The Indian Air Force (IAF) is carrying out 'Exercise Aakraman' in the central sector with its mainstream fighter aircraft taking part in it, sources said on Thursday.

However, this is a "routine exercise", a source said.

India's frontline fighter jets include Rafales, Su-30s and other aircraft.

Further details are awaited.

The exercise is taking place at a time when the tension between India and Pakistan has gone up after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

India’s inland water transport (IWT) sector has achieved a record cargo movement of 145.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25—nearly eight times the 18.10 MMT recorded in FY 2013–14. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announced this milestone on Thursday, attributing the achievement to strategic investments, digital tools, and policy reforms led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).

The sector has grown at a CAGR of 20.86% over the last decade, with a 9.34% rise over the previous year alone. Five bulk commodities—coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, and fly ash—accounted for over 68% of the cargo moved. Passenger movement reached 1.61 crore in 2023–24.

Operational National Waterways increased from 5 in 2014 to 29 today, with the navigable length rising from 2,716 km to 4,894 km. Infrastructure investment over the decade touched Rs. 6,434 crore, with key developments including Multi-Modal Terminals, community jetties, floating terminals, and navigational locks.

In a major push towards strengthening global partnerships in critical mineral research, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, has signed two Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) with leading Russian institutions.

The strategic agreements were signed with the State Research and Design Institute of the Rare Metal Industry (JSC Giredmet), affiliated with the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom, and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST MISIS), Moscow. These partnerships are aimed at enhancing collaboration in advanced mineral processing and sustainable resource development.

Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director of CSIR-IMMT, signed both JDIs—one with Dr. Andrei I. Golinei, Director, Chemical Technology Unit, JSC Rosatom Science, and the other with Dr. Michael R. Filonov, Vice-Rector, NUST MISIS. The initiatives are being coordinated by Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head of Business Development, CSIR-IMMT, in close cooperation with Dr. Konstantin V. Ivanovskikh, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation, Giredmet JSC, and Dr. Korotchenko Natalia, Director, MISIS Information and Marketing Centre.

nion Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today launched the issuance of sports certificates via DigiLocker at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

Prior to the launch, he inaugurated the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) at the same venue.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to athlete welfare, stating that all sports initiatives undertaken by Modi Government are athlete-centric. Citing examples of the Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024, Draft National Sports Policy 2024, and the Draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS) 2025, the Minister said these reflect the Government’s resolve to ensure transparency, fairness and good governance in the Indian sports ecosystem.

Axis Max Life Insurance Ltd., formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. ("Axis Max Life"/ "Company"), has launched Bandhan 2.0, an AI-enabled augmented reality platform. Integrating advanced technology with immersive brand storytelling, the platform features interactive gamification, virtual environments, and opportunities for direct engagement with the leadership during the orientation of the new hires.

Gautam Rao, Senior Vice President and Head - HR Centre of Excellence, Axis Max Life Insurance, said, "Bandhan 2.0 represents a bold step forward in reimagining how we engage talent from the very start. We believe onboarding should do more than sharing information, it should inspire, connect, and empower the new hires from the inception of their professional journey at Axis Max Life. With the launch of this augmented-reality enabled platform, we are creating a unified, immersive, and technology-led experience that mirrors the future of work. It's not just about orientation, it's about cultivating belonging, confidence, and purpose from day one."

AIIMS Raipur has successfully performed its first Swap Kidney Transplant, also known as a Kidney Paired Transplant. Union Health Ministry said, with this achievement, AIIMS Raipur became the first among the newer AIIMS institutions and the first government hospital in Chhattisgarh to carry out this complex and life-saving procedure. The Ministry said, this significant milestone underscores the institute’s commitment to advancing healthcare and providing innovative treatment solutions for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. It is estimated that Swap Kidney Transplant lead to a 15 per cent increase in the number of transplants. Recognizing its potential, the National Organisation and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has recommended for the implementation of Swap donor transplantation to all the states and Union Territories, which could increase the number of donors.

In a landmark step towards building an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, Minister Piyush Goyal today launched The Bharat Project, a bold national initiative by YourStory, aimed at empowering 1 million entrepreneurs from Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India. The Bharat Project brings together the government, ecosystem enablers, creators, and communities to unlock grassroots potential and make access to entrepreneurial tools, education, and funding easier for everyone.

Built on five key pillars, the Bharat Project will aid entrepreneurs through – Co-Pilot for Entrepreneurs–an AI-powered mobile-first platform that offers startup guidance, learning resources, mentorship access, and success stories in both Hindi and English, Education & Upskilling, which will drive state-level and district-level activations and WhatsApp-based learning to help young people learn how to start and grow their businesses, Bharat Ideathon, – a nationwide challenge that will find great business ideas from over 1,000 districts and help top founders with mentorship and visibility, BharatSparks – a launchpad where selected entrepreneurs from smaller towns will get a chance to pitch to investors, win grants, and build long-term support and Shuru-kar – a 7-part web documentary series that will showcase real startup stories from across regions, featuring innovators, investors, and policymakers.

Malla Reddy Narayana Hospital, Hyderabad is a premier cancer care centre in Telangana, announced a remarkable medical achievement: the successful treatment of a rare case of Primary Peritoneal Ewing's Sarcoma using an advanced procedure involving Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) followed by Hypothermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC).

This rare and complex case involved 24-year-old Mr. Kumar, who had previously undergone two lines of chemotherapy at other institute came to the Cancer Center of Malla Reddy Narayana Hospital, he was diagnosed with Primary Peritoneal Ewing's Sarcoma, an exceptionally rare and aggressive malignancy that typically does not occur in the peritoneum. The diagnosis and subsequent treatment required a high level of expertise and precision, provided by a multidisciplinary oncology team led by Dr. Harish Dara, Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology.

Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd. (Star Health Insurance), India's leading private health insurance provider, has partnered with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as their official health insurance partner for the ongoing T20 League 2025. Star Health Insurance is advancing its efforts to promote health and wellness through cricket and what better platform to partner with in the sports space. This partnership marks a meaningful step forward.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr.Anand Roy, MD & CEO, Star Health Insurance, said, "We are delighted to associate with Sunrisers Hyderabad in this T20 league, as this partnership perfectly reflects our three core values: customer centricity, trust and transparency. This league, which is in its 18th season, is not just a celebration of cricket, but also a platform that brings together millions of people across the country, echoing our commitment to putting customers at the heart of everything we do. Just as the players and teams earn the trust of their fans through dedication and integrity, we strive to build lasting trust with our customers through reliable service and transparent processes. This collaboration is a testament to our shared belief in these values, both on the pitch and in everyday life, and we look forward to supporting the team and the tournament while championing what matters most to our customers."

There is no stopping writer-director Payal Kapadia, whose debut feature film ‘All We Imagine As Light’ won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival last May. Nearly a year after this much acclaimed movie started its journey with its Cannes premiere, Kapadia was conferred with the insignia of Officier des Arts et des Lettres on Wednesday evening in Mumbai.

In special event organised at the official residence of Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Consul General of France in Mumbai, and Mrs Ekaterina Burdina, Kapadia was presented with the insignia in recognition for her contribution to cinema. “It is important to honour Payal Kapadia at this stage of her career. Also to honour the ties between France and India — two great filmmaking countries. We look forward to seeing what you create in future,” said Séré-Charlet.