India has proposed the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in New Delhi aimed at enhancing agricultural cooperation among BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries. This initiative will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge on cutting-edge technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies to address regional food security and livelihood challenges. The centre will focus on key areas such as precision agriculture, climate risk mitigation, and natural farming.

Following the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, real estate developers are optimistic that the move will stimulate demand in the housing sector, particularly for properties priced below Rs 1 crore. With banks expected to lower home loan interest rates, industry experts from organizations like CREDAI and NAREDCO have hailed the decision as a boost to consumer sentiment and affordability.

ZIM Laboratories Ltd has entered into a significant licensing and supply agreement with UAE-based Globalpharma Co. to commercialize its proprietary Oral Thin Film (OTF) technology in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This partnership will focus on introducing 10 OTF-based pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, catering to regional healthcare needs. As part of the deal, ZIM Labs will initially provide bulk products and regulatory support, with Globalpharma handling the local manufacturing and marketing of the finished products.

The Indian rupee strengthened significantly against the U.S. dollar on Friday, appreciating by 51 paise to close at Rs. 86.17. This surge follows a bullish wave in domestic equity markets and a broader decline in global crude oil prices. Additionally, the temporary suspension of U.S. tariffs on Indian exports has boosted investor confidence. A weaker dollar index further supported the rupee’s ascent, while Brent crude prices hovered near USD 63 per barrel. Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty mirrored the currency’s optimism, registering gains of over 1.6%.

Indian equity markets staged a sharp rebound on Friday morning following a temporary suspension of additional U.S. tariffs on Indian exports. The BSE Sensex surged by over 1,200 points, while the NSE Nifty climbed nearly 390 points, buoyed by renewed investor confidence. This policy shift by the United States—providing a 90-day relief window until July 9—was welcomed as a potential boost for Indian exporters, particularly in sectors vulnerable to trade levies.

In a landmark move to bolster consumer transparency and service accountability, India's telecom regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has enforced new Quality of Service (QoS) norms compelling mobile operators to publish geospatial network coverage maps. This regulation, effective from April 1, 2025, mandates detailed public disclosure of service availability across all wireless technologies—2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G.

Punjabi actor-director Gippy Grewal is spearheading a bold transformation of the Punjabi film industry with the release of his latest historical action thriller, Akaal. Collaborating with Dharma Productions, the film aspires to elevate regional cinema to a pan-India level by combining compelling storytelling with high production values. Grewal’s mission is clear: break budgetary constraints, expand audience reach, and challenge the boundaries of traditional Punjabi filmmaking.

Gaurav Khanna has emerged as the winner of the inaugural season of Celebrity Masterchef, a show that has garnered immense popularity for its exciting culinary challenges and star-studded participants. Judged by renowned chefs Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar, and Farah Khan, the finale saw Khanna competing against some tough contenders, including Tejasswi Prakash, who gave him a fierce battle until the very end. This victory, however, didn’t come easily as Khanna faced a neck-and-neck competition, solidifying his skills in the kitchen and his ability to outcook his fellow contestants.

Skymet Weather, a prominent private forecasting agency, has released its projections for India's 2025 monsoon season, expecting it to be "normal" based on a long period average (LPA) of 868.6 mm rainfall. With a forecast of 103% of LPA and a model error of +/- 5%, the agency highlights the likelihood of good rains over key regions like Western and South India. The forecast also indicates potential excess rainfall in areas like Kerala and Goa, with drier conditions predicted for Northeast India and the northern hilly states.

Skymet Weather's Monsoon Forecast: Key Insights 

In response to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to reduce its key policy rate, Bank of India and UCO Bank have announced reductions in their lending rates by 25 basis points. These moves are expected to benefit both existing and prospective borrowers, as the changes come into effect within days of the RBI's policy adjustment. The shift is likely to prompt other banks to follow suit, further impacting borrowing costs in the economy.

RBI's Policy Rate Cut Sparks Lending Rate Reductions