Iran Parliament Passes Resolution to Suspend Cooperation with IAEA
Iran's parliament unanimously agreed to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear inspectorate, making it harder for an independent expert assessment to be made about the degree of damage inflicted on Iran's three key nuclear sites by the joint US and Israeli bombing.
It also makes it harder for the location of any highly enriched uranium to be known. The vote is a sign that Iran wants to harden its negotiating position on cooperation with the west in the wake of 12 days of attacks mounted by Israel and the US, but supported by European governments only with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
IDFC First Bank Introduces UPI Services for NRI Customers across 12 Countries
IDFC First Bank announced that Non-Resident Indian (NRI) customers of the bank can now make UPI payments using their international mobile numbers. NRIs can now make real-time UPI payments from their NRE or NRO accounts with IDFC First Bank through the Bank's mobile application, without incurring any charges. Additionally, they have the flexibility to link their IDFC First Bank accounts to other UPI-enabled applications. This facility is available to all IDFC First Bank NRI customers from 12 countries Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the USA - for INR-denominated transactions within India.
India Launches First Maritime NBFC �" Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL)
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the country's first dedicated Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) for the maritime sector — Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL). The event was also attended by Union Minister of State for MoPSW, Shantanu Thakur, and Secretary of MoPSW, T. K. Ramachandran.
SMFCL, formerly known as Sagarmala Development Company Limited was officially registered as a NBFC with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in June 2025. It has also earned the status of a Mini Ratna, Category-I, Central Public Sector Enterprise.
India Leads with 92% Employees Embracing GenAI Tools
India is leading the global GenAI charge, with 92 per cent of employees embracing such tools, well ahead of the global average of 72 per cent, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
The third edition of BCG's annual survey, based on responses from over 10,600 workers across 11 countries, revealed that while AI adoption is strong overall, only 51 per cent of frontline employees are regular users--a figure that has stagnated.
Meanwhile, the Global South continues to lead in adoption, with India at 92 per cent and the Middle East at 87 per cent as the nations with the highest levels of regular use.
AICF Launches Monthly Stipend Scheme to Boost Young Chess Talent
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) launched the Top National Players Stipend Scheme (TNPSS). This scheme aims to provide direct financial assistance to promising young chess players across India, covering categories from Under-7 to Under-19. By offering quarterly stipends ranging from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh, the initiative is designed to not only identify talent early but also help them develop into future champions. The move reflects AICF's strategic intent to strengthen the national chess ecosystem.
This is the first time in Indian chess history that players are receiving structured financial support at such a young age, aimed at encouraging participation in national-level tournaments and providing the foundation for long-term success.
Bihar to Host Its First Nuclear Power Plant under India's New SMR Mission
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar declared that Bihar will soon have its first nuclear power plant, making it one of the first six Indian states to be included in the rollout of Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based energy systems.
This development follows a formal request by the Bihar government, which the Centre now approved. Though the exact location and capacity of the project are yet to be finalised, the plan signals a transformative chapter in Bihar's energy and infrastructure landscape.
Rinku Singh to Join UP Education Department
Indian cricketer Rinku Singh is set to join the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department as a District Basic Education Officer (BSA). The appointment came under the International Medal Winner Direct Recruitment Rules, 2022, a government policy recognising and rewarding sportspersons who have brought glory to India at the international level.
Fast Patrol Vessel 'Adamya' Inducted into Indian Coast Guard
Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) 'Adamya', the first in a series of eight being constructed for the Indian Coast Guard, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, was inducted into the maritime force.
Designed and built entirely by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), the vessel exemplifies India's growing shipbuilding capability and represents a major stride towards the nation's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day
Every year on June 27, the world observes MSME Day to recognise the immense contribution of Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to economic development, job creation, innovation, and sustainability. Declared by the United Nations in 2017, the day is an opportunity to highlight the critical role these enterprises play globally, particularly in developing economies, where they serve as the backbone of local growth and entrepreneurship.
The theme for MSME Day 2025 is 'Enhancing the role of MSMEs as drivers of Sustainable Growth and Innovation.'
Wings Publication International Hosts the International Author Excellence Awards 2025
In a grand celebration of creativity, literary brilliance, and storytelling excellence, Wings Publication International proudly hosted the International Author Excellence Awards 2025, recognising outstanding authors from across the globe for their exceptional contributions to literature.
The prestigious award function held in Dubai, UAE, brought together a diverse spectrum of writers--emerging voices and seasoned authors alike--from genres as varied as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, and children's literature.
Some of the winners of the International Authors Excellence Awards are:
1) Sonali Bendre Behl: A Book of Books
2) Akshat Gupta: The Naga Warriors 2: Battle of Gokul
3) Mohammad Al Murr: Dubai Tales
4) Ameera Bin Kadra: My Grandmother's Henna Tree
5) Huda Kattan: Beauty Unfiltered: Insider Secrets from a Makeup Mogul
CBSE Introduces Biannual Board Exams for Class 10 from 2026-27
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced that Class 10 students will be allowed to appear for board exams twice a year starting from the 2026-27 academic session. While the first exam will remain mandatory, students who pass it will be given the option to improve their scores in up to three academic subjects through a second, optional examination. This significant shift aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
First Exam (Mandatory): Held in mid-February.
Second Exam (Optional): Held in May, only for students who pass the first exam.
Students may opt to reappear in up to 3 subjects from core areas: Science, Maths, Social Science, and two language papers.
Best of the two scores will be considered for the final mark sheet.
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