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Indian Airforce’s Su-30 MKI Crashes in Nashik

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Dhruv
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A Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed in a field near Shirasgaon village in Maharashtra’s Nashik today. Fortunately, the pilot and co-pilot ejected safely, although they sustained minor injuries.

The aircraft, a twin-engine, twin-seater fourth-generation fighter jet, took off from Ozar in Nashik for a test flight after being overhauled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). A technical snag was reported by the pilots before the crash. The Su-30MKI is currently not part of the Indian Air Force’s inventory, sources informed NDTV.

Visuals from the crash site showed thick smoke rising from the burning aircraft as a crowd gathered. Police and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, and the pilots received medical treatment.

The Su-30MKI features the Russian-built zero-zero NPP Zvezda K-36DM ejection seat, designed to help pilots safely escape from low-altitude or low-speed flight mishaps. This ejection system, part of the ‘Egress’ system, includes explosives under the seat, the canopy, and parachutes. The ejection angle is perpendicular to the aircraft’s forward movement to propel the pilot away safely.

During ejection, pilots experience high g-forces up to 20 times the normal force of gravity, which can cause severe injuries. The exact extent of the injuries suffered by the pilots in today’s crash is still unclear.

The Su-30MKI is a crucial part of the Indian Air Force, with over 200 aircraft serving in various squadrons across the country.

Economic Reforms May Slow Down As BJP Fails to Get Majority

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Dhruv
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Nirmala
Nirmala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not achieve a simple majority in the 543-seat Lok Sabha on Tuesday. However, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) it leads is still in a strong position to form the next central government, according to experts.

Despite these surprising election results, which significantly weakened the ruling coalition and strengthened the opposition led by the Congress, the ambitious reform agenda of the new government might face delays. Nonetheless, experts believe that, based on the NDA’s track record over the past decade, next-generation structural reforms are expected to proceed, alongside a continued focus on welfare economics.

The new government is anticipated to undertake major policy initiatives, such as implementing the next generation of structural reforms, boosting capital expenditure for infrastructure, and increasing farmers’ income through measures like overhauling the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Additionally, new welfare initiatives and demand-side measures are likely to be introduced to sustain economic growth.

A former government official, speaking anonymously, suggested that the previous government’s talk of next-generation reforms might not be abandoned if the same coalition returns to power, even with a reduced mandate. The new government would inherit a relatively strong economy, allowing room for further reforms while pursuing welfare economics.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 353 seats, with the BJP securing 303 and the Congress 52. In the latest 2024 elections, the BJP won or led in 240 seats, while the Congress was at 100 as of the latest count on Tuesday.

Recent GDP data supports the economy’s health, with India’s real GDP growing by 7.8% in January-March and achieving an 8.2% growth rate for the 2023-24 fiscal year, marking the third consecutive year of over 7% growth. Government finances are also robust.

However, experts suggest that due to the fractured mandate, the new government will likely focus more on issues like unemployment and rural distress. Abheek Barua, chief economist and executive vice-president at HDFC Bank, anticipates that public spending, especially in infrastructure, will continue, alongside efforts for fiscal consolidation with the RBI dividend. With the election over, addressing unemployment and rural distress will become a higher priority.

Outgoing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman indicated that if the Modi government is re-elected, it plans to introduce next-generation structural reforms across land, labor, capital, and digital public infrastructure to promote inclusive growth. This would be the focus in the initial months of the new term.

Unfinished measures from previous terms are likely to include legislation advancing land reforms, simplifying industrial land acquisition, and ensuring fair compensation for landowners. In labor, the implementation of new labor codes will allow workforce mobility and create more employment opportunities. Capital reforms will continue towards full convertibility of the rupee, and further digital public infrastructure projects will facilitate easier regulatory implementation.

The new government’s policy should consider India’s medium to long-term growth objectives in the context of global developments. Ensuring medium-term growth of 7% plus in both urban and rural areas will require maintaining the savings ratio at 31-32% of GDP. The recent drop in household sector financial savings to 5.1% of GDP in FY23 needs addressing. Combined with net capital inflow of 1.5-2% of GDP, this would support an investment ratio of 35-37% in real terms, benefiting from a lower capital goods price deflator that provides a margin of 2-3 percentage points when converting nominal to real investment ratios, according to DK Srivastava, chief policy advisor at EY India.

Kylian Mbappe All Set to Join Real Madrid on Free Transfer

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Dhruv
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The long wait is finally over, as Real Madrid have announced that France World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe has officially joined Los Blancos.

“Real Madrid C.F. and Kylian Mbappé have reached an agreement under which he will become a Real Madrid player for the next five seasons,” read an official statement from Real Madrid.

This news comes just days after Real Madrid clinched their historic 15th Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

The Los Blancos are bidding farewell to several club legends, including Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Nacho Fernandez.

However, the much-anticipated signing of the superstar striker has now become a reality.

Kylian Mbappe’s departure from Paris Saint Germain took a contentious turn as president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reportedly refused to pay the young French forward the remainder of his salary.

Due to his dissatisfaction with Mbappe’s exit, Khelaifi withheld a total of 80 million euros in salary and bonuses. PSG also did not pay Mbappe’s salary in April, and it is reported that lawyers are now involved.

“We want him to stay, but he can’t leave for free. It was our oral agreement and he had expressed it publicly in an interview. So it’s not debatable. I was really shocked to learn that he intended to leave for free,” stated Al-Khelaifi.

“It’s very disappointing because Kylian is a fantastic boy, a real gentleman, and leaving for free, weakening the biggest French club, it’s not him. When I received this information, I was shocked and disappointed,” Al-Khelaifi told Le Parisien earlier.

Regardless, Mbappe leaves the French side as the club’s all-time top scorer, with 325 goals in 305 appearances.

The World Cup winner has also secured 12 major trophies with the Parisians, including 6 Ligue 1 titles.

Gigi and Bella Hadid Donate $1 Million to Support Palestine

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Dhruv
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Bella and Gigi Hadid, U.S.-based supermodels, have pledged to donate $1 million to Palestinian relief efforts. According to a BBC report, the donation will be evenly distributed among organizations providing humanitarian aid to those affected in Gaza. Since October 2023, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of over 36,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

The sisters, along with their Palestinian-origin father Mohamed Anwar Hadid, have been outspoken supporters of the Palestinian cause. They frequently share images of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and emphasize that they hold no ill will toward the Jewish people.

“My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict—too many of which are children. I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation; it’s a responsibility I hold daily. While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person,” Gigi Hadid wrote in an Instagram post expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Following U.S. President Joe Biden’s proposal of a three-stage truce plan for Gaza, uncertainty persists on the Israeli side despite Hamas showing interest in the strategy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces significant pressure from far-right ministers in his Cabinet, who threaten to resign if the government adopts Biden’s plan.

“We demand the continuation of the war until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages return,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted on X. He opposed the return of displaced Gazans to the territory’s north and the “wholesale release of terrorists.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, known for his candid opinions, declared that his party would “dissolve the government” if the deal proceeded, condemning the proposal as “a victory for terrorism and a security risk to the State of Israel.”

On Friday, Joe Biden unveiled a three-step Gaza truce plan: initiating a six-week truce involving hostage and prisoner exchanges alongside increased aid efforts, followed by establishing a lasting ceasefire and withdrawing Israeli troops from Gaza, and finally focusing on comprehensive reconstruction efforts.

Ex-Brahmos Engineer Gets Life Imprisonment For Spying Activities

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Dhruv
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On Monday, a court in Nagpur sentenced former BrahMos engineer Nishant Agarwal to life imprisonment for espionage on behalf of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI. He was found guilty under sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and fined ₹3,000. Nishant Agarwal, a senior system engineer with BrahMos Aerospace, was arrested in 2018 for leaking sensitive information to Pakistan.

“The court sentenced Agarwal to life imprisonment and rigorous imprisonment for 14 years under the Official Secrets Act and fined him ₹3,000,” stated Special Public Prosecutor Jyoti Vajani.

The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Court judge MV Deshpande, who stated that Agarwal was convicted under section 235 of the Criminal Procedure Code for an offense punishable under section 66 (f) of the IT Act and various sections of the Official Secrets Act.

BrahMos Aerospace, a significant player in India’s defense sector in collaboration with a Russian company, is crucial in developing India’s supersonic cruise missile capable of launching from land, air, and sea.

Agarwal shared sensitive information about the supersonic missile technology with Pakistan-based ISI handlers via Facebook. The communication was conducted through accounts named Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan, according to investigative agencies.

The agencies reported that Agarwal became an easy target online due to his casual and reckless approach. He was influenced by Pakistan-based handlers to share sensitive information about the BrahMos missile.

Agarwal’s actions were particularly shocking to his colleagues, who considered him a hard-working and talented employee with a promising future. He had been recognized with the Young Scientist Award by India’s premier defense research agency, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, for his significant contributions to various technologies.

There has been an increase in cases where Pakistan’s intelligence agency targets Indian officials and security personnel on social media to extract sensitive information about India’s defense programs.

North Korea Promises To Stop Sending Trash Balloons to South Korea

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Dhruv
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North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un greets participants of the first workshop of the commanders and political officers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang, North Korea in this image supplied by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 30, 2021. KCNA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA. - RC2OUO9PLAWI

North Korea announced it would cease sending trash-filled balloons into South Korea, claiming that its campaign had provided the South Koreans with “sufficient experience of how unpleasant they feel.”

The announcement followed South Korea’s declaration that it would impose “unbearable” retaliatory measures against North Korea in response to the balloon activities and other provocations.

Observers suggest that South Korea may resume front-line loudspeaker broadcasts into North Korea, which typically include criticism of North Korea’s human rights record, global news, and K-pop songs. North Korea is particularly sensitive to these broadcasts because most of its 26 million citizens do not have official access to foreign media.

It remains unclear whether South Korea will proceed with its punitive measures following North Korea’s suspension of the balloon launches.

On Sunday night, Kim Kang Il, a North Korean vice defense minister, stated that North Korea would temporarily halt its balloon activities, which he described as a countermeasure against previous South Korean leaflet campaigns.

“We made the Republic of Korea (ROK) clans experience how unpleasant they feel and how much effort is required to clean up the scattered wastepaper,” Kim said in a statement carried by state media.

He warned that if South Korean activists resumed sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets via balloons, North Korea would respond by sending a significantly larger quantity of rubbish-filled balloons.

Earlier that day, South Korea’s military reported finding more than 700 balloons from North Korea in various parts of the country, in addition to approximately 260 balloons discovered a few days prior. The balloons carried manure, cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, waste paper, and vinyl, but no hazardous materials, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Kim stated that North Korea had launched 3,500 balloons carrying 15 tons of wastepaper.

South Korea’s national security director, Chang Ho-jin, announced earlier on Sunday that the government had decided to take “unbearable” measures against North Korea in response to its balloon launches, alleged GPS signal jamming, and recent nuclear strike simulations against the South.

Chang described the North’s balloon campaign and alleged GPS jamming as “absurd, irrational provocations that a normal country can’t imagine,” accusing North Korea of trying to incite “public anxiety and chaos” in South Korea.

North Korea often reacts angrily to South Korean civilian leafleting because the propaganda messages criticize the North’s authoritarian regime and provide external news. In 2020, North Korea demolished an empty South Korean-built liaison office in response to such balloon activities.

Experts believe that North Korea’s balloon campaign, reportedly the first in seven years, aims to create internal discord in South Korea over its conservative government’s hardline stance on the North. They also suggest that North Korea may further escalate tensions ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.

Since 2022, North Korea has significantly increased its weapons tests to expand its nuclear arsenal. Last week, it conducted a series of drills simulating a preemptive nuclear attack on South Korea.

Court Extends BRS Leader K Kavitha’s Judicial Custody Till July 3

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Dhruv
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The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of BRS leader K Kavitha until July 3, as reported by PTI on June 3.

Kavitha was presented before the court at the end of her judicial custody in connection with an Enforcement Directorate case related to the Delhi Liquor Excise Case. She was arrested on March 15 for her alleged involvement in a money laundering case linked to the excise scam.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended her judicial custody after she was brought to court following a production warrant issued earlier, according to PTI. This warrant was issued after the court took cognizance of a charge sheet against her on May 29.

Meanwhile, the court granted bail to three co-accused — Prince, Damodar, and Arvind Singh — who had been charge-sheeted without arrest during the ED’s investigation.

The 224-page chargesheet is the sixth supplementary prosecution complaint in the now-repealed Delhi excise policy case being investigated by the ED. It names Chanpreet Singh, Damodar Sharma, Prince Kumar, and Arvind Singh.

Kavitha remains in judicial custody in two cases filed by the ED and CBI related to the alleged scam. The case involves purported corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was subsequently scrapped.

The ED arrested Kavitha, 46, from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15, while the CBI later arrested her from Tihar Jail.

Israel Embassy Now Encouraging Indian Beaches After Maldives Ban

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Dhruv
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India finds itself amid a geopolitical tussle as the Israeli Embassy encouraged its citizens on Monday to consider India as a tourist destination. This development followed the Maldivian government’s announcement prohibiting Israeli tourists from entering the island nation. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu made this decision in solidarity with Gaza, which has been under airstrikes by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for nearly eight months.

In a post on X, the Israeli Embassy in India stated, “Since the Maldives is no longer welcoming Israelis, here are some beautiful and amazing Indian beaches where Israeli tourists are warmly welcomed and treated with utmost hospitality,” and shared a list of recommendations.

The post highlighted the beautiful beaches of Goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as alternative destinations to the Maldives, known for its serene beaches.

This promotion by the Israeli Embassy coincides with strained India-Maldives relations following President Mohamed Muizzu’s election. Muizzu, who came to power with the ‘India OUT’ campaign, has shown close ties with China and forced India to withdraw its troops from the Maldives.

Interestingly, Israel is mirroring India’s approach to dealing with the Maldives. Earlier this year, a boycott of the Maldives trended in India after Maldivian ministers used abusive language toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Many Indian tourists canceled their holiday plans, and several tourism companies suspended services to the Maldives.

During that period, India’s beach destinations like Lakshadweep saw a significant increase in visitors as Indians opted for domestic vacations.

The impact of India’s boycott was soon apparent. Last month, a Maldivian minister appealed to Indians to support Maldivian tourism, emphasizing the country’s economic dependence on it. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal said, “We have a history. Our newly elected government also wants to work together with India. We always promote peace and a friendly environment. Our people and the government will give a warm welcome to Indian arrivals. As the Tourism Minister, I want to tell Indians to please be a part of Maldives’ tourism. Our economy depends on tourism.”

Centre All Set to Fun More than 100 Startups With Up to 50 lakh each

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Dhruv
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Modi
Modi

New Delhi: The Union textiles ministry plans to grant up to ₹50 lakh each to 150 startups involved in producing technical textiles such as Kevlar and Spandex, according to two informed sources.

The ministry will not claim any share of the profits generated by these businesses.

This funding is part of a ₹375 crore allocation for FY25 from the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).

Technical textiles, including Kevlar, Spandex, Nomex, and Twaron, are used in aerospace, defense, automotive, healthcare, construction, and agriculture sectors.

A KPMG report indicates that India’s technical textiles market is the fifth largest globally, valued at $21.95 billion in 2021-22, with production at $19.49 billion and imports at $2.46 billion. Over the past five years, the market has grown 8-10% annually, and the government aims to increase this to 15-20% over the next five years.

Globally, the technical textiles market was valued at $212 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $274 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2022-27, driven by rising demand across industries and rapid development of new products, according to KPMG.

The government’s support for startups in this sector aligns with its broader goal of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

Additionally, the textiles ministry has relaxed the royalty cap on this scheme, which usually requires startups to pay a percentage of profits as ‘royalty’ to fund providers. This relaxation is intended to facilitate growth for startups, one of the sources said.

NTTM, launched in 2020, aims to establish India as a global leader in technical textiles by promoting research, innovation, and application in various sectors.

Furthermore, the government has introduced a production-linked incentive (PLI) for textiles, the PM MITRA Parks scheme, quality control regulations, and over 500 standards to promote technical textiles.

The second source noted that startups seeking the funds must deposit 10% of the total allocation in advance. For example, to receive ₹50 lakh, a startup must deposit ₹5 lakh of its own funds, which will not be deducted from the ₹50 lakh grant.

India is the world’s third-largest exporter of textiles and apparel and ranks among the top five global exporters in several categories, with exports projected to reach $65 billion by FY 2026.

This initiative coincides with India negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with several countries, aiming to lower import duties on manufactured goods and protect against substandard imports.

“As of now, 10 startups are set to be approved next week, with the remaining selected in phases over the next few months,” the source said.

Maldives President Announces Ban on Israeli Passport Holders

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Dhruv
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The Maldives has decided to ban individuals holding Israeli passports, as announced by President Mohamed Muizzu’s office, according to the Hindustan Times.

The announcement did not specify when the new law would be implemented. Additionally, President Muizzu initiated a national fundraising campaign named “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”

This decision comes amid growing pressure from both the opposition and the government’s allies to prohibit Israelis from entering the Maldives in protest of the ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, according to the Hindustan Times.

The Maldives had previously lifted a ban on Israeli citizens in the early 1990s and reestablished diplomatic relations in 2010. However, AFP reported that efforts to normalize relations ceased after the ousting of former president Mohamed Nasheed in 2012.

In response, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised its citizens against traveling to the Maldives and recommended that those currently in the country consider leaving.

“For Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help,” the ministry said, according to AFP.

The Gaza conflict has resulted in at least 36,439 deaths, primarily civilians, due to actions by the Israeli Defence Forces. Tourism, a key sector of the Maldivian economy, has experienced a significant decline in Israeli visitors, with an 88 percent drop in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.

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