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.

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets the Amul brand, has announced that its total brand turnover has crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark in the financial year 2025–26, marking a major milestone for India’s largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative.

The federation said the Amul brand’s unduplicated turnover rose to over Rs 1 lakh crore, up around 11% from about Rs 90,000 crore in FY25, reinforcing its position as a leading global dairy cooperative brand.

GCMMF itself recorded a sales turnover of Rs 73,450 crore, an 11.4% increase from Rs 65,911 crore in the previous financial year, making it India’s largest FMCG organisation by value.

The cooperative credited the growth to its wide portfolio of over 1,200 products, an extensive distribution network, and its ability to adapt to changing consumer demand across urban and rural markets.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, took oath, along with eighteen other new and re-elected members of the Rajya Sabha, on Monday, 6 April. Guruswamy, picked by Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, had created history by becoming India's first openly queer Member of Parliament (MP).

Babul Supriya Baral (TMC),Rajeev Kumar (TMC), and Rukmini Mallik (BJP) also took oath as Rajya Sabha MPs from West Bengal on Monday.

Among others sworn in today are five members from Maharashtra, including Ramdas Bandu Athawale, Maya Chintaman Ivnate, Sharadchandra Pawar, Ramrao Sakharam Wadkute and Jyoti Nagnath Waghmare.