Fiji has launched its first-ever National Child Safeguarding Policy, setting a new national benchmark for child safety across all sectors of society. The new policy ensures that all services involving children are delivered in a safe, respectful, and child-friendly manner. It outlines concrete measures for institutions and organisations to prevent harm, including a mandatory Child Protection Code of Conduct, child-safe recruitment and vetting processes such as criminal background checks, and tailored risk mitigation strategies. The launch came amid growing regional concern about child protection across the Pacific, where cultural taboos, limited resources, and underreporting have often left cases of abuse hidden or unresolved.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi today attended the 90th Foundation Day celebrations of the National Sugar Institute in Kanpur as the chief guest. On this occasion, he said that Regular B.Tech and M.Tech courses related to the sugar industry will be run by the National Sugar Institute under the guidance of IIT Kanpur.

He also performed the Bhumi Pujan at the National Sugar Institute, for transformative infrastructure projects including a 350-bed hostel, a centralised mess and a state-of-the-art tissue culture lab, with an investment of around rupees 59 crores.

These infrastructural developments will significantly enhance NSI’s academic and research capabilities, fostering excellence in sugar and ethanol innovation.

Telangana state has launched its dedicated Tourism Police units, marking a significant step toward enhancing tourist safety. A week-long induction program for the first batch of 80 personnel commenced at the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) in Hyderabad. Organised by the Department of Tourism, the Orientation and Sensitisation of Tourist Police programme aimed at building capacity, strengthening visitor facilitation, and improving the overall tourism ecosystem in the state.

Addressing the participants, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order), Mahesh Bhagwat, said the initiative reflects a joint effort between the Police Department and the Tourism and Culture Department to ensure safety and hospitality across key destinations. Director, NITHM, Prof. Venkata Raman, underscored the state’s focus on projecting Telangana’s positive image globally through skilled, visitor-friendly personnel. The 80 Tourism Police will be deployed across nine Police Commissionerates at major places of tourism attractions, including Somasila, Ananthagiri, Ramappa, Yadagirigutta, Pochampally, Buddhavanam, Bhadrachalam, and Hyderabad.

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has launched ‘Sardar@150 – Unity March’ campaign in Chandigarh, yesterday, which will be carried on till December 6th across Punjab. The march is featuring a series of national activities including creative competitions and awareness campaigns aimed at connecting youth to the values of unity, patriotism and nation-building.

The Governor urged the youth to actively participate in the campaign and register themselves at www.mybharat.gov.in/mega_event to become a part of this nationwide movement dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Recalling Sardar Patel’s greatest contribution of unifying over 560 princely states into a single nation, Sh. Kataria said his leadership inspired the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and Sashakt Bharat’.

The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor has become one of the biggest contributors to the economy of Uttar Pradesh. Since the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2021, over 25.28 crore devotees have visited Baba Vishwanath, providing the state’s economy with an estimated 1.25 lakh crore rupees boost. The Chief Executive Officer of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vishwabhushan Mishra, said that consistent inflow of devotees and tourists from different states of India and countries around the world is providing large-scale employment opportunities for local traders, shopkeepers, boatmen, priests, street vendors, and hotel businesses. According to Professor Rajnath, an economist at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, tourists visiting Kashi Vishwanath Dham spend an average of over 5 thousand rupees per person. Even using the conservative estimate of rupees 4 to 5 thousand per visitor, approximately 1.25 lakh crore rupees have flowed into the state economy over the past three and a half years.

Seventy per cent of devotees visiting Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Dham come from South India, and approximately 15 per cent come from other states and districts. After visiting Kashi, these devotees often visit Vindhyavasini Dham, Tirthraj Prayag, Ayodhya, Mathura, Chitrakoot, Naimish, etc. This creates a ripple effect in the economy, further increasing the state’s GDP.

The first-ever Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference will begin in Mehsana in North Gujarat today. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will inaugurate the conference. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will be present at the inaugural session. The conference will focus on sectors including dairy and food processing, agriculture and agro-based industries, automobile components, engineering, renewable energy, and tourism. The initiative launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 aims to take the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit to every region of the state.

Akashvani correspondent reports that the two-day conference will feature 33 seminars, roundtable discussions, B2B and B2G meetings, and an MSME Conclave. Over 13,000 participants, including more than 200 international delegates, have registered for the event. Partner countries – Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Netherlands -along with global organisations such as JETRO, World Bank, ICBC, and the Russian Federation will take part in the event. A major attraction is the Regional Exhibition, spread over 18,000 square metres, showcasing North Gujarat’s industrial products – from agro produce like cumin, fennel, and isabgol to dairy products and auto components. The Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet will bring international buyers from 40 countries, offering export opportunities to local entrepreneurs. Delegates will also visit key industrial and heritage sites such as Maruti Suzuki, Banas Dairy, Dudh Sagar Dairy, and the Modhera Solar Park, besides cultural destinations like Rani-ki-Vav and Vadnagar. Mehsana conference will highlight North Gujarat’s industrial strengths, while connecting local enterprises with global investors and markets.

California has officially recognised the Diwali festival as a state holiday. It has now become the third state in the United States of America, after Pennsylvania and Connecticut, which declare Diwali as a state holiday.

Governor of California Gavin Newsom signed the bill introduced by Assembly member Ash Kalra, granting paid time off to state employees and allowing schools to observe the festival. Community leaders hailed the move as a milestone that honours the contributions of Indian Americans to the state’s economy, government, and society.

India is set to host the 8th Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly from 27th to 30th October at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event will bring the global community together to deepen cooperation and accelerate solar adoption for a brighter and sustainable future. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that during the event, the member countries will review progress, address challenges, and align actions toward one vision – affordable solar energy for all.

He said, India has achieved 50 per cent of its total installed electricity generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ago, ahead of its target. He said, India is the 3rd world largest Solar Producer and world 2nd largest market for renewable energy growth. Mr Joshi said that more than 20 lakh households have already been benefiting from solar power on their rooftop under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Yojana.

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated the country's first commercial electric truck battery swapping and charging station at the Delhi International Cargo Terminal Private Limited in Panchi Gujran village, Sonipat.

Speaking at the occasion, Gadkari urged transporters to transition from diesel and petrol to electric and biofuel alternatives, highlighting the benefits of reducing transportation costs. "Whatever I say, I do it with full conviction," he said, emphasising India's push toward alternative fuels and a diesel-free future.

Gadkari stated that India is rapidly transitioning towards alternative fuels, and the future will be a time of diesel-free transportation.

The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved four railway projects worth 24 thousand 634 crore rupees. These projects include Bhusaval – Wardha 3rd and 4th line, Gondia – Dongargarh 4th line, Vadodara – Ratlam 3rd and 4th line and Itarsi – Bhopal – Bina 4th line. The four multitracking projects will cover 18 Districts in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh, increasing the existing network of Indian Railways by about 894 kilometres.

Briefing media after the cabinet meeting in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project will enhance connectivity to approximately three thousand 633 villages, which have a population of over 85 lakh and two Aspirational Districts. Mr Vaishnaw said the increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways.