2020-25: In 4 of 5 appeals, green watchdog NGT rules in favour of developers to clear projects

A Landmark 2021 judgment by the Supreme Court was unequivocal: the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is not a mere adjudicatory body but a "specialized" protector tasked with fostering environmental justice

and equity. Affirming the NGT'S powers, the apex court underlined that these were the pivotal threads weaved into the Tribunal's very fabric to safeguard public interest against ecological degradation. 

US slaps 126% tariff on solar firms, cites Adani not joining subsidy probe

The US Department of Commerce has imposed a 126 per cent tariff on Indian solar products after two Adani Group companies, Mundra Solar Energy and Mundra Solar PV, withdrew from the investigation proceedings, a preliminary anti-subsidy investigation report reviewed.

Linked by blood and sacrifice, back Gaza peace: PM to Israel Parliament

In a significant formulation before Israeli parliamentarians in the Knesset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday backed the Gaza peace initiative, saying it holds the promise of a "just and durable peace" for all people of the region, including by "addressing the Palestine issue".

His remarks are significant given that a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding in Gaza after two years of intense fighting.

India's recent defence surge is not a sign of militarism. It is a sign of maturity

Deterrence, after all, is not a matter of slogans or sentiment. It is a material condition rooted in capability.

An adversary is deterred only when it believes that aggression will fail or cost more than it is worth. 

HPV vaccine drive is key to battling cervical cancer

The union government is set to roll out a nationwide single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls to reduce India's high burden of cervical cancer.

Almost 90% of all cervical cancers are caused by persistent HPV infection, making it one of the two types of vaccine-preventable cancers (the other is liver cancer). HPV infection is also linked to anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar and throat cancers - the incidence of which is also likely to come down with vaccination. 

US import duties on Indian solar panels may hit domestic OEMS

The US' decision to impose preliminary countervailing duties (CVD) of 126% on solar imports from India comes at a critical juncture. The country's solar module manufacturing capacity has expanded rapidly and now exceeds 140 gigawatts (GW) per annum.

Industry experts warn that restricted access to export markets such as the US could intensify pricing pressures within India. 

US, South Korea to hold joint military drills as tensions with North Korea rise

The US and South Korean militaries said on Wednesday they will conduct their annual springtime exercises next month to bolster their countries' combined defence capabilities against a backdrop of a deepening diplomatic freeze with nucllear-armed North Korea.

The Freedom Shield drills are set for March 9-19, according to the announcement.