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Annamalai Announces New Political Outfit, Triggers Mass Resignations From Tamil Nadu BJP | Top Points

Annamalai said his political ambitions extended beyond the framework of BJP and required a broader platform.

India, U.S. may execute first phase of bilateral trade pact by middle of next month: Goyal

According to that framework, the U.S. had agreed to reduce tariffs on India to 18% from 50%. It had removed the 25% tariffs on Indian goods for buying Russian oil and was to cut the remaining 25% to 18% under the pact

CBSE receives over 70,000 re-evaluation requests as portal withstands cyberattack attempts

CBSE’s post-result grievance portal has received over 70,000 applications for verification and re-evaluation within days of launch, even as it faced repeated cyberattack attempts. The Board reported 7,314 verification and 63,119 re-evaluation requests. Despite a DDoS attack and millions of access requests, security systems including WAF and DDoS mitigation kept the portal functional. The facility supports Class 12 students reviewing scanned answer books under the new On-Screen Marking system and post-result process rollout framework structure.

Modi government dismantling forests, weakening environmental framework, says Kharge

Official figures and project clearances indicate that nearly 1,91,922 hectares of forest have been chopped off in the last 11 years, he claimed

India, US agree on framework for interim trade deal after four days of talks

India, US agree on framework for interim trade deal after four days of talks

Bengaluru may get its first science-based tree management framework

Visual Tree Assessments and non-invasive diagnostics is aimed at limiting damage due to tree-fall and ensure public safety

Supreme Court ruling enhances victim protection for trafficking survivors, says Prajwala founder

Organisation calls for comprehensive anti-trafficking law, survivors welcome victim protection framework, compensation and rehabilitation measures

South Korea widens top-tier visa eligibility

South Korea has expanded eligibility for its Top-Tier Visa to include professors and researchers in science and technology, as the country seeks to attract world-class talent and strengthen its research capabilities. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Science and ICT announced on May 31 that the visa programme, previously limited to employees of companies in advanced industries, will now be open to academics and researchers from June. The announcement is part of South Korea's broader strategy to recruit highly skilled professionals from overseas and boost innovation in science and technology. Universities, research institutes to benefit Under the revised framework, universities, government-funded research institutes and corporate laboratories hiring outstanding foreign researchers will be able to sponsor candidates for the Top-Tier Visa. Applicants will undergo a recommendation process led by the Ministry of Science and ICT, followed by screening by the Ministry of Justice. To qualify, candidates must meet specific criteria related to professional achievements, including awards, research publications, technology commercialisation accomplishments and research experience. Authorities said individuals considered to have exceptional potential may also be included in the candidate pool through a separate review process.131152865 Goal to attract 2,000 experts by 2030 The South Korean government has set a target of attracting 2,000 high-calibre science and technology professionals from abroad by 2030. Visa holders will receive priority support services designed to help them settle in the country, from arrival through long-term integration. The government believes the expanded programme will help address growing competition for global talent and strengthen South Korea's position as a research and innovation hub. Boost for research sector Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho said the policy changes are expected to help attract leading international talent and enhance the capabilities of research institutions."These policy improvements are expected to help attract top talent in science and technology from abroad and boost the research capabilities of think tanks," Jung said.

BIS plans framework for mandatory silver hallmarking

White Paper on Kerala finances calls for KIIFB overhaul, forensic audit of accounts

The document, however, notes it will be “wasteful” to dismantle KIIFB framework which has built valuable capabilities over the years

Delhi govt's plans to relax certification norms in focus after fire kills 21

On May 27, the government proposed a new fire safety framework, under which building owners can obtain fire clearances through private fire auditors

Brokers prepare rollout of algo trading tools for retail investors

Mumbai: Major brokers are preparing to roll out algorithmic tools for retail traders over the next few months, amid greater regulatory clarity on retail participation in such trading practices.The move is set to not only help brokers expand revenue streams by charging fees to access the trading algorithms (algos), but also help fintech firms scale up by distributing their algo strategies across multiple platforms. Retail clients may be able to access such strategies for as little as ₹5,000 per strategy.Algorithmic or algo strategies use computer programs or pre-set formulas to execute trades when certain conditions like price, volume or technical patterns are met.Sebi's revised framework for safer participation of retail investors in algorithmic trading has been fully implemented since April 2026. It stipulates that brokers must obtain exchange approval for each algo, tag all orders for audit trails, monitor application programming interface (APIs), and handle investor grievances. In addition, exchanges must supervise algo trading through testing and surveillance. Given the regulatory clarity, many brokers have now rushed to provide services.Large traditional brokers such as HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal Financial Services already provide algos to clients. Other brokers are in the process of launching such services. Raise Securities, which owns Dhan trading platform, recently acquired the algo-provider startup Stratzy. Angel One, Upstox, SBI Securities, Kotak Securities, IIFL Capital Services and 5paisa are also preparing to offer these services to clients. Groww is also in conversation with algo platforms to onboard some strategies. Email sent to Groww did not elicit a response until press time."While algo trading has been around for some time using APIs provided by brokers, we expect higher adoption by retail customers in the long term," said Gaurav Seth, managing director and chief executive officer at 5paisa Capital.The algo strategies are expected to attract retail derivatives traders. Currently, 12 algo providers or vendors are registered with the NSE.According to Mohit Bhandari, cofounder and chief executive of Stratzy, an algo strategy provider, most retail traders either do naked derivatives trading, or have to create trading strategies using multiple futures and options to hedge their risk, which is difficult to track. "Algo trading provides convenience through automation. It also becomes much easier to deploy sophisticated strategies," Bhandari said.Brokers eye algos offerings"The algorithmic trading landscape is becoming increasingly competitive. We anticipate a significant shift in trading volumes toward algorithmic strategies over the next two years," said Puneet Maheshwari, director at Upstox.

US moots 12.5% tariff on India, 53 others over ‘forced labour’

The US Trade Representative has proposed a 12.5% tariff on exports from 54 countries, including India and China, citing their failure to prohibit goods made with forced labor. This move comes as US officials are in India discussing a framework agreement. The USTR's report also addresses excess capacity in several countries, potentially leading to further tariffs.

US stocks today: Dow Jones drops over 500 points as Middle East tensions escalate

Wall Street stocks pulled back from ​record highs on Wednesday as flaring tensions in the Middle East and rising crude prices stoked inflation jitters and convinced investors to take some profits.All three major U.S. stock indexes closed in negative territory, dragged lower by financials and tech , with the small-cap Russell 2000 underperforming its larger-cap counterparts.Chips advanced, indicating the artificial intelligence ‌fervor is alive ⁠and well. ⁠Still, most of the Magnificent Seven group of AI-related megacaps were lower."The AI names are trading on their own completely separate world, largely oblivious to macro and geopolitical ​risk, at least within reason," said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird in Louisville, Kentucky. "And so there's going to be a bid for those ​names, especially on days where everything else looks a little bit less attractive."The S&P Software & Services index declined. It has been battered in recent months by fears of AI disruption.Middle East hostilities intensified as the U.S. and Iran traded a new round of air strikes, ​the latest test of a shaky ceasefire.Oil prices rose, adding to worries that upward ⁠pressure on energy prices ‌could metastasize into broader, systemic inflation."This market continues to demonstrate a tug of war between fundamentals in the ​U.S. economy, which ​are incredibly positive, and concerns that the duration of the conflict in the Middle East will lead to ⁠downside risks," said Bill Northey, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, Billings, Montana. "Our ​framework is centered around the duration of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as ​the primary input to inflation expectations.""The longer the duration of that closure, the less likely the Federal Reserve will be able to ease in 2026," Northey added.In fact, financial markets are pricing more than a 40% likelihood of a rate hike at the conclusion of the U.S. Federal Reserve's December meeting, up from 9.1% one month ago, according to CME's FedWatch tool.New York Fed President John Williams reiterated his position that the central bank does not need to change interest rates despite upside inflation risks, stating monetary policy is "in the right place."Economic ‌data suggested the labor market was stable, and the services sector continued to expand, but input prices remained elevated and corporate spending plans appeared soft amid rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainties.The Beige Book, the Fed's ​regional economic survey, showed economic ​activity gathered steam in recent ⁠weeks, employment was little changed, but the fallout from higher energy prices due to the war was pervasive.According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 lost 54.11 points, or 0.74%, to end at 7,555.67 points, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 230.97 points, or 0.85%, to 26,862.93. The Dow ​Jones Industrial Average fell 581.84 points, or 1.13%, to 50,725.95.Among chipmakers, Marvell, Intel, Qualcomm , and Sandisk outperformed.Asset managers dropped after Switzerland's Partners Group capped withdrawals from an $8.6 billion private equity fund. KKR, Blackstone, Blue Owl and Ares Management all lost ground.GameStop advanced after the original meme-stock posted a rise in quarterly revenue and unveiled a $2 billion share buyback program.Elon Musk's SpaceX plans to price its IPO at $135 a share to raise a record $75 billion, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.Broadcom results were expected shortly.

GST ruling may cast wider tax net over casinos

The recent Supreme Court (SC) judgment on online gaming and betting is expected to have wider implications across gambling, horse racing, and casinos, experts feel. The court clarified that the GST valuation framework is not confined to any one segment but applies across betting and gambling activities.The ruling makes it clear that the tax framework cannot be read narrowly. “Rule 31A… applies broadly to all betting, gambling and horse racing… Limiting its applicability only to horse racing would render parts of the rule otiose,” a PwC India note on the SC ruling said.Nitin Vijaivergia, partner at Pricewaterhouse & Co LLP, said the judgment upholds the imposition of the top GST slab on online gaming platforms, triggering significant retrospective tax exposure. The court’s reasoning also centres on how such transactions are structured. It has been clarified that in betting and gambling, valuation can be based on the full amount staked and not merely on a narrower measure.“Section 15(1)… permits valuation based on the entire stake,” and “merely because a different method of valuation… may also have been possible, it does not render the Rule unconstitutional,” the note added.For online gaming and casinos, the judgment clarifies when tax liability arises. The court held that the taxable event is triggered when players commit funds to participate in games with uncertain outcomes and no longer retain control over those funds.This also alters the treatment of player funds. The ruling notes that once amounts are committed for participation, “such arrangements cannot be considered deposits or entrustments,” and “the entire staked amount is treated as consideration for the supply.”In the case of casinos, the position is very clear. The court held that tax would be levied on each instance of staking money on an uncertain outcome, and not on the operator’s net earnings or gross gaming revenue.“The mention of staking money on ‘uncertain future outcomes’ may have broader implications for promotional and skill contests with deterministic scoring, and similar other formats. Key operational elements such as wallet architecture, re-deposits, and cashback will be crucial to determine tax demands, especially considering amendments to GST Rules 31 and 31B affecting valuation,” Vijaivergia said.Tax experts say that, broadly, the GST law will now apply where money or money’s worth is staked on uncertain outcomes, and such amounts are treated as consideration for the supply.

Govt plans to standardise organ donation, plug procedural gaps in law

India is overhauling its organ donation framework to include Donation after Circulatory Death, allowing organs to be harvested after the heart stops—not just the brain. This could expand the donor pool for the 70,000-plus patients waiting for kidneys alone.

GTRI makes a case against new India tariffs

India needs to challenge the legal basis of a proposed US tariff action that seeks to impose an additional 12.5% duty on imports from the country under a Section 301 investigation, trade policy think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on June 3.The recommendation comes after the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) proposed fresh duties on imports from 54 economies following a probe into the enforcement of restrictions on goods linked to forced labour.GTRI said that the investigation stretches the intended scope of Section 301, a trade enforcement mechanism traditionally used to address barriers affecting market access for American businesses in foreign jurisdictions, PTI reported.The current action is focused instead on whether countries regulate imports originating from third nations where forced labour concerns may exist, the think tank observed.Also read | Iran war puts Malhotra & Co in razor-edge policy bindThe proposed tariff rate of 12.5% for India and several other economies is also higher than the tariff ceiling committed by the US under multilateral trade rules, the think tank said.According to GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava, India should maintain that Washington is attempting to extend its domestic import-control framework beyond its borders through unilateral trade measures.He said such an approach falls outside the mandate of Section 301 and raises broader concerns regarding the use of trade policy to influence regulatory practices in other countries.The think tank further noted that concerns surrounding forced labour are often confined to specific products or sectors rather than entire economies. It argued that imposing country-wide tariffs may not be an appropriate response when targeted measures could address the underlying issue more effectively.Also read | CBDT tells tax officers to tighten scrutiny of unexplained income, assetsGTRI also viewed the proposed action in the context of ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States, suggesting that the move could increase pressure on New Delhi as both countries work toward a bilateral trade agreement. It cautioned that India may face additional investigations under Section 301 in areas such as industrial overcapacity.The USTR initiated two separate Section 301 investigations in March this year covering 60 economies. One inquiry examined issues related to forced labour, while the second focused on concerns over excess manufacturing capacity.Following the conclusion of the forced labour investigation, the US has proposed additional duties on imports from 54 economies. Under the plan, imports from countries including Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, Indonesia, Pakistan and the European Union would face a 10% tariff. A higher duty of 12.5% has been proposed for 48 economies, including India and China.The proposal has not yet been finalised and is currently open for public consultation. Stakeholders have until June 22 to request participation in hearings and submit testimony summaries, while written submissions can be filed until July 6. Public hearings are scheduled for July 7.A final determination is expected in the coming weeks and could be announced before the expiry of the temporary Section 122 tariff measures on July 24. If approved, the additional duties may come into force shortly thereafter.The investigation does not allege the use of forced labour in India's export production. Instead, it examines whether India has adequate restrictions on imports sourced from third countries where forced labour concerns may arise.Inputs from PTI

India, US begin talks on interim trade deal

On February 7 this year, the two countries reached a framework for an interim agreement after negotiations that lasted almost a year.

Unmanned T‑72 tanks: Army's workhorse gets digital makeover for future wars

The Indian Army is modernizing its T-72 tanks by planning to convert them into remotely operated vehicles, integrating them into a manned-unmanned teaming framework. This initiative aims to enhance combat power and survivability by deploying these digitized tanks for high-risk missions, feeding real-time data to command networks. This cost-effective approach repurposes legacy armour, aligning with India's indigenous defense innovation push.

India to unveil revamped WPI, producer price indices on 15 June

The government will launch a revised WPI with a 2022-23 base year and introduce a set of producer price indices on 15 June. The overhaul expands coverage, updates methodology and aligns India's producer inflation framework with global practices.