Deforestation continued last year at a rate far beyond pledges to end the practice by 2030, according to a major study published on Tuesday.

Forests nearly the size of Ireland were lost in 2023, according to two dozen research organisations, NGOs and advocacy groups, with 15.7 million acres of trees felled and burned. This “significantly exceeded” levels that would have kept the world on track to eliminate deforestation by the end of the decade, a commitment made in 2021 by more than 140 leaders. Forests are home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial plant and animal species and crucial for regulating water cycles and sequestering CO2, the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

“Globally, deforestation has gotten worse, not better, since the beginning of the decade,” said Ivan Palmegiani, a biodiversity and land use consultant at Climate Focus and lead author of the Forest Declaration Assessment report.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected a real GDP growth of 7.2% for the fiscal year 2024-25, along with an expected moderation in Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to 4.5%, following the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held on Wednesday.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that GDP growth is projected at 7% for Q2, increasing to 7.4% in both Q3 and Q4. For the first quarter of the next financial year (2025-26), growth is anticipated to be 7.3%, with risks evenly balanced across various economic indicators.

Das emphasized that this growth trajectory is supported by strong quarterly performances, notably fueled by a revival in private consumption and an uptick in investments. “Real GDP grew by 6.7 percent in Q1 of FY25, led by a resurgence in private consumption and the highest investment share in GDP since 2012-2013,” he said, although he noted a contraction in government expenditure during the same period.

India has taken a monumental step in astrophysics with the inauguration of the Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh.

Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, officially opened the facility marking a significant milestone in India's scientific achievements.

MACE stands as Asia's largest imaging Cherenkov telescope and, at an altitude of approximately 4,300 meters, is the highest of its kind globally.

An Imaging Cherenkov Observatory is a facility designed to detect and observe Cherenkov radiation produced by high-energy cosmic particles, such as gamma rays or cosmic rays, when they interact with Earth's atmosphere.

In a historic maritime engagement, Indian Navy and Italian Navy carried out the maiden exercise by Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) of both the sides, off Goa coast from October 1 to 6.

The sea phase of the exercise, held on October 5 and 6, was led by the carriers INS Vikramaditya and ITS Cavour, along with INS Visakhapatnam and ITS Alpino, the Indian Navy said.

The Italian CSG, commanded by Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, left Italy’s Taranto on June 1 and has been on an operational campaign in the Indo-Pacific region. It comprises aircraft carrier ITS Cavour, multi-mission frigate ITS Alpino, and multi-purpose patrol boat ITS Montecuccoli.

Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has died, the group announced in a statement on Wednesday. He was 86. Ratan Tata, who ran the conglomerate for more than 20 years as chairman, had been undergoing intensive care in a Mumbai hospital since Monday.

"It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation," said N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, in a late night statement.

On Monday, the industrialist had in a social media post dismissed speculation surrounding his health and had said he was undergoing routine medical investigations due to his age.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Ratan Tata, calling him a visionary business leader, compassionate soul, extraordinary human being.

Yorkshire have appointed Anthony McGrath as their new men's head coach, succeeding former West Indies cricketer Ottis Gibson.

McGrath, 49, has signed a five-year contract and returns to his home county, where he developed as an all-rounder and earned 28 caps for England, including four Test appearances.

McGrath began his coaching career at Yorkshire after retiring in 2013, later moving to Essex.

At Essex, he initially served as assistant coach to Chris Silverwood, helping the team gain promotion in 2016 and win the County Championship in 2017.

The Indian women's table tennis team are assured of a first-ever medal at the Asian Championships after they beat Paris Olympics bronze medallists South Korea in the quarterfinal. Ayhika Mukherjee defied her status as a rank underdog by beating Shub Yubin and Jeon Jihee, thus becoming the architect of India's win.

Ayhika, ranked 92nd in the world, beat World No.8 Shin Yubin and World No.16 Jeon Jihee. She and Manika Batra gave India an unexpected 2-0 lead in the tie before South Korea fought back to make it 2-2.

Ayhika and Manika Batra had given India an unexpected 2-0 lead before the South Koreans made it 2-2. Ayhika held her nerve against Jihee to seal the win in the deciding contest.

The highly anticipated International Masters League (IML) is all set to take the world by storm, bringing together legendary cricketers from six cricketing powerhouses, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, and West Indies in a thrilling T20 franchise tournament.

The inaugural edition will run from November 17, to December 8. The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the opening leg of four matches.

The tournament will kick off with a high-octane fixture between India and Sri Lanka on November 17, pitting Sachin Tendulkar against Kumar Sangakkara, a throwback to their legendary encounters of the past.

In Madhya Pradesh, Ustad Allauddin Khan Festival will start today in Maihar. This is the golden jubilee year of this music festival. During the three-day event, many well-known personalities of the country will perform at the festival.

Akashvani’s correspondent reports, that the three-day Ustad Allauddin Khan festival is being organized jointly by the Madhya Pradesh Culture Department, Ustad Allauddin Khan Music and Art Academy and Maihar District Administration till October 10.

Ustad Allauddin Khan was famous in the music world not only in the country but also around the world. He made tireless efforts to promote the music tradition in Madhya Pradesh and connect the new generation with music. Two exhibitions are also being organized on this occasion.

In the first exhibition named ‘Devi’, there will be a collection of miniature paintings based on 108 names of Goddesses, while under the title ‘Tantu’, an exhibition focusing on string instruments is being organized.

Bangladesh's interim government has announced the formation of a nine-member commission to review and evaluate the country's constitution, and recommend necessary reforms.

Under the leadership of prominent Bangladeshi-American professor Ali Riaz, the Constitution Reform Commission will submit its report to the government within 90 days, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

The commission was formed to review and evaluate the existing constitution to establish a representative and effective democracy while empowering the people, it was announced on Monday.

It will prepare a report on recommendations for constitutional reform considering everyone's opinions, The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.