Category: News

“We Are Dignity Defenders”—From Jeddah, the World Water Council Reaffirms Its Advocacy for Access to Water as a Prerequisite for Human Dignity, Ahead of the 11^th World Water Forum (Riyadh, March 2027)

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — June 30, 2026

Meeting in Jeddah on June 28 and 29, 2026, as part of the 2^nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting, the World Water Council confirmed the progress of preparations for the 11^th World Water Forum, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in March 2027, under the theme “Action for a Better Future .” Designed as the premier global platform for the water sector, the Forum will bring together policymakers, technical experts, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations to discuss concrete solutions to the water crisis.

This meeting in Jeddah, organized as part of Saudi Water Week, follows on from the 1^st Consultation Meeting held in Riyadh in April 2025, which brought together more than 600 participants from over 60 countries.

In his opening remarks, World Water Council President Loïc Fauchon directly challenged participants to reflect on the meaning of their commitment: for whom are we acting? “First and foremost, for those whose dignity is violated because they are denied access to water and its benefits,” he said, referring to those who walk long distances to reach a water source, who lack toilets, or who cannot afford to pay for water and suffer the humiliation that comes with it.

“Providing access to water means restoring dignity to the most vulnerable,” said World Water Council President Loïc Fauchon at the opening of the Jeddah session, calling on the water community to become“Dignity Defenders.”

Stakeholders gathered in Jeddah approved the framework for the 11^th World Water Forum, organized around 6 themes and 30 topics, and made progress on planning the Forum week as well as on how to ensure the continuity of its work after the event. The Riyadh 2027 Forum is expected to bring together more than 20,000 participants from over 150 countries, making this edition one of the largest in the history of the World Water Forum, which has been held every three years since 1997.

The ministerial meeting, facilitated by UNESCO and held in parallel under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadli, laid the groundwork for the Ministerial Declaration to be adopted in Riyadh. In line with the World Water Council’s slogan, “Water is politics,” the ministers and senior representatives in attendance reaffirmed their shared ambition to unite the water policy community around common commitments and concrete, sustainable solutions that can be implemented on a global scale.

To advance this ambition, the World Water Council presented several initiatives designed to shape the global water agenda leading up to Riyadh: a coalition for water in megacities, an international center for unconventional water resources, a laboratory for water conservation, a “New Deal” for sanitation, and a “One Water, One Health” alliance. These initiatives are centered on three priorities: health, food, and nature, all of which are closely linked to unconventional and renewable water and energy resources.

“We look forward to working closely with Saudi Arabia to bring the world together in Riyadh in 2027 and to continue making water a global and political priority,” said the President of the World Water Council at the conclusion of the meeting.

The World Water Council invites all of its 240 member organizations, as well as governments, institutions, and civil society actors engaged in water issues, to take action now to make Riyadh 2027 a gathering that yields concrete results on the ground and a decisive milestone in the defense of human dignity through water.

Berlin, June 30: A severe and prolonged heatwave is affecting several parts of Europe, causing widespread disruption to daily life and impacting transport systems, infrastructure, and public services in multiple regions.

In Germany, extreme temperatures have led to localized disruptions, including temporary suspension of tram services in Leipzig after heat-related deformation affected sections of railway tracks. Authorities said the situation forced precautionary stoppages to ensure passenger safety and prevent further damage.

High temperatures have also impacted commercial spaces, with reports of temperature-sensitive goods being damaged inside stores due to inadequate cooling conditions. Residents in several cities have shared visuals of melting or heat-affected products, highlighting the intensity of the weather conditions.

In response, local authorities and emergency services have increased monitoring and precautionary measures. In some areas, water cannons have reportedly been used by police and civic authorities to cool down hot surfaces and provide relief in heavily affected zones.

Meteorological agencies have attributed the extreme conditions to a persistent heatwave system affecting large parts of Europe. Experts have warned that such prolonged high temperatures may increase risks of heat-related illnesses, strain on power demand, and further pressure on urban infrastructure.

Authorities across affected regions have advised residents to avoid outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and follow official weather advisories. Emergency services remain on alert as the heatwave continues to impact multiple countries.

Mumbai, June 30: Indian equity benchmarks opened higher on Monday amid mixed global market signals, reflecting cautious optimism among investors at the start of the trading session.

Market participants tracked developments in global equities, commodity prices, and macroeconomic indicators while assessing domestic earnings outlook and foreign fund flows. Early gains were supported by selective buying in key index-heavy stocks.

Analysts noted that investor sentiment remains balanced, with domestic economic resilience providing support even as global uncertainties continue to influence short-term market direction. Sectors linked to banking, energy, and information technology witnessed initial traction.

However, experts cautioned that volatility may persist through the session due to ongoing global cues, including interest rate expectations and geopolitical developments.

Further movement in the markets will depend on institutional activity, global trends, and domestic economic data releases scheduled later in the week.

June 30: A fire broke out at a pipeline of Haldia Petrochemicals in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district on Tuesday, prompting an immediate response from emergency services to contain the blaze.

According to preliminary reports, fire and safety teams were quickly deployed to the site after the incident was reported. Efforts are currently underway to control the fire and prevent it from spreading further to nearby installations. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, and a damage assessment will be carried out once the fire is fully brought under control. No confirmed reports of casualties have been received so far.

Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and to review safety measures at the facility.

Further details are awaited as firefighting operations continue.

June 30: India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by around 7 per cent in the current financial year, marking an upward revision from earlier estimates, according to a recent report.

The improved outlook is attributed to sustained strength in domestic demand, higher investment activity, and consistent performance across key sectors such as services, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The report highlights that consumer spending has remained resilient, supported by stable macroeconomic conditions and gradual improvement in employment trends.

Experts noted that India continues to stand out as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally, even amid ongoing global economic uncertainties and uneven recovery patterns in advanced economies. Strong policy support and continued capital expenditure have also contributed to the positive growth trajectory.

However, the report also cautioned that external risks remain, including global economic slowdown concerns, geopolitical tensions, and fluctuations in commodity prices, which could influence growth momentum in the coming quarters.

Overall, the revised estimate reflects sustained economic resilience and reinforces confidence in India’s medium-term growth outlook, supported by structural reforms and improving investment sentiment.

June 30: General Upendra Dwivedi has formally stepped down as the Chief of the Indian Army, bringing to a close a distinguished military career spanning over four decades.

On Tuesday, he handed over the command of the Indian Army to General Dhiraj Seth in a smooth and ceremonial transition of leadership. The change marks an important moment in the armed forces, reflecting the Army’s tradition of structured succession and continuity at the highest level.

In his farewell remarks, Gen Dwivedi described his long service in the Indian Army as the “greatest privilege” of his life. He expressed deep gratitude to the soldiers, officers, and families who supported him throughout his journey, and reflected on years spent in service of the nation under challenging and evolving security conditions.

His tenure as Army Chief saw him at the helm of key operational and strategic responsibilities, guiding the force through a period focused on readiness, modernization, and strengthening national defence capabilities.

With his departure, General Dhiraj Seth now assumes charge as the new Chief of the Army Staff. He takes over leadership at a time when the Army continues to focus on operational preparedness, technological advancement, and maintaining high levels of combat readiness.

The transition marks both an emotional farewell and a seamless handover, underscoring the professionalism and institutional strength of the Indian Army.

June 30: General Dhiraj Seth has formally assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army.

He took over the command of the Indian Army following the retirement of the outgoing Chief of Army Staff. His appointment marks an important leadership transition in the Indian Armed Forces.

Gen Seth brings with him extensive operational, command, and staff experience gained over decades of distinguished service. Throughout his career, he has held several key leadership appointments contributing to operational preparedness and organisational development.

As the new Army Chief, he is expected to guide the force with continued emphasis on modernization, operational readiness, and strengthening national defence capabilities.

New Delhi, June 30: The Government has extended the last date for filing appeals before the GST Appellate Tribunal to July 31, providing additional time to taxpayers and businesses to complete the appellate process under the Goods and Services Tax framework.

According to official sources, the extension has been granted to ensure wider compliance and to facilitate taxpayers who were unable to meet the earlier deadline. The decision is aimed at reducing procedural pressure and allowing sufficient time for the filing of pending appeals.

Tax professionals and industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, stating that it will help businesses engaged in dispute resolution and compliance-related matters under GST.

Authorities have advised eligible taxpayers to make use of the extended timeline and complete filings within the revised deadline to avoid last-minute delays or complications. Further procedural guidelines and notifications are expected from the concerned department.

The move is part of ongoing efforts to improve ease of compliance and streamline the GST dispute resolution mechanism.

Jammu, June 30: In preparation for the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu Traffic Police have announced strict route restrictions and traffic regulation measures beginning July 2 to ensure smooth and safe movement of pilgrims.

According to officials, the restrictions have been put in place to manage the expected increase in pilgrim vehicles and to prevent congestion on key routes leading to the Yatra base camps. Certain roads and stretches will be regulated or diverted as per convoy movement and traffic requirements.

Authorities have advised commuters, transport operators, and local residents to plan their travel accordingly and strictly follow traffic advisories during the Yatra period. Priority movement will be given to emergency and essential service vehicles.

The traffic department has also urged pilgrims to cooperate with on-ground personnel and adhere to instructions to ensure uninterrupted and safe travel along the designated routes.

Further detailed traffic arrangements and route plans are expected to be issued by the authorities in the coming days.

Brahmagiri (Puri), June 30 (UDN): Thousands of devotees converged at the Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri on Tuesday as the annual Anasara period of Lord Jagannath commenced following the Snana Purnima rituals at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

According to temple tradition, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra remain in seclusion at the Anasara Ghara for a fortnight after the ceremonial Snana Purnima, as they are believed to undergo treatment following the elaborate ritual bath. During this period, devotees are unable to have darshan of the Holy Trinity at the Srimandir.

As per centuries-old belief, Lord Jagannath manifests as Lord Alarnath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, at the Alarnath Temple, located about 23 kilometres from Puri. Devotees consider darshan of Lord Alarnath during the Anasara period to be spiritually equivalent to having the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

The temple witnessed heavy footfall from the early hours of the day, with pilgrims standing in long queues to offer prayers. Temple authorities conducted the Mangala Alati in the pre-dawn hours before opening the shrine for public darshan. Elaborate arrangements, including crowd management, security and other essential facilities, were put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the rituals and the convenience of devotees.

“We performed the Mangala Alati at 4 a.m., following which the temple was opened for public darshan. Necessary arrangements have been made for devotees,” a temple servitor said.

Expressing their devotion, several pilgrims said the opportunity to have darshan of Lord Alarnath during the Anasara period is considered highly auspicious and attracts devotees from across Odisha and other parts of the country despite long waiting hours.

The Alarnath Temple, a centuries-old monument built in the traditional Kalinga architectural style, houses a four-armed black stone idol of Lord Vishnu holding the conch, discus, mace and lotus, with Garuda depicted in a seated posture at the deity’s feet.

The Anasara period will continue until the Holy Trinity reappears before devotees during Nabajouban Darshan, ahead of the annual Rath Yatra.