Category: News

Lisbon – (April 3rd, 2026) – Global Citizen Solutions (“GCS”), a leading advisory firm in citizenship and residency planning, confirms that on 1st April 2026, Portugal’s parliament approved a revised package of amendments to the Nationality Law, again proposing longer residency requirements for citizenship eligibility.

Under the approved text, nationals from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the European Union will require seven years of lawful residence to apply for naturalisation, while all other nationalities will require ten years. These changes remain subject to final drafting and presidential approval and are not yet in force.

Joana Mendonça, General Counsel at GCS, said:

“The majority vote in parliament confirms the government’s intended shift towards longer citizenship timelines, as observed in June and again in October with the Nationality Law causing much debate on and beyond the parliament floor. While certain provisions have been adjusted during the legislative process, the overall direction is clear. 

This process has shown us, more than once, that a vote in parliament is not the final word. The President now has his moment, and the Constitutional Court may have another. We respect that — it is democracy working as it should. What we at GCS cannot accept is the absence of transitional provisions for those who made real decisions about their lives in good faith. There are rights at stake that cannot simply be legislated away.”

Key developments

• The new residency thresholds replace Portugal’s previous five-year pathway to citizenship, extending the timeline for all applicants. EU and CPLP nationals would require seven years of residence, while all other applicants would require ten years.
• The criminal bar has been revised. Effective imprisonment of three or more years for specified serious offences does not operate as an automatic disqualification but instead triggers a case-by-case assessment by the Public Prosecutor. This assessment considers factors including the nature of the offence, time elapsed, and evidence of integration into the Portuguese community, with the possibility of judicial challenge.
• A proposal to introduce financial self-sufficiency requirements was not included in the final text.
• The law also confirms a change to how residency is calculated. Time spent awaiting issuance of a residence permit will no longer count towards the naturalisation period, which may extend effective timelines beyond the headline thresholds.
• Additional provisions include revised rules for children born in Portugal to foreign parents, protections for long-term holders of nationality acting in good faith, and the introduction of a potential loss of nationality penalty for dual nationals convicted of serious crimes. This measure is expected to face constitutional scrutiny.
• Parliament did not adopt transitional provisions for applicants who would have qualified under the previous five-year rule, leaving those currently in process subject to the final outcome of the legislative process.

Presidential stage

The legislative process now moves to the President of the Republic. Upon transmission, the President has eight days to refer the law to the Constitutional Court for preventive review. If no referral is made, the President has 20 days to sign the law into effect or exercise a political veto.

Given prior constitutional objections to similar provisions and the continued inclusion of legally sensitive measures, a referral to the Constitutional Court remains a plausible outcome. 

Positioning within Europe

Portugal’s revised citizenship timelines bring it closer in line with core European norms. While no longer among the fastest citizenship pathways in the EU if the law is signed into effect, it remains competitive when considered alongside its flexible residency framework and limited physical presence requirements.

Even with extended citizenship timelines, Portugal continues to offer a structured pathway combining legal residence, EU access, and long-term optionality for global investors and families.

CHICAGO, Ill. (April 2. 2026) – Metacarpal, a leading medical device manufacturer specializing in body-powered upper-limb prosthetics, added Léa Richer, MSOP, CPO, as Product Support Liaison for its North American team. Richer joined the company to support the expansion of Metacarpal’s GEM prosthetic hand in U.S. and Canadian markets while working with clinicians and limb loss communities across the United States.

In her role with Metacarpal, Richer will focus on clinical education and support, helping prosthetists, therapists, and care teams understand where the Metacarpal GEM can fit within care pathways and how to optimize outcomes for appropriate patients. Her path to orthotics and prosthetics represents her third career, inspired partly by her personal experience wearing a scoliosis brace as a teenager. Her academic training in medical anthropology and history gives her insight into how medical devices impact patients’ lives beyond their technical specifications.

 
“Seeing patients’ eyes light up when they realize how much the GEM could improve their day-to-day life is incredibly rewarding,” said Richer. “My role is to ensure that clinicians have the knowledge and confidence they need to recommend this technology to their patients, and that patients understand how it can fit into their specific lifestyle and goals.”

Richer brings extensive clinical experience in orthotics and prosthetics, including three and a half years as a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Illinois. She completed specialized training through NCOPE-certified residencies at VA Portland Health Care System, where she served as Lead Resident nationally and coordinated research examining associations between mental health and prosthetic use. Metacarpal’s U.S. presence continues to grow as more clinics explore the Metacarpal GEM for patients who need a robust, mechanically intuitive option for partial hand difference.

“Léa is instrumental in our North American expansion because she bridges the gap between clinical expertise and patient advocacy,” said Fergal Mackie, founder and CEO of Metacarpal. “Her experience as a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist, combined with her background in medical anthropology and history, makes her passionate about informed decision-making in healthcare for both patients and clinicians. This perspective directly supports our mission to rebuild trust in prosthetics.”

Richer’s appointment coincides with Metacarpal’s recent U.S. launch in January and OrtoPed’s distribution partnership in Canada in February. Her fluency in French and English, along with conversational Spanish skills, will help the company serve diverse patient populations across North America.

For clinicians and clinics interested in learning more, please visit www.metacarpalprosthetics.com. 

New Delhi: The Union government exceeded its approved expenditure by ₹54,067 crore in the financial year 2022–23, largely due to higher-than-expected debt repayments, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee.

The report, recently tabled in the Lok Sabha, highlighted concerns over gaps in budget planning and expenditure management. It noted that despite seeking additional funds through supplementary grants during the year, actual spending still surpassed the sanctioned limits.

A significant portion of the excess—over 99%—was attributed to debt servicing under the Department of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry. A smaller share of the overspending was linked to capital expenditure by the Ministry of Railways.

As per parliamentary procedures, the excess expenditure will now require formal approval for regularisation. The development has raised questions about the accuracy of budget estimates and the effectiveness of financial controls within key government departments.

The findings underscore the need for more precise fiscal forecasting and tighter monitoring of public spending to ensure better alignment with approved budgets in the future.

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: A major industrial boost is on the horizon for Odisha with the signing of a key agreement for a large-scale ammonium nitrate project in Jharsuguda. The project, to be set up in Lakhanpur, is expected to attract an investment of around ₹25,000 crore.

The agreement was signed between Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited for leasing land required to establish the facility. The signing took place in New Delhi in the presence of Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy.

The project will come up on nearly 350 acres of land under MCL and is being developed as India’s first coal gasification-based ammonium nitrate plant. It will use indigenous technology developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, marking a significant step toward self-reliance in the chemicals and energy sector.

Once operational, the plant is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate per day. The project is being implemented by Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited, a joint venture involving BHEL and Coal India Limited. Engineering and development work has been assigned to BHEL and Larsen & Toubro, with groundwork already underway at the site.

Officials indicated that preparatory work, including land development and infrastructure setup, is progressing, with a target to complete the project within 42 months.

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on imported ammonium nitrate while strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. It is also likely to generate employment and support industrial growth in the region, positioning Odisha as a key hub for advanced industrial projects.

Bhubaneswar/Raipur: Odisha has achieved a proud sporting milestone as both its men’s and women’s hockey teams emerged champions at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games held in Raipur.

ଛତିଶଗଡ଼ର ରାୟପୁରଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ପ୍ରଥମ ‘ଖେଲୋ ଇଣ୍ଡିଆ ଜନଜାତି କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା’ ରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଉଭୟ ମହିଳା ଓ ପୁରୁଷ ହକି ଦଳ ଚମ୍ପିୟାନ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ସମସ୍ତ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାବିତ୍‌ଙ୍କୁ ଆନ୍ତରିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଉଛି। ଏହି ସଫଳତା ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଗୌରବର ବିଷୟ।

ଆମର ଜନଜାତି କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ପ୍ରତିଭାଙ୍କ ଏହି ଅସାଧାରଣ ସଫଳତା ଓଡ଼ିଶା… pic.twitter.com/3ZjlyQ64yV

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) April 2, 2026

The double victory highlights the exceptional talent and determination of athletes from the state’s tribal communities, marking a significant moment in Odisha’s sporting journey.

Sports enthusiasts and officials have extended heartfelt congratulations to the players, praising their dedication and outstanding performance on a national stage. The achievement is being seen as a major boost for grassroots sports development, especially among tribal youth.

This success not only brings pride to the state but also signals a promising future for Odisha in Indian hockey. With continued support and recognition, these athletes are expected to scale even greater heights and further strengthen the state’s reputation in the sporting arena.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has marked a significant achievement in the fiscal year 2025–26 by completing 5,313 kilometers of national highways, surpassing its annual target by 15%. This milestone highlights India’s continued focus on strengthening road infrastructure to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and facilitate regional development.

Pic Credit: Pexel

Expanding Connectivity Across the Nation

The newly constructed highways span multiple states, connecting major cities, industrial hubs, and remote areas. This expanded network reduces travel time, eases transportation of goods and passengers, and promotes economic activity in previously underserved regions. By linking key economic zones, these roads are expected to improve trade efficiency and support local businesses.

Boosting Infrastructure Efficiency

The success in highway construction reflects improvements in project planning, execution speed, and adoption of modern construction technologies. Streamlined approvals, effective land acquisition strategies, and advanced construction techniques have contributed to faster completion rates.

Driving Economic Growth

The expanded highway network plays a pivotal role in stimulating commerce, tourism, and industrial activity. Enhanced connectivity lowers logistics costs, strengthens supply chains, and provides businesses with faster access to markets, thereby benefiting both producers and consumers.

Looking Ahead

NHAI is committed to further increasing highway construction in the coming years, with a focus on sustainable, resilient, and technologically advanced infrastructure. Future projects aim to incorporate smart mobility solutions, eco-friendly construction practices, and modern highway management systems to meet the growing demands of a rapidly developing nation.

This achievement underscores NHAI’s central role in shaping India’s transportation infrastructure and advancing the government’s vision of nationwide connectivity and economic progress.

New Delhi, April 2 : Heartfulness Institute announces its addition to the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) membership as acknowledged by the Global Biodiversity Alliance Secretariat on its GBA membership and its association with the Georgetown Declaration. As a member, Heartfulness Institute will be part of a collaborative platform dedicated to advancing global efforts to stall and reverse the loss of biodiversity resonating with the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Heartfulness Institute will closely be working with the Alliance’s objectives and various activities.

As a Global Biodiversity Alliance member, Heartfulness through its global network of 5,000 centers in 160 countries will work on raising awareness about biodiversity responsibilities, promoting the principle that ecological resilience is essential for human well-being. Heartfulness intends to implement the Global Biodiversity framework in Forests by Heartfulness project sites and generate high quality Biodiversity Credits. Besides, there is a severe lack of India-specific data in sections related to ecology and restoration. Through this membership, Heartfulness can further Global Biodiversity Alliance’s efforts in India to gather this data.

Vishwas Subramanyam, Director, PR and Partnerships (UK & Europe) from Heartfulness Institute said,

 “Through this membership, we are hoping to have knowledge transfer and technical know-how with Global Biodiversity Alliance and other member organisations, logistical support and share resources towards protecting global biodiversity. We hope joining the Alliance will go a long way in ecological conservation and raising awareness on responsibility towards biodiversity.”

The Global Biodiversity Alliance provides an international platform for leaders, scientists, indigenous voices, and innovators aiming to collaborate for measurable commitments and innovative solutions towards protection of 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.

In joining the alliance, Heartfulness Institute will stay abreast of the current and future activities undertaken by Global Biodiversity Alliance. The Global Diversity Alliance will facilitate networking and bilateral or multilateral engagements that serve biodiversity management. The main inputs from members include “technical advice based on their experiences, any other supporting materials or data which can be shared on a voluntary basis.” As a member of GBA, Heartfulness Institute will “make efforts to participate in meetings and working group sessions that are aligned with the institute’s mandates; share their experiences and learn from others working in a similar space.”

The Global Biodiversity Alliance was founded on the principle that “protecting biodiversity is essential for ecological resilience and human well-being”. The Alliance combats the threats of deforestation, climate change and ecosystem degradation to help nature thrive for future generations. The alliance’s work meets the international frameworks including the Global Biodiversity Framework (COP16) reflecting the outcomes of the G20 on biodiversity collaboration.

New Delhi, April 2026: Indian Railways has reported robust growth in both passenger traffic and freight operations for the fiscal year 2025–26, underscoring its role as a vital backbone of the nation’s transport and logistics network.

Passenger Traffic and Revenue Surge
During FY26, Indian Railways carried 741 crore passengers, marking a 3.5% increase from 716 crore in FY25. Passenger revenue also grew significantly, reaching approximately ₹80,000 crore, a 6% rise compared to the previous year. The figures highlight the growing reliance on rail travel across urban and rural India, reflecting both convenience and affordability for commuters.

Freight Operations Set New Records
Freight traffic hit a new milestone of 1,670 million tonnes (MT), up 3.25% from FY25, accompanied by a 4.5% increase in wagons handled, from 2.79 crore to 2.91 crore. This growth underscores Indian Railways’ efficiency and its critical role in delivering cost-effective logistics solutions for bulk commodities.

Key Commodities Driving Growth
Significant growth was recorded in sectors like fertilisers (13.5%) and pig iron & finished steel (13.1%), reflecting rising industrial and agricultural demand. Infrastructure-related commodities, including iron ore (6.7%) and cement (4.7%), also saw strong movement, supporting ongoing construction and development projects nationwide.

Balanced Regional Growth
Several railway zones contributed to this growth, with South Western Railway leading at 14.9%, followed by North Central (12.6%), East Coast (10.4%), and West Central (10.1%). Other zones also recorded positive gains, reflecting widespread regional development and improved freight-handling capabilities across the country.

Freight Revenue Highlights
Freight earnings reached approximately ₹1,77,754 crore, up 1.44% from FY25. Iron ore emerged as the top revenue contributor, followed by cement, pig iron & steel, fertilisers, food grains, and mineral oil, demonstrating the critical importance of railways in supporting industrial supply chains and trade.

Driving Connectivity and Economic Growth
Indian Railways’ achievements in FY26 highlight its dual role: ensuring safe, reliable mobility for millions of passengers and serving as an efficient logistics partner for industries. With consistent operational improvements and capacity expansion, Railways continues to be a key driver of economic growth and national connectivity.

New Delhi, Apr 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed his self‑enumeration, marking the official launch of India’s first fully digital Census 2027. This year’s census introduces a modern approach that allows households to submit their information online before the traditional house‑to‑house surveys begin.

The first phase focuses on collecting detailed information about households and living conditions. Citizens across selected states and Union Territories can now use the digital portal to provide their data, while field enumerators will follow up with in-person visits to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Highlighting the importance of public participation, the Prime Minister emphasized that the self-enumeration facility empowers citizens to contribute directly to this historic exercise. He urged all households to take part and complete their details digitally, ensuring efficient data collection.

Census 2027 represents a significant shift from paper-based methods to a digitally driven system. Officials note that this approach will improve accuracy, reduce manual workload, and accelerate the processing of data. This initiative is one of the largest administrative exercises in the world, covering millions of households nationwide.

The digital census is expected to enhance the quality and timeliness of demographic data, supporting better policy-making, planning, and governance in India for years to come.

Odia Samaj Tripura marked the 90th Utkal Dibas (Odisha Day) alongside the 16th Foundation Anniversary of the Samaj with remarkable enthusiasm and cultural vibrancy at the Muktadhara Auditorium, Agartala. The grand celebration stood as a testament to the enduring cultural ties between Odisha and Tripura, resonating with the patriotic spirit of “Vande Utkal Janani.”

The event was graced by Swami Amartyananda, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaleswar as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, he underscored the significance of spiritual values, ethical living, and collective responsibility as pillars for building a harmonious and resilient society.

Sanjeev Kumar Janjua, Asset Manager of  ONGC Tripura, attended as the Guest of Honour. Acknowledging ONGC’s steadfast support since 2011, the Samaj proposed a forward-looking collaboration to channel CSR initiatives into impactful sectors such as healthcare access, digital education, and sustainable livelihood generation particularly focusing on tea garden communities across Tripura.

The event was also graced by the distinguished Odia personalities serving in Tripura like Sarat Kumar Patra, Director of NIT Agartala, Dr. Hemant Kumar Pratihari, Director of NFSU & FSL and others. Dr. Pratihari announced financial assistance to the meritorious tea garden students as a token of inspiration.

The coveted “Priya Odia–2026” award was conferred to Dr. Sarat Kumar Das for his unwavering dedication and outstanding service, symbolizing humility, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to collective progress.

The audience was enthralled by an exceptional cultural performance by a renowned troupe from the Sanskruti Bharati Dance Academy, deputed by the Government of Odisha as well as the family members and children of Odia Samaj showcased their beautiful performances on richness of Odissi, Sambalpuri, and traditional folk dance forms, evoking deep cultural pride.

In a heartening display of unity, members of the Odia community from various tea garden regions across Tripura participated enthusiastically, presenting vibrant folk performances. 

The annual souvenir “Chakadola” was ceremoniously released by the distinguished guests during the event. The publication encapsulates literary expressions, cultural reflections, and chronicles the inspiring journey of Odia Samaj Tripura over the years.

The President of Odia Samaj Tripura, Bishnu Charan Pati, and the Secretary, Samir Diabagh, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Tripura for their continued affection and “bhalobasha” towards the Odia community. They emphasized that the cultural and emotional bond between Odisha and Tripura continues to strengthen with each passing year.

The event concluded on a warm and celebratory note with traditional Odia cuisine being served to all participants and guests, further enriching the cultural experience and fostering a spirit of togetherness.