Icat News - Latest Updates & Headlines
"Reunification of our motherland unstoppable": Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year message as drills around Taiwan end
Beijing, December 31: In a strong message on New Year's eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said, "reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable", hours after the Chinese PLA Eastern Theatre Command completed "Justice Mission 2025" Drills around Taiwan.
India notifies first set of guidelines under export promotion mission, focuses on market access and MSMEs
New Delhi, December 31: The government today notified the first set of guidelines under its newly conceived export promotion mission, with an initial focus on market access initiatives, a senior government official from the ministry of commerce said, outlining a wide-ranging framework aimed at easing trade finance constraints, expanding global reach and supporting micro, small and medium exporters.
SIR in Bengal: ECI asks DMs & DEOs to check authenticity of hearing sessions' documents
Kolkata, Dec 31: The Election Commission of India has fixed the multi-prong accountability of the District Magistrates, also the District Electoral Officers, as regards to checking the authenticity of the supporting identity documents to be provided by the voters' summoned for the ongoing hearing sessions on the claims and objections on the draft voters' list which is a part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal.
Radio emerges as an effective tool in fight against Naxalism in Chhattisgarh
Bijapur, December 31: At a time when the dominance of social media platforms and mobile phones is rapidly increasing across the globe, radio has emerged as a powerful and effective medium in the fight against Naxalism in Chhattisgarh.
Denmark delivers last letter as digital shift ends 400-year postal tradition
Copenhagen, December 31: Denmark's state-run postal service, PostNord, delivered its final letter on Tuesday, bringing an end to more than 400 years of traditional mail delivery as the country fully embraces digital communication, CNN reported.
All safety concerns over HAL's Dhruv NG helicopter addressed: Civil Aviation Minister Naidu
Bengaluru, Dec 30: With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Dhruv NG helicopter, powered by indigenous twin Shakti 1H1C engines, successfully completing its maiden flight here on Tuesday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said all safety concerns raised earlier have been addressed during its development.
PoGB: Prolonged internet, mobile network outages disrupt daily life in Juglot
Gilgit Decembe, r 30: Residents of Juglot and adjoining areas in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan have raised serious concerns over prolonged mobile network and internet outages, saying the disruption has severely affected daily life, businesses, education, and emergency communication, according to a WTV report.
Election Commission to issue notices to over 12 lakh voters in TN ahead of Assembly polls
Chennai, Dec 30: As preparations intensify for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has begun the process of issuing notices to over 12 lakh voters across the state, seeking additional documents to verify their eligibility.
DoT releases National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025 to power 5G, 6G, satellite-based services
New Delhi, December 30: The Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, released the National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025, a key policy document that governs the management and allocation of radio-frequency spectrum in India.
HSBC highlights investment priorities for 2026, beyond AI
New Delhi, December 30: HSBC Private Bank has outlined four main priorities for investors as they move into 2026, highlighting opportunities created by artificial intelligence, rising investment spending, and the need for greater diversification.
Ola Electric receives government certification for its 4680 Bharat Cell-powered Roadster X+ motorcycle
New Delhi, December 30: Ola Electric on Tuesday announced that its flagship electric motorcycle, the Roadster X+, powered by its own 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack, has been approved under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 by the International Centre for Automotive Technology, Manesar, a government testing agency.
150 products from northeast identified for GI tagging in 2 years
New Delhi, Dec 29: At least 150 distinctive products from northeast have been identified for the Geographical Indication tagging in the next two years, the government said on Monday.
Don't take antibiotics over the counter, without doctor's consultation: AIIMS Director
New Delhi, Dec 29: Do not take antibiotics over the counter, without a doctor's consultation, said Dr M Srinivas, Director at AIIMS, Delhi, on Monday, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against their misuse.
No fuel without PUC certificate from Feb 1: Odisha Transport Minister defends move amid pollution concerns
Bhubaneswar, December 29: Odisha Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena on Monday defended the state government's decision to deny petrol and diesel to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate, saying the move is not new and is necessary in view of worsening air quality.
"Antibiotics should be dispensed only with doctor's prescription": Dr Rajeev Jayadevan on misuse of antibiotics fueling antimicrobial resistance
Kochi, December 29: Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener of the Research Cell of the Kerala State Indian Medical Association and Chairman of the Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin, on Sunday warned that the misuse of antibiotics is fueling a global health crisis - antimicrobial resistance.
"Do not take antibiotics on your own": Former Director of AIIMS after PM Modi raising antimicrobial resistance issue in 'Mann Ki Baat'
New Delhi, December 29: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday warned people against the misuse of antibiotics in his last 'Mann Ki Baat' of the year, former Director of AIIMS New Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria, said if you have any health problem, do not take antibiotics on your own.
Indian Railway's 2025 milestones to set the stage for 2026
New Delhi, Dec 28: As many as 42 projects of the Indian Railways, including innovation, indigenisation, track renewals, electrification works, and "airport-like facilities" at redeveloped stations to redefine rail travel, worth over Rs 25,000 crore, were commissioned in 2025 to make passenger and freight trains safer and faster in the country, an official statement said on Sunday.
Northeast Frontier Railway achieves major milestones in modernisation, safety and connectivity in 2025
Guwahati, December 28: Northeast Frontier Railway has continued its robust momentum in advancing rail infrastructure and passenger services across the North Eastern region, a release said.
Delhi Transport Department intensifies anti-pollution drive; 28 goods buses impounded
New Delhi, December 26: As part of its continued efforts to combat air pollution and ensure strict compliance with emission norms, the Delhi Transport Department has intensified enforcement actions across the city.
Delhi: 28 buses carrying goods impounded; 3,970 pollution challans issued in a day
New Delhi, Dec 26: The Delhi government's Transport Department and other enforcement agencies impounded 28 goods-carrying buses, seized 100 polluting buses and issued 3,970 challans to other vehicles violating emission norms in one day, an official said on Friday.
South Korea's Unification ministry reviewing permitting public access to North Korea's newspaper
Seoul, Dec 26: South Korea's unification ministry said Friday it is in talks with related government agencies to review measures to allow public access to the Rodong Sinmun, the main newspaper of North Korea's ruling Worker's Party, and other North Korean materials.
CTET reopens application window for incomplete registrations, offers one-time facility
New Delhi, December 25: The Central Board of Secondary Education on Thursday announced a one-time opportunity for candidates who initiated their application process for the 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test but could not complete it before the deadline.
SEBI eases rules for duplicate securities, raises simplified documentation limit to Rs 10 lakh
Mumbai, Dec 25: The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India has simplified the process for issuing duplicate securities certificates to make it faster and more investor-friendly.
Bengal SIR: ECI directs 2-level checking of supporting documents of voters during hearing sessions
Kolkata, Dec 25: The Election Commission of India has directed a two-level verification to confirm the authenticity of the supporting identity documents of voters during the hearing session on claims and objections on the draft voters' list starting from December 27.
Base revision of macro-economic indicators at advanced stage, new GDP series on Feb 27
New Delhi, Dec 25: The process for base revision of macro-economic indicators - CPI, IIP and GDP - has reached at an advanced stage, and the new series of GDP with base year 2022-23 will be released on February 27, 2026, according to the government.
SIR in Bengal: Calcutta HC asks ECI to clarify whether OBC certificates issued after 2010 can be used as supporting documents
Kolkata, Dec 24: A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, directed the Election Commission of India to clarify Other Backward Class certificates issued by the West Bengal government after 2010, which were scrapped earlier by the high court, as supporting documents for the second phase of the three-stage Special Intensive Revision in the state.
"Largest-ever commercial communications satellite in low earth orbit": AST SpaceMobile CEO on BlueBird 6 launch
Washington, DC, December 24: Abel Avellan, founder and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, on Wednesday welcomed the successful launch of the BlueBird 6 satellite by India, congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ISRO and NewSpace India Limited on what he described as a landmark achievement in commercial space communications.
Censor Board clears actor Arun Vijay's 'Retta Thala' for release with U/A certificate
Chennai, Dec 23: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has now cleared director Krish Thirukumaran's eagerly awaited action entertainer, 'Retta Thala', featuring actor Arun Vijay in the lead, for release with a U/A certificate.
UP: 'Operation Torch' continues in Varanasi to identify illegal immigrants
Varanasi, December 24: UP Police continued 'Operation Torch' in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday. ACP Vidush Saxena shared that this operation is being conducted to identify the non-natives and their origins.
ISRO to launch communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 shortly
Sriharikota, December 24: The Indian Space Research Organisation is set to launch the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite of the United States' AST SpaceMobile today, scheduled at 08:55:30 AM IST, according to the ISRO.
EC to call over 8.6 lakh unmapped voters for document verification in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), December 23: Over 8.6 lakh voters in Madhya Pradesh have been marked as 'unmapped' by the Election Commission in the state, as their names exist in the latest 2024 electoral list, but not in the 2003 list used as a reference point for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
NTPC NETRA to Launch New Waste-to-Hydrogen Plant in Greater Noida
New Delhi, December 23: NTPC's research and development wing, NETRA, is set to establish a Plasma Gasification-based green hydrogen plant at its campus in Greater Noida. According to an NTPC release, the facility aims to produce one tonne of green hydrogen every day. This project is part of the company's broader effort to expand its presence in the green energy sector and support sustainable practices.
IIT Delhi Researchers create AI-Agent 'AILA' that can conduct real scientific experiments like human scientists
New Delhi, December 23: Imagine walking into a laboratory where an AI is carefully adjusting a microscope, running experiments, and analysing results all without human intervention.
NTA to introduce facial biometric checks, live photography across entrance exams from 2026
New Delhi (India), December 23: The National Testing Agency (NTA) would implement facial biometric authentication during examinations and live photography at the application stage to strengthen exam security across all entrance examinations, beginning with JEE (Mains) in January 2026.
CFD Trading as a Modern Tool for Portfolio Diversification
London, Dec 23: In 2025, with markets swinging from US-China tariffs to 2.7% inflation, portfolio diversification is non-negotiable.
Pakistan withdraws players from US Junior squash after age verification not accepted: Report
Mumbai, Dec 23: Faced with doubts over the age of its players in an age-group event, Pakistan was forced to withdraw its players from the US Open Junior Squash Championship after the organisers refused to accept its age verification process, a news report said on Monday.
Central banks diversifying forex reserves from USD & Euro to gold and other currencies: CareEdge
New Delhi, December 23: Global central banks are gradually diversifying their foreign exchange reserves away from the US dollar and the euro, increasing exposure to other currencies and gold, highlighted a report by CareEdge Ratings.
Taiwan detects six Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels around nation
Taipei, December 23: Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected six sorties of Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels operating around the country as of 6 am (local time) on Tuesday.
Centre committed to keeping Aravalli safe, says Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav; Congress alleges reclassification will "destroy entire ecosystem"
New Delhi, December 22: Following protests in some parts of India due to the Centre's reclassification of the Aravalli hill range, Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Monday looked to allay fears on any environmental damage to the nearly 2-billion-year old range, assuring that the government is committed to keeping the hills safe.