The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal for a new passenger terminal at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, along with works related to the runway and apron extension.

The new passenger terminal will be built at an estimated cost of ₹2,869 crore, which will increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity from 39 lakh passengers per annum to 99 lakh passengers per annum and will be spread over 75,000 sq. m. The design will reflect the cultural heritage of the city.

The proposal also includes runway extension and an expanded apron to park 20 aircraft. A press statement from the government said that the Varanasi airport will be a green facility. This will be implemented through energy optimisation, waste recycling, solar energy utilisation, and other measures.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the development of a Rs 76,200-crore all-weather greenfield deep draft major port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra, according to an official statement.

The statement said the project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a shareholding of 74 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively.

The port will be one of the top 10 ports in the world, it added.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved an increase in the minimum support prices (MSP) for all 14 kharif crops for the 2024-25 crop season that runs from July to June.

The increase means farmers will get around ₹2 trillion as MSP – ₹35,000 crore more than what they got in the previous season, Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while briefing the media on the cabinet decisions.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects at a total outlay of Rs 7,453 crore.

This includes an outlay of Rs 6,853 crore for the installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects (500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu), and a grant of Rs 600 crore for the upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore wind energy projects.

An official release said that the VGF scheme is a major step towards implementation of the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified in 2015 with an aim to exploit the vast offshore wind energy potential that exists within the exclusive economic zone of India.

In a bid to have more scientific investigations across the country to achieve better conviction rates in criminal cases, the Union Cabinet Wednesday approved the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES).

The scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs 2,254.43 crore during the period from 2024-25 to 2028-29, aims to establish campuses of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) across the country apart from setting up more central forensic science laboratories enhancing existing infrastructure of NFSU, Delhi.

The development assumes significance in the wake of the new criminal laws coming into effect from July 1.

Private sector Dhanlaxmi Bank on Tuesday said it has appointed Ajith Kumar KK as Managing Director (MD) of the bank.

He will take charge on June 20, Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank said in a regulatory filing.

The board at its meeting held on Tuesday approved the appointment of Ajith Kumar KK as Managing Director & CEO of the bank for a period of three years with effect from June 20, 2024, and on such remuneration as approved by RBI vide letter dated April 18, it said.
The bank will seek approval of the shareholders for the said appointment within the prescribed time period in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI regulations, it said.

Mark Rutte, who looks set to be NATO’s next secretary-general, is a staunch ally of Ukraine and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who honed his skills as a political dealmaker during nearly 14 years as Dutch prime minister.

Rutte, 57, has been one of the driving forces behind Europe’s military support for Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, and says defeat on the battlefield for Moscow is vital to secure peace in Europe.

His view is heavily influenced by the downing of an airliner over Ukraine in 2014, which the Netherlands blames on Russia, and in which 196 of the 298 victims were Dutch. NATO must be powerful to counter Moscow, and other European Union leaders must not be naive about Putin’s Russia, he says.

“He won’t stop at Ukraine, if we don’t stop him now. This war is bigger than Ukraine itself. It’s about upholding the international rule of law,” Rutte told the United Nations in September 2022, seven months after Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Gudakesh Motie has been awarded the ICC Men's Player of the Month for May 2024, marking yet another significant achievement for West Indies cricket this year.

This accolade follows Hayley Matthews' award in May as ICC Women's Player of the Month for April 2024, as well as Shamar Joseph's win in January, showcasing the exceptional talent within teams.

Motie's performances throughout May were pivotal, particularly during the home series against South Africa, where he took eight wickets at an impressive average of 8.50. His efforts were instrumental in securing a 3-0 series victory for the West Indies. Additionally, Motie's form has continued into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where he has taken five wickets at an average of 11.

Thailand's Senate voted overwhelmingly in support of a marriage equality bill, on Tuesday, making it the first Southeast Asian country to enact such a law.

The bill was passed with the approval of 130 of the 152 members of the Senate in attendance, with 4 voting against it and 18 abstaining, according to news agency PTI.

The bill will now need King Maha Vajiralongkorn to sign off on it, followed by its publication in the Royal Government Gazette, which will set a date within 120 days when it becomes effective.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a prevalent blood illness that affects over 20 million people in India, placing a significant load on healthcare systems. In many areas of our nation, a significant illness burden is being caused by a lack of knowledge about sickle cell disease.

Red blood cells with this genetic condition have a sickle shape, which causes early cell death and obstructs blood flow. Although it affects non-tribal people as well, the illness is more prevalent in India's tribal community. A number of organs, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, bones, and brain are affected, along with anaemia, pain, and reduced development. The world's highest tribal population density is found in India.