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BJP to plant one million palmyra saplings, protect toddy tappers

Madhav says the party will promote palm-based livelihoods and push for Neera production centres to generate employment

Between visibility and storytelling: Huma Qureshi and Kritika Kamra on Bollywood’s future

Upcoming actors struggle for opportunities because Hindi film production has fallen by half, says Ms. Qureshi; we are making movies for numbers and mid-budget movies have disappeared, says Ms. Kamra

Watch: Oil India discovers natural gas deposit in Andaman basin; Puri hails find

Oil India Limited has discovered natural gas in the Andaman Sea at the "Sri Vijayapuram-3" exploratory well. This significant find, located 15 km off the Andaman Islands, was confirmed through continuous flaring during initial production testing. The discovery is part of the government's "Samudra Manthan Mission" to boost offshore exploration.

‘Ready to co-develop Su-57 further with India without restrictions’: Putin hardsells fighter jet

Russia's President Putin has offered India joint development and production of the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet. Despite India's withdrawal from a previous joint project, Russia is open to collaboration, aiming to bolster defence ties amidst India's own AMCA project and regional security concerns.

Sudarshan Chakra: India's 'kill-web' to counter growing nuclear arsenals of China, Pakistan

China's nuclear arsenal is rapidly growing, with over 300 new silos and expanded fissile material production aiming for parity with the US. Pakistan counters India with a "full spectrum deterrence" doctrine and diverse missile systems. India is bolstering its defence with the multi-layered Sudarshan Chakra air-defence umbrella to counter both threats.

LPG supply stable, but oil firms still losing nearly Rs 700 on every cylinder sold

Oil Marketing Companies are still facing significant under-recoveries of nearly Rs 700 per domestic LPG cylinder. Despite government efforts to boost domestic production and secure imports, this financial strain persists. Meanwhile, LPG demand has moderated due to reduced commercial use and improved delivery systems, ensuring stable supplies.

Europe raises 'Kill Switch' fears, makes all 27 countries to junk US, Chinese tech

Europe is forging ahead with ambitious plans to break free from reliance on US and Chinese technology, particularly in critical sectors like AI and microchips. New regulations aim to bolster "tech sovereignty" by ensuring sensitive data remains within the EU and boosting domestic semiconductor production, safeguarding against foreign digital threats and supply chain disruptions.

For first time, Russia admits oil production has declined amid Ukraine's attacks on refineries

Russia has publicly acknowledged a dip in oil production due to unscheduled refinery repairs, marking the first such admission. This comes amid intensified Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure, which have disrupted operations and pushed Moscow to increase crude exports. Despite these challenges, Russia aims to maximize exports and restore previous production levels.

Hazira: Why the tank plant PM Modi will visit on Friday matters

Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to L&T's Hazira plant highlights its growing significance in India's defence manufacturing. The facility, a hub for heavy engineering, has produced the K-9 Vajra artillery guns, with more on order, and the innovative Zorawar light tank. L&T is also developing a Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle, positioning Hazira as a key defence production centre.

Hindalco eyes Rs 1,000 cr revenue by FY29

Hindalco Indiustries, the metals arm of Aditya Birla Group, is eyeing a Rs 1,000 crore of revenue by fiscal year 2029 with the launch of its Eternia experience centre in New Delhi on Thursday.Eternia is among the fastest-growing players in the system aluminium windows segment, recording nearly 65% CAGR growth over the last three years, the company said. The revenue target would largely be driven by rapid category growth, an expanding nationwide partner network, and strengthened manufacturing capabilities.The windows and façade segment in India represents an estimated ₹40,000 crore market opportunity and remains largely unorganised, with premium segments growing at nearly 15% CAGR, Hindalco said in a regulatory filing, citing rising demand for high-performance, design-led offerings."The building and construction sector is a critical pillar of India’s growth story, and we see significant opportunity in delivering high-performance, system-driven solutions to this evolving market," said Satish Pai, Managing Director.The Eternia brand has positioned Hindalco to move up the value chain, from aluminium production to engineered building solutions. The metals major manufactures and distributes products through facilities located at Renukoot, Silvassa, Kuppam, and Alupuram.The company has also built a manufacturing hub in Bilaspur, Gurugram, spanning 120,00 sq. ft. and a capacity to produce up to 250,000 sq. ft. of windows per month. The facility, Hindalco said, is strategically located to serve the rapidly growing North Indian market and improve delivery speed and responsiveness.The Gurugram facility also houses a R&D centre for ongoing product development and testing, along with a training centre.

Film producer and ex-CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani passes away due to liver cirrhosis

Veteran film producer and former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani passed away on June 4, 2026, after a battle with liver cirrhosis. Known for backing early films of Govinda and Chunky Pandey, Nihalani produced hits like 'Aankhen' and 'Shola Aur Shabnam'. He chaired the CBFC from 2015 until his ousting in 2017. His final production, 'Rangeela Raja', released in 2019. Read on to know more in detail.

Audio book platform Kuku files confidential papers for up to Rs 3,500-cr IPO

Kuku Technologies Ltd, which operates vernacular audio platform Kuku FM and short-video streaming app Kuku TV, has filed confidential draft papers with Sebi for an IPO to raise up to Rs 3,000 crore, according to sources. The company is planning to raise between Rs 2,500-Rs 3,500 crore and is targeting a valuation of up to Rs 15,000 crore (about USD 1.8 billion) through the proposed public issue, people familiar with the development said on Thursday. The initial public offering (IPO), expected in the later part of this financial year, will comprise a mix of fresh issue of shares and an offer-for-sale (OFS) by existing investors. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be utilised for strengthening technology and AI infrastructure, content creation and expansion into new geographies. When contacted, Kuku Technologies declined to comment on the proposed offering. Kuku's revenue surged nearly seven-fold to more than Rs 1,400 crore in FY26 from about Rs 240 crore in the previous fiscal, while the company remained close to achieving operational break-even. The company has leveraged artificial intelligence tools to accelerate content production, improve content recommendations and reduce customer acquisition costs. Founded in 2018 by IIT alumni Lal Chand Bisu, Vinod Kumar and Vikas Goyal, Kuku has built a portfolio spanning audio content, microdrama entertainment and edutainment. Its latest offering, Kuku TV, launched in late 2024, focuses on micro dramas -- short-form mobile-first video series with episodes typically lasting two to three minutes. The platform is currently releasing over 150 original shows every month and has crossed 200 million downloads. Industry estimates suggest that India's Hindi and vernacular micro-drama segment is expanding at around 60 per cent annually, driven by rising smartphone penetration and increasing consumption of short-form video content. Across its platforms, including Kuku FM, Kuku TV and Guru, the company has over 10 million active paying subscribers and more than 400 million cumulative downloads. Its content library comprises over 60,000 hours of programming across seven to eight Indian languages. The company has also initiated plans to expand into overseas markets, including the United States. Kuku has raised more than USD 150 million from investors such as Fundamentum Partnership, Krafton, Vertex Ventures, Granite Asia, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Paramark Ventures, India Quotient and 3one4 Capital. Former India cricket captain MS Dhoni is also among its investors. Kotak Mahindra Capital, Jefferies, JM Financial and Axis Capital are acting as the book-running lead managers to the issue.

SMRs crucial for defence production, data centre ops

Fourth S-400 squadron arrives in India

New Delhi [India]: In a major boost to strengthen the long-range air defence capabilities of the country, the fourth squadron of the S-400 Sudarshan air defence systems reached India from Russia a few days ago.The S-400 Sudarshan long-range air defence system from Russia reached India on a ship and will be deployed in the operational area very soon, defence sources told ANI.The S-400 air defence system is part of a 2018 contract under which India was to acquire five S-400 squadrons from Russia, three of which arrived two years ago and the remaining two were delayed due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.Also Read: India set for $2-billion drone order in biggest buy, industry body saysThe Sudarshan played a huge role in thwarting the Pakistan Air Force's capabilities during Operation Sindoor, where it secured the longest recorded surface-to-air kill by bringing down a high-value Pakistan Air Force surveillance aircraft flying at over 300 km.The fifth squadron of the S-400 air defence mission system is expected to reach India in the next few months.The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has already cleared the acquisition of five more squadrons of the S-400s.India is also working on an indigenous programme, codenamed Project Kusha, to develop its own air defence systems capable of shooting down enemy drones at similar ranges as the Russian system.Also Read: Tata chairman reviews defence manufacturing push at Bengaluru facilitiesIndian defence major Solar Industries has been involved in the project as a development cum production partner.

FWICE withdraws non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh with immediate effect

FWICE has withdrawn its non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh with immediate effect, following intervention by IMPPA, Producers Guild, and CINTAA. The rollback came after Ranveer served a legal notice to the body. The controversy stemmed from his exit from Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 over creative differences and production delays.

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

Extreme heat tests India's record milk production

Extreme heat means cows ‌eat less, make less milk, struggle to conceive and produce fewer live offspring, experts say, while farmers spend more trying to keep animals cool and fertile

Dhurandhar: Ranveer, Aditya took smaller fees after massive success — here's why

Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar franchise has rewritten the box-office record books, with Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: Revenge together earning more than Rs 3,000 crore worldwide. But according to producer Jyoti Deshpande, the journey to creating one of Indian cinema's biggest franchises was far from straightforward. She revealed how the makers navigated ballooning budgets, reimagined the project as a two-part saga midway through production, and adopted a unique risk-sharing model involving lead star Ranveer Singh and director Aditya Dhar.

India to bargain in trade talks with US, UK

India is seeking to safeguard exporters’ interests in trade negotiations with the US and UK this week, with implications for trade deals with two of its major partners.India will ask for exemptions from any tariffs that may arise from ongoing US trade investigations during talks with a US team led by Brendan Lynch in New Delhi starting Tuesday. Separately, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will hold talks with his UK counterpart Peter Kyle in New Delhi to seek exemptions for Indian steel exports from British safeguard duties due to take effect next month. New Delhi has warned it could scale back some concessions under the free trade agreement it signed with the UK last year if it does not receive relief.The talks come at a difficult moment for India. The war in Iran, which has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, has hit not only energy supplies but also access to a key export market for Indian goods. While the government has moved to cushion the impact on exporters, concerns are growing that a prolonged conflict could weigh on trade this fiscal year. Trade agreements with the US and the UK could help cushion some of those headwinds while attracting foreign investment at a time when the rupee is under pressure. They are also a key part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategy to diversify India’s export markets amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.In the case of the US, however, some analysts argue that New Delhi has less reason to rush.The rationale for quickly concluding a trade deal weakened after the US Supreme Court struck down the reciprocal tariff framework, according to Ajay Srivastava, founder of the New Delhi-based Global Trade Research Initiative.“More importantly, a bilateral trade agreement would offer no guarantee against future US trade actions,” Srivastava said. “It would be wise to wait for US trade policy to stabilize than to lock itself into long-term expensive obligations.”Last year, the White House imposed some of the world’s highest tariffs on Indian goods, partly in response to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil. The two countries reached an agreement on an interim trade pact earlier this year, before the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs.Soon afterward, however, the Office of the US Trade Representative launched investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act into several countries, including India, over concerns about forced labor and excess production capacity. If the investigations result in adverse findings, additional tariffs could be imposed.New Delhi has urged Washington to address the issue within the framework of ongoing trade negotiations rather than through unilateral measures. The matter is likely to feature in talks this week between Indian officials and a US trade delegation visiting New Delhi.“Our approach with the US needs a rethink,” said Abhijit Das, a New Delhi-based independent trade expert who has also worked with the Indian government. Also on Tuesday, UK’s Kyle is scheduled to meet Indian officials to discuss speeding up the implementation of the India-UK trade pact. The UK discussions are expected to focus on New Delhi’s concerns over Britain’s recent steel safeguard measures, which India says could restrict market access for its steel exports. On Monday, a senior Indian government official said New Delhi could scale back tariff concessions on a range of British products, including Scotch whisky, under the trade agreement signed last year if the issue is not resolved.

India's military theatre command reform inching towards decisive moment: Shishir Gupta explains | Point Blank

In theatre commands and defence production, window for incrementalism is closing; Gen Subramanian’s tenure as CDS may determine if a leap is made.