makeup and other factorsThe results from this study demonstrate how powerful mRNA medicines truly are and that they are revolutionising our treatment of cancer said Jeff Coller a leading mRNA scientist and professor at Johns Hopkins University US IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/covid-mrna-vaccine-may-be-used-to-fight-lung-skin-cancer-643986.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ranks-second-globally-in-refurbished-smartphone-growth-report-644022.html New Delhi Oct 20 India saw a 5 per cent yearonyear YoY increase in refurbished smartphone sales in H1CY25 marking the secondfastest growth globally a report has said Apples iPhones drove growth with refurbished iPhone sales in India increasing by 19 per cent fuelled by strong demand for premium models like the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series according to the report from global market research firm Counterpoint ResearchThe report indicated that the ongoing premiumisation of the broader smartphone market is now extending to refurbished devices as well supported by rising consumer awareness stronger supply chains and surging demand for highend modelsAfrica led global growth with a 6 per cent increase driven by strong iPhone demand the report noted Apple secured the second position in Indias refurbished market as Samsung maintained the top spot though experiencing a minor 1 per cent decline Samsungs lead was maintained by consistent demand for its Galaxy S22 and S23 models Additionally the Samsung Galaxy S22 and S21 were among the topselling models in India the report saidSoutheast Asias preowned smartphone market also grew 5 per cent YoY in H1 2025 fueled by its large unorganised channels and steady inflow of used devices and components from ChinaOnline platforms are driving the consumertoconsumer C2C market especially for refurbished smartphones This growth is fuelled by increasing consumer trust better supply chains and the convenience of initiating negotiations and transactions digitally the research firm saidOrganised retailers in India are solidifying buyback initiatives in both online and offline markets by promoting flagship models as reliable and valuedriven alternatives Retailerdriven exchange programs extended warranty offerings are also driving demand for newer refurbished devices Apples iPhone exports totalled approximately 10 billion accounting for over 75 per cent of shipments in the first half of the year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ranks-second-globally-in-refurbished-smartphone-growth-report-644022.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-shines-on-softer-dollar-prices-rise-over-07-pc-on-mcx-644023.html New Delhi Oct 20 Gold prices rose on Monday morning on the MultiCommodity Exchange MCX supported by strong spot demand and a weaker US dollar During the early trade MCX Gold December futures were trading 078 per cent higher at Rs 128005 per 10 grams while Silver December contracts gained 041 per cent to Rs 157240 per kgThe recovery in gold came after a steep fall in the previous session as global investors had booked profits following US President Donald Trumps comments on China tariffsHis remarks pushed traders to shift from safehaven assets like gold to riskier investmentsIn the international market gold prices climbed to 4255 per ounce on Monday after a sharp decline on FridayExperts said the focus has now turned to the upcoming talks between the US and China US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are scheduled to meet this week with Trump expressing optimism that the discussions could lead to an agreementHe also admitted last week that his proposed high tariffs on Chinese goods were unsustainableOn Friday gold prices had seen a sharp selloff MCX Gold December futures dropped 2 per cent to Rs 127320 per 10 grams while US gold futures fell over 2 per cent to close at 421330 per troy ounceDespite the recent volatility gold prices have risen more than 70 per cent in the domestic spot market over the past yearAnalysts attribute this surge to global economic uncertainties strong central bank buying expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts and increased inflows into gold exchangetraded funds ETFsExperts believe gold will continue to find support if geopolitical tensions persist and the dollar remains weakThe sustained uncertainty in the US economy and delayed data releases have kept investors inclined toward gold as a defensive asset experts saidWith momentum staying firmly bullish gold is likely to remain elevated as long as risk sentiment stays weak they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-shines-on-softer-dollar-prices-rise-over-07-pc-on-mcx-644023.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/inmarsat-satellite-phone-services-restored-for-tns-fishermen-stranded-at-sea-fm-sitharaman-644059.html New Delhi Oct 20 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that the Inmarsat satellite phone services has been restored for over 30 fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were stranded at sea The British satellite telecommunications company restored satellite phone services after interventions from the Department of Telecommunications DoT and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited BSNL Sitharaman informed in a post on social media platform XThe fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadus Kanyakumari district were left stranded at sea amid turbulent weather she said stating that the issue was flagged by the Fishermen Cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP The men were left stranded after the Inmarsat satellite phone connection used by fishermen in the deep sea malfunctionedHeartening to note that Inmarsat satellite phone services have been restored for over 30 fishermen currently out in the deep sea following the intervention of BSNLCorporate and DoTIndia the Finance Minister saidThe private operator has temporarily resumed connectivity successfully for many users enabling communication with those at high sea she addedThe Finance Minister said her office had spoken with Father Thomas of St Marys Church Vallavilai who raised concerns over the loss of Inmarsat satellite phone connectivity with several fishing boats currently at seaThe weather alert is now reaching most of the fishermen and they are taking necessary precautionary measures to return safelyBSNL and DoTIndia are working closely with the private operator to ensure that services are restored for the remaining fishermen as per their requirements Sitharaman saidMy office has conveyed about the phone services being restored to the Father Thomas Vallavalai village who expressed his relief and gratitudeThe Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains deeply committed to the welfare safety and security of Tamil Nadus fishermen and stands firmly with them in their hour of need Sitharaman saidMeanwhile the India Meteorological Department IMD said that the intensified monsoon has led to the formation of a persistent lowpressure trough over southern Kerala and adjoining Comorin Sea regions while a deep depression over the southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area continues to hover in the same zoneFishermen are advised not to venture into Southeast and adjoining Eastcentral Arabian Sea Lakshadweep and Comorin Area and along and off Karnataka Kerala and adjoining South Tamil Nadu coasts till October 21 and over southwest and adjoining southeast and west central Arabian Sea during October 22 and 23 the meteorological department said in a press releaseFishermen have been advised to return to the shore as strong winds of 3555 kmph are expected over the south and central Bay of Bengal the Arabian Sea near Kerala Karnataka Lakshadweep and Maldives areas until October 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/inmarsat-satellite-phone-services-restored-for-tns-fishermen-stranded-at-sea-fm-sitharaman-644059.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aws-outage-brings-half-the-internet-down-644065.html New Delhi Oct 20 Amazon Web Services is facing a major outage on Monday that has affected online services globally including AI platforms ecommerce platforms popular websites and online games Access to Amazons virtual assistant technology Alexa the social media app Snapchat online game Fortnite the AI platform ChatGPT Epic Games Store and Epic Online Services was disruptedAmazon Web Services Inc is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides ondemand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals companies and governments on a metered payasyougo basisAmazon reported that it is investigating increased error rates and latencies for multiple AWS services in the USEAST1 Region and that multiple services are impacted by operational issuesUsers on social media platform Reddit reported that the Alexa smart assistant is down and unable to respond to queries or complete requestsAWS cloudhosted platforms such as Perplexity Airtable Canva and the McDonalds app were also affected according to user reportsThe cause of the outage hasnt been confirmed and its unclear when regular service will be restoredPerplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas informed on social media platform X Perplexity is down right now The root cause is an AWS issue Were working on resolving itAWS outage knocks Amazon ChatGPT Alexa and dozens of apps offlineThe AWS dashboard first reported issues affecting the USEAST1 Region at 311AM Eastern Time ET We are actively engaged and working to both mitigate the issue and understand root cause We will provide an update in 45 minutes or sooner if we have additional information to share Amazon saidLater at 527 am ET Amazon reported significant signs of recovery adding that most requests should now be succeeding We continue to work through a backlog of queued requests it saidAWS outages in the USEAST1 region had caused widespread disruptions in 2020 2021 and 2023 leading to extended downtime for various sites and applications IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aws-outage-brings-half-the-internet-down-644065.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/whatsapp-tests-monthly-message-limit-to-reduce-spam-643925.html New Delhi Oct 19 WhatsApp is planning a big change to stop spam and unwanted messages The messaging app is testing a new rule that limits how many messages users and businesses can send to people who are not in their contact list and do not replyThis move is aimed at giving users a quieter and more organized inboxOver the years WhatsApp has grown from a simple chat app into a large platform that includes communities business accounts and customer service channelsBut with this growth the number of unwanted messages and promotions has also increased frustrating many usersAccording to a report by TechCrunch WhatsApp is now testing a monthly limit on messages sent to people who dont respondEach message sent to a noncontact counts toward this limit For example if someone sends three messages to a person who doesnt reply it will use up three of their allowed messages for that monthThe company has not revealed the exact message cap yet saying it is still experimenting with different limitsUsers who come close to reaching the cap will likely receive a warning Once they hit the limit they might be temporarily stopped from messaging new contactsHowever WhatsApp said that regular users who chat with friends and family normally wont be affected by this changeThis new feature is part of WhatsApps broader effort to reduce spam especially in India where the app has more than 500 million usersOver the past year WhatsApp has introduced several antispam tools including restrictions on marketing messages unsubscribe options for business chats and limits on broadcast messagesBusinesses that use WhatsApp to reach customers may now have to focus on building real connections instead of sending mass messagesFor ordinary users this change is expected to bring a cleaner more personal chat experienceWhile it may not completely remove spam WhatsApps new message limit is a strong step toward restoring the apps original purpose helping people connect through private and personal conversations IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/whatsapp-tests-monthly-message-limit-to-reduce-spam-643925.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/smaller-cities-propel-online-diwali-shopping-boom-643934.html New Delhi Oct 19 The online Diwali shopping boom this year has been powered by smaller nonmetro cities which account for close to 75 per cent of total ecommerce volumes according to data compiled by an intelligence platform The spending power of smaller cities is further evident from the fact that tier 3 towns contributed over 50 per cent to the surge in consumer expenditure Data analysis of over 425 crore shipments by ClickPost shows that these smaller cities now represent the fastest growth drivers of festive ecommerceThe scale of nonmetro India is staggering Tier 3 cities alone accounted for 507 per cent of all orders in 2025 Combined with Tier 2 248 per cent Bharat represents nearly threequarters 747 per cent of the total order volume confirming its role as the undisputed engine of ecommerce scale according to a ClickPost statementFestive demand was further boosted by Durga Puja which saw fashion orders surge by 143 per cent during the prePuja week and Karwa Chauth when cosmetic buys nearly doubled fashion purchasesDespite the complexity and volume increase Indias logistics networks maintained a steady average delivery time of 283 days for festive shipments The share of sameday hyperlocal deliveries surged 42 per cent yearonyear to reach 87 per cent of all ordersCash on delivery remained the preferred method in Tier 3 cities comprising 52 per cent of orders even as prepaid digital payments dominated highervalue transactions nationwideThe average order value jumped 325 per cent yearoveryear from Rs 3281 in 2024 to Rs 4346 in 2025Were entering a new era of Indian retail one where Tier 3 towns outorder metros where COD still rules the heartland yet prepaid dominates the premium basket where homeupgrades not just outfits power festive spend What that means is investments in speed fulfilment inventory intelligence and localised offers are absolutely foundational The smart players are already preparing for next years curve samedayblueprint in hundreds of towns tailored assortments and delivery models built for both 1 lakh orders and 1 minute gratification ClickPost cofounder and CEO Naman Vijay saidClickPost handles over 50 million monthly shipments for over 450 brands such as Nykaa Puma Caratlane and Walmart across India Southeast Asia MENA and the US IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/smaller-cities-propel-online-diwali-shopping-boom-643934.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ayurveda-offers-natural-ways-to-prevent-osteoporosis-and-strengthen-bones-ayush-ministry-643940.html New Delhi Oct 19 Osteoporosis is a growing public health challenge but it can be effectively managed through the preventive and restorative wisdom of Ayurveda the Ministry of Ayush said on Sunday On the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day 2025 the ministry highlighted the importance of early preventive care balanced nutrition and lifestyle changes to protect bone health and reduce the risk of fractures especially among the elderly and postmenopausal womenOsteoporosis often called a silent disease weakens bones and makes them fragile increasing the chances of fractures in the hip wrist and spineIt usually develops slowly and often remains undetected until a bone breaks causing pain and mobility issuesExperts say that with timely care and a healthy lifestyle the risk of bone loss can be significantly reducedAccording to Ayurveda osteoporosis is linked to an imbalance of the Vata dosha which leads to weakened bones and loss of densityThis understanding aligns with modern science which connects the condition to bone demineralisation and hormonal changes with ageProf Rabinarayan Acharya Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS said that Ayurveda provides a natural way to strengthen bones and support healthy ageingThe classical concept of Asthi Saushirya closely matches modern understanding of bone fragility he saidAyurvedas focus on prevention through diet lifestyle and herbal therapies offers a holistic solution for maintaining bone health he addedHe added that CCRAS has been conducting scientific studies to validate Ayurvedic formulations like Laksha Guggulu and Pravala Pishti for managing osteoporosisThese studies aim to build scientific evidence for Ayurvedas role in treating musculoskeletal disordersThe Ministry of Ayush also encouraged people to include yoga and moderate exercise in their routine to improve flexibility and bone strengthOn World Osteoporosis Day the ministry urged citizens to embrace Ayurvedic preventive practices balanced diets and gentle physical activitiesBy integrating these holistic measures into everyday life people can protect their bones prevent fragility and lead a more active and healthy life as they age the ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ayurveda-offers-natural-ways-to-prevent-osteoporosis-and-strengthen-bones-ayush-ministry-643940.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/fieo-launches-global-tender-services-to-help-indian-exporters-go-global-643729.html New Delhi Oct 18 The Federation of Indian Export Organisations FIEO on Saturday unveiled Global Tender Services GTS a transformative step aimed at expanding the global footprint of Indian exporters especially MSMEs Developed and managed by FIEO GTS is now live on the Indian Trade Portal Indias onestop platform for traderelated intelligence and facilitationLaunching GTS on Dhanteras is symbolic of new beginnings and prosperity This is not just a platform its a gateway to the world for Indian exporters said Dr Ajay Sahai Director General and CEO of FIEOBy unlocking access to global tenders GTS empowers our businesses to compete internationally with agility confidence and precision This marks a significant step in reshaping Indias export strategy for the digital datadriven era he addedIt is a subscriptionbased realtime tender aggregation platform providing Indian businesses with access to over 15000 live international tenders daily sourced from more than 8000 verified channels across over 150 countriesFrom major development banks to government agencies PPP bodies multilateral institutions and global corporations GTS connects Indian exporters directly with procurement opportunities previously scattered obscure or difficult to access FIEO said in a statementGTS sources opportunities from reputed entities such as the World Bank ADB UNICEF USAID and various national and subnational procurement bodies globally ensuring exporters receive only credible and actionable leadsAccording to FIEO with smart filters sector and regionspecific dashboards and AIpowered search capabilities GTS enables users to track shortlist and act on global tender opportunities with speed and precisionIt is designed not just to inform but to empower reducing the cost and complexity of global bidding and substantially improving success ratesThe launch of GTS assumes special significance as India deepens its engagement in international trade negotiations particularly under the IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETAFor the first time India has opened up its Government Procurement sector under a bilateral trade agreement a major policy shift that also grants Indian businesses reciprocal access to UK government procurement opportunitiesAs India negotiates similar provisions with other trade partners Indian exporters will need robust realtime visibility into overseas procurement systems GTS positions them to leverage emerging government tenders globally navigate complex bidding ecosystems and align with evolving trade commitments IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/fieo-launches-global-tender-services-to-help-indian-exporters-go-global-643729.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 09:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-touch-new-high-on-dhanteras-amid-strong-festive-demand-643738.html Mumbai Oct 18 As Diwali approaches the gold prices have hit a new high amid increasing global uncertainties including trade tensions and softening macro data prompting a flight to safety Last month gold prices jumped by Rs 20073 per 10 gram or 18 per cent triggering a strong sense of FOMO fear of missing out as every pullback is being met with aggressive buying with Diwali around the corner Since last Dhanteras gold has delivered substantial gains for investors with prices witnessing a record surgeThe price of 24carat gold 10 grams rose to a new high of Rs 130874 on Friday according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association IBJA But the intraday trading closed at Rs 129584 due to rupee depreciation against the dollarAccording to IBJA data the price of bullion has been steadily increasing throughout the week by nearly Rs 1000 per dayAnalysts expect gold jewellery sales to increase 1215 per cent this Dhanteras season with consumers preferring lighter lowerkarat designs investmentgrade pieces hallmarkcertified gold coins digital gold and sovereign gold bondsDovish signals from the US Federal Reserve ETF inflows and central bank purchases are driving the surge in gold the report from Ventura Securities saidThe gold has generated returns of approximately 63 per cent in rupee terms and 53 per cent in dollar terms since last Dhanteras and a possible rally towards Rs15 lakh per 10 grams is possible by 2026 the report saidGold prices have skyrocketed since March 2025 rising from 3000 an ounce to around 4254 In India prices increased from Rs78840 per 10 grammes on Dhanteras 2024 to Rs128200 currentlyTrade tensions between the United States and China escalated as the latter announced tighter export restrictions on rare earth metals and magnets Meanwhile the United States has announced an additional 100 per cent tariff on Chinese imports on top of the existing 30 per cent which has boosted demand for gold IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-prices-touch-new-high-on-dhanteras-amid-strong-festive-demand-643738.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 10:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/federal-banks-q2-profit-falls-over-9-pc-to-rs-955-crore-643781.html Mumbai Oct 18 Federal Bank on Saturday reported its net profit for the second quarter of the current financial year Q2 FY26 at Rs 95526 crore down 95 per cent yearonyear YoY The private sector lender had posted a net profit of Rs 10566 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago Q2 FY25However the banks profit surged over 10 per cent quarteronquarter QoQ from Rs 86175 crore in the previous quarterDespite a decline in net profit Federal Banks total income jumped over 35 per cent YoY to Rs 78243 crore from Rs 754123 croreThe net interest income NII for the quarter stood at Rs 2495 crore while the operating profit stood at Rs 164417 croreAccording to its exchange filing total deposits increased 736 per cent YoY while net advances grew 623 per cent YoYMeanwhile the total expenditure for the JulySeptember period stood at Rs 6180 crore up 3 per cent YoY from Rs 597587 crore in the same quarter a year agoThe total business of the Bank reached Rs 53357664 crore registering a growth of 684 per cent YoYAdditionally net advances increased from Rs 23031224 crore in Q2 FY25 to Rs 24465706 crore till September 30 this year a growth of over 623 per cent YoYAccording to the bank the total deposits increased 73 per cent from Rs 26910659 crore in the same quarter a year ago to Rs 28891958 crore till the end of this quarterHaving spent over a year in this role I have a deep sense of conviction about where the Bank stands today and the direction were headed Over the past few quarters weve undertaken several strategic reorientations to strengthen our foundation and build for the future and the results are beginning to show said KVS Manian Managing Director and CEO Federal BankOur CASA franchise continues to demonstrate sustained and meaningful growth reflecting the trust of our customers and the consistency of our teams execution Were also broadening our asset mix thoughtfully increasing the share of our midyield portfolio in a measured and disciplined way Manian added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/federal-banks-q2-profit-falls-over-9-pc-to-rs-955-crore-643781.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/yes-banks-q2-net-profit-drops-18-pc-sequentially-to-rs-654-crore-643800.html Mumbai Oct 18 Yes Banks net profit for the second quarter of the financial year 202526 Q2 FY26 stood at Rs 65447 crore down 18 per cent quarteronquarter QoQ from Rs 80107 crore in the AprilJune period Q1 FY26 it was announced on Saturday The private sector lender also reported a 3 per cent decline in its total income QoQ to Rs 902315 crore from Rs 934811 crore in the previous quarterHowever the banks net profit for the JulySeptember period jumped 18 per cent yearonyear YoY from Rs 55304 crore in Q2 FY25Meanwhile its total expenditure for the period stood at Rs 77266 crore down over 3 per cent from Rs 799007 crore in the AprilJune period Q1 FY26According to Yes Banks exchange filing the noninterest income NII for the quarter was Rs 1644 crore up 169 per cent YoY while operating profit stood at Rs 1296 croreTill September 30 the total deposits stood at Rs 296 lakh crore and advances crossed the milestone of Rs 25 lakh croreAccording to the bank India Ratings and CRISIL upgraded the longterm rating to AA from A in August with a revision of the outlook to StableThe private sector lender has opened 43 new branches during FY26 so far The bank informed that SMBC has become the largest shareholder acquiring a stake of 242 per cent while SBI continues to be a major shareholder with over 10 per cent holdingThe Bank delivered strong performance across key operating metrics during Q2FY26 Deposit growth momentum sustained with continued outperformance relative to the industry particularly in CASA deposits Disbursements recorded healthy sequential growth supported by broadbased traction across segments including around 20 per cent QoQ growth in the Retail segment said Prashant Kumar Managing Director and CEO Yes BankAsset quality further strengthened during the quarter with a decline in fresh slippages and overdue balances as well as an improvement in the provision coverage ratio he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/yes-banks-q2-net-profit-drops-18-pc-sequentially-to-rs-654-crore-643800.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-cuts-fuel-nationwide-festive-sales-boost-consumption-growth-643801.html New Delhi Oct 18 The recent GST rate cuts have sparked a nationwide shopping surge making Navratri sales one of the largest consumption waves in years in automobiles consumer electronics and ecommerce according to industry estimates Analysts projected festive and wedding season turnover to exceed Rs 7 lakh crore Digital payments jumped tenfold overnight from Rs 118 lakh crore on September 21 to Rs 1131 lakh crore on September 22 as shoppers rushed to take advantage of GST savings according to industry dataDelhis festive sales are estimated at Rs 75000 crore while Ahmedabad experienced nearly a 10 per cent increase in cotton fabric demand following GST reductions on garments priced under Rs 2500The automotive and consumer durable sectors received a huge boost from the GST reforms Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations FADA reported a 34 per cent yearonyear increase in Navratri auto sales marking the highest growth to dateMaruti Suzuki India doubled its sales compared to last year delivering 165000 cars in eight days including a record 30000 vehicles on Ashtami while twowheeler manufacturers saw showroom footfall doubleConsumer durable sales increased by 4045 per cent led by premium product categories the industry estimates said All leading consumer electronics brands and dealers saw strong doubledigit growthEcommerce platforms also emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the festive GST cut as Amazon India reported a 29 per cent increase in same and nextday deliveries in metropolitan areas and a 37 per cent rise in twoday deliveries to tier2 and tier3 citiesMarket sentiment reflected consumer momentum as the Nifty 50 reached a 52week high of 25709 supported by strong foreign inflows a firmer rupee and festive demand Lower taxes on essential and consumer goods have eased household budgets and energised local supply chains boosting MadeinIndia products across markets the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-cuts-fuel-nationwide-festive-sales-boost-consumption-growth-643801.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-not-fully-translated-to-measurable-gains-prof-tarun-khanna-643835.html New Delhi Oct 18 Highlighting the intersection of technology education and governance Prof Tarun Khanna Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor at the Harvard Business School said that India stands at a pivotal moment in its growth story especially with reforms reshaping the education sector   Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the NDTV World Summit in Delhi he underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence noting that it is reshaping occupations across sectors with education being no exceptionAs an educator I believe we are still in the early days of understanding AIs true impact We need to carefully examine which skills can be replaced by AI and where human potential can be amplified through it he saidProf Khanna added that while AI is being widely discussed its real benefits have not yet been fully translated into measurable gains on the ground At a macro level we are not yet seeing AIs advantages reflected in the bottom line he observed suggesting that a more structured integration of technology could unlock new possibilities for Indias youthCommenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modis address at the summit he praised the leadership for setting clear national goalsPM Modi is very decisive His aspirations for India as articulated yesterday are not just beneficial for the country but also for humanity at large Prof Khanna remarkedHe added that guidance from the Prime Ministers Office on initiatives particularly in the Ministry of Education reflects a focused and actionoriented governance modelOn the governments proposed threelanguage policy Prof Khanna said he was not fully aware of its finer details but welcomed any initiative that introduces students to multiple languagesIf it is meant to broaden linguistic exposure I think thats a great step he saidCalling it an exciting time to be part of Indias economic and social development he said global educators and institutions are increasingly looking at India as a space of dynamic transformation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-not-fully-translated-to-measurable-gains-prof-tarun-khanna-643835.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-logistics-real-estate-sector-grows-28-pc-in-9-months-this-year-643586.html New Delhi Oct 17 Leasing by the industrial and logistics IampL real estate sector grew by 28 per cent yearonyear YoY in the first nine months of 2025 a report said on Friday The total leasing during the period across the top eight Indian cities DelhiNCR Bengaluru Mumbai Hyderabad Chennai Pune Kolkata and Ahmedabad stood at 37 million square feet mn sq ft as compared to 288 mn sq ft during the first 9 months in 2024During the period this year DelhiNCR accounted for the largest share of total leasing activity at 117 mn sq ft followed by Bengaluru at 57 mn sq ft and Hyderabad at 46 mn sq ft The three cities accounted for a cumulative share of 59 per cent CBRE a global commercial real estate and investment firm said in its reportMumbai and Kolkata registered space takeup of 42 mn sq ft and 38 mn sq ft respectivelyThe demand is largely led by the expansion of ThirdParty Logistics 3PL providers and the accelerated deployment of quick commerce said Anshuman Magazine Chairman and CEOIndia SouthEast Asia Middle East and Africa CBRECompanies are increasingly focused on supply chain optimisation and resilience driving a mandate for sophisticated highspecification Grade A assets that support automation and reduce lastmile friction he addedAccording to the report during the nine months the supply addition came in at 238 mn sq ft as institutional investorbacked developers continued to expand their footprint Bengaluru Chennai and Mumbai collectively accounted for 62 per cent of the total development completionsIn the JulySeptember quarter Q3 2025 total IampL leasing reached 104 mn sq ft thirdparty leasing 3PL players accounted for a 40 per cent share followed by ecommerce players at 18 per cent and engineering and manufacturing firms at 15 per cent the report saidThe domestic corporates contributed 68 per cent to the total quarterly leasing while EMEA corporates accounted for 14 per cent it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-industrial-logistics-real-estate-sector-grows-28-pc-in-9-months-this-year-643586.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indusind-bank-denies-fresh-probe-into-rs-255-crore-accounting-issue-643587.html Mumbai Oct 17 IndusInd Bank on Friday clarified that the reported accounting irregularities amounting to Rs 255 crore are not part of any new investigation The bank stated that the matter had already been investigated in an earlier probe conducted by an independent external agency whose report was submitted in April 2025 In a filing to the stock exchanges the private sector lender stated that it has made all the necessary disclosures in this regard and the same has appropriately reflected the resultant impact of these accounting discrepancies in the audited financial statements of FY25 disclosedWe would like to clarify that the accounting irregularity of INR 255 Crores as mentioned in the news report is not part of any new investigation being conducted by the Bank and that these findings were part of the investigation report submitted by the independent external agency to the Bank in April 2025 the exchange filing saidThe Bank has made all the necessary disclosures in this regard and it has appropriately reflected the resultant impact of these accounting discrepancies in the audited financial statements of the Bank for FY 202425 disclosed on May 21 2025 the filing addedWe are conscious of our disclosure obligations under Regulation 30 of the Listing Regulations and shall continue to comply with the same the bank stated furtherEarlier media reports claimed that the Economic Offences Wing EOW of the Mumbai Police was examining alleged unsubstantiated entries worth Rs 255 crore that were not part of the banks original complaint related to a Rs 2000 crore lapseThe media reports were claiming that the funds might have been used to inflate net interest income in certain quartersFollowing the clarification shares of IndusInd Bank jumped nearly 3 per cent in the intraday trading on Friday to hit a days high of Rs 761 per share on the NSE At around 211 pm the stock was trading at Rs 75420 up 199 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indusind-bank-denies-fresh-probe-into-rs-255-crore-accounting-issue-643587.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/department-of-posts-launches-medicine-delivery-service-for-ex-servicemen-643596.html New Delhi Oct 17 The Department of Posts DoP has launched a dedicated medicine delivery service for exservicemen the Ministry of Communications said on Friday The service launched in collaboration with Department of Exservicemen DESW will facilitate the pickup booking transmission and doorstep delivery of medicines that are not available at ECHS polyclinics under ExServicemen Contributory Health Scheme ECHSUnder this initiative medicines will be procured and packaged through Village Level Entrepreneurs VLEs Common Service Centre CSC stationed at ECHS polyclinics while logistics and delivery will be managed by India Posts trusted delivery network the Ministry said in a statementThis arrangement ensures that medicines reach ECHS beneficiaries efficiently securely and across all corners of the country it addedThe service was first piloted in Delhi on July 31 where it received an encouraging response and subsequently expanded to the NCR region covering Haryana and Uttar PradeshBuilding on the success of the pilot wherein more than 1700 packets of medicines were delivered a comprehensive mapping of 458 ECHS locations across the country has been completed and the service will be available across the country from October 17The initiative reflects the Department of Posts commitment to leveraging its extensive postal network for welfare projects and public service the Ministry saidThe service will ensure timely and reliable delivery of medicines to ECHS beneficiaries reaffirming India Posts role as a trusted partner in nationbuilding and citizen welfare it addedIn September the Department of Posts signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Packaging to advance sustainable packaging solutions for postal servicesThe partnership focuses on developing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions across multiple domains It focused on sustainable alternatives to current materials like corrugated boxes and cloth wraps while developing ecofriendly costefficient durable shockproof lightweight customisable and scalable materials IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/department-of-posts-launches-medicine-delivery-service-for-ex-servicemen-643596.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-rivers-are-highways-of-progress-pm-modi-643607.html New Delhi Oct 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted the development of Indias waterways into crucial river transport infrastructure projects that have strengthened the countrys logistics and tourism in recent years Indias rivers are not just symbols of heritage they are highways of progress PM Modi said on X social media platformThe Prime Minister spotlighted an article by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on the rejuvenated waterways and how they are sailing towards a Viksit BharatOnce Indias rivers were not just sacred but sensible modes of transportation when goods floated from Patna or Dibrugarh to Kolkata long before trucks ruled the tarmac roads The rivers of India were the first highways their currents moving grain salt and stories In time as steel rails and asphalt roads replaced them the rivers turned into mere promises Sonowal stated in his articleToday thanks to the Inland Waterways Authority of India IWAI Indias rivers are being rediscovered reimagined and rejuvenated this time with institutional funding made possible by an outcomedriven and wellintentioned government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi he addedThe minister further stated that India has over 14500 kms of navigable waterways and 111 are declared national waterways as against a mere five until 2014 As many as 32 are now operationalThis shift with 10fold move isnt just about new maps its about resurrecting a logistics philosophy shaped by PMs transformative approach to multimodal connectivity The obvious benefits are less fuel lower emissions and economical transport of goods All we have to do is respect the river dredge sensibly guide it safely and let physics do the heavylifting Sonowal saidThe article cites the promising picture of cargo movement rising from 18 million tonnes in 201314 to 145 million tonnes in 202425 This has prompted the government to fix an ambitious target of 200 million tonnes by 2030 and a quarterbillion by 2047River tourism is gaining momentum from just five vessels a decade ago to 25 cruises across 13 waterways today In a year Ganga Brahmaputra and Kerala backwaters lead the way as terminals in Varanasi Kolkata Patna Diburgarh and Guwahati are upgraded with electric shore links and 24hour navigation aids to make river crossing both luxurious and sustainable Sonowal added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-rivers-are-highways-of-progress-pm-modi-643607.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/from-handloom-to-artisans-gst-rejig-to-boost-chhattisgarhs-economy-643654.html New Delhi Oct 17 Chhattisgarhs economy is set to receive a boost from recent GST reforms that reduced rates on its key sectors such as handlooms handicrafts cement and packaged dairy official data showed on Friday Lower taxes are reducing input costs stimulating consumer demand and making local products more competitive in national and global markets an official statement saidThe 5 per cent GST rate on key sectors will ease the burden on small producers and encourage formalisation and rural entrepreneurship aligning with the states developmental priorities and inclusive growth vision the release saidThe GST reforms are expected to benefit approximately 15 lakh handloom weavers many of whom are women engaged in decentralised rural production in districts such as JanjgirChampa Raigarh Raipur Mahasamund Bastar and SargujaThe government data indicated that the cuts may increase demand for handicrafts by 1015 per cent and create approximately 5000 jobs by 2026The reduction of GST on cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent makes cement more affordable lowering construction costs stimulating housing demand and generating additional employment opportunities in the infrastructure sector impacting approximately 20000 to 30000 jobsThe reforms will also benefit 5000060000 artisans engaged in handicrafts across Chhattisgarh with tribal and forestbased crafts accounting for nearly 7080 per cent of themFurther the reforms are a relief for MSMEs in the powerloom sector as they ease the input tax burden correct inverted duties support working capital and encourage formalisationThe GST reduction from 12 per cent to 5 per cent provides a major boost to the metal handicraft sector by lowering production costs improving sales and supporting exportsThe reform offers financial relief to tribal artisans helping make their craft economically viable again while preserving traditional skills that were under strain from higher tax slabs the release said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/from-handloom-to-artisans-gst-rejig-to-boost-chhattisgarhs-economy-643654.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 20:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-emerging-global-leader-in-regenerative-medicine-cellular-therapy-innovations-nadda-643665.html New Delhi Oct 17 India is emerging as a global leader in regenerative medicine and in cellular therapy innovations Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Friday His statement came via video message at the 17th Annual Conference of the International Association of Neurorestoratology IANR held jointly with the 7th Annual Conference of the Society of Regenerative Sciences India hereIndia is emerging as a global leader in regenerative medicine with its doctors at the forefront of stem cell and cellular therapy innovation Nadda saidRecent advancements in the treatment of neurological and orthopaedic disorders and disabilities which is a priority area of government he addedThe twoday event October 1718 brings together over 500 doctors scientists and patient representatives from India and abroad to deliberate on the latest advancements in regenerative medicine and neurorestoratologyTribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram highlighted the transformative potential of scientific innovation in healthcare and commended Indian researchers for positioning India as a global leader in regenerative medicineHe also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include cell therapy for divyang in Ayushman BharatThe conference centred on regenerative medicine using cellular therapy which restores damaged tissues and improves functional recovery in patients with neurological orthopaedic and other difficulttotreat disordersWith over 268 crore Divyang citizens in India delegates stressed that these therapies could greatly enhance the quality of life for patients previously considered untreatableIndia has the largest number of scientific publications worldwide on neurological conditionsOur work in regenerative medicine using cellular therapy offers treatment for patients with no other options India leads globally in research and PM Modi has supported this initiative from the start promoting stem cell centres and international collaboration said Dr Alok Sharma representing the Society of Regenerative Sciences urging the inclusion of cellular therapies under Ayushman Bharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-emerging-global-leader-in-regenerative-medicine-cellular-therapy-innovations-nadda-643665.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-b2c-ecommerce-sector-raises-13-billion-in-2025-so-far-report-643685.html New Delhi Oct 17 Indias B2C ecommerce sector has raised 13 billion yeartodate in 2025 with 2700 startups in the space receiving funding a report said on Friday Marketintelligence platform Tracxn said that in alltime terms the sector has raised over 57 billion amassed across over 5600 funding roundsOver the last decade annual funding has grown from 21 billion in 2016 to a peak of 116 billion in 2021 reflecting rapid digital adoption during the pandemic and demonstrating the scalability of online platforms the report saidBengaluru tops the list with 338 billion in cumulative funding while Delhi NCR follows with 167 billionWomenled innovation continues to play a key role in shaping Indias digital commerce ecosystem the report said adding that womenled startups have collectively raised over 8 billion across over 1900 roundsThe sector comprises approximately 34000 startups with more than 22000 founded between 2016 and 2025 YTD accounting for nearly twothirds of the total Seven of these have reached unicorn status while over 60 have been acquired and 10 have gone publicThe sectors growth has been driven by rising smartphone adoption expanding digital infrastructure and evolving consumer behaviourFunding in Indias B2C ecommerce space continues to reflect a phase of steady maturity The surge in digital infrastructure improved access to capital and growing investor confidence in longterm consumer behaviour have shaped a more stable funding environment said Neha Singh CoFounder TracxnThe report said that while rapid expansion and market capture characterised earlier years todays focus has shifted towards sustainable growth and strong unit economicsThe ecosystem has moved beyond scale to create lasting value through innovation efficiency and trust positioning India as a central pillar in the global digital commerce landscape the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-b2c-ecommerce-sector-raises-13-billion-in-2025-so-far-report-643685.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 21:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kaynes-semicon-dispatches-indias-first-commercial-multi-chip-module-to-us-firm-643694.html New Delhi Oct 17 Semiconductor solutions provider Kaynes Semicons OSAT facility in Sanand Gujarat has dispatched Indias first commercially packaged multichip module MCM to Alpha amp Omega Semiconductor in California delivering approximately 900 intelligent power modules a report has said This is a complex chip that we assembled tested for quality marked and packaged for AOS and rolled out from our Sanand OSAT We have a capacity to do 3000 pieces per day We will send another shipment next month Raghu Panicker CEO Kaynes Semicon was quoted as saying in media reportsThis is a oneofitskind module with 17 dies inside six IGBTs two controller ICs integrated circuit six FRDs fast recovery diode and three diodes placing it among the most advanced in this domain he addedThe company commenced its pilotline manufacturing in April under the India Semiconductor Mission 10 backed by a central government commitment of Rs 16535 croreAn intelligent power module IPM is an electronic chip that packs together parts used to control and protect the flow of electricity It helps make devices like motors run more smoothly and efficiently while saving space and simplifying power controlKaynes Semicon has tied up 100 per cent of its capacity of around 46 billion chips per annum with global and Indian companiesIndia Semiconductor Mission ISM was launched in 2021 with a Production Linked Incentive PLI scheme worth Rs 76000 crore to boost domestic manufacturing and design in the semiconductor sectorIndias semiconductor market stood at 38 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit 45 to 50 billion in 202425 and 100 to 110 billion by 2030 Globally the semiconductor market is projected to grow to 1 trillion by the same year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kaynes-semicon-dispatches-indias-first-commercial-multi-chip-module-to-us-firm-643694.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-become-leader-in-telecom-services-product-jyotiraditya-m-scindia-643702.html New Delhi Oct 17 India is no longer a follower in telecom and has now become a leader in the sector both in terms of services and also in terms of products Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M Scindia said on Friday The number of customers across the country and the optical fibre cable network has expanded multiple times the minister addedAddressing a press conference on achievements across the Ministry of Communications encompassing the Department of Telecommunications DoT and Department of Posts DoP Scindia said that internet connections had seen remarkable growth and broadband connections had also increased significantly over the yearsWhen we talk about scale there is no rival to India in terms of exponential scale If you were to purely classify India as a digital nation India would be the thirdlargest digital nation in the world So the Prime Ministers foresight 11 years ago of creating an invisible digital highway and on that digital highway creating the capability of multiple applications to reside and write today has become a reality he saidThe minister termed BSNLs financial revival as one of the most remarkable achievements of the Telecom DepartmentAfter 18 years BSNL turned profitable at the operational level recording Rs 262 crore in Q3 and Rs 280 crore in Q4 of FY202425BSNLs EBITDA has jumped threefold to Rs 5395 crore and its losses have been reduced from Rs 5400 crore to Rs 2400 crore Scindia saidThis profound national transformation is also spearheaded by the successful deployment of the fully indigenous 4G stacka massive technological breakthrough that places India among an elite group of nations capable of developing its own endtoend telecom technologyUnder the governments 100 per cent telecom saturation mission India has achieved 75 per cent of its target within a year Out of 17000 towers planned under the 4G Saturation Project almost 13000 have already been installedThe aspirational district scheme has reached 81 per cent saturation while LeftWing Extremism LWE affected regions have achieved from zero per cent to 57 per cent in Phase I and from 74 per cent to 87 per cent in Phase II For island territories execution has improved from 38 per cent to 84 per centTo accelerate pending projects the ministry created a realtime dashboard to monitor and resolve land forest and securityrelated issuesThe Union Minister also underscored DoTs advances in telecom security AIbased tools like ASTR have disconnected more than 82 lakh fraudulent mobile connections while the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator system has prevented scams worth nearly Rs 200 croreGoogle has now joined this effort which is a huge fillip he noted A unified digital intelligence platform DIP now enables data sharing among over 750 government and private entities including all state governments banks and law enforcement agenciesTelecom regulator TRAI has introduced monthly reporting for service quality replacing the earlier quarterly cycle Telecom operators are now required to map towers publicly and ensure benchmarks such as less than 2 per cent drop in call rates and latency below 50 milliseconds by April 2026The ministry has also established a singlewindow clearance portal to reduce rightofway approval timelines cutting average clearance time from 448 days in 2019 to just 33 days in 2025Scindia emphasised the ministrys shift towards accountability and collaboration Every Chief General Manager at BSNL is now a CEO of their circle setting quarterly targets and reviewing them regularly he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-has-become-leader-in-telecom-services-product-jyotiraditya-m-scindia-643702.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm25-exposure-during-pregnancy-can-affect-brain-development-in-newborns-643516.html New Delhi Oct 10 Maternal exposure to air pollution particles such as PM25 during pregnancy can affect brain development in newborn babies according to a new study Researchers at Hospital del Mar the Barcelona Institute for Global Health ISGlobal and the CIBER area of Epidemiology and Public Health CIBERESP in Spain analysed extremely small particles about thirty times thinner than a human hair It was composed of harmful elements from combustion processes and toxic organic compounds but also of essential elements for brain development such as iron copper and zincThe results published in the journal Environment International showed that newborns of mothers exposed to higher levels of fine airborne particles during pregnancy show slower myelination at this very early stage of lifeMyelination is a key process in brain maturation in which myelin coats neuronal connections making them more efficient for transmitting informationBoth a slowdown and an excessive acceleration of brain maturation can be harmful for the child The researchers said it remains to be determined whether the effect observed in this study will have negative consequences for childrens later abilitiesOur study shows that the myelination process a progressive indicator of brain maturation occurs at a slower rate in newborns most exposed to PM25 during pregnancy Gerard MartínezVilavella researcher at the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del MarFor the study the team monitored levels of air pollutants to which women were exposed during pregnancy and after delivery 132 newborns were selected These infants underwent MRI scans before their first month of life to assess the degree of brain maturation through their levels of myelinationIn the early stages of life brain changes are large and complex Both excessive slowdown and acceleration of brain maturation can be harmful to the child However it remains to be determined whether the observed effect is necessarily detrimental said Dr Jesús Pujol head of the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del MarThis study opens an exciting new field of research aimed at determining the optimal speed of brain maturation during pregnancy and understanding how the mother and placenta may act as effective filters to protect and optimise this process Pujol addedThe team called for further research to understand how each of the pollutants affects the development of the newborn brain IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm25-exposure-during-pregnancy-can-affect-brain-development-in-newborns-643516.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/food-safety-a-shared-responsibility-public-awareness-key-officials-643547.html New Delhi Oct 17 Food safety is a shared responsibility and must be formed with public awareness said government officials while also stressing the need to tackle food myths and promote food literacy At an event held in the national capital on World Food Day 2025 policymakers industry leaders food scientists and academia addressed the urgent need for sciencebacked food education in an era dominated by conflicting narratives and digital misinformationFood safety is a shared responsibility that extends beyond regulatory frameworks to public awareness We welcome initiatives that use scientific discourse to clear misconceptions and promote responsible food choices said Satyen Kumar Panda ED Regulatory Compliance and Advisor Quality Assurance FSSAICollaboration among academia industry and government is key to sustaining a culture of food safety and nutritional integrity he addedThe event was hosted in partnership with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management NIFTEMKundli and the Institute of Hotel Management Catering and Nutrition IHMDelhiThe programme included panel discussions aimed at correcting misconceptions around palm oil A1A2 ghee protein supplements and processed foodsA central highlight was the announcement of an upcoming International Food amp Beverage Alliance IFBA report aimed at debunking persistent myths surrounding palm oilThe report will present evidencebased insights into palm oils role in nutrition sustainability and food manufacturing with the goal of supporting more informed consumer choices and policy decisionsIn todays fastpaced world processed foods offer unmatched convenience be it readytoeat meals frozen snacks or canned foods helping individuals manage their time and nutritional needs effectively However despite the sectors vital contribution to food safety and accessibility public perception is often influenced by misinformation and mediadriven myths said Avinash Joshi Secretary Ministry of Food Processing IndustriesKeeping in view of this the Ministry has recently come out with a publication of FAQs on processed foods with special focus on ultraprocessed foods UPFshighfat salt and sugar HFSS foods to help disseminate sciencebased knowledge and evidence on the subject IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/food-safety-a-shared-responsibility-public-awareness-key-officials-643547.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/have-not-seen-a-single-job-lost-to-ai-deloittes-nitin-mittal-643554.html New Delhi Oct 17 Artificial intelligence may be transforming industries at a rapid pace but it has not taken away jobs at least not yet Nitin Mittal Principal and Global AI Leader at Deloitte said on Friday Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025 during a session titled The Last Job AI and the Future of Work Mittal said he has not come across a single instance of a job being lost due to AII have not come across a single job lost to AI Mittal said while discussing how emerging technologies such as Agentic AI are reshaping work patternsHe explained that while some roles particularly those involving repetitive coding are being affected they are evolving rather than disappearingCoding is a perfect example The jobs that get impacted are those done by humans white coding Agentic AI in particular and in the near future physical AI will have an impact on jobs But I have not come across a single job that has been lost to AI he saidMittal described Agentic AI as autonomous systems that can set their own goals plan and act with minimal human interventionHe also underlined the importance of sovereign AI which not only protects data but also preserves a nations culture and languageWhen asked how India can ensure it doesnt remain a back office in the global AI revolution Mittal said the country already enjoys a natural advantage because of its strong services sectorIndia has a thrust and a natural advantage in applying technology into AI because of its services sector But the question is how do we take advantage of it It requires largescale reskilling and investment he notedHe added that while the Government of India has rolled out several AIfocused programmes society as a whole must take responsibility for driving the transformationThe challenge is that instead of being concerned about the impact on jobs we should focus on how we can be investors and consumers of AI he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/have-not-seen-a-single-job-lost-to-ai-deloittes-nitin-mittal-643554.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-end-lead-exposure-643582.html New Delhi Oct 17 Even though preventable lead exposure remains a serious global health threat and continues to affect millions of children and adults alike said the World Health Organization on Friday calling for immediate action to tackle the growing burden Lead is present in numerous everyday materials including paint batteries cosmetics and even spices It contaminates air water and soil resulting in persistent exposure in communities worldwideIt is linked to approximately 15 million deaths annually primarily from cardiovascular disease and causes irreversible neurological and behavioural damage especially in children Young children absorb significantly more lead than adults leading to reduced IQ learning difficulties and behavioural problems Lead exposure also harms the developing foetusThere is no safe level of lead and immediate action is needed to eliminate exposure and protect future generations said the WHO ahead of the 13th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week ILPPW from October 19 to 25No level of lead is safe Every child deserves a future free from this poison said Dr Ruediger Krech Director Department of Environment Climate Change One Health and Migration ai at the WHOEvery child in every corner of the world deserves a future free from the lifelong harm that can be prevented This week we call on governments communities and healthcare providers to act decisively to eliminate lead exposure and protect the health and potential of the next generation Krech addedWhile progress has been made including the ban on lead in petrol and efforts by many countries to restrict lead in paints the WHO stressed that voluntary measures are not enoughComprehensive bans on the production import sale and use of leadbased paints must be implemented and strictly enforced to prevent exposure particularly among childrenWHO urged all governments organisations and communities to act decisively to protect children and future generations from this preventable health threatLead exposure also remains an economic challenge in the 21st century according to a new global study including researchers from the Kolkatas Jadavpur University and the National University of Singapore NUS among othersThe study published in the journal Communications Earth amp Environment estimated that ongoing childhood lead exposure costs the world more than 34 trillion in lost economic potential each year with disproportionate impacts on low and middleincome countriesThe findings suggest that without stronger safeguards the everincreasing demand for electrification and poorly regulated recycling of leadcontaining products could entrench global inequalities and set back decades of progress in childrens health IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/who-calls-for-immediate-action-to-end-lead-exposure-643582.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/youtube-service-normalised-after-temporary-disruption-in-s-korea-643342.html Seoul Oct 16 YouTube service was normalised after experiencing a temporary disruption in South Korea on Thursday which had affected playback on both mobile and desktop devices according to industry watchers Earlier in the day an error prevented some users from playing videos when accessing the platform via the YouTube mobile app reports Yonhap news agencySome desktop computer users had also experienced similar issues The service appeared to have been largely restored as of around 930 amThe temporary disruption affected some users of YouTube Music as well and was believed to be part of a broader global outageGoogle later issued a statement confirming that the disruption has been resolved across all YouTube services and thanked users for their patienceGoogle later issued a statement confirming that the disruption has been resolved across all YouTube services and thanked users for their patienceYouTube operated by Google is the most widely used video platform in South KoreaMeanwhile the Ministry of Science and ICT earlier in the day said that Google Korea reported the YouTube outage to the government at around 901 amAccording to rules major broadcasting and telecom operators must report any service disruption within 10 minutes of it happening However Google Korea reported the issue after that time limitAfter the Kakao data center fire in 2022 the government designated seven large platform companies including Google as major broadcasting and telecom operators This means they are now part of the governments disaster management systemThe YouTube error affected users across the world including South Korea the US and Europe In Korea videos on YouTube YouTube Music and YouTube TV would not play on most devices including smartphonesSome users said that ads played but then the screen turned black while others could not play videos at allThe global outage is estimated to have lasted from around 817 am to 910 am IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/youtube-service-normalised-after-temporary-disruption-in-s-korea-643342.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-hits-record-high-as-investors-seek-safe-haven-amid-global-uncertainty-643350.html Mumbai Oct 16 Gold prices soared to a fresh record high on Thursday as investors turned to the safehaven metal amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty Expectations of US interest rate cuts and a weaker dollar also boosted demand for the yellow metalMCX Gold December futures surged by nearly Rs 1200 or 1 per cent to hit a new record of Rs 128395 per 10 gramsSimilarly MCX Silver December futures jumped over Rs 1900 or more than 1 per cent to reach a fresh high of Rs 164150 per kgIn the morning trade gold futures on MCX were trading 060 per cent higher at Rs 127960 per 10 grams while silver futures were up 1 per cent at Rs 163812 per kgSpot gold rose 04 per cent to 422479 per ounce in early trade after touching a record high of 422569Meanwhile US gold futures for December delivery gained 09 per cent to 423970 per ounceGold which performs well in periods of low interest rates has surged 61 per cent so far this year as investors continue to seek refuge from global market volatilityThe US dollar index slipped 01 per cent hovering near a oneweek low making gold more attractive to foreign investors as it became cheaper in other currenciesAdding to global tensions US officials on Wednesday criticised Chinas expanded export controls on rare earth materials calling them a threat to global supply chains and hinting at possible retaliatory measuresGold and Silver both continues to surge significantly on domestic as well as on COMEX amid persistent geopolitical and economic uncertainties with expectations of US rate cuts and a weaker dollar adding support experts saidChina has further tightened their rare export controls which the US officials have criticised and also signalled a possibility of retaliation amidst this move as per the expertsThere are several data points like CPI Retail sales and others set to release later this week however if the US shutdown persists these data along with jobs data could be postponed experts mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gold-hits-record-high-as-investors-seek-safe-haven-amid-global-uncertainty-643350.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-food-security-system-ensuring-food-nutritional-equity-for-81-crore-citizens-govt-643358.html New Delhi Oct 16 Indias food security system is aimed at ensuring food and nutritional equity for 81 crore citizens said the government on Thursday on World Food Day 2025 World Food Day is observed every year on October 16 to promote awareness regarding access to safe nutritious and sustainable food for all The theme this year is Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better FutureFood security is ensuring that all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life Achieving this requires not only adequate production of food but also its equitable distribution the government said in an official statementIndias food security architecture is anchored in a dual strategy of strengthening agricultural production and ensuring equitable distribution it addedThe country has made significant progress in addressing hunger and strengthening food security through a range of programmes and policies aimed at reducing malnutrition alleviating poverty and promoting agricultural sustainabilityWith schemes like the National Food Security Act NFSA 2013 complemented by flagship programmes like Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana PMGKAY the Decentralised Procurement Scheme DCP and the Open Market Sale Scheme Domestic OMSSD the government leads inclusive distribution to nearly 81 crore people with affordable food grainsThe schemes also ensure price stability is maintained and vulnerable households are protected from hunger and malnutritionAt the same time the country has also strengthened its production of wheat pulses milk honey and others with the National Food Security Mission NFSM in 200708 which was in 201415 was renamed as the National Food Security amp Nutrition Mission NFSNM with a dual emphasis on food production and nutrition While NFSMNFSNM ensures higher foodgrain production for the Central Pool the National Food Security Act NFSA 2013 guarantees their equitable distributionOver the last decade India has recorded a rise of about 90 million metric tonnes in foodgrain production while fruit and vegetable output has increased by more than 64 million metric tonnes the government saidIndia now ranks first globally in milk and millets production and is the secondlargest fish fruit and vegetable producer in the world Honey and egg production have also doubled compared to 2014 The country has also made its mark globally as Indias agricultural exports have nearly doubled over the past 11 years it addedOther key government initiatives ensuring food security in the country include the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana PMGKAY Rice Fortification Initiative Direct Beneficiary Transfer DBT Integrated Child Development Schemes PM POSHAN POshan SHAkti Nirman Scheme One Nation One Ration Card ONORC Public Distribution System PDS and Open Market Sales Scheme DomesticThese government welfare schemes reflect Indias continued commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition effectively the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-food-security-system-ensuring-food-nutritional-equity-for-81-crore-citizens-govt-643358.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ayurveda-aahara-integral-part-of-global-nutrition-will-ensure-disease-free-future-minister-643412.html New Delhi Oct 16 Making Ayurveda Aahara an integral part of global nutrition can help fight lifestylerelated diseases and ensure a diseasefree future said Prataprao Jadhav Union Minister of State for Ayush Independent Charge on Thursday on World Food Day 2025 Ayurveda Aahara is Indias unique food philosophy rooted in balance wellness and nature World Food Day 2025 is celebrated this year under the theme Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better FutureThis years World Food Day theme resonates deeply with Indias traditional wisdom Ayurveda Aahara is not merely food it is a philosophy that unites health sustainability and compassion for nature Jadhav saidAs part of the celebration the Ministry of Ayush reiterated Indias commitment to fostering a healthier and more sustainable planet through initiatives like Ayurveda AaharaThe Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush recently released a definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara products under Category A providing the first comprehensive reference framework for authentic Ayurvedic dietary preparationsThe list based on authoritative classical texts is expected to drive growth quality and global confidence in Ayurvedabased nutritionThrough our collaboration with FSSAI we aim to make Ayurveda Aahara an integral part of global nutrition ensuring that better foods lead to a better diseasefree future Jadhav saidIndias traditional food systems epitomised by the diverse and balanced Indian Thali are now being globally recognised for their nutritional and environmental sustainabilityThe definitive list of Ayurveda Aahara will also bring clarity to manufacturers and trust to consumers said Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha Secretary Ministry of AyushWe see this as a major boost for startups and innovation in the health food sector where Ayurvedas wisdom can help break the rising trend of diet and lifestylerelated disorders that lead to noncommunicable diseases he addedBy integrating Ayurvedic dietary principles into mainstream nutrition policy India is showing the world how traditional knowledge can guide sustainable and mindful eating practices The collaboration between Ayush and FSSAI exemplifies working hand in hand for better foods and a better future said Professor Anupam Srivastava of the National Institute of Ayurveda NIA Jaipur IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ayurveda-aahara-integral-part-of-global-nutrition-will-ensure-disease-free-future-minister-643412.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-booster-41-pc-indian-consumers-planning-to-buy-vehicle-in-next-34-months-643413.html New Delhi Oct 16 Evolving lifestyles technology adoption and policy reforms such as GST 20 are driving renewed optimism for Indian consumers this festive season with 41 per cent of consumers planning to purchase a vehicle in the next threefour months a report showed on Thursday Notably 72 per cent of them deferred their purchase in anticipation of GST rationalisation signalling the impact of simplified taxation and improved affordability on consumer sentimentAccording to a Grant Thornton Bharat report the preference for hybrid vehicles is rising among consumers with 38 per cent of them opting for hybrid cars outpacing petrol 30 per cent and EVs 21 per cent signalling a clear shift in consumer preference towards transitional fuelefficient technologiesThe craze for sports utility vehicles SUVs remains high with 64 per cent of consumers preferring SUVs This segment has held the top spot in Indias passenger vehicle PV market contributing 65 per cent to total sales in FY25 up from almost 50 per cent just two years agoMeanwhile the report highlighted a shift toward safety metrics as well with 34 per cent of buyers saying that they are prioritising safety over price and mileageThis reflects a maturing market influenced by stricter regulations crash test awareness and techenabled safety featuresThis festive season is not just a sales window it signals deeper shifts in consumer behaviour The growing preference for hybrids rising safety consciousness and willingness to pay for premium features reflect a more informed and aspirational buyer said Saket Mehra Partner and Automotive Industry Leader Grant Thornton BharatWith GST reforms unlocking affordability and digital channels reshaping discovery OEMs have a unique opportunity to reimagine their value proposition for Indias next phase of mobility Mehra addedAccording to the report more than 35 per cent of buyers are willing to pay more for highend variants and 65 per cent have mentioned a 1015 per cent price premium is acceptable highlighting rising aspirations and demand for featurerich vehiclesAdditionally 52 per cent of consumers use both online and offline channels before buying with social media selected by 35 per cent of respondents and car apps selected by 23 per cent of respondents leading the discovery phaseThe reduction of GST on small cars from 28 per cent to 18 per cent could lower acquisition costs by up to Rs 1 lakh particularly boosting demand in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-booster-41-pc-indian-consumers-planning-to-buy-vehicle-in-next-34-months-643413.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/study-warns-high-fat-keto-diet-may-drive-breast-cancer-risk-643422.html New Delhi Oct 16 While the keto diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates is hugely popular for weight loss a new animal study has warned that it may raise the risk of an aggressive type of breast cancer Research from the University of Utah US showed that high lipid levels caused by fatty acids a key feature of obesity that promotes tumour growth can also fuel the risk of triplenegative breast cancerThe study conducted in preclinical mouse models suggests that breast cancer patients and survivors with obesity could benefit from lipidlowering therapies and that they should avoid highfat weight loss regimens like ketogenic dietsThe key here is that people have underestimated the importance of fats and lipids in the allencompassing term that is obesity said Keren Hilgendorf from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the varsityBut our study shows that breast cancer cells are really addicted to lipids and the abundance of lipids in patients with obesity is one of the reasons that breast cancer is more prevalent and more aggressive in these patients Hilgendorf addedThe team analysed mouse models on highfat diets and used models that were engineered to have hyperlipidaemia a high amount of lipids in the blood without other key markers of obesity like high glucose and insulin levelsThe findings published in the journal Cancer and Metabolism showed that the high lipids alone were enough to accelerate tumour growth Interestingly lowering the amount of lipids in the presence of high glucose and insulin levels was also enough to slow down breast cancer cell growthImportantly the study showed that although a keto diet can lead to weight loss which is necessary for cancer patients the highfat content can have serious unintended side effects even causing the tumour to growThe study suggests that lipids may also fuel tumour growth in patients with obesity who have other types of breast cancer or ovarian or colorectal cancers IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/study-warns-high-fat-keto-diet-may-drive-breast-cancer-risk-643422.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/demand-for-ai-talent-surges-in-india-nearly-12-pc-job-listings-now-require-ai-skills-report-643436.html New Delhi Oct 16 Demand for skills in artificial intelligence AI continues to grow across India with 117 per cent of Indian job postings explicitly mentioning AI in their job descriptions in September up from 106 per cent three months ago and 82 per cent a year ago a report said on Thursday AI opportunities are concentrated in the tech sector but are increasingly widespread Almost 39 per cent of data and analytics roles mention artificial intelligence ahead of software development 23 per cent insurance 18 per cent and scientific research 17 per centDemand for skills in artificial intelligence is common across several engineering categories led by industrial engineering 17 per cent mechanical engineering 11 per cent and electrical engineering 92 per cent Indeed Hiring Labs report statedHowever according to the report despite an uptick in AI skillrelated postings Indian job postings on Indeed fell 08 per cent in the month the sixth monthly decline this year to be 162 per cent lower than a year agoIndian job postings are 69 per cent above prepandemic levels but have fallen 22 per cent since their peak in January 2023Indeeds Senior Economist APAC Callam Pickering said India ranks highly against other Indeed markets Apart from India only Singapore has a higher share of postings mentioning artificial intelligence Its clear that many employers across India have gone allin on artificial intelligenceEvery month the Indian workforce gradually transitions towards more formal work arrangements As the nation transitions job creation across the formal sector will outpace overall employment growth nationwideThis transition is also why job postings in India have been stronger than in other Indeed markets both during the postpandemic job boom and the subsequent slowdown the report saidAs AI reshapes hiring priorities the demand for specialised highskilled professionals has intensified Many employers are seeking candidates proficient in AIrelated tools such as data analytics and automation skills that are not yet widely represented in the current talent pool the report highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/demand-for-ai-talent-surges-in-india-nearly-12-pc-job-listings-now-require-ai-skills-report-643436.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-green-energy-gallery-at-uks-science-museum-draws-a-million-visitors-10-000-students-643457.html London Oct 16 Energy Revolution The Adani Green Energy Gallery an awardwinning free gallery at the Science Museum has welcomed one million visitors including over 10000 students since its launch last year said the company on Thursday The gallery is dedicated to examining the rapid energy transition and decarbonisation needed to limit climate changeIt features striking displays of contemporary and historic objects engaging digital exhibits and specially commissioned models which together show how the past present and future of energy systems are shaped by human imagination and innovationWe are honoured to witness Energy Revolution The Adani Green Energy Gallery inspiring a million minds and igniting conversations around sustainability and innovation At Adani Green Energy we believe that a sustainable future is rooted in bold innovation and collective action This milestone reflects the shared commitment to shaping a greener tomorrow and showcases the power of education in driving meaningful change said Sagar Adani Executive Director Adani Green EnergyWe congratulate the Science Museum Group on achieving this significant landmark and are proud to support a gallery that continues to trigger curiosity and nurture solutions for a cleaner more resilient world he addedThe gallery which highlights technologies and projects from the UK and abroad from hydrogen power on Orkney to terracotta aircooling façades in India and solar farms in Morocco is popular with both families and school groups More than 10000 students have now explored the gallery as part of educational visits since it opened the company saidWe are delighted to have welcomed a million visitors to this stunning gallery helping ignite curiosity among those who visit and sparking conversations about the need to generate and use energy more sustainably Reaching this impressive milestone is a testament to the gallerys awardwinning design and the stories behind the remarkable objects on display said Sir Ian Blatchford Chief Executive and Director of the Science Museum GroupBlatchford also expressed gratitude to Adani Green Energy one of the worlds leading renewable energy companies for their generous sponsorship which made the gallery possibleThe free gallery opened at the Science Museum on March 24 last year on Level 2 in the West HallDesigned by architect and design studio Unknown Works the Gallery recently received a Retrofit and Reuse Award from the Architects Journal for its sustainable approach to design and installation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-green-energy-gallery-at-uks-science-museum-draws-a-million-visitors-10-000-students-643457.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/global-pc-shipments-rise-82-pc-in-q3-over-ai-pc-demand-643458.html New Delhi Oct 16 Personal computer PC shipments globally increased by 82 per cent to 699 million units in Q3 2025 fuelled by a Windows 10 endofsupport EOS refresh cycle and demand for AI PCs a report said on Thursday The report from Gartner said that the AI PC segment will reach 31 per cent in share of shipments in 2025 up from 15 per cent in 2024 marking a significant shift in market priorities and innovationIn the third quarter of 2025 worldwide PC shipments were driven by the Windows 10 endofsupport EOS refresh cycle in most regions while North Americas growth was limited to 16 per cent as demand had been accelerated into the first half of the year due to anticipated import tariffs said Rishi Padhi Research Principal at GartnerThe industry is also pivoting toward AI PCs with integrated NPUs for enhanced ondevice AI capabilities Padhi addedPadhi however maintained that consumer demand remained subdued at the lower price points impacted by persistent geopolitical and macroeconomic headwinds Consumers continue to exhibit cautious spending behaviour delaying PC purchases and seeking promotional offers he addedThere were no major changes in the top five vendor rankings worldwide in the third quarter of 2025 Lenovo saw the strongest growth in global PC shipments among the top five vendors at 166 per cent yearoveryear All top five vendors experienced growth in shipments in the third quarterLenovo maintained its position as market leader with around 194 million units sold capturing a 278 per cent market share HP Inc shipped around 15 million units capturing a 215 per cent market share an increase of 106 per cent from the third quarter of 2024 Dell Apple and ASUS shipped approximately 102 million 62 million and 54 million units IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/global-pc-shipments-rise-82-pc-in-q3-over-ai-pc-demand-643458.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/why-women-face-higher-risk-of-multiple-sclerosis-and-alzheimers-643465.html New Delhi Oct 16 US researchers have identified a gene on the X chromosome that drives inflammation in the female brain and explains the reason why women are disproportionately affected by conditions such as Alzheimers disease and multiple sclerosis The team from the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles noted that as females have two X chromosomes as opposed to only one in males they get a double dose of inflammation which plays a major role in ageing Alzheimers disease and multiple sclerosisUsing a mouse model of multiple sclerosis they found the gene Kdm6a which causes inflammation in microglia immune cells in the brainWhen Kdm6a and its associated protein were deactivated the multiple sclerosislike disease and neuropathology were both ameliorated with high significance in female mice revealed the study published in the journal Science Translational MedicineMultiple sclerosis and Alzheimers disease each affect women more often than men about two to three times as often Also twothirds of healthy women have brain fog during menopause These new findings explain why and point to a new treatment to target this said lead author Dr Rhonda Voskuhl director of the Multiple Sclerosis Programme at UCLA HealthWhen the team genetically knocked out the gene Kdm6a in brain immune cells the inflammatory molecules shifted from being activated to a resting stateThe team also performed a pharmacologic knock down of the protein made by this gene using metformin widely used as a treatment for diabetesWhile these interventions were highly significant in female mice their effect was almost undetectable in males Voskuhl saidThis is consistent with there being more to block in females due to having two copies of the Xlinked gene said VoskuhlIts also why females are more likely to get multiple sclerosis and Alzheimers disease than males This has implications for the clinic Women may respond differently to metformin treatment than men IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/why-women-face-higher-risk-of-multiple-sclerosis-and-alzheimers-643465.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-higher-on-positive-global-cues-643106.html Mumbai Oct 15 Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Wednesday taking cues from the upbeat global sentiment The Sensex climbed 243 points or 030 per cent to trade at 82273 while the Nifty rose 79 points or 031 per cent to start the day at 25225Commenting on the Niftys technical outlook experts said that though the 20day SMA stepped in yesterday to limit the extent of the drop we prefer to give more weightage to the bearish engulfing pattern thus acknowledging the prevailing bearish biasMeanwhile we remain equally prepared to switch sides if Nifty manages to push beyond 25230 However we will wait for a break beyond 25330 to play directional upsides they addedBuying was seen across most sectors with heavyweights like Bajaj Finserv Bajaj Finance NTPC LampT Power Grid BEL Bharti Airtel Trent and Asian Paints leading the gains These stocks moved up by as much as 12 per cent in early tradeHowever some pressure was seen in select counters such as Tech Mahindra Axis Bank Infosys and Titan Company which slipped up to 12 per centIn the broader market the Nifty MidCap index gained 038 per cent while the Nifty SmallCap index advanced 020 per cent indicating a positive trend beyond the frontline indicesAmong sectoral indices Nifty IT and Financial Services rose 06 per cent each while PSU Bank and Realty indices also traded higher reflecting a broadly optimistic market moodExperts said that investors are likely to track global market trends crude oil prices and institutional flows for further directionIn the current environment of heightened volatility and mixed market cues traders are advised to maintain a cautious buyondips approach particularly when using leverage analysts saidBooking partial profits during rallies and maintaining tight trailing stoplosses is recommended to manage risk Fresh long positions should be considered only if the Nifty sustains above the 25300 mark they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-higher-on-positive-global-cues-643106.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/loneliness-social-isolation-may-raise-risk-of-death-in-people-with-cancer-study-643122.html New Delhi Oct 15 Loneliness and social isolation can raise the risk of death from cancer as well as from all causes among those with the disease according to a study In a pooled data analysis of 13 studies involving over 15 lakh patients a team of Canadian researchers led by those from the University of Toronto found that loneliness is relatively common among people with cancerThe potential impact of loneliness on death from cancer was reported for 2142338 patients in nine studies and pooled data analysis showed that it was associated with an 11 per cent heightened risk of death from the disease after adjusting for small study sizesThese findings collectively suggest that loneliness and social isolation may influence cancer outcomes beyond traditional biological and treatmentrelated factors said the researchers in the paper published online in the openaccess journal BMJ OncologyExploring the reasons the team found that social isolation and loneliness increase mortality risk in patients with cancer through interconnected biological psychological and behavioural mechanismsBiologically the stress response triggered by loneliness may lead to immune dysregulation and heightened inflammatory activity ultimately contributing to disease progression the researchers explainedAt the same time the unique burden of cancer survivorship often includes forms of isolation stemming directly from disease and treatment experiences This includes the inability of loved ones to fully understand cancerassociated fears stigma around visible treatment effects and survivorshiprelated anxieties affecting the oncology patients psychosociallyFurther cancer treatment can also induce physical changes such as fatigue cognitive impairments which may further limit social participation while prolonged medicalisation of life can erode preillness identity and community connectionsIf the findings are confirmed in further methodologically sound studies it would indicate the need to routinely incorporate psychosocial assessments and targeted interventions into cancer care to improve outcomes the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/loneliness-social-isolation-may-raise-risk-of-death-in-people-with-cancer-study-643122.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-group-constructing-ropeway-to-make-kedarnath-dham-darshan-easier-gautam-adani-643132.html New Delhi Oct 15 The Adani Group is constructing a ropeway to facilitate devotees visiting the Kedarnath Dham with easier access to darshan said Chairman Gautam Adani on Wednesday The ropeway being built at a total investment of Rs 4081 crore connects Sonprayag with Kedarnath Once operational the 129 km ropeway project will reduce travel time from an arduous 9hour trek to just 36 minutes making the pilgrimage far easier and saferThe difficult climb to Kedarnath Dham will now become easier The Adani Group is constructing this ropeway to make the pilgrimage for devotees simpler and safer Gautam Adani shared in a post on the social media platform XIt is a matter of pride for us to be a part of this pious endeavour May Mahadev continue to bestow his grace upon all Jai Baba Kedarnath added the industrialistAdani Enterprises Ltd AEL in September received a Letter of Award LoA from the National Highways Logistics Management Ltd NHLML for building the prestigious ropeway projectIt is the companys first ropeway project and is expected to be completed in six years It will be executed by AELs Roads Metro Rail and Water RMRW divisionThe ropeway will be able to carry 1800 passengers per hour per direction serving lakhs of pilgrims each yearThe ropeway is part of the National Ropeways Development Programme Parvatmala PariyojanaDeveloped on a PublicPrivate Partnership PPP basis the project will take six years to complete and AEL will operate it for 29 years after constructionAlong with improving connectivity the project is expected to create jobs and boost tourism in the regionEarlier the Adani Group Chairman called the project a bridge between devotion and modern infrastructureBy making this sacred journey safer faster and more accessible we honour the faith of millions while creating new opportunities for Uttarakhands people through our partnership with NHLML and the Government of Uttarakhand This prestigious project reflects our commitment to building infrastructure that not only serves the nation but also uplifts its people Gautam Adani said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-group-constructing-ropeway-to-make-kedarnath-dham-darshan-easier-gautam-adani-643132.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-south-korea-ties-get-stronger-with-tech-driven-partnership-in-chips-green-energy-643162.html New Delhi Oct 15 In recent years IndiaSouth Korea relations have evolved into a strategically significant partnership with technologydriven collaboration in semiconductors and sustainable energy The focus on semiconductors and energy represents a leap from traditional trade ties to deep technological collaboration essential for securing the future in a competitive global landscape shaped by geopolitical tensions and supply chain realignments according to an article in India NarrativeSouth Koreas New Southern Policy provides the diplomatic scaffolding to translate economic and technological cooperation into a broad resilient strategic partnership amplifying both countries influence in the IndoPacific the article statesThe semiconductor partnership aligns closely with Indias national ambition to become a global semiconductor hub by 2030 Through the India Semiconductor Mission and a suite of policy incentives India is building fabrication plants and developing a comprehensive supply chain encompassing chip design manufacturing assembly testing and packagingSouth Korea home to semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix offers invaluable expertise investment and technology making it a natural partner in this critical sector it observesCollaborative research and development in emerging semiconductor technologies such as AI chips and 3D packaging supported by joint innovation hubs will be essential to reduce Indias dependence on Chinacentric supply chains and strengthening its technological sovereignty the article points outIndias plan to develop a skilled semiconductor workforce through specialized education programs and publicprivate partnerships will ensure the ecosystems longterm sustainability Supporting fabless semiconductor design startups will further complement manufacturing efforts by leveraging Indias large pool of chip design talent thereby deepening the countrys integration into the global semiconductor value chain it article statesThe energy dimension of the IndiaKorea relationship plays an equally transformative role particularly in renewable energy and clean technology collaboration Indias ambitious renewable energy targets and the National Green Hydrogen Mission align with South Koreas advanced capabilities in solar wind energy storage and green hydrogen This complementary expertise opens opportunities for joint ventures technology transfer and project development that will accelerate Indias sustainable energy transitionThe articles also highlights that the future cooperation in energy will increasingly centre on innovative battery storage solutions which are critical for stabilizing power grids amid rising renewable energy penetration India views Korean investment and expertise as vital for scaling up domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies reducing carbon footprints and advancing toward climate goals through highquality green industrial growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-south-korea-ties-get-stronger-with-tech-driven-partnership-in-chips-green-energy-643162.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-navy-to-deliberate-on-cyber-threats-in-maritime-domain-boost-security-643168.html New Delhi Oct 15 With an aim to deepen understanding of cyber threats in the maritime domain the Indian Navy is organising a seminar here on Thursday The seminar titled Impact of Cyber Attacks on Maritime Sector and Its Effects on National Security and International Relations aims to foster collaboration among key stakeholders to enhance cybersecurity and strengthen the national cybersecurity postureMinister of State for IT Ministry Jitin Prasada will deliver the keynote address during the inaugural session The seminar will feature panel discussions each led by distinguished experts from the ministries and organisationsThese include the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas MoPNG the National Security Council Secretariat NSCS the Gas Authority of India Limited GAIL the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons DGH the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team CERTIn the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre NCIIPC and the National Maritime Foundation NMF as well as leaders from private organisationsThe topics for panel discussions are Global Cyber Threats to Maritime Infrastructure Civil and Military Partnership and Maritime Sector as Critical Information InfrastructureAccording to the ministry the seminar aims to advance the Prime Ministers vision of MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Regions by reinforcing a safe secure cyberspace and echoes the call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous securebydesign digital systems and robust publicprivate partnershipAligned with Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 the seminar positions cybersecurity as a core enabler of portled growth smart logistics offshore energy security and mission critical naval operations according to an official statementMoreover a tech exhibition will be organised in partnership with Data Security Council of India DSCI that will feature indigenous innovations in cybersecurity and defence technology developed by various startups from across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-navy-to-deliberate-on-cyber-threats-in-maritime-domain-boost-security-643168.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hyundai-doubles-down-on-india-to-invest-rs-45-000-crore-by-fy30-643169.html New Delhi Oct 15 South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co on Wednesday announced plans to invest Rs 45000 crore in India by FY30 as part of its longterm growth roadmap The company aims to make India its secondlargest market globally according to its official statementDuring his first visit to India Hyundai Motor Co President and CEO Jose Munoz said the investment will support new product launches capacity expansion and research and development RampDFollowing our landmark IPO last year and 30 years of success in India now HMIL plans an investment of Rs 45000 crore through FY30 to drive the next phase of growth Munoz said while addressing Hyundai Motor India Limiteds HMIL firstever investor dayMunoz said around 60 per cent of the investment will go into product development and RampD while 40 per cent will be used for capacity expansion and upgradationThe company has also set a target to increase exports to 30 per cent of total productionUnder its 2030 roadmap HMIL plans to launch 26 new models by FY30 including seven new nameplatesThe company will enter the MPV and offroad SUV segments and launch its first locally designed developed and manufactured electric SUV by 2027Hyundai will also bring its luxury brand Genesis to India by 2027 the company informedThe automaker aims to increase its revenue by 15 times and cross the Rs 1 trillion mark by FY2030It is also targeting over 15 per cent market share in the domestic market with a major push in utility vehicles and ecofriendly models such as CNG EVs and hybridsBy 2030 HMIL will be our secondlargest region globally Munoz said adding that India currently accounts for 15 per cent of Hyundais global salesHMIL Managing Director Unsoo Kim said the company will maintain strong doubledigit EBITDA margins while creating longterm value for shareholders with a dividend payout between 20 per cent and 40 per centHMIL CEO Designate Tarun Garg said that by FY2030 over 80 per cent of Hyundais sales in India will come from SUVs while more than half of its vehicles will feature ecofriendly powertrainsOur sales and service network will cover 85 per cent of Indias districts with rural markets contributing about 30 per cent of total sales Garg added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hyundai-doubles-down-on-india-to-invest-rs-45-000-crore-by-fy30-643169.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-national-ai-ecosystem-lower-entry-barriers-for-finance-sector-report-643172.html New Delhi Oct 15 The Central Governments efforts to build national AI ecosystem will make AI resources accessible to smaller players in financial services beyond large incumbents a report said on Wednesday The report from business consultancy firm Grant Thornton Bharat said that the shift means firms must proactively align their systems with these platforms and contribute datasets as well as models to themThe IndiaAI Mission AI Kosh the DPDP Act and CERTIns cybersecurity mandates are creating the infrastructure of compute datasets data protection and digital rails that financial institutions can now ride on the report saidFinancial institutions face four structural challenges such as data quality infrastructure gaps talent shortage and regulatory ambiguity it addedFor banks and NBFCs AI becomes a boardlevel governance issue demanding model risk management and fairness programmes The industry must respond by institutionalising model risk management building comprehensive inventories of AI systems developing fairness and explainability programs and integrating incident reporting into existing supervisory channels the report notedThe report highlighted that national initiatives like AI Kosh and the IndiaAI Compute Platform will bridge capacity gaps for smaller institutions Capital markets should depend on transparency and auditability to build trust in AIled decisionmaking The business consultancy urged insurers and fintechs to innovate under supervision with fairness explainability and consumer protection at the coreRBIs recent report suggests that only 20 per cent of the regulated entities have adopted some form of AI technology and that the technology deployed so far are simple rulebased nonlearning AI models and moderately complex ML models with limited adoption of advanced AI modelsAI is no longer an experimental tool and is now a regulated infrastructure requiring fairness transparency and governance the report mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-national-ai-ecosystem-lower-entry-barriers-for-finance-sector-report-643172.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-national-ai-ecosystem-lowers-entry-barriers-for-finance-sector-report-643175.html New Delhi Oct 15 The Central Governments efforts to build national AI ecosystem will make AI resources accessible to smaller players in financial services beyond large incumbents a report said on Wednesday The report from business consultancy firm Grant Thornton Bharat said that the shift means firms must proactively align their systems with these platforms and contribute datasets as well as models to themThe IndiaAI Mission AI Kosh the DPDP Act and CERTIns cybersecurity mandates are creating the infrastructure of compute datasets data protection and digital rails that financial institutions can now ride on the report saidFinancial institutions face four structural challenges such as data quality infrastructure gaps talent shortage and regulatory ambiguity it addedFor banks and NBFCs AI becomes a boardlevel governance issue demanding model risk management and fairness programmes The industry must respond by institutionalising model risk management building comprehensive inventories of AI systems developing fairness and explainability programs and integrating incident reporting into existing supervisory channels the report notedThe report highlighted that national initiatives like AI Kosh and the IndiaAI Compute Platform will bridge capacity gaps for smaller institutions Capital markets should depend on transparency and auditability to build trust in AIled decisionmaking The business consultancy urged insurers and fintechs to innovate under supervision with fairness explainability and consumer protection at the coreRBIs recent report suggests that only 20 per cent of the regulated entities have adopted some form of AI technology and that the technology deployed so far are simple rulebased nonlearning AI models and moderately complex ML models with limited adoption of advanced AI modelsAI is no longer an experimental tool and is now a regulated infrastructure requiring fairness transparency and governance the report mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-national-ai-ecosystem-lowers-entry-barriers-for-finance-sector-report-643175.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/56-pc-indian-employer-intend-to-expand-their-workforce-in-h2-fy26-report-643176.html New Delhi Oct 15 More than half of employers 56 per cent in India intend to expand their workforce in the second half of the current financial year H2 FY26 while 27 per cent plan to maintain stability and 17 per cent foresee rationalisation a report said on Wednesday Large enterprises are driving most of the hiring momentum while medium and small businesses are proceeding with a more cautious returnfirst approachAs Indias economy sustains a strong growth trajectory driven by 78 per cent GDP growth in Q1 FY202526 and GST reforms employers are aligning their people strategies to real business outcomes commissioning milestones and festive demand cycles TeamLease Services a leading staffing firm said in its reportSectors leading the employment surge include ecommerce and tech startups logistics and retail with projected NECs of 113 per cent 108 per cent and 81 per cent respectively revealed the report based on a survey of 1251 employers across 23 industries and 20 cities conducted from June to AugustThe automotive fast moving consumer goods FMCG and electric vehicle EV infrastructure segments are also expanding steadily supported by policy incentives such as PLI and EMPS localisation efforts and strong domestic consumptionThese industries together reflect the resilience and adaptability of Indias job market where technology consumption and infrastructure investment continue to drive workforce demand the report notedIndias workforce is entering a transformative phase where traditional hiring approaches are giving way to targeted skilldriven strategies According to our report 61 per cent of employers are adopting selective performancebased approaches for entrylevel roles By embedding capabilityled performancelinked practices companies can not only meet todays business needs but also shape a resilient and futureready workforce said Balasubramanian A Senior Vice President TeamLease ServicesAlso the governments push towards formalisation through schemes such as the EmploymentLinked Incentive ELI looks promising with 53 per cent of employers aware of the scheme and 64 per cent rating skill development support as its most valuable feature he addedCommunication basic computer skills and critical thinking have emerged as the most indemand skills cited by 89 per cent 81 per cent and 78 per cent of employers respectively These competencies are now seen as essential for maintaining productivity in hybrid and crossfunctional teamsThe workforce transformation is equally visible across locations with Bengaluru Hyderabad and Mumbai leading hiring intent due to their concentration of technology manufacturing and service enterprises the report highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/56-pc-indian-employer-intend-to-expand-their-workforce-in-h2-fy26-report-643176.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/56-pc-indian-employers-intend-to-expand-their-workforce-in-h2-fy26-report-643177.html New Delhi Oct 15 More than half of employers 56 per cent in India intend to expand their workforce in the second half of the current financial year H2 FY26 while 27 per cent plan to maintain stability and 17 per cent foresee rationalisation a report said on Wednesday Large enterprises are driving most of the hiring momentum while medium and small businesses are proceeding with a more cautious returnfirst approachAs Indias economy sustains a strong growth trajectory driven by 78 per cent GDP growth in Q1 FY202526 and GST reforms employers are aligning their people strategies to real business outcomes commissioning milestones and festive demand cycles TeamLease Services a leading staffing firm said in its reportSectors leading the employment surge include ecommerce and tech startups logistics and retail with projected Net Employment Changes NECs of 113 per cent 108 per cent and 81 per cent respectively revealed the report based on a survey of 1251 employers across 23 industries and 20 cities conducted from June to AugustThe automotive fast moving consumer goods FMCG and electric vehicle EV infrastructure segments are also expanding steadily supported by policy incentives such as PLI and EMPS localisation efforts and strong domestic consumptionThese industries together reflect the resilience and adaptability of Indias job market where technology consumption and infrastructure investment continue to drive workforce demand the report notedIndias workforce is entering a transformative phase where traditional hiring approaches are giving way to targeted skilldriven strategies According to our report 61 per cent of employers are adopting selective performancebased approaches for entrylevel roles By embedding capabilityled performancelinked practices companies can not only meet todays business needs but also shape a resilient and futureready workforce said Balasubramanian A Senior Vice President TeamLease ServicesAlso the governments push towards formalisation through schemes such as the EmploymentLinked Incentive ELI looks promising with 53 per cent of employers aware of the scheme and 64 per cent rating skill development support as its most valuable feature he addedCommunication basic computer skills and critical thinking have emerged as the most indemand skills cited by 89 per cent 81 per cent and 78 per cent of employers respectively These competencies are now seen as essential for maintaining productivity in hybrid and crossfunctional teamsThe workforce transformation is equally visible across locations with Bengaluru Hyderabad and Mumbai leading hiring intent due to their concentration of technology manufacturing and service enterprises the report highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/56-pc-indian-employers-intend-to-expand-their-workforce-in-h2-fy26-report-643177.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nit-rourkela-researchers-pioneer-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance-643186.html New Delhi Oct 15 In a bid to tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance researchers at the National Institute of Technology NIT Rourkela have used extracts from medicinal plants to produce potent antibacterial agents that are environmentally safe and effective The overuse of traditional antibiotics has resulted in the rise of superbugs that have become resistant to these treatmentsThe study published in the Surfaces and Interphases journal used an ecofriendly approach and produced zinc oxide nanoparticles known to damage bacterial cells and disrupt their normal functionsHowever instead of using harsh chemicals the team used extracts from leaves and petals of Marigold Mango and Eucalyptus to reduce zinc salts into zinc oxide nanocrystals with adsorbed phytocompounds from the extractsThe extractcoated nanoparticles particularly made from marigold petals were twice as effective at killing bacteria compared to chemically synthesised nanoparticles or plant extracts aloneThe extracts not only aided in the synthesis of nanoparticles but also helped stabilise nanoparticles through the formation of a herbal shield or phytocorona It also helps in controlling the release of the zinc ions and ensures steady antibacterial actionThe flavonoids alkaloids tannins and phenolic phytocompounds in these extracts have inherent antibacterial properties resulting in a double attack on bacterial existenceThe greensynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles with phytocorona as a sustainable and effective antimicrobial platform offer a promising solution to combat antimicrobial resistance while leveraging the medicinal properties of surfaceadsorbed plantderived phytocompounds said Prof Suman Jha Associate Professor at the Department of Life Science NIT RourkelaThe use of extracts from indigenous plants makes the technology easy to scale up This approach encourages homegrown sustainable solutions that reduce dependence on imported drugs and synthetic antibiotics which often lead to more problems than solutionsOur vision is to develop scalable affordable and environmentally safe antimicrobial materials that can be integrated into healthcare sanitation and food preservation applications By harnessing Indias rich biodiversity and indigenous plant resources we aim to create selfreliant innovations that contribute meaningfully to global health and sustainability goals Jha said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nit-rourkela-researchers-pioneer-green-alternative-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance-643186.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-ceos-confident-in-their-companys-growth-increased-to-83-pc-in-2025-report-643200.html New Delhi Oct 15 Confidence among chief executive officers CEOs in India in their own companies growth prospects has climbed to 83 per cent up from 68 per cent in 2024 a significant leap that outpaces CEOs globally from 76 per cent in 2024 to 79 per cent in 2025 a report said on Wednesday Despite a decline in global economic confidence from 80 per cent in 2024 to 63 per cent in 2025 Indian CEOs remain focused on innovation resilience and longterm growth strategies Rather than retreating they are prioritising strategic investments in technology and talent to drive transformationCEOs in India are demonstrating renewed confidence in their organisations growth prospects reflecting strong resilience and strategic clarity KPMG India said in its reportMeanwhile AI remains a top investment priority with 57 per cent of Indian CEOs planning to allocate 1020 per cent of their budgets to AI over the next 12 months A majority 73 per cent expect returns on AI investments within one to three yearsAs much as 86 per cent believe their boards are wellequipped to navigate advanced technology adoption including leveraging data and AI for sustainable growth the report notedIn an era of global uncertainty CEOs in India are demonstrating remarkable resilience and a futurefocused mindset By embracing emerging technologies like AI prioritising cybersecurity and advancing ESG goals they are confident of navigating complexity KPMG in India CEO Yezdi Nagporewalla saidAt the same time a renewed focus on talent strategy redesigning roles embedding innovation and fostering continuous learning is helping organisations stay competitive and ready for what lies ahead he addedIntegration of AI into organisational processes is cited as the most pressing challenge shaping shortterm decisionmakingTechnologyrelated factors such as cybercrime AI workforce readiness and successful AI integration consistently rank among the top factors impacting threeyear growth the report highlightedAdditionally 91 per cent of Indian CEOs advocate for investing in skill development and lifelong learning to safeguard future talent74 per cent recognise that AI workforce readiness will significantly influence organisational prosperity over the next three years the report statedThe report was prepared on inputs from 125 business leaders across industries and sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-ceos-confident-in-their-companys-growth-increased-to-83-pc-in-2025-report-643200.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/confidence-of-indian-ceos-in-their-firms-growth-increased-to-83-pc-in-2025-report-643204.html New Delhi Oct 15 Confidence among chief executive officers CEOs in India in their own companies growth prospects has climbed to 83 per cent up from 68 per cent in 2024 a significant leap that outpaces CEOs globally from 76 per cent in 2024 to 79 per cent in 2025 a report said on Wednesday Despite a decline in global economic confidence from 80 per cent in 2024 to 63 per cent in 2025 Indian CEOs remain focused on innovation resilience and longterm growth strategies Rather than retreating they are prioritising strategic investments in technology and talent to drive transformationCEOs in India are demonstrating renewed confidence in their organisations growth prospects reflecting strong resilience and strategic clarity KPMG India said in its reportMeanwhile AI remains a top investment priority with 57 per cent of Indian CEOs planning to allocate 1020 per cent of their budgets to AI over the next 12 months A majority 73 per cent expect returns on AI investments within one to three yearsAs much as 86 per cent believe their boards are wellequipped to navigate advanced technology adoption including leveraging data and AI for sustainable growth the report notedIn an era of global uncertainty CEOs in India are demonstrating remarkable resilience and a futurefocused mindset By embracing emerging technologies like AI prioritising cybersecurity and advancing ESG goals they are confident of navigating complexity KPMG in India CEO Yezdi Nagporewalla saidAt the same time a renewed focus on talent strategy redesigning roles embedding innovation and fostering continuous learning is helping organisations stay competitive and ready for what lies ahead he addedIntegration of AI into organisational processes is cited as the most pressing challenge shaping shortterm decisionmakingTechnologyrelated factors such as cybercrime AI workforce readiness and successful AI integration consistently rank among the top factors impacting threeyear growth the report highlightedAdditionally 91 per cent of Indian CEOs advocate for investing in skill development and lifelong learning to safeguard future talent74 per cent recognise that AI workforce readiness will significantly influence organisational prosperity over the next three years the report statedThe report was prepared on inputs from 125 business leaders across industries and sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/confidence-of-indian-ceos-in-their-firms-growth-increased-to-83-pc-in-2025-report-643204.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-global-capability-centres-hiring-rises-by-5-7-pc-in-q2-fy26-643213.html New Delhi Oct 15 Indias global capability centres GCCs have witnessed a steady 57 per cent quarteronquarter QoQ rise in hiring activity in the second quarter of the current fiscal Q2 FY26 a report said on Wednesday The quarter reflected a continued focus on building capability rather than expanding headcount with most demand stemming from AI and data platform engineering cloud and financial operations FinOps and cybersecurity rolesSectors like BFSI Manufacturing Automotive Energy Technology and Hardware have become the main pillars of GCC growth led by AIenabled credit and risk operations in BFSI EV and smartfactory programs in manufacturing semiconductor and embedded AI development in the technology segment Quess Corp a staffing and workforce solutions company said in its reportAccording to the report hiring budgets are now focused on revenuecritical and resiliencefocused functions creating steady demand for platform engineering data management and FinOps roles that support these programmesBengaluruled GCC hiring in the JulySeptember period with a 26 per cent share followed by Hyderabad 22 per cent Pune 15 per cent and Chennai 12 per centBengaluru saw strong traction in advanced AI and FinOps roles while Hyderabad gained momentum in multicloud integration and data reliability the report highlightedIndias GCC evolution is entering its most strategic phase yet one defined by precision not proliferation Q2 reflected a measured 57 per cent QoQ hiring growth highlighting a shift from scale to capabilityled maturity with AI FinOps and platform reliability emerging as core priorities said Kapil Joshi CEOIT Staffing Quess CorpRoles in AI and Data Science saw an 8 per cent uplift and FinOpsdriven cloud hiring rose 6 per cent underscoring enterprise focus on performance and cost optimisation he addedIndia currently hosts around 1850 active GCCs and employs over 2 million professionals and the ecosystem is on track to reach 25 million by 2030The report noted that sustainable growth will depend on strengthening tier2 delivery investing in skill development and embedding capabilitybased operating models across centres IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-global-capability-centres-hiring-rises-by-5-7-pc-in-q2-fy26-643213.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-global-capability-centres-hiring-increases-by-5-7-pc-in-q2-fy26-643214.html New Delhi Oct 15 Indias global capability centres GCCs have witnessed a steady 57 per cent quarteronquarter QoQ rise in hiring activity in the second quarter of the current fiscal Q2 FY26 a report said on Wednesday The quarter reflected a continued focus on building capability rather than expanding headcount with most demand stemming from AI and data platform engineering cloud and financial operations FinOps and cybersecurity rolesSectors like BFSI Manufacturing Automotive Energy Technology and Hardware have become the main pillars of GCC growth led by AIenabled credit and risk operations in BFSI EV and smartfactory programs in manufacturing semiconductor and embedded AI development in the technology segment Quess Corp a staffing and workforce solutions company said in its reportAccording to the report hiring budgets are now focused on revenuecritical and resiliencefocused functions creating steady demand for platform engineering data management and FinOps roles that support these programmesBengaluruled GCC hiring in the JulySeptember period with a 26 per cent share followed by Hyderabad 22 per cent Pune 15 per cent and Chennai 12 per centBengaluru saw strong traction in advanced AI and FinOps roles while Hyderabad gained momentum in multicloud integration and data reliability the report highlightedIndias GCC evolution is entering its most strategic phase yet one defined by precision not proliferation Q2 reflected a measured 57 per cent QoQ hiring growth highlighting a shift from scale to capabilityled maturity with AI FinOps and platform reliability emerging as core priorities said Kapil Joshi CEOIT Staffing Quess CorpRoles in AI and Data Science saw an 8 per cent uplift and FinOpsdriven cloud hiring rose 6 per cent underscoring enterprise focus on performance and cost optimisation he addedIndia currently hosts around 1850 active GCCs and employs over 2 million professionals and the ecosystem is on track to reach 25 million by 2030The report noted that sustainable growth will depend on strengthening tier2 delivery investing in skill development and embedding capabilitybased operating models across centres IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-global-capability-centres-hiring-increases-by-5-7-pc-in-q2-fy26-643214.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/transforming-research-labs-into-startup-hubs-can-fuel-indias-knowledge-powerhouse-minister-643225.html New Delhi Oct 15 Transforming research labs into startup hubs can help drive Indias knowledge powerhouse said Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State for Science and Technology on Wednesday Speaking at the Grand Finale of the Golden Jubilee Milestone Observation Program of CSIRNational Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology NIIST at Thiruvananthapuram the Minister called for an innovationdriven economy with larger participation of the private sectorIndias transformation from a technology importer to an innovationdriven exporter is being powered by institutions like the CSIRNIIST which combine scientific research with sustainability and entrepreneurship he saidMarking 50 years of the institutes establishment Singh inaugurated the new Golden Jubilee Building and the CSIRNIIST Innovation Centre designed to convert research ideas into viable products and startupsFrom agriculture to artificial intelligence the Innovation Centre will nurture startups support entrepreneurs and fuel an innovationled economy he said noting that the first cohort of 10 startups has already completed incubationThe Minister also highlighted key achievements of the institute four innovations with national significance a biomedical waste conversion rig installed at AIIMS Delhi that turns infectious waste into nontoxic material the development of a designer rice suitable for diabetic and prediabetic populations indigenous Vaccine Vial Monitors VVMs to reduce import dependency and research on sustainable packaging alternatives to plasticsThese initiatives reflect science with social impact he said adding that such technologies directly support national missions including Swachh Bharat Ayushman Bharat and Atmanirbhar BharatFurther Singh who also serves as Vice President of CSIR lauded NIISTs performance despite being a relatively small institute Over the past two years its institutional budget has increased by 15 times to over Rs 120 crore with half spent on RampDThe lab has transferred 28 technologies signed 65 industry agreements and achieved record levels of external funding and research output reflecting what the Minister described as purposeful excellenceWe must move from government dependence to selfsustaining ecosystems with greater private sector participation Singh notedThe Minister also highlighted that CSIRNIIST has laid foundations for two Centres of Excellence one in Ayurveda Research and another in Performance Chemicals and Sustainable Polymers reflecting Keralas heritage in traditional medicine and Indias focus on green technologiesCSIR stands at the heart of Indias innovation movement fostering partnerships and delivering solutions that directly impact peoples lives he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/transforming-research-labs-into-startup-hubs-can-fuel-indias-knowledge-powerhouse-minister-643225.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/weight-loss-drugs-may-delay-alcohols-effects-help-people-fighting-addiction-study-643232.html New Delhi Oct 15 Popular drugs for diabetes management and weight loss such as Ozempic and Wegovy could also be effective in reducing alcohol use according to a study The study led by researchers at Virginia Tech US showed that GLP1 agonists slow the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream also slowing down the effects on the brainPeople who drink know theres a difference between nursing a glass of wine and downing a shot of whiskey said Alex DiFeliceantonio Assistant Professor at the varsitys Fralin Biomedical Research InstituteA standard serving of either has 06 ounces of alcohol but the shot brings a rapid increase in bloodalcohol content It feels different because of the way the body handles alcohol over timeWhy would this matter Fasteracting drugs have a higher abuse potential DiFeliceantonio said They have a different impact on the brain So if GLP1s slow alcohol entering the bloodstream they could reduce the effects of alcohol and help people drink less the researcher addedIn the pilot study on 20 participants the team reported that despite consuming similar doses of alcohol calculated to increase breath alcohol concentration to approximately 008 per cent concentration increased more slowly in participants taking semaglutide tirzepatide or liraglutideParticipants in that group also reported feeling less intoxicated on subjective measuresThe team stated that while other medications designed to help reduce alcohol intake such as naltrexone and acamprosate act on the central nervous system GLP1s were found to suppress intake through a different mechanismThe drugs slow gastric emptying which can lead to a slower rise in blood alcohol revealed the study published in the journal Scientific ReportsThe possibility of offering new hope to individuals struggling with addiction is what makes this work so meaningful the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/weight-loss-drugs-may-delay-alcohols-effects-help-people-fighting-addiction-study-643232.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/eib-global-announce-rs-5-200-crore-financing-for-indias-sustainable-growth-projects-643233.html New Delhi Oct 15 The European Investment Banks development arm EIB Global has announced over Rs 5200 crore worth of funds in three new financing packages to support clean water sustainable urban mobility and climate action in India Among the investments EIB Global will provide Rs 3040 crore loan for metro projects for the Nagpur Metro extension and for the Pune Metro targeting reduced congestion and pollution while enhancing green mobility in both citiesThe full commissioning in Nagpur is projected to cut transport sector CO2 emissions by 22 per cent while Punes network continues expanding access for over 100 million passengers to safe green mobility EIB Global said in the releaseFurther a Rs 1695 crore loan will be extended to expand and modernise water supply and sanitation services in Uttarakhand The project will benefit around 9 lakh residents including underserved and poor households by providing new connections reliable clean water and sanitation reduced leakage and improved monitoring the release saidBy supporting stateoftheart metro systems modernising vital water infrastructure and leveraging new private capital for climate action we are helping India build resilient healthy and connected communities for the future said EIB VicePresident Nicola BeerEIB Global had on Tuesday announced 60 million worth of investment in the India Energy Transition Fund created to accelerate private capital investment in sustainable infrastructure and support decarbonisation efforts in IndiaThe expected lifetime impact includes approximately 298 million tonnes of CO2 reduction and the creation of around 38 million jobyears for Indias future workforceThe fund will invest in the Indian energy sector including renewable energy energy efficiency transmission electric vehicles and circular economy projects the release said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/eib-global-announce-rs-5-200-crore-financing-for-indias-sustainable-growth-projects-643233.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/eib-global-announces-rs-5-200-crore-financing-for-indias-sustainable-growth-projects-643235.html New Delhi Oct 15 The European Investment Banks development arm EIB Global has announced over Rs 5200 crore worth of funds in three new financing packages to support clean water sustainable urban mobility and climate action in India Among the investments EIB Global will provide Rs 3040 crore loan for metro projects for the Nagpur Metro extension and for the Pune Metro targeting reduced congestion and pollution while enhancing green mobility in both citiesThe full commissioning in Nagpur is projected to cut transport sector CO2 emissions by 22 per cent while Punes network continues expanding access for over 100 million passengers to safe green mobility EIB Global said in the releaseFurther a Rs 1695 crore loan will be extended to expand and modernise water supply and sanitation services in Uttarakhand The project will benefit around 9 lakh residents including underserved and poor households by providing new connections reliable clean water and sanitation reduced leakage and improved monitoring the release saidBy supporting stateoftheart metro systems modernising vital water infrastructure and leveraging new private capital for climate action we are helping India build resilient healthy and connected communities for the future said EIB VicePresident Nicola BeerEIB Global had on Tuesday announced 60 million worth of investment in the India Energy Transition Fund created to accelerate private capital investment in sustainable infrastructure and support decarbonisation efforts in IndiaThe expected lifetime impact includes approximately 298 million tonnes of CO2 reduction and the creation of around 38 million jobyears for Indias future workforceThe fund will invest in the Indian energy sector including renewable energy energy efficiency transmission electric vehicles and circular economy projects the release said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/eib-global-announces-rs-5-200-crore-financing-for-indias-sustainable-growth-projects-643235.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/solar-with-storage-cheaper-than-new-thermal-power-for-roundtheclock-supply-report-643236.html New Delhi Oct 15 The solar power combined with a storage facility is now more costeffective than constructing new thermal plants to fulfil roundtheclock electricity demand a report said on Wednesday The Energy and Resources Institute TERI released the report after conducting a study on the seasonal peak demand day of BSES Rajdhani Power Limited BRPLThe study analysed the perunit cost of meeting the demand of the DISCOM using solar power combined with battery energy storage systems BESS and pumped storage plants PSP in comparison to thermal power generationThe report said that the cost of solar combined with battery energy storage systems BESS ranges from Rs 39 to Rs 43 per kWh while solar paired with pumped storage plants PSP costs between Rs 44 and Rs 49 per kWhIn comparison new thermal plants which generate electricity cost Rs 54Rs 58 per kWhThe results show that solar power coupled with storage is cheaper than new thermal generation while offering a cleaner reliable supply the report saidWith solar tariffs down by over 90 per cent in the past decade the next step for the country should be to expand affordable storage to enable Indias 24x7 green power future said experts at the instituteAs of August 2025 the installed solar power capacity is 125 GW out of about 495 GW installed capacity in India whereas in 2020 the total solar power installed was 61 GW out of 371GW total installed capacityIndia has also witnessed solar tariffs drop from Rs 1791kWh 201011 to Rs 199kWh 2020 a 91 per cent fall in costs between 2010 and 2020 the report saidIndia has declared its intention of creating 500 GW of nonfossil capacity by 2030 and becoming net zero by 2070 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/solar-with-storage-cheaper-than-new-thermal-power-for-roundtheclock-supply-report-643236.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cmfri-study-secures-us-market-access-for-indian-seafood-exports-643249.html Kochi Oct 15 A landmark scientific assessment by the ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI has helped India secure uninterrupted access for its seafood exports to the US market the institutes scientists said The US recently recognised Indian seafood as compliant with its stringent Marine Mammal Protection Act MMPA removing a major regulatory hurdle for the sectorThe clearance followed the CMFRIs comprehensive nationwide stock assessment of marine mammals across Indias Exclusive Economic Zone EEZThe study provided critical evidence that Indian fishing practices operate within sustainable limitsBased on these findings the National Marine Fisheries Service NMFS of the US acknowledged Indias mitigation measures vessel monitoring systems and licensing frameworks as comparable to American standardsThe project undertaken in collaboration with the Marine Products Export Development Authority MPEDA and the Fishery Survey of India FSI marked the first time India generated robust abundance and bycatch estimates of marine mammalsCovering 18 species including the blue whale sperm whale dolphins and porpoises the study confirmed that marine mammal stocks in Indian waters are healthyA key part of the research involved estimating Potential Biological Removal PBR which indicates sustainable incidental catch limitsThis was compared with fieldlevel data gathered from over 8000 fishermenThe results showed that actual bycatch levels were well below the permissible threshold affirming Indias sustainable fishing practicesThe US had earlier required all seafoodexporting nations to prove scientifically that their fisheries did not cause unsustainable harm to marine mammals a condition that had cast uncertainty over Indias seafood tradeThe CMFRI responded by initiating a largescale vesselbased stock assessment using internationally accepted linetransect methods to cover the countrys entire EEZAcknowledging this progress the US report cited Indias scientific and regulatory measures as evidence of a strong framework to monitor and mitigate bycatchCMFRIs research formed the scientific foundation for Indias submission of the Comparability Finding Analysis CFA playing a crucial role in safeguarding a multibilliondollar trade and averting a potential export ban said Dr Ratheesh Kumar Raveendran Principal Investigator of the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment in India projectThe CMFRI will continue its marine mammal monitoring to support sustainability and ensure compliance with international trade requirements he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cmfri-study-secures-us-market-access-for-indian-seafood-exports-643249.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-signs-rs-65947-crore-deal-to-buy-advanced-night-sight-for-indian-armys-assault-rifles-643267.html New Delhi Oct 15 The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a deal worth Rs 65947 crore for the procurement of night sight image intensifier for 762 x 51mm assault rifles along with accessories for the Indian Army with the consortium of Ms MKU Ltd and Ms Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd an official statement said The night sight will enable soldiers to fully exploit the longer effective range of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle according to the statementThese sights are capable of engaging targets up to an effective range of 500 metres even under starlit conditions and provide a significant improvement over the existing passive night sights PNS This procurement with more than 51 per cent indigenous content is a major step towards Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing The initiative will also benefit the MSMEs involved in the manufacturing of components and the supply of raw material the statement saidIndias defence production has surged to an alltime high of Rs 146 lakh crore with exports increasing to a record Rs 24000 crore in 202425 official figures showOur defence production which was only Rs 43000 crore 10 to 11 years ago has now crossed a record figure of Rs 146000 crore with the private sectors contribution of over Rs 32000 crore Our defence exports which were around Rs 600700 crore 10 years ago have surpassed a record figure of Rs 24000 crore Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said recentlyHe described MakeinIndia as crucial for security and prosperity stating that the use of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor has proved that India has the power to penetrate any armour of the enemyEarlier this month Rajnath Singh inaugurated a nationallevel conference on Opportunities in Defence Manufacturing in the Country at Vigyan Bhawan hereThe conference organised under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production Ministry of Defence provided a focused platform to strengthen coordination between the Ministry and the governments of all the states and Union Territories with the objective of aligning regional industrial policies and infrastructure development with the national goal of achieving selfreliance in defence manufacturing IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/govt-signs-rs-65947-crore-deal-to-buy-advanced-night-sight-for-indian-armys-assault-rifles-643267.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/google-will-change-vizags-landscape-like-microsoft-transformed-hyderabad-lokesh-643269.html Amaravati Oct 15 Googles largest data centre will change the landscape of Visakhapatnam the way Microsofts facility transformed Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh said on Wednesday Noting that Google would invest a total of 15 billion in five years Lokesh termed this the largest FDI in the country This would generate employment for 188 lakh people create Rs 48000 crore impact on the local economy in five years and have a 25 times multiplier effectLokesh was addressing a press conference here on Wednesday a day after Google signed the MoU with the state government in New DelhiHe gave a detailed account of the efforts made by the state government to attract Googles investment and claimed that the company after evaluating various countries and various states within India chose Andhra Pradesh for its speed of doing businessHe recalled that he held the first meeting with the Google team in September 2024 in Visakhapatnam and showed them the land for the data centre This was followed by his meeting with Google Cloud leadership during his visit to the US Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met the Google delegation in NovemberLokesh said Google wanted amendments in certain laws at the state and Central levels and clarity on certain issues The Chief Minister discussed this with Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra ModiHe said that Visakhapatnam will attract not just data centres but also cable landing stations renewable energy and AI companiesHe claimed Andhra Pradesh was attracting massive investments due to the speed of doing business in which the state ranks firstWith a clusterbased approach and vertical and horizontal integration the government has set a target of developing Andhra Pradesh into a 24 trillion economy by 2047The Greater Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor alone will be developed into a 1 trillion economy The state will have a total of three economic corridors with two other corridors in Amaravati and RayalaseemaLokesh also said that the focus of the government is not on announcements and MoUs but on executionHe pointed out that no MoU was signed with Arcelor Mittal but the foundation stone for Indias largest steel plant in Visakhapatnam will be laid in NovemberHe announced that the TCS will inaugurate their first office in Visakhapatnam in November It will also lay the foundation stone for their large campusHe hoped that Cognizant would also lay the foundation for its campus in Visakhapatnam in the same month The company will inaugurate its office in DecemberLokesh revealed that he was personally monitoring the progress of each project For all major projects WhatsApp groups have been created with ministers and top officials concerned and the representatives of the respective companiesThe minister said the government was working with the objective of fulfilling its Super Six promise of 20 lakh jobs in five years Five lakh jobs will be created in the IT sector aloneLokesh said while many states have doubleengine governments Andhra Pradesh has a doubleengine bullet train government with Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Naidu working togetherAnantapur has been developed as a mobility valley with the KIA plant north Anantapur and Kurnool are attracting major renewable energy pump storage projects and cement factories an electronics manufacturing ecosystem is being created in Chittoor and Kadapa districts and Nellore district already has a larger ecosystem in the form of Sri CityHe said to create a Space City Skyroot Aerospace was allotted 300 acres of land for setting up a private satellite launch facility Quantum Valley is being developed in AmaravatiHe claimed that Andhra Pradesh is manufacturing 50 per cent of the countrys air conditioners and hoped that with new investments planned by Daikin and Bluestar and new investment by LG this share may go up to 80 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/google-will-change-vizags-landscape-like-microsoft-transformed-hyderabad-lokesh-643269.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/kerala-bets-big-on-sustainability-and-trade-with-new-export-and-logistics-policies-643270.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 15 In a major policy push to boost investment and trade competitiveness the Kerala government has unveiled its new Export Promotion Logistics and ESG policies along with a HiTech Framework giving fresh momentum to the states ongoing industrial transformation Launching the policies Minister for Industries Law and Coir P Rajeeve said the initiatives are designed to strengthen Keralas position as a responsible and attractive investment destination with a sharp focus on hightech manufacturing services and exportled growthThese policies will significantly unlock the states growth potential the minister notedA key highlight is Keralas pioneering move to become the first state in India to adopt a comprehensive Environment Social and Governance ESG policyThe ESG Policy 2025 integrates sustainability and ethical practices into the states industrial frameworkIt includes tax incentives subsidies and easy credit for ESGaligned investments A dedicated State ESG Monitoring Cell will coordinate enterpriselevel adoption supporting the states target of carbon neutrality by 2050 and a transition to renewable energy by 2040The Kerala Export Promotion Policy 2025 seeks to reposition the state as a globally competitive export hub with a target of 20 billion in exports by 202728Key measures include diversification into highvalue sectors such as biotechnology life sciences aerospace defence manufacturing electronics Ayurveda pharmaceuticals IT tourism and healthcareThe policy also aims to modernise export infrastructure build global value chain linkages and revitalise traditional sectors like coir cashew handloom and plantation products through technology infusion and market expansion added RajeeveThe Kerala Logistics Policy 2025 provides a roadmap to establish Kerala as an efficient multimodal logistics hub with a goal of reducing logistics costs to below 10 per cent of GSDPIt envisions integrated logistics parks private sector investment in warehousing and freight infrastructure and digital logistics ecosystems connecting industrial clusters with ports and airportsThe initiative is expected to generate over 50000 direct and indirect jobsComplementing these policies the HiTech Framework 2025 aims to position Kerala as an innovationdriven manufacturing hubIt identifies strategic growth areas such as semiconductors ESDM aerospace biotechnology robotics and advanced materialsThe plan includes setting up innovation clusters and plugandplay manufacturing parks along the KochiPalakkadThiruvananthapuram corridor to attract global investors and accelerate technologydriven industrialisationTogether the policies mark a strategic shift toward sustainable innovationled growth aligning Kerala with global investment and trade trends IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/kerala-bets-big-on-sustainability-and-trade-with-new-export-and-logistics-policies-643270.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-emerging-as-leader-in-green-energy-cm-642982.html Amaravati Oct 13 Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a leader in green energy and preparing to become a hub for artificial intelligence and innovation Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday His remarks came as he chaired a review meeting on the preparations for the Confederation of Indian Industry CII Partnership Summit 2025 scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam on November 14 and 15The summit is envisioned as a global business platform to position Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of Indias economic and technological growthAccording to an official statement with the theme Technology Trust and Trade Navigating the Geoeconomic Order the summit aims to foster strategic partnerships at a time of global uncertainty and bridge social and economic divides through innovation collaboration and inclusive developmentDuring the review the Chief Minister stressed the importance of structuring the summit to reflect Indias strengths and its preparedness to take a leadership role in the evolving global landscapeHe called for the participation of a wide range of stakeholders including political business and intellectual leaders to contribute to a meaningful dialogue The Chief Minister stated that the summit must serve as a platform for ideas strategy and action It should inspire Indian entrepreneurs and provide tangible outcomes for all participants he saidThe Chief Minister also discussed the creation of a continuous engagement platform that allows Andhra Pradesh to host business and innovationfocused events throughout the year This would help establish the state as a longterm destination for global investment and thought leadership He emphasised the need to ensure a seamless and impactful summit experience and asked all stakeholders to work towards making the event a successMinister for Human Resources Development Information Technology and Electronics Nara Lokesh Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development P Narayana Chief Secretary K Vijayanand and CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee attended the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/andhra-pradesh-emerging-as-leader-in-green-energy-cm-642982.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cea-draws-up-rs-64-lakh-crore-green-plan-for-evacuating-hydropower-from-brahmaputra-642986.html New Delhi Oct 13 Indias Central Electricity Authority has drawn up a Rs 64 lakh crore plan to build a massive transmission lines network to evacuate over 76 gigawatts of hydroelectric power from projects on the Brahmaputra river by 2047 to meet the countrys energy demand and reduce dependence on fossil fuels like coal In a report released on Monday the CEA said the plan covers as many as 208 large hydro projects across 12 subbasins in the northeastern states with 649 GW of potential capacity and an additional 111 GW from pumpedstorage plantsThe Brahmaputra which originates in Tibet flows across Arunachal Pradesh Assam Sikkim Mizoram Meghalaya Manipur Nagaland and West Bengal and holds more than 80 per cent of Indias untapped hydro potential with Arunachal Pradesh alone accounting for 522 GW the report statesPhase one of the plan which is to be implemented till 2035 will require Rs 191 lakh crore while phase two will cost Rs 452 lakh crore according to the CEAs estimatesThe plan entails adding over 31000 circuit kilometres of transmission lines installing 68 gigavoltamperes GVA of transformation capacity and building 42 GW of highvoltage direct current HVDC carrying capacityThe CEA plan includes projects allocated to central public sector utilities such as the NHPC the NEEPCO and the SJVN with some projects already in the pipelineIndia aims to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by having 500 GW of nonfossil power generation capacity by 2030 and becoming net zero by 2070The project is crucial for India to meet its growing electricity demand and transition away from fossil fuels It also addresses the strategic concerns posed by Chinas construction of a megadam on the Brahmaputra which could adversely impact downstream water flow through IndiaChinas separate and larger hydro project on the Brahmaputra has been a major point of concern for India and Bangladesh This upstream dam has given rise to fears that China could control or divert water flow which would reduce dryseason flows in IndiaCEAs plan for the Indian basin of the river is a strategic response demonstrating the countrys intent to develop its own hydro potential and asserting its water rights The move is also critical for achieving Indias renewable energy goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cea-draws-up-rs-64-lakh-crore-green-plan-for-evacuating-hydropower-from-brahmaputra-642986.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/south-koreas-ict-exports-surge-14-pc-in-september-on-record-semiconductor-shipments-643044.html Seoul Oct 14 Exports of South Korean information and communication technology ICT products jumped 14 per cent from a year earlier in September on the recordhigh performance of semiconductors data showed on Tuesday Outbound shipments of ICT products reached 2543 billion last month according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Science and ICT reports Yonhap news agencyIt marks the highest export volume for any SeptemberImports gained 104 per cent onyear to 1378 billion resulting in a trade surplus of 1165 billion in the sectorThe ministry attributed the sharp increase in exports to record shipments of semiconductors which spiked 219 per cent onyear to 1662 billion on higher memory chip prices amid growing investments in artificial intelligence AI servers by global companiesExports of display products gained 13 per cent onyear to 192 billion in the month buoyed by strong organic lightemitting diode OLED demand it addedIn contrast exports of computers and peripheral devices fell 101 per cent to 147 billion due to base effects from last years surge of AI data centrerelated solid state drive SSD productsIn the mobile phone sector tough competition among parts makers led to a 236 per cent drop in parts exports to 107 billion However exports of finished mobile phones jumped 558 per cent to 420 million which helped reduce the overall declineExports of computers and related devices fell 101 per cent to 147 billion because of last years strong demand for solid state drives SSDs used in AI data centersStill SSD exports to the Netherlands one of Europes major data center hubs rose sharply by 692 per cent partly making up for the lossAmong export destinations Taiwan saw the biggest growth Shipments to Taiwan surged 535 per cent from a year earlier to 429 billion mainly due to higher semiconductor exportsOverall ICT imports rose 104 per cent in September to 1378 billion bringing the trade surplus in the sector to 1165 billion the secondhighest level ever recorded IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/south-koreas-ict-exports-surge-14-pc-in-september-on-record-semiconductor-shipments-643044.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-open-higher-amid-global-trade-concerns-q2-earnings-buzz-643048.html Mumbai Oct 14 Indian stock markets opened higher on Tuesday as investors looked past global uncertainties caused by the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China while also tracking quarterly earnings from Indian companies The Sensex began the day at 82562 gaining 235 points or 029 per cent Similarly the Nifty opened at 25283 up 55 points or 022 per centAmong the top performers on the Sensex were HCL Tech Tech Mahindra Tata Steel Infosys Bharat Electronics Bajaj Finserv Ultratech Cement ICICI Bank Kotak Mahindra Bank and Larsen amp Toubro which rose up to 13 per centOn the other hand stocks like Eicher Motors Maruti Suzuki Axis Bank Sun Pharma State Bank of India Bajaj Finance and Bharti Airtel witnessed early lossesIn the broader market both the Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices were trading in the green rising 037 per cent and 038 per cent respectivelyAmong sectoral indices the Nifty Metal index led the gains with a 1 per cent rise supported by positive momentum in metal stocksMeanwhile the Nifty Pharma index was the biggest laggard slipping 037 per centAs per the experts IT stocks particularly the largecaps are viewed as overvalued by the market since they are facing many headwinds and some strong structural issuesOn the other hand PSU stocks have been trading at very low valuations despite decent growth and robust balance sheets This anomaly in valuations have been corrected by the market This trend is likely to continue market experts saidHowever in growth stocks like digital companies and renewable energy their longterm growth potential will continue to attract investment despite high valuations they addedWith Muhurat trading approaching there is room for a mild rally according to analysts IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indian-stock-markets-open-higher-amid-global-trade-concerns-q2-earnings-buzz-643048.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/young-women-account-for-seven-out-of-10-autoimmune-disease-patients-experts-642824.html New Delhi Oct 13 Women especially young account for seven out of 10 patients with autoimmune diseases said health experts emphaising the need for increasing awareness and early screening among females Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions where the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues Common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis lupus thyroiditis psoriasis and Sjögrens syndrome These diseases can affect joints skin blood vessels and even internal organs like the heart or lungsThe condition is far more common among women especially between the ages of 20 and 50 when hormonal and lifestyle factors are most active Many times with a lack of awareness and other burdens women tend to ignore their symptoms leading to worsening outcomesIn my outpatient clinic at AIIMS almost seven out of every 10 patients with autoimmune diseases are women We see a clear pattern women often come late because they overlook persistent symptoms said Dr Uma Kumar Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New DelhiGenetic makeup hormonal changes during reproductive age and after childbirth combined with stress obesity and nutritional deficiencies can make them more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases she added while speaking at the recently held 40th Annual Conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association IRACON 2025The doctors lamented that the condition gets worse in India because women often ignore early warning signs like tiredness joint stiffness or swelling dismissing them as minor problems or results of stress or ageingMany delay visiting doctors due to family responsibilities lack of awareness or social reasons which allows the disease to progress silently until it becomes more severeKumar urged the need to recognise autoimmune disorders as a major womens health issue in IndiaA recent study by Stanford University found that womens bodies produce a special molecule called Xist RNA which helps control one of the two X chromosomes that they carryHowever this molecule can sometimes confuse the immune system making it attack the bodys own healthy cells instead of protecting them one of the key reasons why autoimmune diseases are seen more often in womenIn my practice about 70 per cent of autoimmune patients are women and many have gone through years of wrong treatment before reaching a specialist We must identify the early signs especially in women so they can be referred to rheumatologists sooner Early diagnosis can prevent longterm disability said Dr Pulin Gupta Professor and Rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia HospitalDr Bimlesh Dhar Pandey from a leading citybased hospital said that women tend to live with unexplained joint pain or swelling for years before getting diagnosedMany are in their 30s or 40s juggling family and work By the time they reach us the disease has already damaged their joints or organs said Pandey urging for more awareness IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/young-women-account-for-seven-out-of-10-autoimmune-disease-patients-experts-642824.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 13:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/lg-electronics-q3-operating-earnings-drop-84-pc-on-tariffs-642837.html Seoul Oct 13 LG Electronics a leading home appliance manufacturer in South Korea said on Monday that its thirdquarter operating profit is estimated to have dropped more than 8 percent from a year earlier due to rising tariff costs Operating profit for the three months ended in September came to an estimated 6889 billion won 4826 million down 84 per cent from a year earlier the company said in a regulatory filing reports Yonhap news agencyIts revenue decreased 14 per cent onyear to 2187 trillion won The data for net income was not availableThe operating profit however beat market expectations as it was 139 per cent higher than the average estimate according to a survey by Yonhap Infomax the financial data firm of Yonhap News AgencyLG Electronics attributed the profit decline to rising tariff burdens particularly stemming from changes in the US trade policyIts voluntary retirement program also contributed to the weak bottom line it addedDespite the challenges LG Electronics said its businesstobusiness B2B operations including electric vehicle EV components posted solid growth during the quarter while its conventional home appliance business maintained market dominance and competitivenessThe company said it will continue to focus on expanding its B2B and subscriptionbased businesses to strengthen its longterm business fundamentalsIn particular the planned completion of the initial public offering IPO of its Indian subsidiary is expected to help the company raise capital for its push to reorganize its business portfolio and seek future growth drivers The company will release its final earnings report laterEarlier LG Energy Solution said on Monday its thirdquarter operating profit likely jumped 341 percent from a year earlier driven by strong sales of energy storage systems ESSs in the United States In the three months ended September operating profit is estimated to have surged to 6013 billion won US4228 million from 4483 billion won in the same period last year the company said in a regulatory filing IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/lg-electronics-q3-operating-earnings-drop-84-pc-on-tariffs-642837.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/uae-eyes-deeper-ties-with-s-korean-firms-under-ai-drive-dubai-official-642840.html Dubai Oct 13 Dubai a major business hub of the United Arab Emirates UAE is committed to hosting globally competitive startups in the artificial intelligence AI sector including those from South Korea a senior official from the citys foundation has said Saeed Al Falasi executive director of the Dubai Future Foundation made the remark during a group interview Sunday at the venue of the annual Expand North Star startup exhibition which kicked off in Dubai on the day reports Yonhap news agencyI think whenever we read about AI and what is happening around the world South Korea always comes on the map as one of those that are quite innovative in the way that they do things the executive director saidThe staterun foundation focuses on bridging authorities with global businesses including startups to address future challenges by harnessing cuttingedge technologies such as AI the Internet of Things and blockchainAl Falasi noted that his foundation has been pushing to promote what it calls a commercial diplomat which focuses on providing statelevel support for startups to give them broader access than they could achieve individuallySo we are providing these startups with more things than just a cold call or a connection and that is why I call it the commercial diplomat he said citing the foundations ties with the National Research Foundation of Korea as an exampleWhen we look at South Korea we see innovation We see talent So the communication and working with that country specifically is not stopping he saidThe foundation meanwhile inked a memorandum of understanding with the staterun Korea TradeInvestment Promotion Agency in September aimed at enhancing exchanges between South Korean startups and UAE government entities said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/uae-eyes-deeper-ties-with-s-korean-firms-under-ai-drive-dubai-official-642840.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-financial-services-deal-value-jumps-39-pc-in-q3-2025-report-642842.html New Delhi Oct 13 Indias financial services sector saw 61 deals totalling 78 billion in Q3 2025 up 39 per cent in value in quarterly terms fuelled by three billiondollar transactions indicating sustained institutional confidence and strong public market activity a report said on Monday The fintech sector stood out in terms of deal activity attracting private equity interest in AI digital payments and automation highlighting the sectors resilience amid global uncertainty the report from Grant Thornton Bharat saidThe total deal value in Q3 2025 also marked the highest quarterly value since Q1 2024 the report saidQ3 reflects the current dichotomy in India and global markets While overall deal volumes softened longterm strategic investments an uptick in QIP and IPO activity and fintech innovation highlight sustained investor confidence said Vishal Agarwal Partner Private Equity Group and Deals Tax Advisory Leader Grant Thornton BharatDomestic reforms such as GST rationalisation could boost consumption and rethinking acquisition financing by banks and supportive measures for fintech will be key to driving the sectors growth trajectory Agarwal saidFurther Q3 2025 recorded 17 MampA deals worth 15 billion marking a slight 6 per cent increase in deal volumes the report notedMampA deal values however reflected a more measured environment characterised by smaller average deal sizes Domestic transactions led in volume contributing 76 per cent of deals while inbound investments drove overall value highlighting continued crossborder interest despite a quieter quarter for largescale MampAEarlystage Series A and B investments dominated the private equity PE funding landscape primarily to support geographic expansion Dominated sector deal value with 2 billion across 16 MampA and PE deals 77 per cent of total value Highvalue transactions drove the quarter with one billiondollar deal and four deals over 100 million contributing 91 per cent of sector valueFurther the quarter also witnessed a strong rebound in public market activity with two billiondollar deals QIP and IPO together contributing 57 per cent of total sector value offsetting declines in private transactions said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-financial-services-deal-value-jumps-39-pc-in-q3-2025-report-642842.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/timely-cpr-can-boost-survival-outcomes-in-cardiac-arrest-cases-health-secretary-642843.html New Delhi Oct 13 Timely administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR can significantly help save lives in cases of cardiac arrest said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurating CPR Awareness Week on Monday Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CPR is a lifesaving and vital emergency procedure that improves the survival chances in critical cardiac casesOrganised by the Health Ministry the weeklong CPR Awareness Week to be observed from October 1317 nationwide aims to generate mass awareness promote training and community participation in CPRThe simple act of performing handsonly CPR can sustain blood flow and oxygen to vital organs until professional help arrives increasing survival chances manifold said Srivastava highlighting the urgent need to build public capability in performing CPRShe stated that the government aims to ensure that every household school office and public space has at least one individual trained in this lifesaving techniqueThe initiative is rooted in the understanding that cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of sudden deaths in India with nearly 70 per cent of such cases occurring outside hospital settings where immediate medical assistance is often unavailable In these critical moments timely administration of CPR by a bystander can significantly improve survival outcomes the Health Secretary saidDuring the inaugural event participants also took a pledge to promote CPR awareness and encourage others to learn this lifesaving techniqueThe event featured a live demonstration of handsonly CPR conducted by medical experts showcasing the simple steps that can be performed by anyone to save a life during a cardiac emergencyCPR involves a combination of chest compressions at a speed of 100 compressions per minute and rescue breathing mouthtomouth to maintain blood flow and oxygen to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/timely-cpr-can-boost-survival-outcomes-in-cardiac-arrest-cases-health-secretary-642843.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/rajasthan-achieves-lowest-battery-energy-storage-price-in-india-amitabh-kant-642847.html New Delhi Oct 13 In a significant development towards achieving green energy sustainability Rajasthan has set a new record with the lowest ever battery energy storage price in India at Rs 177 lakh per megawatt MW Amitabh Kant former chief executive officer CEO of NITI Aayog said on Monday Sharing a newspaper article Kant who also served as G20 Sherpa for India said the progress would expedite the adoption of renewable energy in the nation by making it more affordableA landmark achievement that will strengthen grid reliability accelerate renewable energy adoption and make clean power more affordable for India Kant wrote on XEarlier Pralhad Joshi Minister of New and Renewable Energy informed that India added a record 25 GW of renewable capacity in the AprilSeptember period this year which was led by solar powerWith about 125 GW of solar capacity India is now the thirdlargest solar producer in the worldIndia achieves a historic feat in clean energy with a record 25GW renewable capacity added in AprilSeptember 2025 H1FY26 led by solar power This milestone reflects PM Narendra Modis vision for a brighter sustainable future as the nation accelerates its journey to global leadership in renewables the minister said in a post on XThis milestone shows PM Modis vision for a brighter and sustainable future The nation is speeding up its path to becoming a leader in renewable energyIndia has met its renewable energy goals five years early The country has surpassed the 50 per cent mark in total installed electricity capacity from nonfossil sources the minister saidWhile speaking at the launch event for the 8th session of the International Solar Alliance ISA assembly which will take place from October 2730 in New Delhi the minister emphasised that Indias success story goes beyond numbers it is about the peopleWe have seen firsthand how decentralised solar transforms lives brings light to rural homes powers local health centres and gives new tools to our farmers With PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana more than 20 lakh households are benefiting from solar power according to Joshi IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/rajasthan-achieves-lowest-battery-energy-storage-price-in-india-amitabh-kant-642847.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/digital-payments-contribute-998-pc-of-indias-retail-payments-in-q1-fy26-report-642852.html New Delhi Oct 13 Digital transactions contributed 998 per cent of Indias retail payments in the first quarter of the current financial year Q1FY26 with paperbased instruments cheques nearly obsolete owing to policy push infrastructure support and deep fintech penetration a report said on Monday Digital payments led by Unified Payment Interface UPI Aadhaarenabled payment system AePS Immediate Payment Service IMPS and others dominate retail transactions accounting for 926 per cent of payment value and 998 per cent of transaction volume as of the first quarter of the current fiscal Q1 FY26It highlights that rising internet penetration from 607 per cent in March 2021 to 709 per cent in June 2025 and smartphone usage have accelerated this shift enabling financial inclusion by bringing previously unbanked populations into the formal digital economy CareEdge Analytics and Advisory said in its reportAccording to the report UPI is the driving force behind the behavioural shift of growing digital transactions with 549 billion transactions in Q1FY26 and 1859 billion transactions in FY25UPI transactions grew at a CAGR of 49 per cent between FY23 and FY25 underscoring rapid adoption and deepening penetration in tier 2 and tier 3 citiesUPI transactions have registered a phenomenal 49 per cent CAGR between FY23 and FY25 underscoring rapid adoption with rising internet penetration as well as deepening penetration in tier 2 and tier 3 cities said Tanvi Shah senior director at CareEdge ResearchThe report noted that UPI is expected to continue its rapid growth further solidifying its dominance in Indias digital payments landscapeAdditionally as per the report the share of digital transactions in private final consumption expenditure PFCE has increased from 30 per cent in FY23 to 50 per cent in Q1 FY26 driven by UPI adoption policy changes and evolving consumer behaviourDespite this growth cash remains resilient maintaining a 50 per cent share in PFCEIndias payments system is undergoing a structural shift towards a hybrid model where digital and cash channels coexist serving distinct yet complementary rolesSupported by a conducive regulatory environment and innovations that enhance interoperability UPI is wellpositioned to consolidate its role as the backbone of Indias payments landscape driving both transactional efficiency and broader economic participation the report highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/digital-payments-contribute-998-pc-of-indias-retail-payments-in-q1-fy26-report-642852.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ai-impact-summit-2026-govt-invites-applications-for-3-global-challenges-642859.html New Delhi Oct 13 The government on Monday said it has invited applications for three flagship global impact challenges under the upcoming IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 offering a total prize pool of Rs 585 crore Announced by Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in September the challenges seek to identify nurture and showcase transformative AIdriven innovations with strong potential for social and economic impactApplications for all three challenges are now open on the official portal and the last date for submission is October 31The three challenges AI for All Global Impact Challenge AI by HER Global Impact Challenge and YUVAi Global Youth Challenge aim to speed up inclusive responsible and scalable AI innovationThese initiatives aim to inspire groundbreaking ideas that can lead to positive societal change and position India as a centre for global AI excellenceChosen innovations will be displayed at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 set to take place in New Delhi from February 1920The AI for All Global Impact Challenge is a global call for deployable AI innovations addressing key sectors such as agriculture climate and sustainability education financial inclusion healthcare manufacturing urban infrastructure and mobilityUp to 10 winners will receive awards worth Rs 25 crore in total along with mentorship investor connects compute credits and postsummit accelerator opportunitiesTwenty finalists will also get travel support to attend the summit The challenge is open globally to students researchers working professionals startups and companies with AI solutions ready for scaleThe AI by HER Global Impact Challenge organised by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform WEP of NITI Aayog along with other partners focuses on strengthening the pipeline of womenled AI innovationsIt invites womenled teams and entities to propose AI solutions that deliver tangible social impact across domains such as agriculture cybersecurity digital wellbeing healthcare energy and climate The top 10 winners will share prizes worth Rs 25 crore while up to 30 finalists will receive travel support and access to virtual bootcamps on responsible AIThe YUVAi Global Youth Challenge targets young innovators aged 1321 years encouraging them to develop AI solutions for the public good With total prizes worth Rs 85 lakh the top three winners will receive Rs 15 lakh each followed by Rs 10 lakh each for the next three winners and Rs 5 lakh each for two special recognition awards The top 20 participants will get travel support to attend the summit and access to virtual bootcamps and investor showcases IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-ai-impact-summit-2026-govt-invites-applications-for-3-global-challenges-642859.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/maternity-and-childcare-benefits-mission-shakti-fuelled-womens-workforce-participation-govt-642882.html New Delhi Oct 13 A slew of reforms such as maternity and childcare benefits Mission Shakti have fostered the continued growth of womens workforce participation in India the government said on Monday According to data from the Ministry of Labour and Employment the female Labour Force Participation Rate LFPR increased from 233 per cent in 201718 to 417 per cent in 202324Worker Population Ratio WPR for women aged 15 years and above rose from 22 per cent in 201718 to 403 per cent in 202324 LFPR increased from 233 per cent to 417 per centMore recently female WPR rose to 320 per cent in August 2025 from 316 per cent in July 2025 and 302 per cent in June 2025 and female LFPR increased to 337 per cent in August 2025 from 333 per cent in July 2025 and 320 per cent in June 2025 as per an official statementThe latest payroll data from the Employees Provident Fund Organisation EPFO also showcases the growing trend of formal employment among womenDuring 202425 269 lakh net female subscribers were added to EPFO In July 2025 about 280 lakh new female subscribers joined and the net female payroll addition stood at about 442 lakh asserting todays more inclusive and diverse workforce said an official statementThe government noted that several legal benefits such as safeguarding maternity benefits with maternity and child welfare preventing sexual harassment equal pay and security drove the participation rate for womenFurther a range of employment and skill development initiatives across Ministries aim to enhance womens participation in the workforce equipping them with marketrelevant skills entrepreneurial opportunities and pathways to economic independenceWhile the Ministry of Women and Child Developments online SHeBox portal works to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace Mission Shakti aims at strengthening interventions for womens safety security and empowermentOver the last decade India is witnessing an unprecedented transformation in womens workforce participation With landmark reforms expanding skill development enhanced maternity and childcare benefits and initiatives like Mission Shakti the government has created a strong foundation for inclusive and supportive workplaces the statement saidAs India moves towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat2047 the empowerment of women at work is not just a priority it is a defining force of national progress By ensuring safe equitable and opportunityrich workplaces the country is unlocking the potential of half its population laying the path for a stronger more inclusive and globally competitive India it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/maternity-and-childcare-benefits-mission-shakti-fuelled-womens-workforce-participation-govt-642882.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/firms-focus-on-mid-senior-level-employee-training-as-ai-reshapes-workplaces-642897.html New Delhi Oct 13 Companies have doubled down on their focus on training mid and seniorlevel employees as artificial intelligence and generative AI reshape workplaces a report said on Monday In FY25 training demand for midlevel employees rose to 35 per cent from 15 per cent in FY24 said the report from global edtech company Great LearningFurther the demand for seniorlevel training more than doubled yearonyear signalling a deliberate shift toward strengthening leadership pipelines and succession planning the report saidThe report was prepared from the surveys of Learning and Development LampD leaders and Business Unit BU heads at large firms with more than 10000 employeesEarlycareer training which accounted for over 80 per cent of the edtech companys training programs in FY24 declined in FY25 due to macroeconomic caution that hindered largescale entrylevel onboarding especially within the technology sectorHowever a strong rebound was shown in FY26 with thousands of earlycareer professionals trained in the first half of the yearThe training is focusing heavily on highdemand capabilities like AI and Generative AI in step with fastevolving market demands the report saidApproximately 48 per cent of organisations prioritising this domain are from the IT and ITEnabled Services ITITeS sector followed by 14 per cent from Manufacturing and Supply Chain and 10 per cent each from Banking Financial Services and Insurance BFSI and Healthcare and PharmaceuticalsAs AI and emerging technologies reshape the landscape of work enterprises are prioritising internal talent development over traditional hiring said Ritesh Malhotra Enterprise Head at Great LearningAmong organisations focusing on Data Science and Analytics ITITeS leads with 47 per cent and BFSI at 21 per centTo boost employee retention and career progression 26 per cent of companies customise programmes for specific roles 25 per cent update training content to align with industry trends the report saidAs much as 19 per cent of companies prioritise certifications and 13 per cent allocate resources to external expert collaboration and regular skillsgap analyses the edtech company said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/firms-focus-on-mid-senior-level-employee-training-as-ai-reshapes-workplaces-642897.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/future-of-storytelling-bright-and-proudly-indian-gautam-adani-642899.html Mumbai Oct 13 The future of storytelling is bright and proudly Indian said Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Monday while lauding the students at filmmaker Subhash Ghais Whistling Woods International The Adani Group Chairman recently delivered a keynote address at the Celebrate Cinema 2025 event at Whistling Woods He was joined by his wife Dr Priti AdaniAt Whistling Woods I saw that the future of storytelling is bright and proudly Indian Gautam Adani shared in a post on the social media platform XThe billionaire industrialist said this in response to Ghais tweet celebrating the Cinema 2025 eventSome evenings turn into milestones Gautam Adani amp Dr Priti Adanis visit to Whistling Woods was one such moment where art met ambition and cinema met nationbuilding The students felt seen inspired amp ready to dream 100X bigger said Ghai along with a video of the eventDuring his keynote address the Adani Group Chairman had highlighted the importance of India taking charge of its global narrative through the soft power of cinema storytelling and leveraging the advantage of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence AIIf we do not narrate who we are others will rewrite who we were That is why we must own our story not with arrogance but with authenticity not as propaganda but as purpose Gautam Adani saidThe industrialist also warned against allowing Indias stories to be told through Western perspectives as was the case with films like Gandhi and Slumdog MillionaireWhy must it take Richard Attenborough from across the oceans to tell us Indians the story of our Mahatma he askedHe said that for too long Indias voice has been firm within our own borders but faint beyond them And in that silence others have lifted the pen sketching Bharat through their lenses tinted by bias and shaped by their convenience IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/future-of-storytelling-bright-and-proudly-indian-gautam-adani-642899.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-cpi-inflation-declines-to-8-year-low-of-154-pc-in-september-642911.html New Delhi Oct 13 Indias inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index CPI declined to an over 8year low of 154 per cent in September this year compared to the same month of the previous year as prices of food items and fuels turned cheaper during the month according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday This is the lowest yearonyear inflation after June 2017 and is also lower than the inflation rate of 205 per cent for AugustFood inflation continued in the negative zone for the fourth consecutive month and was recorded at 228 per cent during September the figures showedThe decline in headline inflation and food inflation during September is mainly attributed to a favourable base effect and the decline in inflation of vegetables edible oils fruits pulses cereals and egg Besides fuels also turned cheaper during the month the official statement saidThe inflation outlook for 202526 has become more benign due to large favourable base effects combined with the good southwest monsoon healthy kharif sowing adequate reservoir levels and comfortable buffer stocks of foodgrains The GST rate cuts which kicked in on September 22 are bringing down prices across goods which will result in reducing inflation further in the coming monthsThe decline in the inflation rate gives the RBI more headroom to continue with a soft money policy by cutting interest rates and injecting more money into the economy to spur growthThe RBIs monetary policy committee MPC on October 1 slashed its forecast for Indias inflation rate for the financial year 202526 to 26 per cent from 31 per cent in August primarily on account of the GST rate cuts and benign food pricesRBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said The recently implemented GST rate rationalisation would lead to a reduction in prices of several items in the CPI basket Overall the inflation outcome is likely to be softer than what was projected in the August monetary policy committee resolution primarily on account of the GST rate cuts and benign food pricesAddressing journalists after the MPC meeting Malhotra said that the overall inflation outlook has turned even more benign in the last few monthsThe RBI Governor pointed out that headline CPI inflation declined to its eightyear low of 16 per cent yearonyear in July 2025 before rising to 21 per cent in August its first increase after nine months Benign inflation conditions during 202526 so far have been primarily driven by a sharp decline in food inflation from its peak of October 2024Inflation within the fuel group moved in a narrow range of 2427 per cent during JuneAugust Core inflation remained largely contained at 42 per cent in August Excluding precious metals core inflation was at 30 per cent in AugustThe RBI Governor further stated that the current macroeconomic conditions and the outlook has opened up policy space for further supporting growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-cpi-inflation-declines-to-8-year-low-of-154-pc-in-september-642911.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-new-packages-with-lower-mrps-higher-weights-to-hit-market-by-dec-says-parle-642912.html Mumbai Oct 13 Following the implementation of the GST 20 reforms new packages with lower maximum retail prices MRPs and higher weights will be available in the market by December according to Parle Indias leading fastmoving consumer goods FMCG company Speaking at NDTV Profits Ignite Conclave companys Vice President Mayank Shah said that it hasnt been easy for FMCG companies to adjust prices after the GST reformsFollowing the tax reduction theres been some confusion regarding package size weight and pricing This has been discussed in detail and it usually takes FMCG companies about one and a half to two months to revise their product packages he saidElaborating on the timeline for the new packages Shah said that the MRPs of larger and higher MRP packages will be reduced in the first phaseSubsequently smaller packages with lower MRPs which account for approximately 6070 per cent of the market will be revised These will gradually become visible to consumers by the end of November or early DecemberDiscussing products with lower MRPs Shah said that a Rs 5 packet could cost Rs 45 and a Rs 10 packet could cost Rs 9The new GST reforms came into effect on September 22 under which the government significantly reduced taxes on everything from daily consumption to vehiclesEarlier this month NK Singh Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission and an economist stated that the GST reforms have provided significant relief to the common man It has increased purchasing power and facilitated ease of doing businessThe impact of the GST reforms is beginning to be seen It has increased purchasing power and provided relief to the common man It has also significantly improved the business and investment environment and promoted ease of doing business Singh saidHe further stated The country has a large market that remains untapped offering significant opportunities for private investment and publicprivate partnerships IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-new-packages-with-lower-mrps-higher-weights-to-hit-market-by-dec-says-parle-642912.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/experts-call-for-integrating-homoeopathy-into-psychosocial-care-psychiatric-emergencies-642913.html New Delhi Oct 13 Homoeopathy must be integrated into psychosocial care and psychiatric emergencies said health experts at a twoday National Homoeopathy Conference The Conference organised by the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health NHRIMH Kottayam an apex institution under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy CCRH Ministry of AYUSH as part of World Mental Health Day 2025 celebrationsThe event was held from October 10 to 11 at the NHRIMH Auditorium in Keralas Kottayam with the central theme access to services mental health in catastrophes and emergenciesAddressing the gathering virtually Dr Subhash Kaushik Director General CCRH New Delhi emphasised the need for integrating Homoeopathy into psychosocial care frameworks particularly in postdisaster rehabilitation and resiliencebuilding based on robust research evidenceIncorporating homoeopathy into disaster response strategies can ensure wider accessibility of mental health services said Chetan Kumar Meena IAS District Collector Kottayam He also appreciated the ongoing efforts of NHRIMH in advancing integrative mental health careThe national conference on integrative mental health care in disaster and emergency settings saw participation of key dignitaries and practitioners in the field of Homoeopathy and mental health from across the countryIt focused on the growing relevance of Homoeopathy in psychiatric emergencies and explored innovative research and integrative approaches to mental health carePostgraduate trainees from NHRIMH presented their dissertation research on a wide range of mental health conditions including bipolar disorder internet addiction schizophrenia major depressive disorder obsessivecompulsive disorder alcohol dependence cannabis use disorder autism spectrum disorder and Parkinsons diseaseThe experts emphasised the necessity of strengthening holistic and personcentred mental health support systems particularly during crises and emergenciesThe conference reaffirmed the need for evidencebased integrative and accessible mental health services and underscored the valuable role of Homoeopathy as a complementary component in psychosocial and disaster mental health frameworks IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/experts-call-for-integrating-homoeopathy-into-psychosocial-care-psychiatric-emergencies-642913.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/vitamin-d-deficiency-hidden-epidemic-weakening-health-foundation-report-642925.html New Delhi Oct 13 India is facing a silent but serious health challenge of Vitamin D deficiency according to a report on Monday that urged the government to tackle the lack of the sunshine vitamin in one in every five Indians The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations ICRIER along with the ANVKA Foundation submitted two key policy briefs elaborating a national roadmap to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW and an action plan specific to DelhiThe suggestions are based on a recently released study which highlighted that Vitamin D deficiency has become a public health concern in India and is affecting people across regions age groups and income levelsOur recommendations focus on practical steps that can be implemented right away using existing health networks local partnerships and awareness campaigns said Dr Arpita Mukherjee Professor at ICRIER and lead author of the reportsThe recommendations include launching a Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat campaign on the lines of Anaemia Mukt Bharat to spread awareness promote sunlight exposure encourage fortified foods and make testing and supplements affordableThe report urged the government to launch a nationwide awareness campaign creating a multistakeholder platform to align ongoing efforts including Vitamin D into existing healthcare programmes leveraging national survey data for targeted interventions and setting uniform guidelines for the testing and treatment for Vitamin D deficiency in IndiaFurther the policy brief submitted to the Delhi government urges the government to take the lead through mass testing public awareness drives and integration of Vitamin D supplementation into existing programmesIt also recommended training ASHA and Anganwadi workers and ensuring the availability of supplementsDelhi can become a model city for a Vitamin D Kuposhan Mukt Bharat campaign with focused action Mukherjee saidThe authors also emphasised that tackling Vitamin D deficiency aligns with the governments broader vision of Ayushman Bharat and preventive healthcareVitamin D deficiency is not just a minor health issue it is a hidden epidemic that weakens the foundation of good health said Chaudhry Founder amp Director of ANVKA FoundationWhile Vitamin D deficiency affects everyone from childrens growth to womens maternal health and mobility in the elderly it is one of the easiest deficiencies to prevent and treat if we act promptly the experts said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/vitamin-d-deficiency-hidden-epidemic-weakening-health-foundation-report-642925.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/amr-outpacing-advances-in-modern-medicine-resistant-infections-rising-in-hospitals-globally-who-642940.html New Delhi Oct 13 Antimicrobial Resistance AMR is rapidly outpacing advances in modern medicine and resistant infections are rising in hospitals across the globe said the World Health Organization WHO in a new report launched on Monday The report based on data from 104 countries in 2023 and 110 countries between 2016 and 2023 showed that one in six laboratoryconfirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatmentsBetween 2018 and 2023 antibiotic resistance rose in over 40 per cent of the pathogenantibiotic combinations monitored with an average annual increase of 515 per centAntimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine threatening the health of families worldwide said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus WHO DirectorGeneralAs countries strengthen their AMR surveillance systems we must use antibiotics responsibly and make sure everyone has access to the right medicines qualityassured diagnostics and vaccines Our future also depends on strengthening systems to prevent diagnose and treat infections and on innovating with nextgeneration antibiotics and rapid pointofcare molecular tests he addedData reported to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System GLASS from over 100 countries cautions that increasing resistance to essential antibiotics poses a growing threat to global healthThe new Global Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance Report 2025 presents for the first time resistance prevalence estimates across 22 antibiotics used to treat infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts the bloodstream and those used to treat gonorrhoeaThe WHO estimated that antibiotic resistance is highest in the WHO SouthEast Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions where one in three reported infections were resistant In the African Region 1 in 5 infections was resistantResistance is also more common and worsening in places where health systems lack the capacity to diagnose or treat bacterial pathogens the report saidEssential lifesaving antibiotics including carbapenems and fluoroquinolones are losing effectiveness against E coli K pneumoniae Salmonella and Acinetobacter Carbapenem resistance once rare is becoming more frequent narrowing treatment options and forcing reliance on lastresort antibiotics And such antibiotics are costly difficult to access and often unavailable in low and middleincome countries the report saidThe WHO called on all countries to scale up coordinated interventions designed to address antimicrobial resistance across all levels of healthcare and ensure that treatment guidelines and essential medicines lists align with local resistance patterns IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/amr-outpacing-advances-in-modern-medicine-resistant-infections-rising-in-hospitals-globally-who-642940.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/nagaland-varsity-study-explores-tea-blossoms-potential-for-wellness-products-rural-growth-642942.html Kohima Oct 13 A Nagaland Universityled multiinstitute research has unveiled the hidden health potential of tea blossoms that are often discarded as agricultural byproducts officials said on Monday According to a varsity official the study shows that these delicate flowers are abundant in potent bioactive compounds positioning them as a natural source for health supplements and functional beverages While tea leaves dominate global research and consumption blossoms remain largely overlooked he said This study is the first systematic effort in Assam one of the worlds largest teaproducing regions to analyse the biochemical richness of tea blossoms from seven premium cultivars rather than the traditional focus on the leaves Nutraceutical companies could harness tea blossom extracts to create natural energy boosters relaxation aids and skinhealth products Beyond consumer health the research offers economic opportunities for smallholder tea farmers by opening new revenue streams through blossom collection and processing As per the study this approach also advances environmental sustainability as utilising blossoms reduces agricultural waste and contributes to a circular bioeconomy With global demand rising for plantbased ecofriendly health products India has the chance to position itself as a leader in functional foods and supplements derived from tea blossoms it said Dr Sagarika Das researcher from the Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at Dibrugarh University fronted this groundbreaking research collaborating with renowned tea biochemist Monoranjan Goswami from Tocklai Tea Research Institute in Jorhat Assam and Prof Tanmoy Karak from the Department of Soil Science at the School of Agricultural Sciences Nagaland University This transformative study also garnered contributions from prestigious institutions including the University of California the ICARIndian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute in New Delhi and the Departments of Horticulture and Soil and Water Conservation from Nagaland University and the Department of Chemistry Dibrugarh University showcasing an extraordinary alliance in the pursuit of scientific excellence The findings were published in a reputed peerreviewed journal Highlighting Nagaland Universitys focus on translational research benefitting the local communities Vice Chancellor Prof Jagadish K Patnaik said This groundbreaking research highlights the potential of innovation originating from our region to effect significant global change By tapping into the oftenoverlooked benefits of tea blossoms our dedicated scientists are pioneering advancements in health and wellness that could revolutionise dietary supplements and natural remedies This effort not only broadens the scope of scientific inquiry but also fosters opportunities for rural entrepreneurship empowering local communities to engage in sustainable agricultural practices and create new economic avenues he added Nagaland University is particularly proud to collaborate with esteemed research organisations both within India and internationally to facilitate this transformative work the VC said Our joint initiatives aim to enhance scientific understanding while simultaneously addressing pressing societal challenges Together we are not just advancing the field of science we are building a more resilient and sustainable future for our communities and beyond The research team plans to advance into clinical trials explore synergies with other nutraceuticals and scale up for industrial applications across the food pharmaceutical and wellness sectors Elaborating on this research Dr Das said that the tea blossoms are known to be abundant in healthenhancing compounds featuring notably higher concentrations of polyphenols catechins terpenoids and Ltheanine while also having lower caffeine levels compared to traditional tea leaves The presence of Ltheanine particularly in combination with caffeine is beneficial for promoting mental clarity relaxation and stress reduction she said By repurposing tea blossoms there is potential to minimise agricultural waste increase rural incomes and diversify the tea industry through the development of nutraceuticals herbal teas and dietary supplements she added Further Prof Karak added that the study highlights the potential of tea blossoms as versatile ingredients that can be transformed into a variety of products including herbal teas infused oils dietary supplements and unique wellness formulations Rich in antioxidants and essential amino acids tea blossoms show great promise as effective solutions for stress relief cognitive enhancement and the prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues he stated Our research demonstrates that tea blossoms should not be regarded merely as byproducts of tea cultivation rather they represent valuable nutraceutical resources with significant commercial potential With further clinical validation to substantiate their health benefits tea blossoms could play a crucial role in promoting overall wellness Moreover the development of products derived from tea blossoms could stimulate economic growth in rural areas where tea is cultivated supporting local farmers and creating job opportunities Prof Karak pointed out He said that this innovation positions India to strengthen its global leadership in plantbased health products showcasing the countrys rich biodiversity and commitment to sustainable health solutions IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/nagaland-varsity-study-explores-tea-blossoms-potential-for-wellness-products-rural-growth-642942.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/cmfri-cautions-against-fishing-of-juvenile-sardine-urges-following-mls-criteria-642948.html Kochi Oct 13 The ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI has called on fishers to adhere to sustainable harvest practices and respect the Minimum Legal Size MLS of 10 cm for the Indian Oil Sardine following a significant increase in juvenile sardine populations along the Kerala coast The CMFRI emphasised that compliance with MLS is critical for safeguarding both the livelihoods of coastal communities and the longterm sustainability of the sardine fishery a key source of protein and incomeA recent CMFRI study revealed an unprecedented surge in sardine recruitment during 2024 the highest recorded since 2020The growth has been supported by favourable rainfall patterns and monsoondriven upwelling which enriched coastal waters with nutrients and boosted microplankton availability providing ample food for young sardinesHowever the surge has also led to heightened competition among recruits resulting in lower weight gain for zeroyearclass fishAddressing widespread misinterpretation of the study CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George clarified Our findings do not imply that juvenile sardines will not grow further Juvenile fishing should not be practised under any circumstances Protecting young fish is essential to ensure the longterm sustainability of the sardine fishery and the livelihood security of fishing communities The institute recommends a regulated harvest targeting only fish above the MLS Dr George noted While coastal waters remain productive and recruitment is high effective exploitation should be limited to fish above the MLS to maintain sustainabilityCMFRI Principal Scientist Dr U Ganga added The sardine fishery is highly sensitive to environmental shifts leading to characteristic boom and bust cycles Preventing juvenile fishing and following sustainable practices are crucial to mitigate the risk of the next downturn in this vital coastal resourceCMFRIs advisory underscores the importance of sustainable fishing practices in preserving the economic and ecological value of the Indian Oil Sardine a cornerstone of Keralas smallscale fisheries sectorCompliance with the MLS not only supports the recovery of sardine populations but also ensures the longterm resilience of coastal livelihoods and food security in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/cmfri-cautions-against-fishing-of-juvenile-sardine-urges-following-mls-criteria-642948.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 20:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/hcl-tech-q2-net-profit-remains-flat-at-rs-4-236-crore-announces-rs-12-dividend-642950.html Mumbai Oct 13 HCL Technologies Limited on Monday reported its net profit for the second quarter of the current financial year at Rs 4236 crore slightly down from Rs 4237 crore in the same quarter a year ago However the tech service providers profit jumped 10 per cent quarteronquarter QoQ from Rs 3855 croreFor the quarter the company posted its operational revenue at Rs 31942 crore which is over 10 per cent higher yearonyear from Rs 28862 crore and 525 per cent QoQ from Rs 30349 croreMeanwhile its total expenses for the JulySeptember period stood at Rs 26655 crore up Rs 3024 crore from the corresponding quarter a year ago and Rs 1029 crore from the previous quarter AprilJuneThe company has also announced an interim dividend of Rs 12 per share for its shareholdersThe Board of Directors has declared an Interim dividend of Rs 12 per equity share for the financial Year 202526 HCL Tech said in its exchange filingThe record date for the payment of the aforesaid interim dividend will be October 17 2025 and the payment date of the said interim dividend shall be October 28 2025 the company informedWe continue to perform well despite the uncertain business environment and are investing in new technologies and capabilities to unlock growth opportunities The upskilling of our global talent base remains a key priority and an enabler of innovation for our clients said Roshni Nadar Malhotra Chairperson HCL TechEarlier HCL Tech posted a 10 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit for the first quarter Q1 of FY26 at Rs 3843 crore compared to Rs 4257 crore in the same quarter the previous year Q1 FY25Despite the drop in net profit HCL Tech operational revenue rose 8 per cent YoY to Rs 30349 crore from Rs 28057On a sequential basis the topline saw a marginal increase of 03 per cent from Rs 30246 crore in the previous quarterIn the last quarter too the IT major announced an interim dividend of Rs 12 per share IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/hcl-tech-q2-net-profit-remains-flat-at-rs-4-236-crore-announces-rs-12-dividend-642950.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 20:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/surat-municipal-corporation-to-list-gujarats-first-green-bond-on-nse-on-oct-16-642967.html Surat Oct 13 Gujarats first green bond issued by the Surat Municipal Corporation SMC will be listed on the National Stock Exchange NSE on October 16 the state government announced on Monday The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of achieving netzero emissions by 2070 said Shalini Agarwal Municipal Commissioner of SMCThese green municipal bonds were open for subscription between October 6 and 9 The issue size was Rs 200 crore and it was oversubscribed eight times Agarwal told IANSAccording to the Municipal Commissioner the central government has introduced several reforms to encourage innovative municipal financing including green bonds to support environmentally sustainable urban projectsThis is the countrys first green bond to be issued with an international certificate Agarwal added The proceeds from these bonds will be utilised for green projects in Surat including solar and wind power plants solid waste and water supply projects and the establishment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for public useThe bond listing ceremony on October 16 will be chaired by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra PatelLast month Union Environment Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav highlighted that India would require more than 10 trillion by 2070 to meet its netzero goalHe said the government is promoting a blended finance approachleveraging public funds to attract and derisk private investments in renewable energy energy efficiency electric mobility waste management and naturebased solutionsYadav emphasised that green financing should foster an economic model where development is intrinsically linked to ecological sustainability and community wellbeingGreen bonds are a kind of fixedincome instrument that is used to finance initiatives that have a positive impact on the environment or the climate like energy efficiency clean transportation renewable energy and sustainable water managementThough the money raised is solely used for these green projects they resemble conventional bonds They are issued by the issuer and corporations governments or multilateral banks just like other bonds IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/surat-municipal-corporation-to-list-gujarats-first-green-bond-on-nse-on-oct-16-642967.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 23:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/lg-energys-q3-operating-profit-jumps-341-pc-on-strong-us-demand-642780.html Seoul Oct 13 LG Energy Solution Limited South Koreas leading battery maker said on Monday that its thirdquarter operating profit likely jumped 341 per cent from a year earlier driven by strong sales of energy storage systems ESSs in the United States In the three months ended September operating profit is estimated to have surged to 6013 billion won 4228 million from 4483 billion won in the same period last year the company said in a regulatory filing reports Yonhap news agencyOn top of increased ESS sales in the US higher demand for smallsized cylindrical and pouchtype batteries for electric vehicles EVs contributed to the quarterly earnings a company spokesperson saidSales however fell 171 per cent to 569 trillion won from 687 trillion won amid an overall slowdown in EV salesLooking ahead LG Energy Solution expects sales of prismatic EV batteries to remain sluggish in the fourth quarter as major automakers adjust their electrification strategies and maintain low inventory levelsTo offset weaker EV battery demand the company said it will focus on reducing fixed costs and securing more ESS deals in the United States leveraging its local ESS production facilityOperating profit for the JanuarySeptember period likely soared 833 per cent to 146 trillion won from 8009 billion won a year earlierSales for the ninemonth period are estimated to have declined 85 per cent to 1753 trillion won from 1916 trillion won a year agoThe company plans to announce its final earnings results for the September quarter later this monthMeanwhile earlier this month the battery maker unveiled it plans to gradually resume officials business trips to the United States later this month about a month after a mass detention in GeorgiaThe company has suspended all trips to the US after 47 of its employees and some 250 subcontractor workers were detained in a US immigration raid at a construction site for a joint Hyundai MotorLG Energy Solution battery plant on September 4 reports Yonhap news agency reported on October 2 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/lg-energys-q3-operating-profit-jumps-341-pc-on-strong-us-demand-642780.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-slip-in-early-trade-amid-global-weakness-642785.html Mumbai Oct 13 Indian stock markets opened sharply lower on Monday tracking weakness across Asian markets after US President Donald Trump warned of stricter tariffs on China The cautious global sentiment weighed on domestic equities leading to broadbased selling across sectorsAt the opening bell the Sensex opened at 82278 down 223 points or 027 per cent while the Nifty began trading at 25180 slipping 105 points or 042 per cent in early dealsCommenting on the Nifty outlook experts said that We will begin the week limiting our upside objective to 25460 as maintained last week Volatility is expected to rise as the week progressesWhile nearest support is seen at 2523015 we will wait for a direct fall past 25113 to step away from the upside plays they addedHowever the selling pressure intensified further Around 934 am the Sensex was trading 42288 points or 051 per cent lower at 8207794 while the Nifty declined 12185 points or 048 per cent to 2516350Broader markets also witnessed a decline with the Nifty MidCap index and the Nifty SmallCap index dropping 05 per cent and 064 per cent respectivelyAll the sectoral indices were trading in the red The Nifty IT index fell the most losing 09 per cent followed by the Nifty Metal index which was down 069 per centMarket experts attributed the decline to heightened geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding USChina trade relations which have dampened investor sentiment globallyBack home in India the consistent buying by the FIIs had imparted stability to the market During the last four trading days FIIs had bought stocks for Rs 3289 crores analysts saidThe uptrend in the market has led to short covering which has helped the market to turn resilient they addedDomestic consumption themes which will not be impacted by the trade skirmishes are likely to witness accumulation by institutional buyers market experts stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-slip-in-early-trade-amid-global-weakness-642785.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-electricity-adani-foundations-swateja-mart-initiative-empowers-women-entrepreneurs-642802.html Mumbai Oct 13 Adani Electricity in association with the Adani Foundation on Monday announced the overwhelming success of its Swateja Mart initiative which empowered women entrepreneurs with sales of Rs 27 Lakh during its weeklong outreach Maha Mela The Maha Mela held from September 21 to 28 successfully provided a platform for women from Entrepreneurial SelfHelp Groups ESHGs to showcase and sell their handcrafted and homemade products across various Adani Electricity offices and government establishmentsThe weeklong event saw impressive results with a total of Rs 270000 in sales generated across multiple locations including Adani Electricity offices Mantralaya World Trade Centre and T2 Mumbai AirportThe success not only boosted the financial livelihoods of the participating women but also strengthened their confidence and encouraged a path toward selfrelianceThe initiative part of the Project Swabhimaan programme is a joint effort by Adani Electricity Adani Foundation MAVIM Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal and BMC aimed at empowering women entrepreneursSwateja Mart is a testament to our commitment to sustainable community development said an Adani Electricity spokespersonThrough our Swabhimaan project we are not just providing a market we are building an ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship financial literacy and selfreliance among women from underprivileged communities We believe this initiative will significantly enhance their livelihoods and contribute to their overall wellbeing the spokesperson addedThe Swateja Mart initiative provided a vital platform for over 4500 women entrepreneurs who are part of ESHGsThe mart featured 20 stalls offering a diverse range of items from traditional handicrafts to organic and homemade goods as well as a cloud kitchen facility providing professional culinary infrastructure for aspiring food entrepreneursFurther to ensure high standards over 60 ESHG members received comprehensive training in food preparation hygiene and safety from the Indian Hotel Management IHM and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAISince its launch in 2022 Project Swabhimaan the flagship women empowerment and livelihood generation initiative of Adani Electricity and the Adani Foundation has made significant stridesThe programme provides an Entrepreneurship Development Programme EDP to women from underprivileged communities in MaladMalwani Mira Road and Bhayandar offering training financial literacy business plan development and upskilling opportunitiesTo date the project has facilitated credit linkages amounting to Rs 48184000 for 171 womens selfhelp groups benefiting 1224 ESHG membersAs a result more than 500 women now own their own businesses and participants have seen an average income increase of 29 per centSince 1996 the Adani Foundation has been dedicated to strategic social investments that create sustainable outcomes across India Project Swabhimaan exemplifies our vision to empower individuals and communities by providing them with the skills resources and support needed to start and grow their own businesses said an Adani Foundation spokesperson while highlighting the longterm vision of the programmeSwateja Mart is a direct outcome of this commitment providing a tangible pathway for these women to achieve Lakhpati Didi status and build selfsustaining ventures the spokesperson added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/adani-electricity-adani-foundations-swateja-mart-initiative-empowers-women-entrepreneurs-642802.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ey-microsoft-team-up-to-equip-young-indians-with-job-ready-ai-skills-642684.html New Delhi Oct 12 In a major step to bridge the AI skills gap in India EY and Microsoft on Sunday launched the AI Skills Passport a free online programme designed to provide young Indians with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an AIdriven economy The initiative aimed at individuals aged 16 and above offers equitable access to highquality AI education preparing earlycareer professionals and students with essential jobready AI skillsThe launch in India follows a global rollout earlier this year which has already seen over 40000 participants enroll and more than 13000 complete the programmeWith NASSCOM reporting that only 31 per cent of professionals in India feel wellprepared to use AI tools EY and Microsoft aim to empower youth to upskill and be futureready in an increasingly digital landscapeMonesh Dange Partner and Leader Alliances and Ecosystems EY India said In an era where AI is revolutionising work and redefining career paths the launch of the AI Skills Passport addresses Indias growing demand for skilled AI talentMany professionals remain unprepared to harness AIs full potential Together with Microsoft were committed to ensuring this programme is not only free but impactful at scale providing access for everyone to build essential AI skills Dange addedThe AI Skills Passport is a fully online programme with approximately 10 hours of content available in both English and Hindi to ensure broad accessibilityThe programme combines modular video lessons practical exercises and asynchronous assessments allowing learners to engage at their own paceIt covers fundamentals of AI responsible AI practices and applications of AI across industries such as healthcare finance and technology Realworld case studies handson exercises and career guidance including résumé building interview preparation and networking strategies are integrated to help learners apply their skills and enhance employabilityUpon successful completion participants receive a verifiable digital badge to strengthen their job profiles and career prospects in the AIdriven economyBhaskar Basu Enterprise Partnerships Leader Microsoft India amp South Asia said AI is transforming Indias digital economy with youth at its core The AI Skills Passport launched in partnership with EY reflects our vision of AI for all and our commitment to fostering futureready talent IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ey-microsoft-team-up-to-equip-young-indians-with-job-ready-ai-skills-642684.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/dr-reddys-zydus-lifesciences-recall-medicines-in-us-over-quality-issues-642696.html New Delhi Oct 12 Two major Indian pharmaceutical companies Dr Reddys Laboratories and Zydus Lifesciences are recalling certain medicines from the US market due to manufacturing issues the US health regulator has said According to the latest enforcement report by the US Food and Drug Administration USFDA an American subsidiary of Hyderabadbased Dr Reddys is recalling 571 vials of Succinylcholine Chloride Injection a medicine used to relax musclesThe recall was initiated on September 26 after the USFDA reported an outofspecification result during sixmonth stability testingThe affected batch is being withdrawn nationwide in the United States as a Class II recall which indicates that exposure to the product may cause temporary or reversible health problems but serious health issues are unlikelySimilarly the US arm of Zydus Lifesciences Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc is recalling over 1500 boxes of Entecavir tablets an antiviral medicine used mainly to treat chronic hepatitis BThe recall which began on September 24 involves 912 bottles of 05 mg tablets and 600 bottles of 1 mg tablets The USFDA cited failed impuritydegradation specifications as the reason for the recallIndia is home to the largest number of USFDAcompliant pharmaceutical plants outside the United States and such recalls highlight the strict regulatory oversight maintained by the US authoritiesThis is not the first instance of Indian drug makers recalling medicines from the US marketEarlier companies like Sun Pharma Lupin and Dr Reddys had initiated similar recalls over product mixups and quality issues ensuring patient safety remains a priorityIn July this year Sun Pharmaceutical Industries headquartered in Mumbai recalled 5448 bottles of a generic drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHDThe medicine in question was Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate capsules which failed to meet the required dissolution standards during testing IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/dr-reddys-zydus-lifesciences-recall-medicines-in-us-over-quality-issues-642696.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/signature-globals-q2-pre-sales-drop-28-pc-net-debt-rises-642704.html Mumbai Oct 12 Real estate developer Signature Global India Limited has reported a 28 per cent drop in presales in the September quarter of the current financial year Q2 FY26 The company reported presales of Rs 201 billion which is 28 per cent lower than the same period previous fiscal and down 24 per cent compared to the previous quarter according to its stock exchange filingThe total area sold also declined falling 44 per cent yearonyear YoY and 17 per cent quarteronquarter QoQ to 134 million sq ft the company informed in its Key Operational Updates for Q2 FY26Despite the decline in sales volume collections improved slightly The company collected Rs 94 billion during the quarter up 2 per cent from previous financial year and 1 per cent from the last quarterThe average sales realisation increased to Rs 15000 per sq ft up from Rs 12457 per sq ft in FY25Signature Globals net debt rose marginally to Rs 97 billion mainly due to its acquisition of 3347 acres of land in SohnaThe newly acquired land has the potential to develop 176 million sq ft strengthening the companys future development pipelinePradeep Kumar Aggarwal Chairman and WholeTime Director of Signature Global said the companys performance in the first half of FY26 shows the continued strength of its brand and focus on sustainable growthHe added that steady demand in the companys core micro markets helped maintain healthy presales and strong collectionsAggarwal also highlighted that the modest rise in net debt was due to the Sohna land acquisition which offers strong growth potentialWe have maintained healthy presales and strong collections supported by steady demand in our core micro markets Net debt registered a modest rise on account of the land acquisition in Sohna a promising market with strong growth potential which further strengthens our development pipeline he addedHe said that with a solid launch plan and disciplined financial strategy Signature Global is confident of maintaining growth in the coming quarters and achieving its annual targets for presales collections and net debt IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/signature-globals-q2-pre-sales-drop-28-pc-net-debt-rises-642704.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/china-tightens-hold-on-africa-to-exploit-rare-earths-sector--642726.html New Delhi Oct 12 China is further strengthening its dominance in the rare earth elements sector by making deeper inroads into African countries which are rich in critical minerals like cobalt lithium and nickel vital for the production of batteries electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies However Chinese investment projects have faced criticism regarding worker exploitation lack of transparency and for using primarily local Chinese labour instead of hiring local workersChinas investments aim to strengthen its geopolitical influence and its hightech manufacturing sectorIt has been using its infrastructure model of constructing roads and railways to get longterm mining rights Finance is another potent instrument that Beijing uses to establish its foothold in African countries Chinese loans to African governments and stateowned companies have surpassed a whopping 152 billion with Angola accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the total according to media reportsReports indicate that Chinese companies have invested nearly 8 billion in mining projects in Africa Chinese investments in African rare earth minerals are driven by demand from Chinas own economy and global clean energy needs securing supply for its hightech industries through direct investments in mines and financing Africa is becoming a crucial source of raw materials with countries like Tanzania poised to become major exporters to Chinese processorsChinese companies invest heavily in African mines and processing facilities to secure a stable and longterm supply of rare earth elements REEs and other critical minerals essential for modern technologyMany projects are in different stages of development with some expected to begin production in the coming years which will significantly increase the continents output Some examples include projects in Namibia Malawi Angola Tanzania and South AfricaWhile Africas mining output is growing Chinas dominance lies in the processing and refining stages of the rare earth value chain controlling a significant majority of global supplyChinese firms have also been accused of corrupt practices Namibia presents a typical case where Xinfeng Investments a firm owned by Chinese interests is accused of acquiring its Uis lithium mine through corrupt practices utilising permits meant for smallscale minersAfrica is becoming a significant new source of raw rare earth ores for China and Western processors alike The continent has an opportunity to leverage these resources for its own development though challenges such as the growing Chinese influence remain in moving up the value chain beyond raw material export IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/china-tightens-hold-on-africa-to-exploit-rare-earths-sector--642726.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/honour-for-india-pavilion-at-osaka-world-expo-a-proud-moment-for-us-piyush-goyal-642737.html New Delhi Oct 12 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that the India PavilionBharat being honoured at the World Expo in Osaka 2025 is a proud moment for all of us Bharat At Expo 2025 is a celebration of our rich heritage traditions and diverse cultures and a reflection of how a nation can embrace innovation and creativity while remaining true to its roots the minister saidWith India steadily advancing on its development journey Viksit Bharat 2047 is no longer just a vision but a reality in the making the minister remarked in a post on XThe India Pavilion was recognised with Bronze at the World Expo for external design under Module Pavilion categoryThe India Pavilion has been ranked among the top five pavilions at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka Japan alongside the US Italy Japan and France The pavilion showcases Indias rich cultural heritage innovation and sustainable development featuring sections on heritage Ayurveda ISRO and more It has been curated by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the ArtsWith its unique blend of traditional and modern elements the pavilion has become a popular destination attracting visitors with its interactive cultural experiences authentic Indian cuisine and photofriendly installations The World Expo will continue till the 13th of OctoberThe Bharat Mandap stands as more than an architectural marvel it is a living breathing embodiment of Indias cultural diplomacy It offers a uniquely immersive experience to international visitors through rich exhibits interactive cultural sessions and artistic installations according to an official statementThe India Pavilion offers a smooth welcoming and inclusive experience Its highlights include sections on innovation Ayurveda ISRO and sustainabilityLive cultural experiences including Garba dance yoga sessions by Indian Acharyas and traditional costume displays and authentic Indian cuisine delighted the global audience friendly activities and photoop corners featuring Himachali caps and Indian handicraftsThese offerings made the Pavilion a crowd favourite drawing enthusiastic participation and extensive online appreciationAt the spiritual heart of the Pavilion stands a magnificent image of Padmapani Bodhisattva inspired by Ajanta cave muralsa symbol of Indias timeless compassion Artistic elements like the Blue Lotus Façade Bodhi Tree Installation and Flowing Waters express Indias philosophical essenceinterconnectedness peace and transformationThe Pavilions architecture features the Lotus Courtyard and Oneness Lounge mirroring the ancient Indian ideal of Vasudhaiva KutumbakamThe World is One Family IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/honour-for-india-pavilion-at-osaka-world-expo-a-proud-moment-for-us-piyush-goyal-642737.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-could-add-17-trillion-to-indias-economy-by-2035-govt-642741.html New Delhi Oct 12 India is stepping into a new era powered by Artificial Intelligence AI with the government estimating that AI could add up to 17 trillion to the countrys economy by 2035 the government said on Sunday The technology is transforming lives across sectors from healthcare and education to agriculture and governance making daily life simpler smarter and more connectedUnder Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Making AI in India and Making AI Work for India the government is taking major steps to build an inclusive and powerful AI ecosystemA major part of this effort is the IndiaAI Mission which was approved by the Cabinet in March 2024 with a budget of Rs 1037192 crore to be spent over five yearsSince its launch the mission has made remarkable progress Against the initial target of deploying 10000 GPUs India has already achieved 38000 GPUs expanding affordable access to advanced AI computing infrastructureThe mission implemented by IndiaAI under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY aims to drive innovation support startups strengthen data access and ensure responsible use of AI for public goodThe countrys AI and tech ecosystem is also growing rapidly Indias technology sector is projected to cross 280 billion in annual revenue this year employing more than 6 million peopleThe country is home to over 1800 Global Capability Centres including 500 focused on AI and around 18 lakh startups with nearly 89 per cent of the new ones using AI in their products or servicesAccording to the NASSCOM AI Adoption Index India scores 245 out of 4 with 87 per cent of enterprises actively using AI solutionsA recent BCG survey also found that about 26 per cent of Indian companies have achieved AI maturity at scaleThe leading sectors driving AI adoption include industrial and automotive consumer goods and retail BFSI and healthcare which together contribute nearly 60 per cent of AIs total value in IndiaIndias growing recognition in global rankings further reflects its progress The Stanford AI Index places India among the top four countries in AI skills capabilities and policies while the country is also the secondlargest contributor to AI projects on GitHubA recent NITI Aayog report titled AI for Inclusive Societal Development October 2025 highlights how AI can empower Indias 490 million informal workers by improving access to healthcare education skilling and financial inclusionIt emphasises that technology can bridge deep social and economic divides and ensure that the benefits of AI reach every citizen IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-could-add-17-trillion-to-indias-economy-by-2035-govt-642741.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/south-korea-367-per-cent-of-online-govt-services-restored-after-data-centre-fire-642745.html Seoul Oct 12 More than 36 per cent of the South Korean governments online administrative services affected by a fire at a state data centre last month have been restored officials said Sunday As of 9 pm 260 out of 709 services hit by the fire at the National Information Resources Service NIRS in the central city of Daejeon had been brought back online marking a restoration rate of 367 per cent Yonhap News Agency reportedThe Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said the newly restored services include the Cultural Ministrys administrative support system for Korean culture centres and websites related to the Public Procurement ServiceCurrently 30 out of 40 Grade 1 services which are considered the most essential based on their impact and number of users in a fourtier system have been restored representing a recovery rate of 75 per cent The restoration rate for Grade 2 services came to 515 per centThe fire at the NIRS began when a lithiumion battery exploded in a server room on September 26 and was completely extinguished the following day Police are investigating the exact cause of the fireOn October 10 President Lee Jae Myung visited a state data centre damaged by a major fire last month to inspect recovery efforts the presidential office saidLees visit to the National Information Resources Service NIRS in the central city of Daejeon came as the government is ramping up efforts to restore online services as the fire destroyed major data storage systemsLee had originally taken the day off following the extended Chuseok holiday which ended on Thursday but decided to visit the state data centreObservers say Lees decision to visit the data centre on his day off was apparently aimed at mitigating a controversy over his recent appearance on a TV cooking show amid a nationwide outage of online government services caused by the fireThe ruling Democratic Party has defended Lees appearance as wellsuited to promote Kfoods while the main opposition People Power Party has denounced it as inappropriateThe government has also faced criticism over its response to the incident when it revised the number of malfunctioning systems from 647 to 709 only two weeks after the fire broke outThe visit was arranged to encourage public officials who have been working tirelessly even during the holiday a presidential official told Yonhap News Agency The visit was scheduled in advance and is not related to Lees appearance on the show IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/south-korea-367-per-cent-of-online-govt-services-restored-after-data-centre-fire-642745.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-must-lead-in-ai-robotics-innovation-govt-642752.html New Delhi Oct 12 India must take the lead in artificial intelligence AI and robotics innovation to strengthen its position as a global technology hub a top government official said on Sunday Speaking at the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025 organised at the India Mobile Congress IMC here the official said that empowering young innovators is key to solving realworld challenges and driving sustainable growthInaugurating the event Deb Kumar Chakrabarti Member Services Digital Communications Commission Department of Telecommunications DoT said that India should emerge as a leading innovator in AI and roboticsHe urged the country to solve the innovation paradox by building capabilities and fostering innovation among the youth who are more adaptive to new technologiesThe Food and Agriculture Organisation and ITU together have announced the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge for a noble cause to eradicate hunger from the world he addedThe event cohosted by the Department of Telecommunications and the International Telecommunication Union ITU in collaboration with IIT Delhis IHub Foundation for Cobotics IHFC brought together young talent from across India to design and build roboticsbased solutions for food security and sustainable developmentThe Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025 is part of the ITUs flagship AI for Good Impact Initiative which encourages students aged 10 to 18 to create AI and robotics solutions that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGsThe competition was held under two categories Junior and Senior with winners earning the opportunity to represent India at the Global Grand Finale in Geneva Switzerland in July 2026The national challenge saw participation from 271 young innovators representing 55 teams from across IndiaThe event showcased Indias growing potential in technologydriven problemsolving and its commitment to using AI and robotics for social goodOfficials at the event said that Indias next big leap in technology will depend on its ability to nurture young minds strengthen research capabilities and maintain global collaborationThey reaffirmed that with its strong talent base and supportive ecosystem India can become a global leader in AI and robotics innovation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-must-lead-in-ai-robotics-innovation-govt-642752.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/new-seaweed-based-tablet-to-transform-menstrual-cups-into-health-tracking-tools-642565.html New Delhi Oct 11 In a breakthrough Canadian researchers have enhanced the existing menstrual cup into a safer easier and more environmentally sustainable tool using seaweed to track womens health The new menstrual cup can be leveraged to detect infections monitor reproductive health and improve diagnostics for conditions such as endometriosis and urinary tract infections said researchers at McMaster University in OntarioThe new component described in a paper published in the journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces is a flushable tablet made from highly absorbent seaweedbased materialIts designed to hold menstrual blood and minimise spills during removal a common barrier to wider adoption of menstrual cupsThis project opened my eyes to how urgently innovation is needed in menstrual care said Zeinab Hosseinidoust Associate Professor of biomedical and chemical engineering from the varsityTheres been little movement in the conversation around menstrual care Some of that is due to stigma and some is lack of interest but cups have the potential to make a serious difference in the lives of women around the world Hosseinidoust addedBeyond convenience and safety the technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products and improve access to menstrual care in lowerincome communitiesEach cup is designed to last for several years offering a costeffective and sustainable solution for users who may not have reliable access to tampons or padsThough menstrual cups have long been available their uptake has been limited due to usability challenges These new cups address those concerns while opening the door to future healthmonitoring capabilitiesThe team envisions future versions of the menstrual products equipped with sensors to detect early signs of infections and bloodborne illnesses using menstrual blood as a rich source of biological informationThis could be a new form of wearable technology that could be even more valuable than a smartwatch said associate professor of mechanical and bioengineering Tohid Didar who coled the research IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/new-seaweed-based-tablet-to-transform-menstrual-cups-into-health-tracking-tools-642565.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 18:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-electronics-sector-posts-6-fold-decadal-growth-eyes-500-billion-ecosystem-by-2030-642570.html New Delhi Oct 11 India eyes a 500 billion domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem by 203031 as the sector has grown nearly sixfold over the past decade the government informed on Saturday The domestic electronics production has increased from Rs 19 lakh crore in 201415 to Rs 113 lakh crore in 202425 Exports grew eightfold rising from Rs 38000 crore to Rs 327 lakh crore while the industry generated 25 lakh jobs underscoring its role as a key driver of employment and economic growth according to an official statementStrategic government initiatives and strong policy support have further boosted local manufacturing expanded exports and attracted significant global investment the release saidForeign direct investment in electronics manufacturing has exceeded 4 billion since FY202021 highlighting the sectors increasing global attractivenessThe United States United Arab Emirates Netherlands United Kingdom and Italy are the top five destinations for Indian electronic goods in FY202425Further surge in electronics manufacturing were driven by initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat strong policy support technological advancements and a skilled workforceSupportive measures such as the Production Linked Incentive PLI scheme and improvements in ease of doing business have significantly boosted manufacturing and exports the statement saidMobile phone production increased from Rs 18000 crore in 201415 to Rs 545 lakh crore in 202425 a 28fold rise making India the worlds secondlargest mobile phone manufacturerThe industry scaled from just two units in 2014 to over 300 Exports surged 127fold to Rs 2 lakh crore with Apple contributing Rs 11 lakh crore in device shipments in 2024 In Q2 FY202526 India surpassed China to become the leading smartphone exporter to the United States IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-electronics-sector-posts-6-fold-decadal-growth-eyes-500-billion-ecosystem-by-2030-642570.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/japan-reports-flu-outbreak-over-4-000-people-affected-642583.html New Delhi Oct 11 Japan has reported a significant outbreak of flu with more than 4030 people being affected nationwide according to local media reports The country is experiencing a flu season about a month earlier than last year It is also the second earliest in 20 years Japan Today reported citing the health ministryAbout 3000 hospitals across the country reported a combined 4030 flu patients the report said Okinawa Prefecture reported the most patients per hospital followed by Tokyo and KagoshimaThe caseload has crossed the epidemic threshold with an average of 104 patients per institution the countrys health ministry statedMore than 100 schools kindergartens and childcare centres have been closed due to outbreaks among childrenFlu season in Japan usually spans from December through March The previous season started in early November and peaked in late December before it was deemed over in AprilIn the wake of the rising cases the ministry urged the general public to take precautions and follow measures such as handwashing and wearing masksWhile the virus strain is not yet known it recommended vaccination for vulnerable populations such as young children the elderly and anyone with underlying health conditionsThe flu season has started really early this year but in the changing global environment this might become a more common scenario Yoko Tsukamoto a professor at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido was quoted as saying to South China Morning PostTsukamoto added that global travel and population movement may be accelerating the viruss ability to adapt to new conditionsWe are seeing a greater circulation of people both in Japan and globally with people taking the virus to new places which is another factor behind the virus adapting to new environments Tsukamoto told the postShe added that early flu seasons are also being reported in other countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/japan-reports-flu-outbreak-over-4-000-people-affected-642583.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-showing-remarkable-dynamism-resilience-amid-global-uncertainty-shaktikanta-das-642586.html New Delhi Oct 11 Former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Saturday said India is showing remarkable dynamism and resilience amid global uncertainty and a fragmented trade order Delivering the 85th Kale Memorial Lecture at the Gokhale Institute in Pune he noted that longstanding globalisation norms and costbased trade principles have been disrupted by the pandemic geopolitical conflicts and supply chain vulnerabilities pushing nations toward selfreliance and regional trade pactsHe said that India powered by structural reforms domestic demand and prudent macro policies under Atmanirbhar Bharat has weathered global headwinds and is set to contribute nearly onefifth of global GDP growthIndia has also been actively reshaping its trade engagements to align with the changing global order India is a signatory to 14 free trade agreements FTAs and six preferential trade agreements PTAs with the UK Australia and the UAE being the recent additions among FTAs Das told the gatheringAdditionally members of European Free Trade Association Iceland Liechtenstein Norway Switzerland and India have signed a comprehensive Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement in March 2024At present India is in free trade agreement negotiations with the US the EU Peru Oman New Zealand among several othersThe underlying priority of our trade negotiations is to secure fair and balanced agreements in the best interest of our nation and the people he mentionedAmidst such a changing global order it would be important to focus on the robust fundamentals that impart strength to the Indian economy and the structural reforms that have strengthened these fundamentalsThese factors have enabled India to navigate through the tumultuous world order Das addedIndia is fast emerging as an economic powerhouse and is projected to become the fourthlargest global economy in 2025 and the thirdlargest in 2028 driven by domestic reforms and a strong global positioning under the vision of Atmanirbhar BharatAt the broad sectoral level Indias manufacturing sector has expanded at an average pace of 59 per cent over the past decade said DasMeasures like adoption of technology for delivery of services FDI reforms opening up sectors like space and mining to private sector participation and consistent emphasis on reduction of compliance burden have led to increase in capacity and efficiency of the economy he notedThe higher focus on government capex infra initiatives like the recently announced 12 industrial cities and 100 industrial parks near urban centres are increasing the efficiency of logistics and costs for the manufacturing sector according to DasA new sense of confidence is now palpable in the country Indias journey towards becoming an economic powerhouse is a testament to its inherent strength and the policy initiatives of the government Das mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-showing-remarkable-dynamism-resilience-amid-global-uncertainty-shaktikanta-das-642586.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 19:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-will-transform-agriculture-maharashtra-cm-642589.html Mumbai Oct 11 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that technologies like AI blockchain and digitisation have increased transparency and efficiency not only in the industry but also in the governance system He said that such technological interventions will avoid losses to farmers reduce costs and bring more profits in the agriculture sector Today is the era of Artificial Intelligence Through this technology literacy and equality can be created in society Technology digitisation and artificial intelligence have no geographical boundaries so they do not know the difference between rich and poor caste and language That is why this technology can shape the ideas of every Indian he said while speaking at the inauguration of the HP Dream Unlocked festivalFadnavis said that the government has now started a policy of adopting AI adding that this technology is open to all and everyone will be able to bring their ideas to life The government has set up a Digital Media Centre of Excellence with HP and has now decided to go further and create a partnership framework to provide easy access to new technologies especially AI forn the common man he saidThe Chief Minister said that AI has also been used in the agricultural sector adding that the AI model created by the youth in the AgriHackathon held in Pune analyses the elements in the air and warns of the occurrence of pests on the crops That this is truly a gamechanger model he said The Chief Minister said that nearly 40000 youth from across the country participated in the AgriHackathon out of which 40 best innovative initiatives were honoured He added that the government is ready to partner with these 40 innovative initiatives to improve the quality of life of citizens which will have a direct impact on society and the economyFadnavis emphasised Maharashtras leadership in Artificial Intelligence AI and innovation The state is planning to establish an Innovation City in Navi Mumbai and attract investment in the data centre sector he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/ai-will-transform-agriculture-maharashtra-cm-642589.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 20:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/anrf-approves-special-rs-1-lakh-crore-fund-to-support-private-sector-research-innovation-642597.html New Delhi Oct 11 The Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF a science funding agency has approved the establishment of a special purpose fund SPF to encourage the private sector to scale up research development and innovation RDI the government informed on Saturday At the first level an SPF will be established within the Anusandhan ANRF which will serve as the custodian of the Rs 1 lakh crore corpus stated the Ministry of Science and TechnologyThe fund will not directly invest in industries and startups but will channel capital to secondlevel fund managers who can be Alternative Investment Funds AIF Development Finance Institutions DFI Nonbanking Finance Companies NBFCs among othersFurther the foundation also approved the implementation guidelines and governance framework of the governments Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation RDI fundThese implementation guidelines and the special financial rules will lay the foundation for efficient governance and seamless execution of the scheme setting the momentum for greater private sector participation leading to longterm innovationdriven growth the Ministry saidThe implementation guidelines and Special Financial Rules were prepared by the Department of Science amp Technology DST through extensive consultation with various stakeholders the Department of Economic Affairs DEA and the Department of Expenditure DoEDST is the nodal ministry of the scheme and the RDI scheme will operate through a twotiered funding structureRecommendations for support will be made by secondlevel fund managers through investment committees comprising experts from financial business and technical domains operating at arms length from the government the Ministry notedThe government established the ANRF in 2024 through the ANRF Act of 2023 to enable the country to become a global science playerANRF aims to forge collaborations among the industry academia and government departments and research institutions and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/anrf-approves-special-rs-1-lakh-crore-fund-to-support-private-sector-research-innovation-642597.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 21:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/negd-sign-pact-to-extend-strategic-advisory-and-technical-support-to-bharat-taxi-642436.html New Delhi Oct 10 The National eGovernance Division NeGD and Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd Bharat Taxi have formalised their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding MoU aimed at extending strategic advisory and technical support in the areas of platform integration cybersecurity privacy compliance and governance the Ministry of Electronics and IT said on Friday Under the agreement the Digital India Corporation will undertake an advisory engagement with Bharat Taxi a pioneering cooperativedriven national ridehailing initiativeFurther under this collaboration NeGD will help the Bharat Taxi platform by providing platform integration and technical architectureThis will help the integration of the ridehailing platform with national digital platforms such as DigiLocker UMANG and API Setu to enable seamless identity verification and service deliveryThe government body will also help Bharat Taxi in security compliance and infrastructure to ensure adherence to the Centres data protection norms and cybersecurity standards and advise on robust technical infrastructureAdditionally NeGD will provide governance and programme management support leveraging its institutional experience in designing and implementing largescale national platforms and offer advisory inputs on user interface design multilingual capabilitiesIndias mobility landscape is set for a major transformation with the upcoming launch of Bharat Taxi in December 2025 The step aims to transform the mobility ecosystem with a cooperativedriven transparent and citizenfirst ridehailing platform the ministry saidThrough this partnership the NeGD reaffirms its commitment to building secure interoperable and inclusive digital public platforms that drive Indias digital governance objectives and empower citizens at scaleBharat Taxi a firstofitskind cooperativedriven citizenfirst national ridehailing initiative is to be launched in December 2025Earlier this week the NeGD and the National EGovernance Services Limited NeSL signed an MoU to enhance and integrate digital document management for businesses and government entitiesNeGD functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY while the NeSL is an information utility regulated by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India IBBI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/negd-sign-pact-to-extend-strategic-advisory-and-technical-support-to-bharat-taxi-642436.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/a-healthier-gut-may-help-improve-depression-and-anxiety-says-study-642478.html New Delhi Oct 11 Gut microbiome may hold the key to improving depression anxiety and other mental health conditions one of the worlds most pressing health challenges affecting nearly one in seven people globally according to a study Researchers from the University of South Australia explored the connections between the gut and the brain to decipher their role in mental health and wellbeingThey examined the growing evidence that the gut and the brain are deeply connected Their findings published in the journal Nature Mental Health found the strongest proof yet that changes in a persons gut microbiome can directly affect their brain chemistryThe gutbrain connection is one of the most exciting frontiers in mental health research said lead author Srinivas Kamath a doctoral candidate at the varsityWe already know that the trillions of microbes in our digestive system talk to the brain through chemical and neural pathways affecting our mood stress levels and even cognitionBut the big question is whether changes in gut bacteria actually drive mental illness or mirror whats happening elsewhere in the body Kamath saidThe teams review of studies found strong causal evidence that gut microbes can change brain chemistry stress responses and behaviours in animal models as well as disrupted gut patterns in conditions like depression and schizophreniaThey also found that early trials of probiotics diet changes and faecal microbiota transplants help improve mood and anxiety and psychiatric medications can change the microbiome demonstrating the gutbrain connectionGlobally mental health disorders affect nearly 970 million people with depression and anxiety ranking among the leading causes of disability Yet up to onethird of patients do not respond to current medications or therapies highlighting the need for new and accessible treatmentsIf we can prove that gut bacteria play a direct role in mental illness it could transform how we diagnose treat and even prevent these conditions said coresearcher Dr Paul JoyceMicrobiomebased therapies such as probiotics prebiotics or tailored diets may offer accessible safer lowcost and culturally adaptable options that complement existing care Joyce addedThe researchers called for future studies to track gut changes over time and include more diverse larger populations to better understand how diet environment and culture shape the gutbrain connection IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/a-healthier-gut-may-help-improve-depression-and-anxiety-says-study-642478.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/akasa-airs-pune-delhi-flight-suffers-bird-hit-lands-safely-642479.html New Delhi Oct 11 An Akasa Air aircraft flying from Pune to Delhi suffered a bird hit but landed safely in the national capital without any incident the airline said All passengers and crew members were safely deplaned following landing Flight QP1607 operating a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft arrived in Delhi shortly after 10 am on Friday according to flight tracking data from Flightradar24The aircraft is being examined by our engineering team in accordance with the airlines standard operating procedures and will be released for service after a thorough inspection an Akasa Air spokesperson said in a statementThe aircraft was originally scheduled to operate a subsequent flight from Delhi to Goa later in the day However the departure was delayed for a few hours as another aircraft was deployed for the routeEarlier last month Akasa Air systems were facing technical issues due to which some of its online services were not workingIn an announcement made on the social media platform X the airline said that booking checkin and managing booking services may remain temporarily unavailableOur systems are currently experiencing intermittent issues and some of our online services including booking checkin and manage booking services may be temporarily unavailable Akasa Air said in its postThe airline assured that its teams are working with service providers to fix the problemWe sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and want to assure you that our teams are working with our service provider to resolve the same at the earliest the statement saidAkasa Air has advised passengers with immediate travel plans to arrive at the airport early and complete the checkin process at its countersPassengers with immediate travel plans are requested to reach the airport early to check in at our counters it saidThe system issue came a day after Akasa Air had alerted passengers about possible delays due to heavy rains in Mumbai Kolkata and Pune IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/akasa-airs-pune-delhi-flight-suffers-bird-hit-lands-safely-642479.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/targeted-steroid-use-shows-promise-against-tb-642487.html New Delhi Oct 11 Treating patients with steroids may offer a universal complementary treatment to fight tuberculosis TB affecting more than 10 million people annually worldwide according to a study The study published in the journal Scientific Reports showed that targeted use of steroids enhances the function of the immune cells called macrophages to kill the mycobacteria while diminishing pathways of inflammatory damageWhile steroids like dexamethasone are used in certain TB cases eg TB meningitis their impact on immune cells is not well understoodDexamethasone a potent glucocorticoid reduces glycolysis in human lung and bloodderived macrophages This reduces the amount of energy available in the cellThe study showed that dexamethasone also reduced the production of both pro and antiinflammatory cytokines measured in the study Although helpful for immunity limiting the production can also limit damage from excessive inflammationIn clinical practice steroids are the most underused adjunctive therapy for TB We often rely on steroids to manage inflammation in tuberculosis particularly in severe forms like TB meningitis said Prof Joseph Keane Professor of Medicine Trinity College Dublin in IrelandWhats reassuring from this study is that dexamethasone not only tempers inflammation but also appears to support the macrophages ability to control infection This study provides new evidence to help us redefine steroid use in TB care targeting inflammation without compromising antimicrobial defense he addedThe researchers studied macrophages derived from the blood of healthy volunteers or isolated from lung fluid donated by patients undergoing routine bronchoscopiesBy treating and infecting these macrophages in the lab with Mtb the scientists could examine and understand how dexamethasone affects the immune response that protects the lungs during infectionMtbinfected macrophages have increased survival when they are treated with dexamethasone This suggests that dexamethasone may protect macrophages from dying due to the harmful effects of infection or detrimental immune responses to infectionDexamethasone also reduces bacterial burden in infected macrophages and the team identified that this is at least partly mediated by autophagy and phagosomal acidification Dexamethasone can enhance the macrophages ability to degrade and clear bacteria helping to overcome infection with MtbThe findings support the use of steroids as an extra therapy in conjunction with existing antimicrobial therapies in TB treatment especially in cases with excessive inflammation IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/targeted-steroid-use-shows-promise-against-tb-642487.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/international-buyer-seller-meet-in-gujarat-creates-enquiries-over-rs-500-crore-fieo-642497.html New Delhi Oct 11 An International BuyerSeller Meet BSM in Gujarat generated over 350 memoranda of understanding and export enquiries exceeding Rs 500 crore the Federation of Indian Export Organisations said on Saturday The twoday event at Ganpat University as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference was organised by FIEO and held under the World Bank RAMP Project in association with the MSME Department and iNDEXTbThe event received an overwhelming response from the business community facilitating over 2200 structured B2B meetings between 40 international buyers from 17 countries and more than 850 Indian exporters representing diverse sectors from GujaratThe International BuyerSeller Meet focused on key sectors including textiles pharmaceuticals chemicals agro processing food processing and engineering goods the apex export promotion body saidSenior officials from the Gujarat and central governments visited the BSM venue and interacted with participating buyers and sellers appreciating FIEOs efforts in creating a dynamic platform for MSMEs and exporters to connect with global markets and strengthen trade partnershipsS C Ralhan President FIEO highlighted that the event enhanced global trade linkages and fostered supply chain partnerships and reinforced Gujarats position as a leading hub for exports and manufacturing excellenceThe event also underscored FIEOs commitment to promoting Indias export potential through collaboration innovation and inclusivity in alignment with the governments vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat Local goes Global and exportled growth FIEO notedMeanwhile FIEO in September welcomed the governments decision to extend the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products RoDTEP scheme till March 31 2026The scheme will continue to cover exports from the domestic tariff area DTA advance authorisation holders special economic zones SEZs and exportoriented units EOUs IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/international-buyer-seller-meet-in-gujarat-creates-enquiries-over-rs-500-crore-fieo-642497.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-silver-etfs-trade-at-steep-premium-amid-festive-demand-642501.html New Delhi Oct 11 Indias silver exchangetraded funds ETFs are trading at steep premiums over international benchmarks amidst surging festive demand and constrained physical global supply a report said on Saturday Investment inflows into silver products hit record levels globally in H12025 adding about 95 million ounces exceeding the total inflows of the entire previous year the report from Axis Mutual Fund saidFurther it pushed total ETF holdings to roughly 113 billion ounces worth over 40 billion by mid2025 Axis Mutual Fund saidGlobal mining output has grown only modestly and is expected to peak by 2026 even as industrial and investment demand climbs driven by solar photovoltaics electric vehicles electronics 5G infrastructure and semiconductorsRecent purchases by Saudi Arabias central bank have highlighted further central banks interest in silver amplifying the demand shockMeanwhile physical demand in India has been exceptionally strong due to festive demand with buyers snapping up silver coins bars jewellery and idols amidst imports doubling in September onyear as bullion dealers and jewellers scrambled to secure inventory despite recordhigh price the report saidThat shortage has flowed through to ETFs which are trading at premiums of about 512 per cent over converted LBMA prices inclusive of customs and GST Axis MF saidUnder normal conditions any gap between Indian and global prices would be small and arbitraged away But in the current scenario with physical silver scarce the premium persisted and even ETF arbitrageurs could not immediately bridge the difference the fund house notedAxis MF warned that the inflated entry price risks a nearterm NAV correction if supply normalises and the domestic premium evaporates For medium to longterm investors silver is increasingly viewed as a strategic diversifier and hedge and shortterm price distortions may be less relevant for multiyear horizons the fund house said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-silver-etfs-trade-at-steep-premium-amid-festive-demand-642501.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-reforms-bring-transformative-impact-on-jharkhands-economic-landscape-642519.html New Delhi Oct 11 The Goods and Services Tax GST reforms have brought substantial rate reductions across major industries having a transformative impact on Jharkhands economic landscape by lowering costs and improving affordability the government said on Saturday Steel and heavy engineering are the backbone of Jharkhands industrial development contributing nearly 2025 per cent of Indias total steel outputThe recent GST reforms further strengthen the states industrial momentum by benefiting sectors that consume Jharkhands steelThe tax on twowheelers bikes up to and including 350cc and small cars has been cut from 28 per cent to 18 per cent while tractors below 1800cc now attract 5 per cent instead of 12 per centSimilarly tractor parts have seen reductions from 18 or 12 per cent to 5 per cent and commercial goods vehicles from 28 per cent to 18 per centAdditionally the GST rates for auto components have been brought down from 28 per cent to 18 per centJharkhand hosts major industrial hubs such as Jamshedpur Tata Steel and Bokaro SAILBokaro Steel Plant alongside an extensive network of metallurgybased supply chains spread across Singhbhum and Bokaro districtsThis ecosystem sustains a large formal workforce over 1 lakh people 104309 as of 202223 as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and supports a dense vendor and MSME base engaged in fabrication and servicesNotably these rate cuts lower costs across the auto and machinery value chain by 7811 per cent making vehicles and equipment affordable and boosting demandThe resulting uptick in production logistics and fabrication spurs higher capacity utilisation in Jharkhands steel and heavy engineering sector generating wider employment increasing MSME orders and deepening linkages across the states manufacturing ecosystemThe primary consumers of Jharkhands steel and heavy engineering products include the domestic construction infrastructure automotive and capital goods industriesThe state also exports valueadded steel products to key international markets including the US China Japan Nepal Bangladesh and Europe thereby reinforcing its position as a crucial player in both domestic and global value chainsThe GST reforms not only stimulate domestic consumption but also enhance the global competitiveness of Jharkhands industrial and mineral exports IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-reforms-bring-transformative-impact-on-jharkhands-economic-landscape-642519.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-inaugurates-rs-42-000-cr-worth-projects-to-transform-agricultural-sector-642529.html New Delhi Oct 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated projects worth Rs 42000 cr to transform the agricultural and allied sector Two major schemes the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses were launched with an outlay of Rs 35440 croreProjects valued at over Rs 5450 crore were also rolled out in the agriculture animal husbandry fisheries and food processing sectorsPM Modi also laid the foundation stone for additional projects worth around Rs 815 croreAddressing the event the Prime Minister noted that farmers have a major role in building a developed IndiaFarmers have a bigger role in making India Viksit Bharat India must become not only selfreliant in food but also produce exportoriented crops for the global market he saidThe Prime Minister added that the recent GST reduction has given maximum benefits to rural India and farmersWhile the previous government neglected the agriculture sector PM Modi said the sector has seen remarkable growth in the last 11 yearsIndias agricultural exports have nearly doubled in the past 11 years Grain production has increased by nearly 900 lakh metric tonnes Fruit and vegetable production has increased by more than 640 lakh metric tonnes Today India is number one in milk production We have undertaken reforms from seeds to markets in the interest of farmers the Prime Minister saidPM Modi urged the need to continuously strive to improve in every field keep making progress to become a developed countryToday emphasis is being placed on animal husbandry fish farming and beekeeping This has empowered small farmers and landless families In villages Namo Drone Didi are leading the way in modern methods of spraying fertilisers and pesticides The recent reforms in GST have benefited the people in villages farmers and animal rearers the most the Prime Minister saidPM Modi also urged farmers to diversify crops beyond wheat and rice focusing on pulses to ensure protein security The Pulses mission is necessary to reduce Indias import dependency by enhancing domestic production he saidOther projects inaugurated include artificial insemination training centres in Bengaluru and Jammu and Kashmir centres of excellence at Amreli and Banas an IVF lab in Assam under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission milk powder plants at Mehsana Indore and Bhilwara and a fish feed plant under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana at TezpurThe event also marked important milestones achieved under government initiatives including 50 lakh farmer memberships in 10000 Farmer Producer Organisations FPOs of which 1100 FPOs recorded an annual turnover of over Rs 1 crore in 202425 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-inaugurates-rs-42-000-cr-worth-projects-to-transform-agricultural-sector-642529.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-supported-farmers-with-policy-support-market-safeguards-report-642534.html New Delhi Oct 11 Amidst global trade shocks India supported its farmers with policy support and market safeguards according to a media report During the last fiscal year India worked to stabilise rural incomes sustain planting decisions and safeguard longterm agricultural resilience stated a recent report in Vietnam TimesWith the crop insurance schemes the country shielded its farmers from weather pests and price shocksThe governments Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PMFBY and related weatherindexed schemes extended through 202526 also maintained significant budgetary outlays to ensure rapid claim settlement and broader coverage the report saidWhile these schemes cut down the downside risk that can force distress sales and underinvestment they also strengthened the farmers to adopt improved seeds and climatesmart practicesAccompanied by policies were the practical improvements such as speeding up payouts and the use of digital transfers to reach beneficiaries quickly which worked for the benefit of farmers the report saidState and central coordination on procurement and payment even now targets efficiencies that limit leakage and ensure farmers receive the full value of insurance and support disbursals the report saidFast reliable payouts foster trust in formal programmes reduce reliance on costly informal credit and help stabilise consumption in rural economies it addedIn addition guaranteed pricing and procurement programmes enhanced the farm incomesEven as global commodity markets fluctuated the Minimum Support Prices MSP set annually and procurement systems stabilitised the agricultural sectorFurther regionspecific shocks were scaled up by the government to target statelevel relief measuresMeasures such as irrigation subsidies waived interest on water charges and expanded procurement centres for key crops directly reduced farmers input costs and improved net returns the report saidThe localised interventions along with national insurance and price supports removed immediate financial stressors and enabled farmers to maintain productive investmentsLooking ahead Indias positive momentum rests on three mutually reinforcing pillars guaranteeing downside protection insurance and timely payouts ensuring fair prices MSP and procurement and raising productivity and resilience climatesmart tech and infrastructure the report saidThese pillars will not only secure incomes today but also build capacity for higher returns tomorrow it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-supported-farmers-with-policy-support-market-safeguards-report-642534.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/taiwanese-major-mediatek-willing-to-produce-chips-in-india-report-642536.html New Delhi Oct 11 Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek which is one of the worlds largest suppliers of semiconductors has reportedly announced willingness to manufacture chips in India as soon as the fabrication facilities become operational Highlighting the growing synergy between Indias consumption and manufacturing base Anku Jain Managing Director of MediaTek India was quoted as saying in media reports that the company sees strong business logic in producing chips locallyMediaTek whose clients include global smartphone majors such as Xiaomi Samsung Oppo and Vivo designs and develops chipsets that power millions of devices sold globally feels that local production will shorten supply chains reduce costs and enhance resilience against global disruptionsLike its competitors Nvidia and Qualcomm the company follows a fabless model focusing on chip design and software development while outsourcing the actual manufacturing process to foundries such as TSMC Intel Foundry Services and GlobalFoundriesThe companys decision also aligns with Indias broader ambition to emerge as a semiconductor manufacturing hub backed by a 10billion incentive package from the governmentIndias semiconductor market stood at 38 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit 45 to 50 billion in 202425 and 100 to 110 billion by 2030 Globally the semiconductor market is projected to grow to 1 trillion by the same yearMeanwhile MediaTek this week unveiled its vision for shaping the future of AI through cuttingedge strengthening its technology roadmapThe company also announced its collaboration with TSMC to develop a nextgeneration flagship SoC on the enhanced N2P process with volume production expected late next year MediaTek introduced its newest flagship chipset the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 designed to supercharge the next generation of flagship 5G smartphonesThe chipset brings together industryleading ondevice AI consolegrade gaming and unmatched power efficiency to redefine mobile performanceWith AI becoming integral to daily life consumers expect devices that deliver greater intelligence speed and personalization while maintaining energy efficiency Our flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9500 delivers breakthrough ondevice AI toptier performance and efficiency and a full suite of premium experiences that our OEMs can bring to users around the world said JainIn line with the IMC 2025 theme of Innovate to Transform MediaTek highlighted its longstanding expertise in connectivity computing and multimedia products and technologies IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/taiwanese-major-mediatek-willing-to-produce-chips-in-india-report-642536.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-discusses-indias-ai-advancement-innovation-with-qualcomm-ceo--642552.html New Delhi Oct 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Cristiano R Amon president and chief executive officer CEO of USbased chip giant Qualcomm and discussed Indias advancements in artificial intelligence AI innovation and skilling it was informed on Saturday The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Qualcomms commitment towards Indias semiconductor and AI missions He noted that India offers unmatched talent and scale to build technologies that will shape the collective futureIt was a wonderful meeting with Cristiano R Amon and discussing Indias strides in AI innovation and skilling Great to see Qualcomms commitment towards Indias semiconductor and AI missions India offers unmatched talent and scale to build technologies that will shape our collective future the Prime Minister said on X social media platformQualcomm CEO thanked PM Modi for the enriching discussion on strengthening the partnership between Qualcomm and India in support of the IndiaAI and India Semiconductor Missions as well as the transition to 6GThank you PM narendramodi for the great conversation on fostering a broader partnership between Qualcomm and India in support of the IndiaAI and India Semiconductor Missions as well as the transition to 6G We are encouraged by the opportunities to develop an Indian ecosystem across AI smartphones PCs smart glasses auto industrial and more Amon wrote on X sharing photos of the meetingEarlier this week Qualcomm India said they are taking a leading role in shaping Indias digital future emphasising its commitment to inclusive sustainable and globally competitive technology solutionsAt the India Mobile Congress IMC 2025 the company showcased a wide range of innovations from Edge AI and 6G to smart homes connected devices and advanced compute platforms highlighting how its technologies are driving Indias digital transformationThe company presented its vision for an intelligent and connected India through three pillars Personal AI Physical AI and Industrial AIQualcomm has long been a part of Indias technological journey helping the nation transition from 3G to 5G and actively preparing for 6G through local RampD investments strategic alliances and earlystage researchThe company emphasised the potential of Edge AI and 5G as the two pillars of Indias digital future at IMC 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/pm-modi-discusses-indias-ai-advancement-innovation-with-qualcomm-ceo--642552.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-real-estate-equity-inflows-jump-48-pc-in-q3-2025-report-642315.html New Delhi Oct 10 Equity investments in Indias real estate sector jumped 48 per cent yearonyear to 38 billion in the JulySeptember period Q3 a report said on Friday This growth in inflow was primarily fuelled by capital deployment into land or development sites and builtup office and retail assets according to the report by real estate consulting firm CBRE South AsiaIn the first nine months of 2025 the equity investments increased by 14 per cent onyear to 102 billion from 89 billion in the same period last yearThe report highlighted that land or development sites and builtup office and retail assets accounted for more than 90 per cent of the total capital inflows during Q3 2025On the category of investors developers remained the primary drivers of capital deployment contributing 45 per cent of the total equity inflows followed by Institutional investors with a 33 per cent shareCBRE reported that Mumbai attracted the highest investments at 32 per cent followed by Pune at around 18 per cent and Bengaluru at nearly 16 per centAnshuman Magazine Chairman and CEO India SouthEast Asia Middle East and Africa CBRE said that the healthy inflow of domestic capital demonstrates the sectors resilience and depthIn the upcoming quarters greenfield developments are likely to continue witnessing a robust momentum with a healthy spread across residential office mixeduse data centres and IampL sectors he addedIn addition to global institutional investors Indian sponsors accounted for a significant part of the total inflowsIndias ability to combine strong domestic capital with global institutional participation will remain a key differentiator in 2026 and beyond added Gaurav Kumar Managing Director Capital Markets and Land CBRE IndiaCBRE forecasts a strong finish for the investment activity in 2025 fuelled by capital deployment into builtup office and retail assetsFor the office sector the limited availability of investible core assets for acquisition indicate that opportunistic bets are likely to continue gaining traction the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/indias-real-estate-equity-inflows-jump-48-pc-in-q3-2025-report-642315.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/mental-health-fundamental-to-our-overall-well-being-pm-modi-642321.html New Delhi Oct 10 Mental health is a fundamental part of our overall wellbeing said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday on World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health issuesWorld Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that mental health is a fundamental part of our overall wellbeing PM Modi shared in a post on social media platform XHe stressed the need to show compassion to people suffering from mental health issues like anxiety and depression among othersIn a fastpaced world this day underscores the importance of reflecting and extending compassion to others PM Modi saidThe Prime Minister urged the need to bring mental health conversation to the mainstream He also saluted people working to heal othersLet us also work collectively to create environments where conversations around mental health become more mainstream My compliments to all those working in this field and helping others heal and find happiness PM Modi saidAccording to the National Mental Health Survey 2016 around 132 per cent of Indians experience a diagnosable mental health condition in their lifetime while 106 per cent are currently affectedIn other words roughly one in 10 Indians lives with conditions such as depression anxiety or substance use disorders with depression being the most common particularly among womenTo tackle the problem the government launched initiatives like TeleMANAS which offer valuable firstresponse counselling in multiple languagesAbout 53 Tele MANAS cells have been set up in 36 states It provides 247 mental health services in up to 20 languages It has received more than 2382000 calls since its launch in 2022 till midMarch 2025Further the National Mental Health Programme NMHP now implemented as the District Mental Health Programme DMHP covers over 700 districts with teams including psychiatrists psychologists social workers and nursesThe government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at the primary healthcare level with Ayushman Arogya MandirsCashless healthcare services have been approved for 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality under AB PMJAY said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on XAbout 47 governmentrun mental hospitals are functional including 3 Central Mental Health InstitutionsMental health services have also been added to the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya MandirsMeanwhile the theme this year is Access to Services Mental Health in Catastrophes and EmergenciesIt focuses on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies the World Health Organization WHO saidOn this World Mental Health Day let us intensify our efforts to create a world where mental health is valued protected and accessible for all especially in the face of adversity the WHO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/mental-health-fundamental-to-our-overall-well-being-pm-modi-642321.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/niti-aayog-releases-2nd-working-paper-towards-tax-transformation-642324.html New Delhi Oct 10 Indias tax reforms are entering a decisive phase marked by simplification modernisation and the integration of trust into tax administration BVR Subrahmanyam CEO NITI Aayog said on Friday He emphasised that as India transitions from enforcementdriven compliance to trustbased governance the focus must shift to proportionate fair and transparent enforcement mechanisms that empower taxpayers while protecting fiscal integrityNITI Aayog on Friday released the second working paper under the NITI Tax Policy Working Paper SeriesII titled Towards Indias Tax Transformation Decriminalisation and TrustBased GovernanceThis follows the first paper in the series Enhancing Certainty Transparency and Uniformity in Permanent Establishment and Profit Attribution for Foreign Investors in India released earlierThe working paper undertakes a comprehensive assessment of criminal provisions under the Incometax Act 2025 evaluating their necessity proportionality and alignment with the governments broader reform agendaIt proposes a principlebased framework to rationalise punishments decriminalise minor and procedural noncompliances and reinforce judicial discretionAccording to NITI Aayog the paper highlights that while the 2025 Act omits several archaic offences it continues to criminalise 35 actions and omissions across 13 provisions most of which prescribe mandatory imprisonmentIt recommends a calibrated decriminalisation roadmapremoving imprisonment for minor procedural defaults restricting criminal sanctions to cases involving fraud or wilful evasion and enhancing the role of civil and administrative penaltiesAccording to Subrahmanyam such reforms will reduce litigation improve investor confidence and further Indias commitment to a fair and predictable tax regime that aligns with global best practicesEmbedding trust at the core of tax governance will strengthen voluntary compliance optimise enforcement resources and support Indias vision of becoming a globally competitive hightrust economyThe event witnessed participation from representatives of CBDT CBIC ICAI DPIIT and leading tax experts who have worked in close coordination with the NITI Aayog Consultative Group on Tax Policy CGTP led by Dr PS Puniha Distinguished Fellow NITI Aayog and Sanjeet Singh Programme Director NITI Aayog IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/niti-aayog-releases-2nd-working-paper-towards-tax-transformation-642324.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/2025-nobel-peace-goes-to-venezuelas-maria-corina-machado-no-prize-for-trump-642344.html New Delhi Oct 10 IANS The highly coveted 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to Venezuelas Maria Corina Machado for being a steadfast supporter of democracy and not to US President Donald Trump who had been gunning for the prestigious awardnbspMachado was awarded the prize for being a brave and committed champion of peace and for keeping the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darknessnbspThe Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2025 NobelPeacePrize to Maria Corina Machado for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy the Norwegian Nobel Committee saidnbspMachado had been a key unifying figure in the democracy movement in Venezuela Her leadership showed that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peaceShe also embodied the hope of a different future one where the fundamental rights of citizens are protected and their voices are heardnbspShe is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy the Committee saidnbspThis years Nobel Peace Prize was muchawaited as it had stirred intense speculation with Trump emerging as a frontrunner and also pushing for it aggressivelySeveral nations like Israel Russia Azerbaijan Pakistan Thailand Armenia and Cambodia are said to have nominated the US President crediting Trump with mediating several protracted conflictsnbspSignificantly the prestigious award has drawn 338 nominations this year including 94 organisations and 244 people from different walks of lifenbspTrump claimed to be the first in history to have solved eight wars in a period of nine monthsSince 1901 the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 105 times to 139 laureates 92 men 19 women and 28 organizationsnbspIn 2014 Malala Yousafzai became the youngest peace laureate at 17 years old At 86 years old Joseph Rotblat is the oldest to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995nbspThe Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 was awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki https://dailyworld.in/science/2025-nobel-peace-goes-to-venezuelas-maria-corina-machado-no-prize-for-trump-642344.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/artificial-intelligence-to-control-traffic-congestion-in-rajasthans-udaipur-642375.html Jaipur Oct 10 Udaipur has taken a decisive step towards easing its traffic woes Artificial Intelligence AI will now manage traffic signals at the citys busy Fatehpura intersection officials said The AIdriven traffic management system began its trial run on Friday marking a new era in intelligent urban transport in RajasthanThe system uses highresolution cameras and sensors to monitor vehicle movement across all four lanesBased on realtime traffic flow the AI will automatically give a green signal to the lane with the highest number of vehicles ensuring smoother movement and shorter waiting timesIf no vehicles are detected in a lane the system will switch signals within five seconds avoiding unnecessary delays that commonly occur with fixedtimer lightsIn a major innovation the AI is designed to recognise the sound of ambulances and fire brigadesUpon detecting these sirens it will instantly turn the signal green on that route to allow emergency vehicles to pass without hindranceThe entire setup is connected to a mobile app allowing realtime monitoring and control by traffic authoritiesAccording to Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashok Anjana traffic pressure increases sharply during morning and evening hoursThe AI system will automatically clear congested lanes and streamline movement Based on the results from the Fatehpura intersection we plan to expand it to other key junctions across Udaipur he saidThe pilot project includes installing highresolution cameras and smart sensors costing nearly Rs 10 lakh per intersectionIf successful the system could revolutionise Udaipurs traffic management reducing congestion saving fuel and ensuring faster emergency response times IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/artificial-intelligence-to-control-traffic-congestion-in-rajasthans-udaipur-642375.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-booster-karva-chauth-sales-surge-to-nearly-rs-28-000-crore-642394.html New Delhi Oct 10 The festival of Karva Chauth is estimated to have generated business to the tune of Rs 28000 crore nationwide up from the corresponding figure of Rs 22000 crore last year as sales surged on the back of GST rate cuts that have turned goods and services cheaper for consumers according to the trade body Confederation of All India Traders CAIT on Friday Delhi alone contributed around Rs 8000 crore total turnover with Chandni Chowk the largest wholesale market in the country witnessing vibrant festive activityMember of Parliament from Chandni Chowk and CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that based on the heavy consumer rush seen on Thursday and Friday along with feedback from across the country total business on Karva Chauth is expected to reach about Rs 28000 crore nationwide and around Rs 8000 crore in Delhi aloneLast year the total business on Karva Chauth was approximately Rs 22000 crore while in 2023 it stood at around Rs 15000 crore indicating a sharp rise in festive trade this year he pointed outKhandelwal further stated that sales of traditional Karva Chauth items such as sarees lehengas pooja thalis sieves earthen pots sweets gift items jewellery and cosmetics have seen a massive surgeBeauty parlours mehndi artists and salons have also witnessed long queues throughout the day providing significant employment opportunities to artisans and small service providers across India Additionally large numbers of community Karva Chauth gatherings and rituals were organised throughout the day providing significant employment opportunities to artisans and small service providers across IndiaMajor markets in the national capital such as Chandni Chowk Sadar Bazar Sarojini Nagar Lajpat Nagar Karol Bagh Rajouri Garden Kamla Nagar Shalimar Bagh Pitampura Paschim Vihar Rohini Connaught Place Khan Market South Extension Laxmi Nagar and Preet Vihar witnessed the festive rush as shoppers crowded markets to make their purchasesThe GST rate cuts which kicked in on September 22 have given consumers extra relief boosting purchasing power Furthermore Prime Minister Narendra Modis call to sell and buy Swadeshi has been widely embraced by both traders and consumers contributing to record sales Khandelwal saidAccording to CAIT Karva Chauth is not only a festival of love and devotion but also a major booster for domestic trade Millions of small traders and local shopkeepers across India have benefited greatly from the festive rush this year the trade body added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/gst-20-booster-karva-chauth-sales-surge-to-nearly-rs-28-000-crore-642394.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-uae-holds-immense-potential-in-leading-conservation-efforts-govt-642395.html Abu Dhabi Oct 10 India and the UAE hold immense potential in leading the conservation and management of biodiversity said the government on Friday Leading the Indian delegation to Abu Dhabi for the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 Union Minister of State for Environment Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh here highlighted the avenues to strengthen IndiaUAE cooperation in climate action and biodiversityIndia and the UAE as key global partners have a unique opportunity to collaborate on innovative solutions that address pressing environmental challenges Singh said during a bilateral meeting with UAE Environment Minister Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al ShamsiHe also appreciated the UAE for its instrumental role in promoting the Global Souths interests at the CoP28 and making it a COP of Action leading to some of the landmark decisions including the fund for loss and damage and the Global Goal on AdaptationReiterating Indias commitment to finding solutions to mitigate climate change and promote the conservation of biodiversity Singh acknowledged the UAEled ambitious climate initiative the Mangrove Alliance for Climate MAC steered by the UAE and Indonesia It is an excellent example of multilateral cooperation to address climate resilience and biodiversity conservation he notedThe Minister thanked his UAE counterpart for the countrys valued partnership in Indian initiatives like the International Solar Alliance ISA and the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition RECEICHe also invited the UAE to join Indias global initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure CDRI and Leadership Group for Industry Transition LeadIT while giving a call to support Indias visionary efforts like Mission LiFE for promoting a planetfriendly lifestyle The UAE Minister was keen to know and understand the details of Mission Life to implement it in their countrySingh also reiterated close cooperation between India and the UAE on BRICS and other international fora The MoS observed that the UAE has been one of the important new members of BRICS and cooperation between India and the UAE is very crucial IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-uae-holds-immense-potential-in-leading-conservation-efforts-govt-642395.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-records-688-deals-worth-399-billion-in-july-september-642396.html New Delhi Oct 10 India recorded 688 deals worth 399 billion in the third quarter this year Q3 2025 marking a strong uptick in overall deal activity a report said on Friday Deal volumes reached their highest level since Q1 2022 while quarterly values hit a yeartodate peak driven by a sharp increase in merger and acquisition MampA and record capital market issuancesMeanwhile deal values rose by 30 per cent yearonyear while volumes increased by 8 per centMergers and acquisitions MampA and private equity PE together accounted for 629 deals valued at 287 billion reflecting a 14 per cent increase in volume and more than double the value compared to the previous quarter according to a Grant Thornton Bharat reportThe public market activity during the quarter reached new highs with 34 IPOs and 25 QIPs raising 56 billion each the highest quarterly performance of the year in both volume and valueThe surge was driven by companies tapping markets for growth capital and debt reduction led by HDB Financial Services 15 billion IPO Knowledge Realty Trust REITs 558 million issue and NSDLs 466 million listingMampA activity has also strengthened significantly in the quarter with 263 transactions worth 22 billion reflecting a 34 per cent rise in volumes and a 311 per cent jump in values over Q2 2025The surge was driven by six billiondollar deals worth 153 billion accounting for 70 per cent of total MampA valueAccording to the report domestic activity remained strong with a record 191 transactionsQ3 2025 marked a strong growth for Indias deal landscape with MampA and IPO activity reaching record volumes and values recovering from a subdued Q2 Robust crossborder and domestic transactions alongside earlystage investments in the consumer and technology sectors show continued investor confidence Shanthi Vijetha Partner Growth Grant Thornton Bharat saidMeanwhile PE activity remained stable recording 366 deals worth 67 billionWhile volumes increased slightly by 3 per cent quarteronquarter values dipped 10 per cent the report highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-records-688-deals-worth-399-billion-in-july-september-642396.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/aiia-fostering-tie-ups-to-enhance-insurance-integration-research-in-ayush-sector-642400.html New Delhi Oct 10 The All India Institute of Ayurveda AIIA is working to enhance the integration of insurance as well as research in the Ayush sector the Ministry of Ayush said on Friday AIIA has been making continued efforts to foster partnerships promote policy innovations and advance holistic health and wellness through the integration of traditional medicine and modern research approachesTowards this Prof Dr Pradeep Kumar Prajapati Director of AIIA held a meeting with Prof Bejon Kumar Misra Chairman of the Core Group of Experts for Insurance Ministry of AyushThe meeting focused on advancing insurance coverage and policy initiatives in the Ayush sector to ensure wider accessibility and integration of traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare the Ministry saidPrajapati emphasised that the Project Management Unit PMU will provide a timely and transparent environment for stakeholders facilitating effective implementation of insurancerelated schemesPMU was recently inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Ayush Independent Charge Prataprao Jadhav for Ayush insurancerelated matters at AIIAPrajapati also assured that AIIA will play a pivotal role in ensuring easy access to information and the benefits of Ayush insurance schemes for the publicProf Prajapati also held a meeting with Dr Sanjay Srivastava Vice Chancellor of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies MRIIRS FaridabadThe meeting focused on exploring avenues for collaborative research and academic exchange to strengthen evidencebased practices in AyurvedaAIIA is committed to fostering meaningful collaborations that bridge traditional wisdom with modern science Strengthening research partnerships and policy frameworks such as insurance inclusion will significantly enhance the reach and credibility of the Ayush systems Prajapati saidRecently the Ministry of Ayush celebrated the 10th National Ayurveda Day celebrations at the AIIA GoaThe celebrations on September 23 marked a significant milestone in the Ministrys continuous efforts to promote ayurveda as a holistic system of health and wellbeing rooted in sustainability and natural living IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/aiia-fostering-tie-ups-to-enhance-insurance-integration-research-in-ayush-sector-642400.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/imc-2025-minister-urges-business-leaders-to-innovate-lead-with-purpose-642405.html New Delhi Oct 10 Indias business community must lead the nations economic transformation through innovation collaboration and purposedriven leadership Union Minister of State for Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said on Friday Addressing the gathering at the IMC 25 Awards ceremony the minister highlighted Indias remarkable progress noting that the country stands at an extraordinary inflection point amid rapid digital adoption and technological disruptionIndia today is not the India of even five years ago he remarked emphasising that enterprises now operate in an era defined by innovation sustainability and global interdependenceOutlining a roadmap for the future Dr Sekhar urged businesses to embrace artificial intelligence invest in research and development and nurture cultures that celebrate experimentationHe also encouraged collaboration with startups mentorship of MSMEs and alignment with government initiatives noting that the future belongs to ecosystems not monopoliesUnderscoring that profit must be aligned with purpose he stated that ESG is not a compliance checkbox but the social contract of 21stcentury businessCongratulating the awardees he described their recognition as both an honour and a responsibility These awards are not a destination but fuel for tomorrow They remind us that with great success comes great responsibility to employees communities and the nationHe lauded the entrepreneurial spirit of those who dared to start reminding the audience that ninetyseven percent of people who say theyll start a company never incorporate but you didThe minister called upon Indias business leaders to remain relentless in pursuit of excellence Stay hungry Stay building I see the architects of Atmanirbhar Bharat he said envisioning a future where Made in India becomes synonymous with quality innovation and global excellence IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/imc-2025-minister-urges-business-leaders-to-innovate-lead-with-purpose-642405.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-hosts-itus-ai-for-good-summit-at-imc-2025-642410.html New Delhi Oct 10 The International Telecommunication Unions ITU AI for Good Impact India Conference 2025 was inaugurated at the IMC here on Friday marking a significant step in advancing responsible and inclusive Artificial Intelligence AI innovation in India The conference brought together global AI leaders policymakers industry experts startups and academia to explore transformative applications of AI for sustainable development an official statement saidThe event aims to leverage AI technologies to address national priorities such as healthcare agriculture climate resilience digital inclusion and public service deliveryITU is a specialised agency for Information and Communication Technologies ICTs established in 1865 to develop global technical standards for seamless network interconnection and allocation of global radio spectrum and satellite orbits and working to improve digital access for underserved communities worldwideTelecom Secretary and Digital Communications Commission Chairman Dr Neeraj Mittal cautioned that AI poses risks including deepfakes voice cloning financial fraud and identity misuseTherefore we have to be very vigilant about what the telecom network will look like with artificial intelligence As we move from 5G to 6G there is a tremendous role for AI to improve the intelligence in networks make them selfhealing and move from generative AI to agentic AI he saidIndia is advancing a trusted inclusive and humancentric AI ecosystem through the 125 billion IndiaAI Mission in close collaboration with global partners such as ITU to ensure that technology remains a force for trust inclusion and progress he saidITUs Deputy Director and Telecommunication Standardisation Policy Department TSB chief Bilel Jamoussi also emphasised the importance of forging global partnerships to address critical issues such as AI misuse data privacy and cybersecurity vulnerabilitiesThe India Mobile Congress IMC Asias largest technology forum is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India COAI IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-hosts-itus-ai-for-good-summit-at-imc-2025-642410.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/india-uk-announce-connectivity-and-innovation-centre-for-digital-inclusion-642423.html New Delhi Oct 10 In a landmark strategic partnership to advance digital inclusion and shape the future of secure and innovative communications India and the UK on Friday launched the IndiaUK Connectivity and Innovation Centre The centre aims to bring together complementary strengths in the UK and Indian innovation in advanced connectivity linking cuttingedge research at universities with lab testing and field trials through to market deploymentThe move will create new commercial opportunities by enabling industry partners to innovate test and scale products with a pathway to market adoption the government said in a statementAccording to the government the next four years will be a critical period when the technological and commercial parameters for 6G will take shapeDuring the period the Centre will drive advancements in three key areas Transforming telecom with AI using advanced AI tools to optimise networks improve efficiency and unlock new services nonterrestrial networks NTNs developing satellite and airborne systems to deliver reliable highspeed connectivity to rural and remote areas and Telecoms Cybersecurity and strengthening network security and developing open and interoperable solutionsConnectivity and telecommunication technologies critically underpin our economies and societies Developing them together on a single platform is expected to bring economic and security benefits to both countries according to the official statementIndia and the UK have committed a combined initial 24 million pounds over four years to advance this initiativeThis funding will support applied research among established UK and Indian research centres industryacademic partnerships joint testbeds and targeted collaboration in global technical standards developmentThis initiative delivered as part of the UKIndia technology security initiative jointly by UKRI and DoT stands as a flagship example of the UKIndia Research and Innovation Corridor in action and reflects the shared ambition set out in the IndiaUK Prime Ministers 2035 Vision according to the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/india-uk-announce-connectivity-and-innovation-centre-for-digital-inclusion-642423.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 22:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-edge-higher-as-geopolitical-tensions-ease-642271.html New Delhi Oct 10 Indian stock markets opened on a flat note but soon moved higher on Friday supported by positive global sentiment The easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and signs of a possible trade deal between the US and India boosted investor confidenceAfter the opening bell the Sensex gained 148 points or 018 per cent to trade at 82320 levels The Nifty also rose 40 points or 016 per cent to 25221 levelsThough yesterdays push higher in the second half failed to clear the weeks high it did serve to invalidate the bearish bias of the evening star candle stick pattern market experts saidThis encourages us to look for 25460 in the days ahead For the day inability to push and float above 25215 or direct fall past 25113 could render the trend sideways but may not call for a break of 24982 right away they addedIn the broader market the Nifty Midcap 100 index inched up 018 per cent while the Nifty Smallcap 100 advanced 028 per cent indicating healthy participation from mid and smallcap stocksAmong the sectoral indices Nifty Metal was the worst performer slipping 14 per cent It was followed by weakness in Auto Pharma and Healthcare stocksOn the other hand sectors such as Banking Energy FMCG IT Consumer Durables Oil amp Gas and Realty were trading with gainsIn the Sensex pack Power Grid State Bank of India NTPC Adani Ports and Asian Paints were among the top gainersMeanwhile Tata Steel TCS Bajaj Finance MampM and HCL Tech were trading in the redThe overall market environment is turning positive Globally the GAZA peace accord signals end to the conflict and reduction of geopolitical risk from the region analysts saidDomestically there are indications of a trade deal between US and India with India rebalancing its oil purchases they addedAccording to market analysts these positive developments and the shift in FII strategy FIIs were buyers in the cash market in the last three trading days bode well for the market IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-edge-higher-as-geopolitical-tensions-ease-642271.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/behavioural-therapies-may-be-effective-at-treating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-642281.html New Delhi Oct 10 Behavioural therapies may be effective for treating irritable bowel syndrome IBS an intestinal disorder causing pain in the stomach according to a study on Friday IBS affects around 5 per cent of people worldwide and is characterised by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habitsThere is no cure and treatments such as diet changes and medications often only provide partial relief of symptoms therefore medical guidelines also recommend considering behavioural therapiesThe study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology amp Hepatology showed that braingut behaviour therapies including forms of cognitive behavioural therapy CBT and gutdirected hypnotherapy GDH can be effectiveThe study highlights the potential of braingut behavioural therapies such as CBT and GDH as treatment options for managing IBS said Prof Alexander C Ford corresponding author from the University of Leeds UKCBT enables patients to change how they think and act to manage and accept their symptoms while in gutdirected hypnotherapy people are put into a trancelike state before receiving suggestions that their symptoms are improvingHowever current confidence is limited particularly for behavioural therapies not classified as braingut behavioural therapies Ford saidThis includes therapies such as contingency management using rewards to reinforce desired actions or stressreduction techniques said the researchersThe global study also including researchers from Canada and the US builds on a previous 2020 metaanalysis and includes a total of 67 randomised controlled trials RCTs and 7441 participantsThe review compared the effectiveness of behavioural therapies against various controls such as receiving education dietary advice or routine care as well as against each otherCBT and gutdirected hypnotherapy delivered either inperson or via an app or the internet were found to be more effective than standard treatments based on the participants comparing their symptoms before and afterThe researchers called for larger more rigorous RCTs to be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of different behavioural therapies and to identify which patients are most likely to benefit IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/behavioural-therapies-may-be-effective-at-treating-irritable-bowel-syndrome-642281.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/world-mental-health-day-jp-nadda-calls-for-prioritising-emotional-and-mental-well-being-642297.html New Delhi Oct 10 Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday urged the need to prioritise our emotional and mental wellbeing and to open conversation about mental health World Mental Health Day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues and to mobilise efforts in support of mental healthToday we observe World Mental Health Day which reminds us to prioritise our emotional and mental wellbeing This day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health Nadda said in a post shared on the social media platform XBased on this years theme the Health Minister urged boosting mental health in times of humanitarian emergencies He also called for increasing timely access to mental health services for all peopleThis years theme Access to Services Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies highlights the need to ensure support systems are available during emergencies Let us work together to build a society that promotes care understanding and timely access to mental health services for all Nadda saidThe Ministry of Ayush called for prioritising mental wellbeing today and every day with accessible integrative ayush careThe Ministry promoted holistic wellness through Ayurvedic practices including yoga meditation and balanced nutritionEmbrace mindful living and disciplined routines for a healthier mind and a healthier life it added on XAccording to the latest data by the World Health Organization WHO more than 1 crore people globally live with a mental health disorder and women account for over 53 per centIt showed that anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common types of mental health disorders among both men and women However women are disproportionately impacted overall Overall more females 5815 million than males 5139 million live with a mental disorderRajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty stressed that wellbeing is imperative and not a luxury She also urged women to take courage and ask for helpOn WorldMentalHealthDay I am sending a message of hope and strength to all women It is essential to recognise that on the path to emotional wellbeing you do not have to walk alone and that recovery is always possible Murty said on XOur wellbeing is not a luxury it is the cornerstone of a happy home There is immense courage in asking for support Let today be the day we embrace our strength and take that brave first step towards healing she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/world-mental-health-day-jp-nadda-calls-for-prioritising-emotional-and-mental-well-being-642297.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/celltrion-wins-us-fda-approval-for-eye-treatment-biosimilar-642302.html Seoul Oct 10 South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion on Friday said its biosimilar for eye diseases has received approval for sale in the US The US Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved Eydenzelt Celltrions biosimilar referencing Eylea for the treatment of wet agerelated macular degeneration and other ophthalmic conditions the company said in a statement Yonhap news agency reportedBoth the Eydenzelt injection and Eydenzelt prefilled syringe PFS formulations have been approved it addedThe global market for Eylea developed in the United States was valued at 1333 trillion won US952 billion last year with the US sales alone reaching 836 trillion won according to the companyTimely access to effective therapies is essential for individuals affected by retinal diseases We are proud to have Eydenzelt approved by the FDA and we look forward to expanding the availability and access of biological treatments across the US said Dr Juby JacobNara Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Celltrion USWith Eydenzelt demonstrating biosimilarity to its reference product we believe this approval will mark a significant milestone in the treatment landscape of retinal diseases helping physicians broaden their options and improving patient outcomes JacobNara addedEydenzelt afliberceptboav is a vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF inhibitor referencing Eylea aflibercept Eydenzelt is approved based on a comprehensive data confirming the therapeutic equivalence of EyleaIn the US Eydenzelt is indicated for the treatment of patients with neovascular wet agerelated macular degeneration AMD macular edema following retinal vein occlusion RVO diabetic macular edema DME and diabetic retinopathy DRWhile Eydenzelt is Celltrions first FDAapproved biologic product in ophthalmology the drug maker has already obtained marketing authorisation for Eydenzelt from the European Commission EC and Australia the report saidWith the latest FDA approval the company has expanded its global biosimilar portfolio bringing the total number of approved products to 11Celltrion said it aims to commercialise 22 biosimilars by 2030 when the global biosimilar market is projected to reach 261 trillion won up from 138 trillion won this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/celltrion-wins-us-fda-approval-for-eye-treatment-biosimilar-642302.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-flat-with-positive-bias-amid-global-optimism-642092.html Mumbai Oct 9 Indian stock markets opened flat but with a slight positive tone on Thursday taking cues from upbeat global trends At the opening bell the Sensex was up 17 points or 002 per cent at 81791 while the Nifty gained 17 points or 007 per cent to trade at 25063From a technical standpoint for Nifty a sustained move above 25150 could open the door for an upside toward 2520025250 analysts saidOn the downside immediate support is placed around 2495024900 which may serve as potential accumulation zones for long positions they addedOverall the index is expected to remain rangebound between 24900 and 25200 in the near term experts mentionedBroader markets also saw some strength with the Nifty MidCap index rising 03 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index advancing 021 per centOn the institutional front Foreign Institutional Investors FIIs extended their buying streak for the second consecutive session on October 8 purchasing equities worth Rs 81 crore while Domestic Institutional Investors DIIs bought equities worth Rs 329 crore on the same dayAsian markets traded higher after the SampP 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit record closing highs overnight on Wall StreetInvestor sentiment also improved after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a USbrokered peace plan to pause fighting in Gaza and allow the release of hostages and prisonersAccording to experts traders remained cautiously optimistic tracking global cues and geopolitical developmentsThe results season starting today will be keenly watched by the market IT stocks have witnessed some recovery from the bottom but the headwinds for the segment continue to be strong market experts saidBanking stocks have largely remained range bound on muted earnings expectations The NIM pressure and rising delinquencies in the unsecured loan segments will weigh on banking results generally So watch out for the outperformers in the segment they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/sensex-nifty-open-flat-with-positive-bias-amid-global-optimism-642092.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/british-investors-most-active-traders-of-s-korean-stocks-data-642094.html Seoul Oct 9 British investors were the most active traders of South Korean stocks this year data showed on Thursday According to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service foreigners traded 12477 trillion won 88901 billion worth of South Korean stocks between January and August reports Yonhap news agencyBy nationality trading volume was the heaviest among investors from Britain at 5574 trillion won accounting for 447 per cent of the totalInvestors from the Cayman Islands a wellknown tax haven and Singapore followed with their trading volume accounting for 141 per cent and 121 per cent of the total respectively during the cited periodTraders from these three countries accounted for 70 per cent of all foreign stock transactions during the cited period the data showedInvestors from Asian countries on the other hand showed little to no activity in the local stock marketTrade volume from Chinese investors accounted for 05 per cent while that from Hong Kong and Japan accounted for 05 per cent and 04 per cent respectivelyInvestors from the United States held the largest amount of local stocks among all foreignersThe combined value of Korean stocks owned by American investors stood at 3674 trillion won as of endAugust accounting for 406 percent of all Korean equities owned by offshore investors according to the dataMeanwhile earlier this month South Korean stocks climbed past the 3500 mark for the first time as investors welcomed news of business partnerships between OpenAI and top chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynixThe local currency also strengthened against the US dollar in the starting of the monthThe benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index KOSPI added 9338 points or 27 percent to close at 354921 on October 2 surpassing the previous record high of 348619 set on Sept 23 reports Yonhap news agencyTrade volume was heavy at 39492 million shares worth 1857 trillion won US1325 billion with winners outnumbering losers 589 to 291 IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/british-investors-most-active-traders-of-s-korean-stocks-data-642094.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/science/scientists-find-new-type-of-diabetes-in-babies-under-6-months-642101.html New Delhi Oct 9 An international team of scientists has discovered a new type of diabetes in babies under six months of age Some babies develop diabetes before the age of six months In over 85 per cent of cases this is due to a genetic mutation in their DNAUsing advanced DNA sequencing technologies and a new model of stem cell research the team from the University of Exeter in the UK and Université Libre de Bruxelles ULB identified mutations in the TMEM167A gene responsible for a rare form of neonatal diabetesThey found that in six children with additional neurological disorders such as epilepsy and microcephaly there was alterations in the TMEM167A geneFinding the DNA changes that cause diabetes in babies gives us a unique way to find the genes that play key roles in making and secreting insulin In this collaborative study the finding of specific DNA changes causing this rare type of diabetes in six children led us to clarifying the function of a littleknown gene TMEM167A showing how it plays a key role in insulin secretion said Dr Elisa de Franco at the University of ExeterTo understand its role the team used stem cells differentiated into pancreatic beta cells and geneediting techniques CRISPR They found that when the TMEM167A gene is altered insulinproducing cells can no longer fulfill their role They then activate stress mechanisms that lead to their deathThe ability to generate insulinproducing cells from stem cells has enabled us to study what is dysfunctional in the beta cells of patients with rare forms as well as other types of diabetes This is an extraordinary model for studying disease mechanisms and testing treatments said Professor Miriam Cnop researcher at ULBThe discovery published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that the TMEM167A gene is essential for the proper functioning of insulinproducing beta cells but also for neurons whereas it seems dispensable for other cell types These results contribute to a better understanding of the crucial steps involved in insulin production and could shed light on research into other forms of diabetes a disease which today affects almost 589 million people worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/science/scientists-find-new-type-of-diabetes-in-babies-under-6-months-642101.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:15:00 +0530