Union Cabinet clears Rs 2.55 lakh-cr lifeline for MSMEs, airlines hit by West Asia war

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a credit support scheme to meet the needs of industries in distress due to the West Asia conflict, targetting an additional credit flow of Rs 2.55 lakh crore, including Rs 5,000 crore for airlines.

Cabinet approves Bill to increase SC judges strength from 34 to 38

Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a Bill to increase the strength of judges in the Supreme Court from the existing 34 to 38.

Govt nod to Rs 5,659 cr for five-year mission to increase cotton yield

The Centre on Tuesday approved Rs 5,659.22 crore for the Mission for Cotton Productivity (2026-27 to 2030-31) and hiked the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for 2026-27 (October-September) to Rs 365 per quintal from Rs 355.

'Ecocide': Where international law stands in tackling war toll on environment

A recent report by Lebanon accused Israel's military of committing "ecocide" during its 2023-24 invasion of southern Lebanon and reshaping both its "physical and ecological landscape".

Earlier, Iran's foreign minister said Israel's bombings of fuel depots in Tehran, which led to "black rain", violated international law and constituted "ecocide".

Researchers and environmental organisations have invoked the same term to describe the effects of Israel's war on Gaza.

Environmental groups have called for the inclusion of 'ecocide' as an international crime under the Rome Statute that governs the International Criminal Court (ICC).

WHO: Human to human hantavirus spread on ship pose low public risk

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that it suspects some rare human to human transmission of the deadly hantavirus took place between very close contacts on board a cruise ship hit by seven confirmed or suspected cases.

Human to human transmission is not common, and the UN health agency reiterated that the risk to the wider public was low from a disease typically spread from contact with infected rodents.

New SOP for FDI nod: 12-week deadline & fully digital process.

Months After easing investment curbs on land-bordering countries, the Centre has issued a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals aimed at accelerating inflow into priority sectors by capping processing time at 12 weeks.

Two new chip plants get Cabinet approval

The Union Cabinet Tuesday approved two new semiconductor plants in India, including one that could be the country's first commercial dis-play facility, in a fresh boost to New Delhi's chip ambitions.