At the current 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that WTO reforms must be carried out in a transparent, inclusive, and member-led manner, with development as its central focus, according to an official release on Friday.

He also emphasized the importance of maintaining fundamental principles like equity, consensus-based decision-making, and non-discrimination.

During the conference’s sidelines, Goyal spoke with Cameroonian Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute about bilateral and multilateral matters, such as how to improve India-Cameroon ties.

The leaders also talked about fundamental WTO concerns, such as its underlying principles.

Goyal held individual meetings with his counterparts from the Netherlands, France, and Ethiopia to discuss bilateral trade relations, and he also met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to discuss the MC14 agenda.

In the interim, Rajesh Agrawal, the commerce secretary, met bilaterally with his counterparts from Chile, Paraguay, the US, Nepal, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, and New Zealand, as well as with a group of lawmakers from the European Union.

The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) MC14 began on March 26 in Yaounde with an official ceremony presided over by Cameroon’s Trade Minister, and it will end on March 29.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, trade ministers, and high-level representatives from member states were all present at the inaugural session.

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies went into effect after a short ceremony that took place after the session.

The conversation centered on the MC14 agenda and ways to improve bilateral trade relations. Ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations were also discussed during discussions with Chile and Peru, and advancements in the various FTA talks were assessed during meetings with the European Union and New Zealand.

India also restated that, as stated in the Marrakesh Agreement, non-discrimination continues to be a cornerstone of the WTO framework. The country also stressed the need for a development-focused agenda, which includes the reestablishment of a fully functioning dispute resolution mechanism, effective Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) provisions for developing and least developed nations (LDCs), and a permanent solution for public stockholding (PSH) for food security.

Rumors of a nationwide lockdown are completely untrue, according to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who added on Friday that the government has no such plans at the moment. The purpose of the clarification is to allay public fears and offer reliable details about the potential of limitations.

From the social media network “X,” Puri stated that “the global situation remains in flux, and we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis. With the Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi Ji at the helm, every effort is being made to guarantee that our people have continuous access to fuel, energy, and other essential resources. We are completely ready to address any new problems.

“India has consistently shown resilience in the face of global uncertainties, and we will continue to act in a timely, proactive, and coordinated manner,” he stated.

Rumors of a lockdown in India, according to him, are utterly untrue.

The reports of a lockdown in India are utterly unfounded. To be clear, the Indian government is not considering any such plan. It is crucial that we maintain our composure, act responsibly, and remain united during such times. He said that in this kind of circumstance, it is irresponsible and damaging to try to spread rumors and incite fear.

As the world experiences a scarcity of oil and gas, there has been discussion of a potential lockdown in India. There are also concerns about the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which has been described as “worrisome. ” Puri’s comments come at this time.

The Indian government vehemently refuted rumors of a national lockdown earlier this week, claiming that there are no intentions to restrict economic activity or the freedom of movement of citizens. According to government officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statements have been widely misunderstood.

Prime Minister’s allusions to “preparedness” in recent parliamentary speeches, which were delivered in the context of ongoing tensions in West Asia and their possible economic consequences, caused the confusion.

The increase in rumors also occurred at the same time as the sixth anniversary of the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, which heightened online anxieties. The government, however, stressed that the appeal for “COVID-like preparedness” was only for administrative preparedness and contingency planning, and not a sign of stay-at-home directives or mobility limitations.

In an effort to lessen the effects of rising worldwide oil costs, the government on Friday reduced excise taxes on gasoline and diesel by Rs 10 per liter, bringing the rate for gasoline down to Rs 3 and the rate for diesel to zero.

Additionally, the government has granted duty exemptions for fuel exports and fuel for planes traveling overseas.

The Center has also canceled a prior 2022 announcement and provided customs duty breaks for imported aviation turbine fuel (ATF).

Due to the global energy crisis brought on by the US-Israel conflict with Iran and the subsequent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the cut occurs at a time of concern about a price increase.

To compensate for growing losses, it is anticipated that oil marketing firms (OMCs) will absorb the cut. Due primarily to high global crude prices, it is now predicted that fuel sales are costing oil marketing firms (OMCs) approximately Rs 48. 8 per liter in losses.

During this period, Brent crude futures saw a 2. 29% drop to $105. 53 a barrel as global oil prices fell. At 8:50 a. m. , US WTI futures also fell 2. 54% to $92. 08.

The government issued a clear declaration on Thursday, urging the public not to be duped by a deliberately malicious, organized disinformation campaign aimed at creating unwarranted panic, and stating unequivocally that India’s petroleum and LPG supply situation is completely secure and under control.

Even though we are on the 27th day of the Middle East crisis, the Petroleum Ministry claims that India has a total reserve capacity of 74 days and a real stock cover of about 60 days, including crude stocks, product stocks, and the specialized strategic storage in caverns. The ministry also notes that all retail gasoline stations have sufficient supplies.

According to a statement, the nation has enough petrol, diesel, and LPG everywhere, and every Indian citizen has enough supply to last for about two months, regardless of what happens elsewhere.

Crude acquisition for the next two months has also been guaranteed. In a supply scenario like this, the quantity of strategic cave storage is less important since India is fully protected for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the ministry emphasized, any depiction of India’s reserves as being depleted or inadequate should be disregarded with the contempt it warrants.

In the face of the West Asian crisis, which is causing a global fuel shortage and price increases, the Modi government’s choice to lower excise taxes on fuel is a welcome relief to the public.

Modi government’s choice to cut excise taxes highlights its people-centric governance and sensitivity-led decision-making, even as many countries have raised diesel and gasoline costs, he said. This choice deserves praise for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji.

On the occasion of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the populace on Thursday and prayed for the well-being of everyone, hoping that the grace of Lord Ram would lead the nation towards the aim of a ‘Viksit’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘.

Lord Ram, worshiped in Hinduism as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born on Ram Navami. The festival takes place during the nine-day Chaitra Navratri celebration and is seen as a time to contemplate principles like truth, compassion, and justice.

The Prime Minister wished his fellow countrymen throughout the country “unlimited best wishes on the occasion of Ram Navami” in a tweet. We are encouraged to approach every circumstance with all of our might by the life of Maryada Purushottam, which is characterized by sacrifice, austerity, and moderation.

For all time, his ideals will serve as a guide for all of mankind as well as the people of India. With the blessing of Lord Ram, I hope that the welfare of all may be ensured, paving the way for the realization of our commitment to a Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he said.

Lord Ram is widely revered as a representation of righteousness, truth, and responsibility, and millions of people are still motivated by his life to live a life guided by moral principles and ethical behavior. He is frequently seen as the perfect leader and person, representing justice, discipline, and virtue.

Temples all throughout the nation saw significant crowds of worshippers praying and taking part in ceremonies on the occasion. Religious processions, Ramayana recitations, devotional singing, and fasting are common observances.

The Prime Minister also sent greetings on the eighth day of Chaitra Navratri, which is devoted to Goddess Mahagauri, earlier in the day.

Mother Mahagauri’s feet are covered in millions of greetings! He tweeted on X, “May her divine aura infuse everyone’s life with joy, prosperity, and good health. ”

Mahagauri, the eighth manifestation of Goddess Durga, is worshiped during Navratri on Maha Ashtami and represents chastity, peace, and elegance. She is traditionally shown riding a bull with a bright white skin and is thought to purify sins while bestowing tranquility, wealth, and health upon her followers.

Despite the ongoing increase in tensions in West Asia and the fact that access to the Strait of Hormuz is still restricted for many, Iran has stated that it will not restrict ships belonging to five friendly nations, including India, from passing through this vital strategic waterway.

Despite the continuing conflict in the area, ships from India, Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iraq have been permitted safe passage through the crucial maritime chokepoint.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an interview with Iranian state television that the Strait of Hormuz is not totally blocked and that restrictions have been lifted for some nations with which Iran has amicable relations.

Allowing the foe to traverse the strait is not a good idea. According to Iran’s official news agency, Araghchi stated that we have allowed the passage of a few nations that we consider to be friendly, including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.

Additionally, he said that ships with connections to nations seen as enemies or those engaged in the ongoing war would not be permitted to pass. He stated that ships from the United States, Israel, and some Gulf countries involved in the current conflict would not be granted authorization to pass through the strait.

Araghchi added that after decades, Iran has established its authority in the area, giving him reason to be happy about the country’s control of the important waterway.

He pointed out that many observers had shrugged off Iran’s initial declaration of a partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a bluff.

Nonetheless, he claimed that events that followed have highlighted Iran’s capacity to impose its will and establish authority over one of the most important energy transit corridors in the world.

In anticipation of the Indian Premier League season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad hinted at the team’s opening combination, stating that he and wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson will start the innings in IPL 2026.

The top order of CSK was a significant vulnerability, and their performance from the previous year was terrible. They had tried many combinations, but they all resulted in catastrophe. The five-time champions then attempted Ayush Mhatre at the top, and he gave a few quick starts. However, the franchise chose to go with an experienced duo after CSK signed Sanju Samson for IPL 2026.

At the IPL 2026 captain’s meeting in Mumbai, Gaikwad was questioned about CSK’s opening pair, and the skipper verified that he will be back at the top of the order, teaming up with Samson, a recent addition to the team.

In a significant transaction prior to the auction, the five-time winners swapped Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR and traded Samson in from the Rajasthan Royals to CSK.

It was difficult for CSK to maintain stability at the top last year. The squad alternated between Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Rahul Tripathi as openers, while Gaikwad himself spent a significant portion of the season hitting at No. 3. Until the teenagers Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis entered the squad as substitutes and infused some much-needed aggression into CSK’s powerplay, no combination was successful.

Brevis scored 225 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 180, while Mhatre amassed 240 runs in seven innings as a replacement player last season, averaging 34. 28 runs with a remarkable strike rate of 188. 97, which included an outstanding 94 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

On March 30, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, CSK will kick off their IPL 2026 season against the Rajasthan Royals.

After their inaugural home game against the Punjab Kings in Chennai on April 3, their next match will be against the Delhi Capitals on April 11 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.

In the run-up to the midterm elections, US President Donald Trump has portrayed his economic agenda as a straightforward relief package for everyday Americans, emphasizing tax reductions, declining inflation, and cheaper prescription prices as essential tenets of his administration’s platform.

During a meeting of House Republicans on Wednesday (local time), Trump stated that his government is prioritizing lowering the cost of living by tax cuts and deregulation.

“As we rebuild the greatest economy in history, a top priority must be to bring down the cost of living,” Trump stated.

He said that the latest statistics indicate a slowdown in inflation. “The last three months… inflation was 1. 4 percent,” he stated.

Trump advocated several tax reforms, such as help for seniors and workers. “No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on social security for our great seniors,” he stated.

He portrayed these initiatives as a component of a larger legislative agenda. Trump said, “We passed the largest tax cuts in American history… the great big, beautiful bill. ”

Additionally, the President spoke on healthcare and the cost of prescription drugs, asserting that his policies have resulted in sizable savings. The cost of medications has decreased by 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 percent, he stated.

Trump stated that the goal of his administration’s policies was to give advantages to consumers directly. “I want this money to go directly to the American people so they can buy their own healthcare,” he stated.

He also advocated for reforms to insurance systems and increased price transparency. “You’ll pay a lot less… ” Trump stated, “It’s going to be better care at a lower cost.”

Trump asserted that his policies had lowered drug prices worldwide in terms of pricing and trade. “We go from the highest price ever paid to the lowest price in the world,” he said.

Despite international conflicts, such as military operations abroad, the President maintained that economic progress was made. Markets have proven resilient even during recent operations, he said. “I expected the stock market to drop a bit more... However,” Trump remarked, it didn’t matter to me.

Trump asserted that his administration had inherited high inflation and had successfully turned the tide. “I inherited the highest inflation in the history of our nation,” he stated.

Furthermore, in advance of elections, he connected economic success to a more general political message. “Just that should win the midterms,” Trump said, alluding to lower drug costs.

The remarks coincide with the administration’s efforts to rally backing for economic concerns, such as wages, taxes, and consumer expenses, in advance of the midterm elections later this year.

In defense of changes intended to reduce delays and enhance patent quality, the head of the US Patent and Trademark Office has predicted that artificial intelligence will lead to a significant transformation of the patent system.

USPTO Director John Squires testified before a House Judiciary subcommittee on Wednesday (local time) that the agency is utilizing AI technology to expedite patent review and address a rising backlog of applications.

Squires informed legislators that “AI tools will become our examiners’ superpowers” and that the new systems are able to identify prior art more quickly and assist examiners in managing more and more complicated filings.

He said the office had already started using AI throughout the patent and trademark processes, including tools that produce search results in a matter of seconds rather than months.

The initiative was framed by Squires as part of a larger drive to improve the agency and bolster the American innovation economy. He referred to the USPTO as the “Central Bank of innovation,” stating that every patent or trademark represents “a potential job, a new business, a competitive advantage. ”

The agency is also working to lower the number of unprocessed patent applications, which had reached all-time highs. Squires stated that measures are being taken to greatly reduce the backlog while simultaneously enhancing the quality of patents.

However, the reforms drew intense legislative scrutiny, with Democrats warning that policy modifications may politicize a historically autonomous body and undermine oversight.

The USPTO has been “drawn squarely” into partisan politics, and this has given rise to worries about declining employee morale and changes in regulations, according to ranking member Hank Johnson.

“American innovation pays the price when policy changes with the political whims of an administration,” Johnson said.

The agency’s management of patent disputes before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) was a major source of disagreement. The argument was made by critics that restricting repeated challenges may raise the cost of litigation and allow bad patents to survive.

Squires defended the modifications, claiming that they are intended to put an end to system misuse and provide closure to disagreements.

He stated, “There should be a moment in time when there is a silent title… and it has to be resolved once and for all.”

The involvement of foreign-backed organizations in patent conflicts was one of the examples of foreign influence and national security dangers that lawmakers brought up.

The USPTO has taken measures to strengthen disclosure requirements and prevent foreign sovereign players from engaging in particular proceedings, according to Squires.

A contentious trademark application connected to a planned “Board of Peace” initiative was also brought up at the hearing, with several lawmakers expressing concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

More than 475,000 new patent applications were submitted to the USPTO in fiscal year 2025, indicating a consistent increase in the need for intellectual property protection.

Alongside ongoing finance via user fees, Squires stated that IT modernization and AI would be crucial to handling this demand.

The United States issued a warning, stating that space is now a contested warfighting domain, with China and Russia acquiring the ability to endanger American satellites.

Space systems are essential to modern warfare, according to senior intelligence and defense officials who spoke to lawmakers on Wednesday (local time). These cover intelligence, navigation, and communications.

“Outer space is an increasingly complex and contested warfighting domain,” said Marc Berkowitz, Assistant Secretary of War for Space Policy.

According to him, the US’s military advantage is being eroded as adversaries construct systems to restrict its access to space. He described China as the “pacing competitor” influencing US policy.

Recent conflicts have highlighted the increasing significance of space, according to officials. They highlighted lessons from Ukraine and actions in the Middle East. Systems using satellites helped track targets, provide support for soldiers, and respond to adversary activities.

According to US Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, space superiority is essential for military success. According to him, Guardians offer electronic warfare, missile warning, and communication assistance to troops on the battlefield.

Threats to space assets, officials warned, are increasing at a rapid pace. Cyberattacks, electronic jamming, and anti-satellite weapons are examples of these.

According to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, adversaries are investing in systems to “disrupt, degrade, and deny access” in space.

According to the National Reconnaissance Office, its satellite network is growing. As part of a transition to more robust systems, it currently manages over 200 satellites.

American officials said they are attempting to accelerate space acquisitions. In addition, they are becoming more reliant on the private sector for the introduction of novel technology.

According to Thomas Ainsworth, the Air Force’s head of space procurement, the objective is to provide capabilities more quickly and at a lower price. He stated that the United States must make use of the innovation coming from the commercial space industry.

Lawmakers expressed worry about the defense industry. They said that potential workforce shortages and supply chains could have an impact on future space initiatives.

The hearing takes place at a time when the Trump administration is promoting the Golden Dome, a novel missile defense scheme. According to authorities, the system will use space-based sensors and interceptors to monitor and neutralize sophisticated threats.

According to authorities, the future of battles will be determined by who controls space. Almost all military operations are currently supported by satellites in the air, on the ground, and at sea.

For decades, the United States has depended on space technologies. However, there is growing competition and crowding in the field. China has made great strides in growing its satellite infrastructure. Russia is still working on counterspace weapons.

The increasing rivalry in space is predicted to strengthen collaboration with allies and partners, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s capabilities continue to be a major worry.