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Centre Approves ₹10,000 Crore ATF Stabilisation Package to Cushion Airlines Amid West Asia Crisis

/ Governance Community

The Union Government has approved a one-time budgetary support package of ₹10,000 crore to help stabilise Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices and protect the aviation sector from the impact of sharp global fuel price fluctuations triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Speaking at an Inter-Ministerial briefing in New Delhi on recent developments in West Asia, Rohit Raj, Director in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, said the measure has been introduced in the larger public interest to safeguard air connectivity, maintain stability in aviation services, and prevent a significant increase in airfares for passengers. He clarified that the initiative is not a subsidy but a temporary stabilisation mechanism designed to absorb the impact of exceptional fuel price volatility. The arrangement includes provisions for accountability, monitoring, and recovery of funds. According to Raj, reducing airlines’ exposure to sudden spikes in fuel costs will help limit the transfer of additional expenses to travellers while ensuring uninterrupted air services across the country. He emphasized that reliable air connectivity plays a crucial role in supporting regional development, tourism, trade, healthcare, education, and investment, adding that the government remains committed to affordable and dependable air travel while promoting the growth of India’s civil aviation sector. Providing an update on the country’s energy situation, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said India has sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel, LPG, and natural gas. She noted that no LPG distributorships have reported shortages and highlighted improvements in service delivery, with online LPG bookings reaching 99% and OTP-based deliveries exceeding 96%. Sharma said authorities continue to monitor the market closely and take enforcement action against black marketing and hoarding of petroleum products. Since March, more than eight lakh PNG connections have been activated, while infrastructure for nearly 2.98 lakh additional connections has been established. She also revealed that approximately 1.43 crore domestic LPG cylinders were delivered across the country over the past three days. During the same period, around 19,000 tonnes of commercial LPG were sold, along with more than 1.57 lakh five-kilogram Free Trade LPG cylinders. Meanwhile, Asim R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the government is closely monitoring developments across the Gulf and West Asia. He advised Indian citizens to avoid travel to Iran and stated that Indian embassies and consulates in the region continue to operate 24/7 helplines and provide assistance to citizens. Mahajan added that flight operations between the region and India are gradually improving, with additional services being introduced. He also noted that the government is regularly issuing travel advisories and updates related to local regulations and flight operations to keep citizens informed. Source: News on AIR

Centre Approves ₹10,000 Crore ATF Stabilisation Package to Cushion Airlines Amid West Asia Crisis Read More »

90–120 Minutes of Weekly Strength Training Linked to Lower Risk of Death, 30-Year Study Finds

/ Health & Wellness Community

A long-term study spanning three decades has found that engaging in 90 to 120 minutes of strength training each week may significantly lower the risk of premature death. Researchers reported that this level of resistance training was associated with a 13% reduction in the risk of death from any cause. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study also revealed that individuals who performed 90–120 minutes of weekly strength training experienced a 19% lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and a 27% lower risk of death from neurological conditions. However, researchers observed that benefits did not increase further beyond 120 minutes of strength training per week. The research team, which included scientists from Harvard University, examined data from three large participant groups, including the Health Professionals Follow-up Study conducted between 1992 and 2022. Among the 147,374 participants monitored over the study period, 35,798 deaths were recorded. Researchers noted that while the positive impact of aerobic exercise on longevity is well established, the long-term effects of muscle-strengthening activities have remained less certain. Their findings suggest that moderate resistance training over an extended period contributes to lower mortality rates, with benefits reaching a plateau at around two hours per week. The study also found that approximately 75% of participants exceeded the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly. Aerobic exercise alone was linked to a 26–43% reduction in overall mortality risk. The greatest health benefits were seen among individuals who combined strength training with high levels of aerobic activity. Participants performing 30–44 MET hours of aerobic exercise weekly along with 60–119 minutes of strength training had a 45% lower risk of death. Those exceeding 45 MET hours of aerobic activity each week showed an even greater reduction in mortality risk, ranging from 53% to 58%, regardless of their strength-training levels. The findings highlight the importance of combining resistance exercises with regular aerobic activity to maximize long-term health and longevity. Source: PTI

90–120 Minutes of Weekly Strength Training Linked to Lower Risk of Death, 30-Year Study Finds Read More »

CIBC Chooses Hyderabad for New GCC, Eyes Creation of 2,000 Jobs

/ Human Resource Community

Canadian banking giant CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) has announced plans to establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, strengthening the city’s position as a key hub for banking and financial services operations. The new facility is expected to begin operations in July and will support the bank’s global technology, digital, and financial services functions. According to officials, the GCC is projected to generate over 2,000 employment opportunities in areas such as banking technology, data analytics, and related domains over the next few years. With this move, CIBC joins a growing list of global banking and financial institutions that have set up operations in Hyderabad, including HSBC, Barclays, JPMorgan Chase, American Express, UBS, and Wells Fargo. In a separate development, food and beverage major Nestlé has also selected Hyderabad as the location for its upcoming GCC. The facility, expected to become operational in the coming months, is anticipated to boost innovation, strengthen supply chain capabilities, and create new employment opportunities in the FMCG sector. Source: Economic Times

CIBC Chooses Hyderabad for New GCC, Eyes Creation of 2,000 Jobs Read More »

CBSE Receives Nearly 44,000 Rechecking Requests Amid Ongoing Portal Issues

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recorded 43,980 applications for verification and re-evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets as of 12 noon on June 3, reflecting a surge in demand for post-result services. The total includes 4,924 requests for verification and 39,056 applications for re-evaluation. Despite the high number of successful submissions, students and parents continue to raise concerns over technical difficulties on the portal. Several complaints shared on social media platform X alleged delays in receiving scanned copies of evaluated answer books, a prerequisite for applying for verification and re-evaluation. Others reported missing options for certain subjects and questions, along with confusion surrounding compartment examination-related applications. In response, CBSE stated that its technical teams are actively monitoring the portal to ensure a secure, reliable, and student-friendly experience. The board also announced the integration of multiple payment gateways, including those of SBI, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Indian Bank. Students can make payments through UPI, net banking, debit cards, or credit cards without requiring accounts in these banks. According to CBSE, nearly 40,000 students had successfully completed their applications by 9:30 am on June 3. The latest figures mark a substantial increase from the previous evening, when the board reported over 28,000 successful submissions and nearly 14,000 concurrent users on the platform. To address user feedback, CBSE has introduced several enhancements, including extending session time limits to reduce automatic logouts during the application process. The verification and re-evaluation window remains open from June 2 to June 6 for Class 12 students who have obtained scanned copies of their answer books. Under the revised post-result framework, students can apply for verification at a fee of ₹100 per answer book and request re-evaluation at ₹25 per question. The board had postponed the portal launch to June 1 to facilitate a smoother and more transparent process. Since its launch, the system has faced heavy traffic and cyberattack attempts, prompting CBSE to strengthen technical safeguards while keeping services operational. Source: Indian Express

CBSE Receives Nearly 44,000 Rechecking Requests Amid Ongoing Portal Issues Read More »

CBSE Re-Evaluation Portal Faces Massive Cyberattack, Handles 1.5 Million Malicious Hits in Minutes

/ Education Community

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) revealed that its Class 12 re-evaluation portal was targeted by multiple cyberattack attempts shortly after it was opened for students on Tuesday. Despite the attacks and intermittent technical issues reported by users, the board said the platform remained operational and continued processing applications. According to CBSE, the portal has been active since 4 a.m. and is currently accommodating over 8,000 users simultaneously. By 3 p.m., more than 16,000 students had successfully submitted requests for verification of marks and answer-sheet re-evaluation. The board disclosed that cybercriminals launched several disruptive attempts, including a denial-of-service (DoS) attack that generated nearly 1.5 million hits within just two minutes. In addition, over one lakh unauthorized file-access attempts were detected during the same period. CBSE stated that its technical teams effectively countered the attacks, ensuring that students could continue using the portal with minimal disruption. The board also introduced improvements based on student feedback, including extending session time limits to make the application process smoother and more user-friendly. Officials confirmed that monitoring efforts have been intensified, with cybersecurity teams remaining vigilant to protect the system and ensure uninterrupted access to post-result services. The re-evaluation portal enables Class 12 students to apply for mark verification and answer-sheet re-evaluation after obtaining copies of their evaluated scripts. The process has drawn significant attention this year amid increased scrutiny of the board’s assessment and post-result procedures. Source: Indian Express

CBSE Re-Evaluation Portal Faces Massive Cyberattack, Handles 1.5 Million Malicious Hits in Minutes Read More »

IMD Issues Orange Alert for Thundersquall Across Multiple States, Heavy Rainfall Likely in South India

/ Governance Community

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for thundersquall activity in several states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Coastal Andhra Pradesh, warning residents to remain cautious amid potentially severe weather conditions. According to the latest forecast, heavy rainfall is expected over Interior Karnataka, Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal through tomorrow. The weather agency has also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong gusty winds across Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Konkan and Goa, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Rayalaseema, Saurashtra and Kutch, Telangana, and West Uttar Pradesh over the next two to three days. Similar weather conditions are likely to affect Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Coastal Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and South Interior Karnataka tomorrow. In addition, the IMD has warned of hot and humid weather conditions in parts of Northeast India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also expected to experience uncomfortable hot and humid conditions during the day. Source: News on AIR

IMD Issues Orange Alert for Thundersquall Across Multiple States, Heavy Rainfall Likely in South India Read More »

TV Broadcasters Likely to Challenge Delhi HC’s Ad Cap Verdict in Supreme Court

/ Media Entertainment & Art Community

Television broadcasters are preparing to approach the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court upheld the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) power to enforce a limit of 12 minutes of advertisements per clock hour on television channels. The May 29 ruling dismissed petitions filed by broadcasters in 2013 that questioned TRAI’s authority to regulate advertising duration. Industry stakeholders believe the decision could have a significant impact on broadcaster revenues while also widening the scope of the regulator’s influence over television networks. According to sources familiar with the discussions, broadcasters across genres are evaluating legal options and are expected to challenge the verdict before the apex court. Industry representatives argue that strict implementation of the advertising cap comes at a difficult time for the television sector, which is already facing declining pay-TV subscriptions and slower advertising growth. Advertising continues to be a critical revenue source for television broadcasters in India. A Ficci-EY report estimates that the linear television industry generated nearly ₹62,000 crore in 2025, with advertising contributing around ₹26,300 crore and subscription revenues accounting for approximately ₹35,400 crore. Industry estimates indicate that advertising contributes between 50% and 70% of revenue for pay-TV broadcasters, depending on the channel category, while free-to-air channels depend entirely on advertising earnings. As per TRAI data, India had 335 pay channels and 576 free-to-air channels as of December. The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) and the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) were among the key parties involved in the case before the Delhi High Court. Source: Economic Times

TV Broadcasters Likely to Challenge Delhi HC’s Ad Cap Verdict in Supreme Court Read More »

Bangladesh Measles Death Toll Climbs to 585 as Outbreak Continues to Spread

/ Health & Wellness Community

Bangladesh’s measles outbreak has claimed two more lives, pushing the total death toll to 585 since March 15, according to health authorities. The latest fatalities, both involving children, were reported within a 24-hour period ending Sunday morning and have been classified as suspected measles deaths by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). With these additions, the number of suspected measles-related deaths has risen to 495, while 90 deaths have been officially confirmed. The outbreak continues to place significant pressure on the country’s healthcare system, with 1,324 new suspected cases reported over the past day. This has increased the cumulative number of suspected infections to 70,936. Meanwhile, 53 new confirmed cases were recorded, taking the total confirmed infections to 9,049. Since mid-March, 56,886 people with suspected measles symptoms have been hospitalised across Bangladesh. Of these, 52,841 patients have recovered, according to DGHS data. The crisis has also sparked concerns over vaccine availability. Last week, UNICEF revealed that it had repeatedly warned Bangladesh’s previous interim administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, about vaccine shortages that could lead to a widespread outbreak. Speaking at a media briefing in Dhaka, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Rana Flowers said the organisation had sent multiple letters and raised the issue during at least 10 meetings with health officials between 2024 and 2026. According to Flowers, UNICEF consistently cautioned authorities that delays in vaccine procurement could trigger a major public health emergency. She further noted that UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban had also highlighted the issue during discussions with Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry during his visit to the country last year. UNICEF has pledged to support the ongoing investigation launched by the current BNP-led government and provide relevant evidence regarding the vaccine shortage and the subsequent outbreak. Source: IANS

Bangladesh Measles Death Toll Climbs to 585 as Outbreak Continues to Spread Read More »

Anthropic Reaches $965 Billion Valuation Following $65 Billion Funding Round

/ Human Resource Community

Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has announced the completion of a $65 billion Series H funding round, pushing its post-money valuation to $965 billion. The company said the fresh capital will be used to expand computing infrastructure, meet rising demand for its AI assistant Claude, and accelerate product development. With the latest valuation, Anthropic has surpassed rival OpenAI, which was valued at $852 billion following its funding round in March. The company highlighted strong business momentum, noting that enterprise adoption of its AI solutions has continued to increase globally. Anthropic also revealed that its annualized revenue run rate exceeded $47 billion earlier this month, reflecting growing demand for its services. This marks a significant jump from February, when Anthropic secured $30 billion in funding and was valued at $380 billion. The latest investment round was led by Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, Greenoaks, and Sequoia Capital. The funding package includes $15 billion in previously committed investments from major cloud providers, including a $5 billion contribution from Amazon. Amazon has been one of Anthropic’s biggest backers. In April, the tech giant announced plans to invest up to $25 billion in the AI company. As part of the partnership, Anthropic has committed to spending more than $100 billion over the next decade on Amazon’s cloud infrastructure. The new commitment comes on top of the $8 billion Amazon had already invested in the startup. The funding underscores the intense competition among leading AI firms as they race to develop advanced artificial intelligence models and secure the computing resources needed to support rapid growth. Source: Reuters

Anthropic Reaches $965 Billion Valuation Following $65 Billion Funding Round Read More »

Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Action Over CBSE Evaluation Discrepancies, Takes Responsibility for OSM Issues

/ Education Community

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has acknowledged concerns surrounding discrepancies in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 evaluation process and assured students that all grievances will be addressed. Taking responsibility for issues linked to the newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, he said strict action would be taken against anyone found deliberately responsible for irregularities affecting students. The OSM system, implemented for the first time this year, involves scanning physical answer sheets and uploading them to a secure digital platform for evaluation by examiners. However, several students have reported inconsistencies in marks and claimed that scanned answer sheets available on the CBSE portal did not match their handwriting, raising concerns about possible errors in the digital evaluation process. Addressing the issue, Pradhan noted the massive scale of the exercise, highlighting that nearly 17 lakh students appeared for the examinations, generating around 98 lakh answer sheets comprising approximately 40 crore scanned pages. He stated that the Board is actively working to resolve all concerns related to evaluation, verification, and re-evaluation. To review the situation, the Education Minister chaired a high-level meeting at CBSE headquarters, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Education, CBSE leadership, experts from IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur, representatives of public sector banks, and officials from the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. Discussions focused on evaluation procedures, portal performance, and student support mechanisms. The review also examined complaints regarding login difficulties, heavy server traffic, and payment-related challenges on the post-examination services portal. An expert technical team comprising IIT professors and digital systems specialists has been tasked with assessing portal stability, server capacity, user access management, and payment gateway integration to ensure smoother services for students. In a move aimed at improving the re-evaluation process, CBSE has integrated payment gateways from four public sector banks — State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank — to facilitate seamless transactions for students accessing post-result services. Meanwhile, Pradhan criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging large-scale irregularities in the CBSE examination system and demanding a judicial probe. The Minister defended the Board’s procurement and evaluation processes, stating that all procedures were conducted in accordance with government norms. He reiterated that any genuine irregularities identified during investigations would be dealt with firmly. Emphasising the need to keep students’ interests at the forefront, Pradhan urged political parties not to politicise the issue and stressed that reducing examination-related stress for students should remain the primary objective. Source: The Hindu  

Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Action Over CBSE Evaluation Discrepancies, Takes Responsibility for OSM Issues Read More »