India-US trade deal to be in phases; tricky issues to be dealt later: CII Prez
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First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
This Week in Explainers: Shefali Jariwala's death and the dark side of brightening treatments
After Shefali Jariwala's death, there has been a growing buzz about skin improvement treatments like glutathione and their dangerous side effects. We talk about unregulated cosmetic hacks and more in our weekly roundup of stories from India read more Actor-model Shefali Jariwala died last Friday (June 27). Media reports are that she took anti-ageing medication and skin improvement treatments like glutathione. Image courtesy: Shefali Jariwala @shefalijariwala/X It's been a big week for Indian diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an eight-day tour across five nations. He will be heading to Brazil for the Brics Summit today (July 5) and then concluding this trip in Namibia on Wednesday (July 9). India is also in talks with the US for a trade deal. While Donald Trump has hinted that the two sides are close to sealing the pact, New Delhi is reportedly looking for concessions. It remains to be seen what happens before the US president's July 9 deadline. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In defence news, the INS Tamal, India's last foreign-made frigate, got commissioned this week. There were also reports that the US-made Apache helicopters will be delivered this month. That's not all. India is also likely to develop its own bunker-buster missiles, similar to the ones the US used to attack Iran's nuclear sites. As far as crime goes, the case of the gang-rape of a student at a Kolkata law college continues to unravel. Four people have been arrested so far. Investigation reveals that the main accused, Monojit Mishra, was a serial offender, having targeted other women on campus. Another heartbreaking story from India was the death of Shefali Jariwala of the 'Kaanta Laga' fame. It has put the spotlight on anti-ageing and other cosmetic treatments and their side effects. We talk about all this and more in our weekly roundup of stories about India. 1. It's another busy week for PM Narendra Modi. He is on his longest diplomatic tour in more than a decade, visiting five nations over three days – Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. The PM is now in the second leg of the trip; he will be spending four days in Brazil during which he will attend the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro. Here is why these nations matter to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar participate in a welcoming ceremony at Piarco International Airport in Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago, on July 3. Reuters 2. Donald Trump's July 9 deadline for tariffs is nearing. The US president said earlier in the week that the deal with India will be sealed soon with 'much less tariffs'. However, the talks are ongoing, with reports that India's negotiators are pushing back. How is the pact shaping up? And what's the deadlock about? We explain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 3. China continues to poke India. This time, it appears to be coming in the way of Apple's big 'Make in India' push. As plans to ramp up production of the next iPhone are taking shape, hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians working at Foxconn factories in southern India have exited. So what's really going on? Is this Beijing's way to thwart India's growth as a manufacturing hub? 4. With a volatile neighbourhood, India is going big on defence. It's looking at developing high-powered missiles with bunker-buster capabilities, similar to the one the US used to attack nuclear sites in Iran. Here's how the new variant of Agni-5 missile will be designed. The DRDO is looking to upgrade Agni-5, making it capable of penetrating 100 meters underground with its 7500 kg conventional warhead. PTI 5. Investigations into the gang-rape of a student at the South Calcutta Law College reveal shocking details. The main accused, Monojit Mishra, is a serial offender – he not only harassed women but also threatened teachers and beat up a security guard. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mishra reportedly targeted the survivor from her first day in college. Here's how the gang-rape was planned. People raise slogans during a torch rally to protest against the alleged gang-rape of a law student in her college, in Kolkata. PTI 6. A shocking story came from Karnataka. There have been more than 20 deaths over the past 40 days in Hassan, involving young or middle-aged people. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has hinted at a possible link with Covid-19 vaccines. Is there a reason to be alarmed? 7. Shefali Jariwala's death grabbed headlines across India this week. After all, the model-actor was only 42. Her demise put the spotlight on the unregulated industry of anti-ageing and beauty treatments. Reports suggest that Jariwala took glutathione injections. What are these shots that promise skin brightening? And are they safe? Shefali Jariwala passed away last Friday (June 27) at the age of 42. @shefalijariwala via PTI That's our recommendation list that should keep you up to date with news related to India. If you like the way we take a deep dive into stories that matter, come back to this page for more.
India.com
21 minutes ago
- India.com
EPFO Website Down? How To Check PF Balance Via SMS, WhatsApp Or Missed Call In Seconds; Know Withdrawal Eligibility And Rules
photoDetails english 2926945 Updated:Jul 05, 2025, 11:04 AM IST Provident Fund (PF) 1 / 9 The Provident Fund (PF) is built through monthly contributions from both the employee and the employer. Being a government-backed long-term savings scheme, it earns annual interest that compounds over time into a significant corpus. It also acts as a financial safety net during emergencies like illness or job loss. PF Balance Check: No Need for Website or App 2 / 9 You no longer need to open the EPFO website or download any app to check your PF balance. These alternate methods are simple, quick, and completely free, making them ideal during server downtime. PF Balance Check: SMS Service 3 / 9 To check your PF balance via SMS, send a message in the format 'EPFOHO UAN HIN' from your registered mobile number to 7738299899. Here, 'UAN' is your Universal Account Number, and 'HIN' indicates the language. The SMS service supports over 10 Indian languages including Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali. Choose your preferred language by changing the last three letters in the SMS code. PF Balance Check: Missed Call Service 4 / 9 Dial a missed call to 9966044425 from your registered mobile number. This is the simplest way to know your PF balance instantly. Make sure your UAN is activated and linked to your phone number. PF Balance Check: Instant SMS Reply 5 / 9 After giving the missed call, your call will disconnect automatically, and within seconds, you'll receive an SMS with your current PF balance and account details—no need for internet or manual inputs. PF Balance Check: WhatsApp Service 6 / 9 You can now check your PF balance via WhatsApp. Save your regional EPFO office's WhatsApp number and send a message like 'Hi' or 'PF Balance.' You'll receive your balance details through a chatbot response. To get the correct WhatsApp number for your regional EPFO office, visit: Choose your location and save the number to start checking via WhatsApp. PF Withdrawal Eligibility 7 / 9 To access EPFO services like SMS, missed call, or WhatsApp for checking PF balance, certain prerequisites must be met. First, your Universal Account Number (UAN) must be activated. Adding further, the mobile number linked to your UAN should be active and in working condition, as all notifications and balance details are sent to this number. It's also essential to link your UAN with KYC documents such as your Aadhaar, PAN card, bank account number, and IFSC code. These steps ensure seamless access to your PF account and enable hassle-free verification across all platforms. PF Withdrawal Limits and Rules 8 / 9 Employed members are allowed to withdraw up to 90% of their PF contributions, but the exact withdrawal limit depends on the reason for withdrawal and the number of years of service completed. For instance, partial withdrawals are permitted for specific purposes such as constructing a house, covering expenses during a medical emergency, or meeting costs related to education or marriage. Each of these situations has its own eligibility criteria and service duration requirements. Important Reminder 9 / 9 Ensure your mobile number is registered with EPFO and your UAN is activated. Without this, SMS, missed call, or WhatsApp services won't work. Contact your company's HR department for help with activation or registration.
Mint
23 minutes ago
- Mint
Dalai Lama turns 90 tomorrow, says he hopes to ‘live for 30–40 more years' amid succession talks
The elderly Dalai Lama on Saturday expressed his hope to live for another 40 years until around the age of 130, just days after addressing speculation about his succession by reaffirming that he would reincarnate after his death, according to a Reuters report. The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader made the remarks during a long-life prayer ceremony organised by his followers, ahead of his upcoming 90th birthday on Sunday. In a previous interview with Reuters in December, the Dalai Lama had suggested he might live to 110. The Dalai Lama is revered by millions of Tibetan Buddhists as a living deity and is globally recognised as a steadfast advocate for peace, spiritual values, and Tibet's autonomy, as reported by AP. However, China views him as a political threat, accusing him of seeking to separate Tibet from Chinese rule. As the spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhists, he established a government-in-exile in the Indian town of Dharamshala after fleeing Tibet in 1959. Since then, he has travelled the world to raise the issue of Tibet and Tibetans, while spreading a message of nonviolence. He has met world leaders and celebrities, from the likes of fellow Nobel Peace Prize winners Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu to multiple U.S. presidents, popes and Hollywood stars. Earlier on On July 2, the Dalai Lama stated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a foundation established by him, can only recognise future reincarnations, and no one else has the authority to decide on the matter. This statement rules out any say for China in the process of naming the next Dalai Lama. In a statement on Wednesday, Dalai Lama stated, 'The process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognized has been clearly established in the 24 September 2011 statement which states that responsibility for doing so will rest exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition.' (With inputs from agencies)
