The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday approved the Amaravati Quantum Valley Declaration, which will guide the State’s efforts to advance quantum technologies and build a vibrant innovation ecosystem, including attracting USD 1 billion in investments by January 1, 2029.

The declaration follows deliberations held during the recent Quantum Valley Workshop in Vijayawada. “The Government hereby approves the Amaravati Quantum Valley Declaration. This shall serve as a guiding framework for the State’s efforts to advance quantum technologies and nurture a vibrant innovation ecosystem,” said Bhaskar Katamneni, Secretary to the Government, in a GO.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal announced five thousands crore rupees initiatives to boost the waterways and maritime sector in Northeast region. Addressing the media persons in Guwahati, he highlighted major port expansions, rising cruise tourism, and plans to train 50,000 youth for maritime jobs. New tourism and cargo jetties will be built in Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, and Guijan with 300 crore rupees investment. Water Metro projects are planned in Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh. Lighthouses with IMD centres will aid regional navigation and weather forecasting.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced several important initiatives for Bihar during his state visit, which will improve facilities for passengers, rail connectivity, and boost infrastructure growth. After the day-long visit to Bihar yesterday, Mr. Vaishnaw addressed the media persons in Patna. On the line of vision of development of Bihar through investment and new initiatives, the Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced rolling out four new Amrit Bharat trains to Bihar. He said that after several Vande Bharat and a Namo Bharat Express trains, it will be an additional gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Bihar.

Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new Amrit Bharat trains will run on the Patna to Delhi, Darbhanga to Lucknow, Malda to Lucknow, and Saharsa to Amritsar rail routes. Mr. Vaishnaw announced that a regular train will also be started from Jogbani to improve connectivity of Seemanchal Bihar to Southern India. He said the 53-kilometre Bhagalpur-Jamalpur third line will get nod soon, and a budget outlay of 1,156 crore rupees will be sanctioned. Mr. Vaishnaw said that a budget outlay of more than 2000 crore rupees for the doubling of the 104 km long Bakhtiyarpur- Rajgir-Tilaiya rail section will also get approval.

In a landmark step towards strengthening healthcare cooperation in South and Southeast Asia, the Government of India has launched a Specialized Training Program in Cancer Care for BIMSTEC Countries at the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai.

The initiative, first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, is being implemented by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The program aims to address the growing burden of cancer and tackle disparities in oncology services across the region.

The inaugural session, held on July 7, was attended by senior officials including Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Secretary of the DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, C.S.R. Ram, Joint Secretary (BIMSTEC & SAARC), MEA, Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Director of Tata Memorial Centre, and Dr. Umesh Mahantshetty, Director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Visakhapatnam.

The second edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Report (2023-24) was released today by NITI Aayog. The Index is developed by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER), with technical support from UNDP. The Index, which builds upon the momentum of the first edition released on 26 August 2021, measures the performance of districts across eight North Eastern States on the SDGs.

The (2023-24) Index is a major milestone in improving monitoring at the regional level. The index reflects the commitment to address development challenges across social, economic, and environmental dimensions while ensuring that no one is left behind in the NER. Based on NITI Aayog's SDG India Index methodology, it serves as a key tool for monitoring development related progress at the district level in the region to inform decision making.

Shri Suman Bery, Hon'ble Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog; Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region; and Dr. Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative, India; launched the report in the presence of Shri Rajib Kumar Sen, Programme Director (SDGs), NITI Aayog, and other senior officials.

In order to foster inclusive education through capacity building initiatives under ‘Project Inclusion’, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has signed an MoU with Sri Aurobindo Society (SAS) today in New Delhi.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards achieving the mandate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, particularly under Sections 16, 17, and 47, which emphasize inclusive education for children with disabilities. The partnership aims to enhance the capabilities of educators, rehabilitation professionals, school counsellors, general teachers and other stakeholders, thereby strengthening the inclusive education ecosystem in the country.

Under the MoU, Sri Aurobindo Society (SAS), through its ‘Rupantar Programme’, will implement ‘Project Inclusion’ via a mobile app and web-based platform. The project will provide training, issue e-certificates upon completion, and promote awareness and innovation in inclusive teaching methods and tools. SAS will also undertake research and development activities for further enhancing the state of inclusive education in the country. Importantly, the project also intends to expand to geographically challenging regions like Leh, as part of the Leh Inclusion Initiative of this Department.

Registration on government portals for Himachal Pradesh’s insurance scheme would now be open quarterly — in March, June, September and December, the government said.

Medical college principals and medical superintendents can now allow HIMCARE cards to be made depending on the severity of diseases of the patients, their financial condition or any other special circumstance, it said.

This was decided given the the importance of HIMCARE cards, especially for poor and needy families, the government said.

The Himachal Pradesh government has also decided to provide free of cost treatment to accident victims in all state-run medical institutions.

In Squash, India’s Anahat Singh clinched the Asian U19 Squash Championship title with a dominant 3-0 victory over Hong Kong China’s Cheung TC in the final. She won in straight games with scores of 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 to secure the gold medal, in Gimcheon, in South Korea, on Saturday.

In the U-17, Aryaveer Dewan made history for India by winning the U17 boys’ title at the Asian Junior Squash Championships, ending the country’s 13-year wait for the crown in this category. Dewan defeated the defending champion Nikhileswar Moganasundharam of Malaysia in straight games. The final score read 11-5, 11-8, 11-3.

Two more Indian players – Ayaan Dhanuka in boys’ U13 and Saanvi Kalanki in girls’ U15 – had to settle for silver medals after losing in their respective finals. Saanvi lost 3-0 to Malaysia’s Jinoreeka Ning group final, while Ayaan lost 3-1 to top-seeded Pakistani player Muhammad Sohail Adnan in the title clash.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed the record for the fastest hundred in Men’s Youth ODIs during the fourth game of a five-match series between England U-19 and India U-19 in Worcester on Saturday.

Suryavanshi reached his century off 52 balls to break the previous record of 53 balls, held by Pakistan’s Kamram Ghulam. The left-hander struck 10 fours and seven sixes during his fiery knock.

He was eventually dismissed for 143 off 78 balls, which included 13 fours and 10 sixes.

Last year, the 14-year-old had stuck the second-fastest hundred in Men’s Youth Tests against Australia U-19 in Chennai. He had reached the three-figure mark off just 56 balls to sit behind only Moeen Ali of England, who had smashed 56-ball ton back in 2005.

Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra continued his exceptional form, winning the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025-a World Athletics Gold-level event held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru yesterday evening.

He secured the title with a best throw of 86.18 metres. Kenya’s Julius Yego finished second with a season-best effort of 84.51 metres, while Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage took third place with a throw of 84.34 metres.

Chopra took the lead in his second attempt with a throw of 82.99 metres, before registering the biggest throw of the evening-86.18 metres-in his third attempt. He recorded a foul on his fourth attempt, followed by 84.07 metres in the fifth, and concluded the event with a throw of 82.22 metres.