North India State News

Railways Ministry Directs Removal of Stampede Videos from Social Media

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

The Railways Ministry has issued a directive to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), to remove 285 links containing videos of casualties from the February 15 stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. This action marks one of the ministry’s first significant content enforcement measures since acquiring direct takedown authority in December. Ethical

North India State News

Atishi Criticizes Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Over Unfulfilled ₹2,500 Monthly Aid Promise

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

In a recent video statement, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi accused the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Delhi of reneging on its pre-election promise to provide ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance to women. Atishi highlighted that during the BJP’s election campaign, they assured Delhi’s women that this scheme would be approved in

Automobile Electric Vehicles

India to Slash EV Import Duties to 15% Under New Policy

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

The Indian government is poised to implement a new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy that will significantly reduce import duties from the current 110% to 15%. This strategic move aims to attract global EV manufacturers, including Tesla, to establish a presence in the Indian market. Investment and Turnover Requirements To qualify for the reduced import duty, […]

Infrastructure

Government Halts New Bharatmala Projects Amid Delays and Cost Overruns

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

The Indian government has decided to suspend the initiation of new projects under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the country’s flagship highway development program. This decision comes in the wake of substantial delays and cost overruns affecting the current projects. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in its annual report for 2024-25, stated, “No further

Science Space & Astronomy

Elon Musk Advocates for Accelerated Decommissioning of ISS

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has proposed an accelerated timeline for decommissioning the International Space Station (ISS), suggesting that it has “served its purpose” and offers “very little incremental utility.” In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk recommended initiating the deorbiting process within the next two years, stating, “The

Finance

RBI Survey Highlights Cash Preference Among Indian Farmers Amidst Digital Payment Growth

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

A recent survey by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reveals that cash remains the primary mode of transaction among Indian farmers, even as digital payment methods gain traction nationwide. The study indicates that while digital payments have seen significant growth, cash continues to be the favored instrument for agricultural transactions. Digital Payment Adoption on […]

Business Industry

Uday Kotak Urges Young Entrepreneurs to Build Businesses Over Trading

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

At the recent Chasing Growth 2025 investor event, Uday Kotak, Founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, highlighted a concerning trend among young entrepreneurs in India. He observed that many are opting to manage family investments, engaging in stock and mutual fund trading, rather than building operational businesses. This shift, according to Kotak, indicates a decline in […]

International

Chinese Naval Presence in the Tasman Sea

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

Australia and New Zealand are closely monitoring a fleet of Chinese warships conducting live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea. The task group, comprising a Renhai-class cruiser, a frigate, and a supply ship, was first detected near Australia’s northeastern coast before moving approximately 150 nautical miles east of Sydney. This deployment marks an unusual extension

Science Space & Astronomy

Starlink Nears IN-SPACe Approval for India’s Satcom License

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

Elon Musk’s Starlink is poised to receive approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) to launch satellite-based broadband services in India. The company has submitted the necessary details and agreed to comply with most provisions required for securing a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license.

Technology

Meta Unveils Project Waterworth: A 50,000 km Undersea Cable Connecting the US and India

By BPN News Desk February 21, 2025

Meta has announced Project Waterworth, an ambitious plan to construct a 50,000-kilometer undersea cable system. This extensive network aims to connect the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions, surpassing the Earth’s circumference of approximately 40,075 kilometers. The project is designed to enhance global digital connectivity and support