Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the trial operation of the world's first electric abra manufactured using 3D printing technology, in collaboration with the private sector.

The abra, which can carry 20 passengers, was designed, and built to retain the traditional abra identity. This initiative supports the government's efforts to achieve Dubai's 3D printing strategy. It aims to reduce abra manufacturing time by 90 percent, slash manufacturing costs by 30 percent, and cut operation and maintenance expenses by 30 percent. Additionally, it supports RTA's environmental sustainability strategy for maritime transport.

Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA), represented by the Services and Technical Support Department for Information and Communication Technology, received a global certificate from the international organisation "PrintReleaf Standard", in recognition of its distinguished efforts in contributing to achieving sustainable development and preserving the environment.

SEWA launched an initiative in cooperation with Xerox Emirates to participate in the global reforestation programme approved by the organisation. During the planting of trees in exchange for the papers that are printed, SEWA achieved outstanding results within the programme and was able to plant 115 trees from 1st January to 31st May 2024.

The Art of Living, under guidance from world renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has been addressing critical issues that impact the wellbeing of the nation. From water conservation and agricultural sustainability to environmental protection, afforestation, rural development, women's empowerment, skill development, free education, waste management, and renewable energy; The Art of Living has been at the forefront of driving positive change.
The organisation's efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Double Recognition for Excellence in '24

The Art of Living was honoured as the Best NGO of the Year 2024 for water conservation initiativesat the Global CSR & ESG Awards. This prestigious recognition, accepted by Chairman Shri Prasana Prabhu, highlights the collaborative efforts that have driven success and reaffirms the organisation's commitment to achieving water positivity in India. Earlier this year, the organisation also received the Best CSR Impact Award for the JalTara Project at the NGI CSR Summit, emphasising significant contributions to environmental and social sustainability.

Subhash Prasad Gupta, presently serving as India’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Hanoi, has been appointed as India’s next ambassador to Suriname, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Subhash Pradesh Gupta is the Foreign Service Officer of the 2006 batch. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly, according to MEA.

In a statement, MEA said, “Shri Subhash Prasad Gupta (IFS:2006), presently Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of India, Hanoi, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Suriname.”

NITI Aayog has announced the launch of the ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ as part of the e-FAST India initiative. This pioneering hackathon aims to foster innovative business models for the adoption of zero-emission trucks in India, addressing the nation’s pressing economic and environmental challenges.

NITI Aayog has also invited students, transport service practitioners, academics, and researchers to develop innovative business models that address financial, technical, and operational challenges in the adoption of electric trucks. The program has garnered participation from e-FAST India knowledge partners, financial institutions, and industry forums.

The ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ is being organised in collaboration with IIM Bangalore, Smart Freight Centre India, WRI India and other institutions. NITI Aayog said that the hackathon will unfold in two rounds. It said that the GearShift Challenge marks a pivotal move towards sustainable freight transportation in India.

The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Friday gave its approval to rationalise the provisions for zero electricity bills for domestic consumers by restricting subsidy to 'one family one meter' and interlinking power connections with ration cards.

In a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state Cabinet has decided to abolish the entire subsidy on electricity bills of chief minister, former CMs, speaker, deputy speaker, ministers, MP, MLAs, former ministers, chairman of boards/ advisors, OSDs, all Class-I and Class 2 employees of the government/corporations/boards, including IAS, IPS and other officers and all income taxpayers, according to a statement.

Previously, electricity bills for up to 125 units/month were free in Himachal Pradesh.

Uttarakhand and Kerala have taken the top spot among states in NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24, which assesses sustainable development across states on the basis of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Overall, India’s SDG score improved to 71 points in 2023-24 from 66 points in 2020-21, supported by progress made in poverty reduction, economic growth, and climate action.

The SDG India Index, which evaluates progress made across 16 goals on a scale of 1 to 100, rated Kerala and Uttarakhand as the best performing states with a score of 79 points each, while Bihar emerged as a laggard with 57 points, followed by Jharkhand at 62 points. Compared to 2020-21 scores, which was the last time NITI Aayog published the index, Punjab, Manipur, West Bengal, and Assam recorded the highest increase of 8 points to 76, 72, 70, and 65 points respectively.

Carlos Alcaraz overpowered seven-time champion Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) on Sunday to retain his Wimbledon title and win his fourth Grand Slam crown. It was a rematch of last year’s championship match on the grass of the All England Club, which Alcaraz won in five sets.

The Spanish third seed, who becomes just the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back, denied Djokovic a record 25th major in a display of brutal power.

This one — played in front of a Centre Court crowd that included Kate, the Princess of Wales, in a rare public appearance since announcing she has cancer — was much easier for Alcaraz, at least until he stumbled while holding three match points as he served for the victory at 5-4 in the third set.

Spain is the king of European soccer for a record fourth time. For England, it’s another agonizing near-miss in the team’s decades-long tale of underachievement.

Completing a tournament the team dominated from start to finish, Spain beat England 2-1 in the European Championship final on Sunday with Mikel Oyarzabal the unlikely match-winner in the 86th minute.

Oyarzabal, a backup striker who came on as a substitute for captain Alvaro Morata, slid in to poke home a left-wing cross by Marc Cucurella, just when the game at Berlin’s Olympiastadion seemed destined for extra time.

“The Indian economy will grow around 7% in the current fiscal year and is on track to maintain a similar growth rate for several years,” NITI Aayog member Arvind Virmani said on July 12.

Mr. Virmani said there are new challenges facing the country and they will have to be dealt with. "Indian economy will grow at 7% plus minus point 0.5%... I expect that we are on track to grow at 7% for several years from today," he told PTI in an interview.

Last month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) pegged the FY25 gross domestic product (GDP)growth rate at 7.2%. Responding to a question on the decline in private consumption expenditures in the last fiscal year, Mr. Virmani said it is actually recovering now.