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US President Donald Trump on Friday signed three executive orders aimed at enhancing drone security and promoting future air technologies, including electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House announced.The new orders will allow drones to operate beyond the visual line of sight of their operators—an important step toward enabling widespread commercial drone deliveries. They also aim to reduce America’s dependence on Chinese drone manufacturers and advance the testing of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, benefiting companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation.To support these efforts, Trump is launching a federal task force to strengthen US control over its airspace. The task force will expand protections around sensitive sites, increase the government’s ability to detect drones in real time, and provide support to state and local law enforcement.According to Reuters, Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy said that, Trump further aims to address the “growing threat of criminal terrorists and foreign misuse of drones in US airspace.”“We are securing our borders from national security threats, including in the air, with large-scale public events such as the Olympics and the World Cup on the horizon,” Kratsios added.Sebastian Gorka from the National Security Council highlighted drone threats in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and at US sporting events. The issue of suspicious drones also gained significant attention last year after a flurry of drone sightings in New Jersey. The FAA receives over 100 monthly reports of drone sightings near airports, with incidents disrupting flights and events. “We will be increasing counter-drone capabilities and capacities,” Gorka said.“We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots,” Gorka added.The orders also instructed the FAA to remove the 1973 ban on overland supersonic transport. Environmental groups have criticised supersonic aircraft for higher fuel consumption per passenger compared to subsonic alternatives.“The reality is that Americans should be able to fly from New York to LA in under four hours,” Kratsios told the Reuters, further adding that, “advances in aerospace engineering, material science and noise reduction now make overland supersonic flight not just possible, but safe, sustainable and commercially viable.”The order directs FAA to repeal the supersonic speed limit as long as aircraft do not produce an audible sonic boom on the ground. Airplane manufacturer Boom Supersonic welcomed the move. Its CEO, Blake Scholl, said: “The supersonic race is on and a new era of commercial flight can begin.”Commercial supersonic flights ended in 2003 with the retirement of the Concorde, used by British Airways and Air France for 27 years. The FAA has been instructed to eliminate the supersonic speed restriction, provided that aircraft maintain noise levels that prevent sonic booms from reaching ground level. The announcement received positive acknowledgement from Boom Supersonic, an aircraft manufacturing company. Its CEO, Blake Scholl, stated: “The supersonic race is on and a new era of commercial flight can begin.”While Trump’s orders do not explicitly ban Chinese drone companies, they come amid growing scrutiny of firms like DJI and Autel Robotics. DJI, the world’s biggest drone maker, supplies over half of all commercial drones used in the US. Although legislation signed by former President Joe Biden last year could ban China-based DJI and Autel Robotics from selling new models in the country. The new orders reinforce the push to reduce US dependence on Chinese technology in critical sectors like aviation and drone operations.
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Modi’s Asia Double Play: Japan Now, China Next — What India Wants (and Risks)
ndia has kicked off a tightly choreographed Asia tour at a delicate moment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tokyo first, meeting Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, before flying to Tianjin for the SCO summit hosted by China. The sequencing matters: Japan is a steadfast strategic and economic partner; China is a rival with whom India still needs a functional modus vivendi. The backdrop? Up to 50% US tariffs on Indian exports, which raise the premium on diversified trade and investment ties. ReutersAP NewsThe Times of IndiaThe Guardian Why Japan first Tokyo and New Delhi are doubling down on a “special strategic and global partnership” built over two decades. Expect deliverables in economic security (critical minerals, supply chains), high-tech collaboration, and infrastructure. Reports suggest the leaders are setting a decade-long joint vision and pushing private-sector investment goals alongside people-to-people exchanges […]
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US Tariffs vs. India’s Trade Diplomacy: How New Alliances Are Shaping
India’s global trade playbook has shifted abruptly in 2025. The US recently imposed tariffs as high as 50% on Indian exports, citing New Delhi’s continued oil imports from Russia. The immediate fallout was brutal: the rupee sank to a record low, and Indian markets felt the shock. For a country that built its post-1991 trajectory on closer US ties, this tariff punch could have been destabilising. Instead, India is doubling down on multi-alignment diplomacy — diversifying trade and diplomatic engagement with Japan, China, Russia, and the SCO bloc. Why tariffs hit hard The US remains a top destination for Indian goods — from IT services to textiles. Tariffs of this magnitude erode competitiveness and raise uncertainty for exporters. Analysts warn of job impacts in labour-intensive sectors. The rupee’s plunge to historic lows only underscored the vulnerability. India’s counter-strategy Japan: Securing […]
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Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
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