Category: News

Mumbai,July 8: Navneet Education Limited has launched its latest campaign, ‘Jab Baari Ho Tumhaari, Digest Se Karo Taiyaari’, celebrating its flagship product, the Navneet Digest, as a trusted companion for students preparing for examinations. The campaign highlights how the Digest continues to simplify learning and revision by offering structured content, chapter-wise summaries, memory maps, practice exercises, and effective exam preparation tools. 

The new campaign centres on a simple yet relevant insight – every student reaches a stage of focused, independent preparation, often without anyone immediately at hand to guide them through it. Through a light hearted and engaging narrative, Navneet Digest positions itself as that constant companion, helping students cut through distraction and uncertainty with clear, exam-aligned answers exactly when they need direction the most. In doing so, the campaign reinforces the Digest’s longstanding role in supporting generations of students with reliable and easy to understand study material.

Navneet Digest continues to offer chapter-wise explanations, solved examples, practice exercises, revision tools, and exam-oriented guidance designed to help students learn effectively and perform with confidence. Built around the needs of today’s learners, the Digest remains one of the most trusted study companions for school students across India.

Devish Gala, President of the Educational Books division, said,

 “For decades, Navneet Digest has been a trusted study companion for students and has played an important role in helping them prepare with confidence. Through the ‘Jab Baari Ho Tumhaari, Digest Se Karo Taiyaari’ campaign, we wanted to reinforce the importance of focused preparation at every stage of a student’s academic journey. The Digest continues to simplify learning and revision, helping students stay organised, practise effectively, and approach examinations with greater confidence.”

Ravi Sangtani, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at KasperX Marketing, said: 

“The strongest communication doesn’t connect by saying something new, but by saying something true. ‘Jab Baari Ho Tumhari’ is our attempt at exactly that, a tribute to the one crucial moment that belongs entirely to every student, and to Navneet Digest, which has always been their most dependable companion in that moment.”

The Navneet Digest series is available at leading bookstores, local retailers, and online platforms across India, making it easily accessible for students seeking a reliable and effective study companion. 

New Delhi, July 8: The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has received recognition from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), marking a significant milestone for the league and Indian volleyball.

The recognition by the global governing body is expected to further strengthen the league’s position on the international stage and provide a boost to the growth and development of volleyball in India. The upcoming fifth season of the league is scheduled to begin on November 30.

The new season will bring together top Indian and international players, offering fans an exciting showcase of competitive volleyball. The league has played a key role in providing a professional platform for players and increasing the popularity of the sport across the country.

With the backing of FIVB recognition, PVL aims to further enhance its standards, attract wider global attention, and contribute to the development of volleyball talent in India.

The organisers said preparations for Season 5 are underway, with teams gearing up for another action-packed edition of the tournament.

Koraput, July 8 (UDN): The decades-old border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has resurfaced after a team of Andhra Pradesh government officials reportedly carried out census-related verification in several villages under the disputed Kotia Gram Panchayat in Koraput district.

 Representational Image

According to local sources, the Andhra Pradesh team, led by Salur Tehsildar Suresh Babu from Parvathipuram Manyam district, visited Upper Sembi, Lower Sembi and Nedibalasa villages. The delegation reportedly included Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Anganwadi workers, education officials and other government functionaries.

During the visit, officials are said to have undertaken door-to-door verification, collecting previously issued census forms and reviewing the status of digitisation of demographic data. Local representatives from the Andhra Pradesh side also reportedly accompanied the team during the exercise.

The reported administrative activity has once again drawn attention to the long-pending territorial dispute over the Kotia cluster of villages, claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. While Odisha has already completed its census-related work in the region, the latest exercise by Andhra Pradesh has triggered fresh concerns over competing administrative claims.

The development comes barely a month after a visit by an Andhra Pradesh minister to Nedibalasa village for the inauguration of a road project, an event that had also sparked political and administrative debate in both states.

Although the situation remained peaceful, the latest visit has reignited discussions over the recurring administrative interventions by both states in the disputed villages. Residents of the Kotia region have frequently witnessed welfare programmes and official visits from both governments as the boundary issue remains unresolved.

The border dispute over the Kotia villages is currently pending before the Supreme Court, where both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have staked their claims over the territory. Officials said any long-term resolution will depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Odisha district administration is monitoring the situation closely. An official statement on the reported visit was awaited at the time of filing this report.

New Delhi, July 8: As India’s urban population continues to grow and climate-related challenges intensify, Smiling Tree has urged educational institutions to treat green campuses as long-term investments that generate environmental, economic, and social returns. The organisation believes schools, colleges, and universities can play a pivotal role in building climate-resilient communities while reducing their own operational costs.

According to government projections, nearly 40% of India’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2036, increasing pressure on infrastructure, natural resources, and air quality. Research also shows that well-planned urban green spaces can reduce surrounding temperatures by 2°C to 8°C, helping lower energy consumption for cooling while improving thermal comfort and air quality.

Dr. Mukesh Kwatra, Founder of Smiling Tree, said, 

“Green spaces are not just environmental assets—they are economic assets. Trees help reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, support biodiversity, and create healthier learning environments. Every educational institution should view investment in nature as an investment in its students, its community, and its future.”

He added, 

“Universities have the power to transform climate awareness into climate action. By integrating tree plantations, biodiversity conservation, water harvesting, waste management, and sustainability education into campus life, institutions can become living laboratories for environmental innovation and responsible leadership.”

Through its ‘From Classrooms to Climate Action: Building Green Campuses’ initiative, Smiling Tree is encouraging educational institutions to undertake tree plantation drives, create biodiversity zones, promote waste segregation, reduce single-use plastics, conserve water, and actively involve students in sustainability projects.

Dr. Kwatra emphasized that India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070 requires active participation from educational institutions. “Every green campus becomes a model for sustainable urban development and inspires thousands of young people to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles,” he said.

Smiling Tree believes that investing in urban green spaces not only contributes to climate resilience but also enhances institutional reputation, supports Environmental, Social and Governance goals, and creates healthier, more productive campuses. The organisation has called on universities across India to make nature an integral part of education, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and economic progress can go hand in hand.

July 8: In a move aimed at providing greater financial relief to the fishing community, the Gujarat Cabinet has approved a key amendment to the state’s diesel Value Added Tax (VAT) relief scheme by removing the boat length criterion, allowing more fishermen to benefit from the subsidy.

The revised policy is expected to make the scheme more inclusive by extending eligibility to a larger number of fishing vessel owners, irrespective of the size of their boats. The decision is intended to ease the financial burden of rising fuel costs, one of the biggest operational expenses for fishermen.

State government officials said the amendment reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the fisheries sector and improving the livelihoods of coastal communities. By broadening the scope of the scheme, the government aims to ensure that welfare benefits reach more beneficiaries engaged in marine fishing.

The Cabinet believes the revised policy will not only support fishermen economically but also encourage greater participation in the fisheries sector, which plays a vital role in Gujarat’s coastal economy. The updated diesel VAT relief scheme is expected to come into effect as per the government’s notified guidelines.

New Delhi, July 8: The Centre has intensified its preparedness measures to address the potential impact of El Niño while expressing confidence over the progress of the ongoing kharif season, aided by improved monsoon conditions across several parts of the country.

According to official data, kharif sowing has reached 350.85 lakh hectares, reflecting steady progress in agricultural activities following the revival of monsoon rains. The increase in cultivated area is expected to support crop production and provide relief to farmers after concerns over delayed rainfall in some regions.

The government is closely monitoring weather patterns and their possible impact on agriculture, with a special focus on mitigating risks associated with El Niño. Ministries and state governments have been directed to maintain preparedness and ensure timely interventions to safeguard crop health, water availability, and farmers’ livelihoods.

Officials said contingency plans are in place to respond to any weather-related challenges, including the availability of quality seeds, irrigation support, and other agricultural inputs. Regular coordination is also being maintained with state authorities to review rainfall distribution, reservoir levels, and crop conditions.

The Centre reiterated its commitment to supporting farmers through proactive planning and continuous monitoring, while emphasizing that favourable monsoon conditions in recent weeks have significantly improved the pace of kharif sowing across the country.

Tokyo, Japan, July 8: Toray Industries, Inc. today announced the discovery of a novel lead compound that exhibits ferroptosis-inhibiting activity, marking an important step in its efforts to develop innovative therapies for ferroptosis-related diseases. Preclinical studies in animal models of kidney disease have demonstrated promising pharmacological activity, supporting further research and development.

Building on these findings, Toray has initiated a collaborative research program with Professor Kenichi Yamada and his research group at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University. The collaboration aims to identify novel biomarkers capable of evaluating the biological effects of ferroptosis inhibition in renal disease models.

Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and has emerged as a key mechanism underlying kidney injury and a range of other diseases. However, the dynamic and complex molecular changes associated with ferroptosis have made it difficult to accurately assess disease progression and therapeutic response. Developing reliable biomarkers remains a critical challenge in advancing ferroptosis-targeted drug discovery.

The newly identified lead compound was discovered through Toray’s proprietary drug discovery platform and has demonstrated pharmacological activity in animal models of ischemia-reperfusion acute kidney injury, where ferroptosis is believed to play a significant pathogenic role.

Professor Yamada’s laboratory is internationally recognized for its research on lipid peroxidation and oxidized lipids. The group has developed advanced analytical technologies to detect and characterize oxidized lipid molecules while investigating their roles in disease mechanisms and biomarker discovery.

Under the collaboration, Toray’s lead compound will be evaluated in animal models of ischemia-reperfusion acute kidney injury to investigate molecular changes associated with lipid peroxidation. By integrating Toray’s drug discovery expertise with Kyushu University’s analytical capabilities, the partners aim to identify novel biomarkers that can accurately assess ferroptosis inhibition and support future therapeutic development.

As part of its early partnership strategy, Toray also plans to pursue collaborative research and out-licensing opportunities with biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical partners capable of advancing the program into clinical development.

Through these efforts, Toray seeks to accelerate the development of new therapeutic candidates targeting ferroptosis-related diseases and contribute to addressing significant unmet medical needs in renal disorders and other conditions associated with ferroptotic cell death.

Jakarta, July 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Indonesia for Australia after completing his official visit, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto seeing him off before his departure.

The visit highlighted the strong friendship and growing partnership between India and Indonesia. Both countries discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, defence, technology and regional development.

The farewell ceremony reflected the close relationship between the two nations and their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in the future.

Following his Indonesia visit, Prime Minister Modi will continue his international engagements in Australia, focusing on strengthening ties and exploring new areas of collaboration.

July 8: The quarterfinal teams for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been confirmed after Argentina and Switzerland recorded important victories in their Round of 16 matches.

Argentina reached the last eight after making a strong comeback against Egypt in a thrilling encounter. The team’s star player Lionel Messi once again played a crucial role in helping Argentina move forward in the tournament.

Switzerland also secured a quarterfinal place after defeating Colombia in a tense penalty shootout. The match ended in a goalless draw before Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties.

With the quarterfinal line-up now complete, the tournament enters a crucial stage where teams will compete for a place in the semifinals and continue their journey towards the World Cup title.

New Delhi, July 8: Improvement in monsoon rainfall activity is expected to provide significant support to India’s kharif sowing operations, helping farmers accelerate planting activities across major agricultural regions, according to a recent report.

The revival in rainfall has improved soil moisture conditions in several areas, creating favourable conditions for sowing key kharif crops, including rice, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and maize. The development is expected to support agricultural activity and improve prospects for the ongoing crop season.

The report highlighted that while monsoon progress has improved in recent weeks, rainfall distribution remains uneven across regions. Some areas continue to experience rainfall shortages, which have affected the pace of sowing compared with the previous year.

A sustained improvement in monsoon activity during the remaining sowing period will be crucial for farmers to complete planting operations and maintain healthy crop growth. Adequate rainfall, along with improved water availability, is expected to strengthen farm output and support rural economic activity.

Agricultural experts noted that the performance of the kharif season will depend largely on the consistency and distribution of rainfall in the coming weeks. A well-distributed monsoon could help reduce risks to crop production and support food supply stability.