urban challenge fund

A new government fund to boost urban development faces challenges in smaller cities. Weak financial reporting and limited capacity in Tier II and III cities may hinder their ability to access market funding, a key requirement for the urban challenge fund. This could slow down much-needed urban investments across India.

Madhurawada To Get Drainage, 24x7 Water Supply Under UCF Scheme

As the Supreme Court pushes for stricter stray dog management, animal welfare experts warn that India’s weak civic infrastructure, poor waste management and lack of funding could make humane implementation nearly impossible.

In a significant move to enhance law enforcement capabilities, Meghalaya's Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, unveiled a fleet of 95 new police vehicles, representing a ₹30 crore investment. This initiative, partially backed by the central government, introduces advanced troop carriers and specialized vehicles aimed at bolstering the Criminal Investigation Department.

Philanthropy is shifting from funding elite research to bolstering underfunded municipal health services. A historic $75 million donation to San Francisco General Hospital by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg exemplifies this, reinforcing public infrastructure for vulnerable populations. This community-first approach prioritizes equitable access and strengthens the safety net for those with the fewest options.

17 proposals on meeting’s agenda

Amaravati, the newly anointed capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is still under construction, but its Quantum Valley project is already luring deeptech startups, scientists and engineers to move in as the first settlers and work on the next frontier of technology

Americans are increasingly opposing the construction of AI data centers in their communities, with seven in ten expressing opposition. Concerns over environmental impact, resource consumption, and local quality of life are driving this sentiment. While tech giants invest billions, local resistance poses a significant hurdle for AI expansion, potentially influencing local elections.

A concerning outbreak of a unique Bundibugyo Ebola strain has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with reports of cases now reaching Uganda. In the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, public health leaders are mobilizing international efforts to combat the crisis.

In a decade, India built the world’s largest population-scale real-time payments system. It changed not just banking, but behaviour itself

Despite global economic headwinds from Middle East turmoil, India's economy is projected for stable growth through FY26 and FY27, with SBI forecasting around 7.5% for FY26. Resilient domestic demand, strong credit expansion, and broad-based improvements in high-frequency indicators support this optimistic outlook, though external vulnerabilities like oil prices and currency movements remain key concerns.

Roche’s subcutaneous Tecentriq can be given in about seven minutes, cutting infusion time dramatically. But its impact in India will depend on patient selection, local post-marketing data, hospital readiness and whether a costly immunotherapy can become accessible beyond large private cancer centres

Saudi Arabia’s decision to end funding for LIV Golf after 2026 has sparked wider scrutiny of its global sports spending. However, TKO Group executives insist Saudi backing for UFC, WWE and boxing remains secure, with planned events in the Middle East continuing. The move reflects a possible strategic shift within the Public Investment Fund amid rising costs and changing priorities.

Under the scheme, the Centre covers 25% of project costs, while 50% has to be raised through market instruments such as municipal bonds, bank loans

In a key administrative step, approvals for S+4 floors have also been halted by disabling submissions on relevant online platforms