PRALHAD JOSHI CLIMATE CONCERNS
Euro zone yields nudge higher on US-Iran ceasefire worries
Euro zone bond yields ticked higher on Monday, as concerns grew that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might not hold, though borrowing costs were still meaningfully below their late-March highs hit before the ceasefire was announced.
Four candidates for UN secretary-general audition this week. That's far fewer than in 2016
Four candidates are vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General. This selection process unfolds in a world marked by deep divisions and a weakened UN. The candidates will face questions from member nations. The race is less crowded than a decade ago, reflecting current geopolitical realities. The United Nations faces challenges in maintaining global peace and security.
Even if there are 543 or 850 seats, BJP will win: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Delimitation
Speaking with the reporters outside the Parliament, Joshi said that the Centre delinked the census from delimitation to ensure women's reservation and increase the overall seats in the Parliament.
Why Opening Windows at the Wrong Time Can Trap Heat Inside
Opening windows on hot days can trap heat, making homes warmer and more uncomfortable. Research shows that hot air enters homes through open windows, raising indoor temperatures. This effect is amplified by sunlight and building materials. Experts advise ventilating homes during cooler times like early morning or late evening. Closing windows during peak heat preserves cooler temperatures.
In Trump era, fearful left-leaning Americans turn to guns
Left-leaning Americans are increasingly purchasing firearms due to fears of government overreach under the Trump administration. This trend is upending traditional gun ownership demographics, with individuals citing concerns about federal agents and societal polarization as motivations for seeking self-protection and preparedness.
Climate crisis is a gender issue, women face higher risks, less representation
Climate change disproportionately impacts women, who are often excluded from decision-making despite their crucial roles in crisis response. Addressing this gendered issue requires empowering women with access to resources, finance, and leadership opportunities. India's initiatives, like training Climate Champions and implementing heat insurance, demonstrate a path towards equitable climate resilience.
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Centre relaxes wheat procurement norms for Punjab to counter rain damage
The central government has eased wheat procurement rules for Punjab and Chandigarh for the Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27. This decision follows untimely rains that damaged crops. Relaxations include increased tolerance for lustre loss and shrivelled grains. Punjab officials are ensuring smooth procurement and timely payments to farmers. Opposition parties had criticized the state government for delays in seeking these relaxations.

'Closely following situation in West Asia': MEA on Pakistan's role in US-Iran ceasefire
India is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in West Asia. The nation welcomes ceasefires and supports peace initiatives. India will attend international talks on maritime security. Efforts are underway to ensure the safety of Indian nationals in the region. India has facilitated the safe return of over 2,300 individuals. The country also remains committed to its climate change goals.

India withdraws bid to host UN climate talks in 2028
India has withdrawn its offer to host the United Nations annual climate Conference Of the Parties COP33 in 2028. The foreign ministry confirmed the decision on Friday. Several issues were considered. India remains committed to its climate change commitments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed hosting the summit in 2023. COP summits are major global forums addressing climate threats.

No cause for concern at HDFC Bank: InGovern
HDFC Bank's financial health and leadership remain robust even after the resignation of its part-time chairman. Investors can be assured of the bank's financial strength and earning capacity. The bank's balance sheet is low risk and its dividend policy is clear. The board structure aligns with global standards for large banks.

Thermax: Putting best foot forward to help reduce carbon footprint
Thermax is leading the way in sustainable industrial growth. The company focuses on climate-aligned strategies and decarbonizing manufacturing. Thermax offers innovative solutions for cleaner energy and emission reduction. It also prioritizes biodiversity and water conservation. This approach shows that industrial progress and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Thermax is setting new standards for the energy and manufacturing sectors.

MEA briefs parliamentary panel on situation in Iran
Describing the interaction as wide-ranging, Shashi Tharoor said the members of the panel used the opportunity to press the government on critical issues.

US SEC seeks comment on contentious trading database
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on Thursday it is seeking public comment on whether it should comprehensively review the so-called Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), potentially re-opening a decade-long dispute over the trading database.

What Can Antarctic Ice Tell Us About Climate History?
Antarctic ice cores offer a direct window into Earth's past atmosphere, revealing greenhouse gas levels from millennia ago. These frozen time capsules, containing ancient air bubbles, allow scientists to accurately track changes in carbon dioxide and methane. This historical data is crucial for understanding past climate shifts and predicting future global warming trends.

Polls for nine Maharashtra Legislative Council seats scheduled for May 12: EC
Elections for nine Maharashtra Legislative Council seats are scheduled for May 12, as announced by the Election Commission of India. The tenure of these nine MLCs concludes on May 13, 2026, prompting the need for these biennial elections. The notification will be issued on April 23, with nominations closing on April 30.

US Senator Warren voices concern over Nvidia's acquisition of Slurm
Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns regarding Nvidia's acquisition of SchedMD. This move potentially grants Nvidia significant control over critical software powering US government supercomputers. Warren is seeking information on the extent of government dependency on Nvidia's technology. The acquisition could impact national security and competition in the high-performance computing sector.

‘Furnace’, ‘human oven’: Why people are worried about non-AC local trains with closed doors in hot and humid Mumbai
Mumbai is introducing India's first non-AC suburban train with automatic sliding doors, a safety upgrade following a fatal accident. The new 12-coach rake aims to prevent open-door travel fatalities by adopting a closed-door system similar to Metro services, though concerns about heat and humidity remain.

Amid West Asia crisis: Santa Marta meet aims to drive fossil fuel shift
The Santa Marta conference has been described as a meeting of the "coalition of doers", comprising countries and stakeholders committed to shifting away from fossil fuels. It will bring together members of existing alliances such as the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, and the Powering Past Coal Alliance.

L&T targets nuclear energy, expects 3x revenues in 5 years
"L&T has been associated with India's nuclear programme since its inception and has supported technology development, manufacturing and localisation," Anil V Parab, whole-time director and senior executive vice president, heavy engineering & manufacturing, told ET. "We will continue to support the government's push to scale nuclear capacity from about 8.8 GW currently to 100 GW by 2047."

Jindal Renewables, INOXGFL in Race for GIP's Vena India
The potential bidders are currently undertaking due diligence of the asset, and binding bids are expected by next month, the people said. Global investors, including Actis, Sembcorp, KKR, and Macquarie, had also evaluated the company but decided against holding advanced negotiations with GIP, said people aware of the development.

Karnataka government ignores protests, notifies lifetime tax on EVs, spares two-wheelers
Karnataka has introduced a new lifetime road tax for electric cars, jeeps, and buses, excluding two-wheelers. This move aims to generate an additional Rs 250 crore for the state government. The decision has drawn criticism from Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and the EV industry, who fear it could increase crude oil imports and hinder climate goals.

India records highest-ever annual solar capacity addition of 45 GW in FY 2025-26: Pralhad Joshi
The minister further informed that the country added 6.65 gigawatts of solar capacity in March 2026, marking the highest-ever solar installation in a single month. "Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have led this extraordinary growth, powering India's transition towards a cleaner, greener, and more self-reliant future," Joshi said.

Financial services bear maximum brunt of late-March FPI sell-off
Financial services bore the brunt of foreign investor selling in the latter half of March, with outflows exceeding ₹60,000 crore, the highest since 2012. This broad-based selling, driven by valuation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty, saw significant withdrawals from banking, automobiles, and construction sectors.

India's protein boom: Growth, risks & need for sustainable sourcing
India's appetite for protein is on the rise, opening doors for food enterprises seeking growth. However, this expansion is not without challenges, such as potential climate repercussions and the threat of antimicrobial resistance. It’s imperative for larger stakeholders to prioritize ethical sourcing. While there’s some headway in policy development, the implementation is still lacking.

Reflects govt's true commitment to Paris Agreement: Congress on India withdrawing bid to host COP33
India has withdrawn its offer to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028. Prime Minister Modi had announced India's bid at COP28 in Dubai. The Congress party has criticised the decision, questioning the government's commitment to climate agreements. No specific reasons were provided for the withdrawal.

India withdraws bid to host UN Climate Summit COP33 in 2028
India has withdrawn its offer to host the United Nations climate summit COP33 in 2028. The decision was conveyed to the Asia-Pacific regional group chair. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed hosting the summit in 2028. South Korea has also expressed interest in hosting.

Centre to roll out PM-KUSUM 2, push rooftop solar to hit 10 million homes
India is set to boost solar power with new schemes. The PM-KUSUM 2 initiative will expand solar irrigation. The PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to connect 10 million homes to solar power. Rooftop solar installations are progressing rapidly. Efforts are underway to address pending power sale agreements and transmission challenges to ensure green energy distribution.

India withdraws bid to host COP33 climate summit in 2028
India has withdrawn its offer to host the United Nations annual climate conference COP33 in 2028. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed India as the host country during COP28 in Dubai. The decision has been officially communicated. India had previously set up a dedicated cell to prepare for the summit. The right to host rotates between UN regional groups.

Climate stress affecting India's economy, aggravating health risks: Report
The year 2021 was marked by severe heat exposure in India, leading to alarming economic ramifications. An estimated 160 billion labor hours were lost, underpinning the urgency of addressing climate change impacts. Additionally, heatwaves posed a severe threat to public health, notably raising the incidence of cardiovascular-related deaths.
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