Global tech firm Microsoft ceased operations in Pakistan after 25 years, according to its founding country head. Jawwad Rehman, who launched Microsoft in the country in 2000, revealed the closure.
The exit coincided with Microsoft's global decision to lay off 9,000 employees. However, the shutdown in Pakistan is seen as a reflection of deeper economic and political instability in the country. Factors such as a weakening currency, high import barriers on tech, and ongoing political uncertainty have created an inhospitable environment for multinationals. All these made it nearly impossible for a global company like Microsoft to function efficiently.
Mashreq Becomes First UAE Bank to Enter GIFT City
Mashreq, a major bank from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), received in-principle approval to open a branch in GIFT City, located in Gujarat, India. This makes it the first UAE-based bank to enter India's international financial centre. This move is a major step toward strengthening India-UAE financial ties and supporting international banking activities.
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) gaven Mashreq Bank the initial go-ahead to start its operations in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). This branch will be an International Financial Services Centre Banking Unit (IBU).
Coal Ministry to Launch RECLAIM Framework for Sustainable Mine Closure
In a step toward sustainable mining and community welfare, the Ministry of Coal launched the RECLAIM Framework—a structured guide to ensure inclusive mine closures and repurposing. This initiative places strong emphasis on community participation, gender inclusivity, and the involvement of vulnerable groups, aiming to make the post-mining transition equitable, transparent, and locally aligned.
RECLAIM stands for 'Repurposing, Engagement, Community, Livelihoods, Assets, Inclusivity, Mine-closure'.
S.R.N. Mehta School Wins Top Prize in NASA Contest
S.R.N. Mehta CBSE School in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, secured the first prize in the NASA-NSS Space Settlement Design Contest 2025 in the 8th grade category. Their project, created by a team of 11 students, stood out for its creative ideas and focus on building a sustainable space colony. This is a proud moment for the school and India on the international stage.
The NASA-NSS Space Settlement Design Contest is a well-known global competition organized by the NASA Ames Research Center and the National Space Society (NSS). It encourages students to design ideas for living in space in the future. In 2025, more than 4,900 students from 25 countries took part.
The S.R.N. Mehta School team's project name was IRA.
Ananth Tech Set to Launch India's First Private Satellite Broadband Service
Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies is set to become the first private Indian company to offer satellite communication (satcom) services using a domestically-built satellite.
This marks a shift in the country's space ecosystem, positioning the firm to directly compete with international players such as Starlink (SpaceX), Eutelsat OneWeb, and Amazon's Project Kuiper.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the space regulator, granted Ananth Technologies the go-ahead to roll out broadband-from-space services starting in 2028.
Lucknow, Pune, Indore Ranked among India's Top-Performing Municipal Bodies
Municipal corporations of Lucknow, Pune, and Indore were recognised among the best-performing urban local bodies during the first national conference of ULBs held in Gurugram.
At the National Level Conference of Urban Local Bodies of States and Union Territories in Gurugram's Manesar, public representatives and administrative officers from these cities shared their best practices with counterparts from other states, fostering a collaborative exchange of innovative urban development strategies.
Northern Region Ministers' Conference on Civil Aviation Held in Dehradun
Northern Region Ministers' Conference on Civil Aviation 2025, organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, was held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand with the broad vision of 'unlocking the vast potential of aviation sector in the country', as put by the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarappu Rammohan Naidu.
The session witnessed the participation of Ministers and senior officials from States/UTs of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Ladakh and Chandigarh, along with senior officials from Ministry of Civil aviation including Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Civil Aviation; Fiaz Ahmed Kidwai, DG DGCA; Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India and Rajesh Nirwan, DG BCAS.
Participation of over 100 aviation industry players exemplified the significance of having closer collaboration with the State Governments.
The International Day of Cooperatives is observed annually on the first Saturday of July (July 5 in 2025).
The history of the International Day of Cooperatives dates back to the early 20th century, when the cooperative movement gained traction across the world. The International Cooperative Alliance established the first International Cooperative Day in 1923 to honour the ideals and principles of cooperation.
In December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in resolution 47/90 the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance.
The theme for International Day of Cooperatives 2025 is 'Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World'.
Dr. Kurian Ninan Receives International Author Excellence Award 2025 for His Transformative Book
At a literary celebration hosted by Wings Publication International in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Dr. Kurian Ninan received the International Author Excellence Award 2025 for his insightful and refreshingly honest book, 'Serenity Within: A Journey to Lasting Mental Peace.' The event brought together global literary talent, recognising voices that resonate with authenticity, impact, and emotional depth.
Dr. Ninan's self-help book combines science-backed insights with humor-infused storytelling, offering a refreshingly practical approach to finding mental peace in today's fast-paced world.
PM Modi Conferred with Trinidad and Tobago's Highest Civilian Honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with 'The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago' – the country's highest civilian honour.
Modi, who was on a two-day visit to the Caribbean island nation on the second leg of his five-nation tour, was bestowed the award in recognition of his global leadership, his deep engagement with the Indian diaspora, and his humanitarian efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was Modi's first visit to the country as Prime Minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the prime ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.
Odisha Surpasses Kerala to Secure 5th Rank in School Education Index
Odisha achieved a remarkable climb in the Union Ministry of Education's Performance Grading Index 2.0 (PGI2.0) for 2023-24, securing the fifth position nationally.
The state improved from 14th place in 2019 to 5th, registering a score of 595.6 out of 1,000, and earning the Prachesta3 grade.
Thomas Cook India and SOTC launched a new program called 'TravSure' to enhance traveller confidence. TravSure offers financial protection and 24/7 support for international group tours, and will soon extend to personalised holidays. The program includes features like free rescheduling and refunds for unused services, additional trip protection, and round-the-clock customer support.
The launch of TravSure is a response to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and aims to reassure customers and boost their confidence in travelling. It is a customer-centric initiative that provides a stress-free journey with comprehensive support and financial protection.