Assam government on Thursday organised Griha Pravesh (home entrance) ceremony for 3 lakh people of the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (Grameen). The government announced another 6 Lakh Houses Construction to be Complete by February 2024.

At a time when Iraq has emerged as a major supplier of crude oil to India, the Centre is looking at resuming operations of state-run ONGC Videsh Ltd’s (OVL) hydrocarbon exploration block in Iraq, which has been under force majeure since 2003, said two people with knowledge of the development.

One of the persons said Indian energy companies may look at investing in oil and gas assets in the West Asian country.

“Several aspects would be considered for resumption of operations at the stalled project and investments, including the security situation. There are some issues on which clarity would be required," said this person.

Google Pay, the second largest Unified Payment Interface (UPI) platform in the country has officially added support for UPI Lite payment, which allows users to make small payments without using the pin. UPI lite technology allows users to make fast payments even during peak hours with a higher success rate when compared to the conventional UPI payment.

Google Pay allows existing users to create a UPI lite wallet within the same app, which can be loaded up to Rs 2,000. It also enables users to make transactions worth up to Rs 200 without requiring a pin. Currently, there is a limitation, where, one can only load up to Rs 2,000 twice a day, hence, the spending limit on the Google Pay UPI lite is limited to Rs 4,000 per day.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Thursday said it has cancelled the certification of registration of four non-banking finance companies (NBFC) two from Telangana and one each from Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. And the entities will not transact the business of a shadow bank, as defined under RBI Act, 1934.

Separately, four NBFCs surrendered their registration certificates following a decision to exit from the non-banking finance business. Three NBFCs ceased operations following corporate actions such as amalgamation, dissolution, merger or voluntary strike-off. The remaining four NBFCs have surrendered their registration certificates because they do not require registration under the criteria prescribed for an unregistered core investment company (CIC), the central bank said in a release.

Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday laid the foundation stone for three national highway projects in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, the ministry of road transport & highways said. These projects encompass a combined length of 87 kilometers and carry a total cost of ₹2,900 crore.

According to the ministry, the first undertaking is the Naidupate-Turpu Kanupur Section of NH-71 spans 35 km and requires an investment of ₹1,399 crore. The second project is the Chillakuru cross-Krishnapatnam Port South Gate Section via Turpu Kanupur on NH-516W, covering a distance of 36 km and valued at ₹909 crore.

Reliance Foundation's Jyothi Yarraji scripted history in style at the Asian Athletics Championships by becoming the first Indian ever to win gold in the 100m hurdles event at the continental championships in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday.

In wet and slippery conditions due to heavy rain, Jyothi clocked a time of 13.09s in the final to finish on top in a strong field. Japan’s Asuka Terada (13.13s) and Masumi Aoki (13.26s) won silver and bronze respectively.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been working towards creating an inclusive and equitable society for all its citizens. Over the past nine years, the Ministry has launched several schemes and initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized sections of society, including students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes through Scholarships, Elderly Citizens, Safai Karmcharis, and Transgender people. The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering senior citizens in India. This scheme recognizes the invaluable contribution made by the elderly to society and seeks to ensure their well-being and social inclusion. By recognizing the invaluable contributions of the elderly to society, the government aims to empower and uplift them, ensuring their active participation and inclusion in all aspects of life.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, being the Nodal Department for welfare of senior citizens, is implementing various programs and schemes. National Action Plan for Senior Citizen (NAPSrc) had been revamped, renamed as Atal VayoAbhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) and subsumed in April 2021.

Lessons in relationships and sex education (RSE) are to be compulsory for 15 to 18 year olds at schools in the Republic of Ireland.

The move is planned as part of changes to the social, personal and health education (SPHE) for senior pupils.

Lessons will be "taught in a way that LGBTQ+ identities, relationships and families are fully integrated", according to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday inaugurated the indigenously developed Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) “Sagar Sampark” for further strengthening digital transformation of the Indian maritime sector, as part of the Digital India campaign, to bring in efficiency and efficacy of marine operation in the country.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, while speaking on the occasion, said that the launch of ‘Sagar Sampark’, at six locations under DGLL, will definitely enhance the capability of the DGLL in the field of radio aids to marine navigation.

India’s long-distance runner Abhishek Pal won bronze in the men's 10,000-meter event on Wednesday at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. This is Abhishek's maiden medal at a major competition.

Abhishek Pal opened India's gold tally in the Bangkok meet by finishing his race in 29:33.26 while competing at the Suphachalasai National Stadium, as per Olympics.com.