Registrations for the 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival – MIFF for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation Films are open till Sunday. MIFF 2026 will be held from 15th to 21st June 2026 at the NFDC Complex in Mumbai.

One of the key highlights of the festival will be the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar, which is scheduled from 16th to 18th June 2026. The Doc Bazaar will feature multiple verticals, including a Co-production Market, Viewing Room, and Work in Progress Lab. It aims to facilitate connections between global buyers and sellers of non-feature films while fostering collaboration and innovation in documentary filmmaking, production, and distribution.

Established in 1990, MIFF is South Asia’s oldest and largest non-feature film festival and is held biennially. Organized by the National Film Development Corporation, the festival not only provides a valuable platform for networking and co-production opportunities but also offers cash awards of around 55 lakh rupees, including the prestigious Golden Conch Award for Best Documentary that carries a cash prize of ten lakh rupees.

Consequent upon the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Shri Anand Kumar Pal, Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS), has assumed the charge of Chief Adviser (Cost) in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, today.

A 1997-batch officer of the ICoAS, Shri Anand Kumar Pal was serving as Additional Chief Adviser (Cost) in the Ministry of Defence.

He is a qualified Cost Accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a bachelor’s degree in Law. He has vast experience of over 30 years in the fields of financial analysis, public policy and its implementation, WTO trade policy, and costing and pricing methodologies in both strategic and non-strategic sectors.

He has previously worked in the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Public Enterprises, Fertilizer Industries Coordination Committee (FICC), Directorate General of Trade Remedies, Ministry of Defence, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), and the Department of Revenue.

During his tenure in the Ministry of Defence, he played a significant role in achieving substantial cost savings in the procurement of defence armaments, equipment, and platforms.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday hailed the launch of the India-USA Trade Facilitation Portal, calling it a "forward-looking initiative" that will enable direct engagement between Indian exporters and United States importers.

Addressing the virtual launch of the India-USA Trade Facilitation Portal, he added that it will provide greater opportunities to further deepen the bilateral trade partnership between both countries.

Sharing a post on X, Goyal wrote, "Delighted to virtually address the launch of the India-USA Trade Facilitation Portal. It is a forward-looking initiative that will enable direct engagement between Indian exporters & US importers, providing greater opportunities to further deepen our bilateral trade partnership."

Brazil speedster Laura Cardoso scripted history as she became the first player in either men's or women's T20I cricket to pick up nine wickets in a single innings on Thursday, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Brazilian pacer achieved this historic feat against Lesotho during Match No. 14 of the ongoing BCA Kalahari Women's T20I Tournament 2026, which was played at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2 in Gaborone.

During the clash, Laura Cardoso bowled a sensational spell, finishing with record-breaking figures of 9/4 from her three overs, which is now the best-ever bowling figures in men's or women's T20I cricket.

In a groundbreaking achievement, India has successfully demonstrated a 1,000-kilometre quantum communication network in less than two years under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), significantly outpacing the original eight-year, 2,000-km target. Developed using indigenous technology from QNu Labs, a startup nurtured by the mission, this deployment ranks among the longest quantum key distribution (QKD) systems worldwide, strengthening India's quantum-safe security infrastructure.

Department of Science and Technology (DST) Dr Abhay Karandikar described the achievement as a “landmark advancement,” noting that it surpasses early-stage expectations and puts India on track to achieve its target of a 2,000-km quantum communication network.

Former India Test cricketer CD Gopinath, who was the last surviving member of India's historic first Test victory, passed away in Chennai at the age of 96, according to ESPNcricinfo. The 96-year-old was also India's oldest Test cricketer and the second oldest worldwide after Australia's Neil Harvey, who is 97 years and 183 days old. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) paid tribute following the death of CD Gopinath. In a post shared on X social media handle, TNCA wrote, "Rest in peace, CD Gopinath! A true pioneer of Indian cricket and the last surviving member of the historic team that scripted India's first-ever Test victory. Your legacy will forever be etched in the game's rich history."

After two consecutive terms, senior Janata Dal (United) leader Harivansh has been nominated for another six-year term in the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu.

This development ended speculation about whether Harivansh would continue his membership of the Upper House after making way for JD(U) patriarch Nitish Kumar on one of the four seats that the key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally occupies in the House. Kumar is scheduled to take the oath soon and demit office as Bihar chief minister.

According to the current configuration of the 245-member House, the NDA holds sway in 141 seats, which include 105 for the BJP, five for the AIADMK, and four each for the Nationalist Congress Party and JD(U), among others.

Vantara on Friday announced the launch of world’s first integrated global university dedicated to wildlife conservation and veterinary sciences. Situated in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, the university is rooted in animal welfare, scientific advancement, and the future of wildlife conservation.

The new institution aims to develop future leaders in veterinary medicine, conservation, and wildlife care. Its curriculum will utilise the country’s enduring knowledge traditions to shape a purpose-led and future-facing model of education.

In a statement, Anant Ambani, Reliance Industries Executive Director and founder of Vantara, the global wildlife conservation organisation said that the future of conservation will depend on how we prepare minds and institutions to serve life with compassion, knowledge, and skill.

In Maharashtra, a ‘Yoga Mahotsav’ will be held today at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Garden premises near the world-famous Lonar Crater Lake in Buldhana district. The event is part of the countdown leading up to the International Day of Yoga. Union Minister of State for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav has urged all government departments to actively participate in the event.

With just 75 days to go for the International Day of Yoga, the Ministry of AYUSH has organized the event to promote yoga on a wider scale. Over 7,000 yoga practitioners are expected to take part in the event. International Yoga Day is celebrated annually on 21st of June.

Shri Tejveer Singh, IAS (PB :1994), today assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

On the occasion, Shri Singh was welcomed by Smt. Nivedita Shukla Verma, outgoing Secretary, DCPC, along with senior officers of the Department.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary, DCPC, Shri Tejveer Singh was serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Government of Punjab.

Shri Singh is a 1994-batch IAS officer from Punjab Cadre has an extensive administrative career. He has held several key assignments in the Government of Punjab, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary to the Chief Minister. He has also served as District Magistrate in various districts.