Sustainability Financial News

The fees are being collected at hotels during check-in and are deposited into the Tourism Sustainability Development (TSD) Fund to improve tourism infrastructure and services across the state, the officials said. All tourists, barring children under the age of five are being charged the amount for stay for up to 30 days, they said.

Saina Nehwal and PR Sreejesh, have written a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidential candidates, urging them to make climate action their top priority. As IOC members gather in Costa Navarino, Greece, to vote on the seven candidates next week (March 18-21), the Olympians called for stronger commitments from the IOC to cut carbon emissions, promote sustainability in host cities, set clear guidelines on polluting sponsors and use its platform to advocate for climate action. Climate impacts are «no longer a distant threat, but a current and growing harm to the sports we love and to the countries that make up our Olympic family», the letter said. The signatories include 57 Olympic champions and over 100 Olympic flag bearers. They represent some of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, including Argentina, Aruba, the Bahamas, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Cook Islands, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, India, Kenya, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Sierra Leone and Zambia. Recognizing that extreme weather events are already disrupting the Summer and Winter Olympics and affecting athlete performance and safety, the letter urges decisive action to ensure the games remain accessible and safe for future generations. Earlier this year, massive wildfires burned large areas of Los Angeles, the host city of the 2028 Olympic Games. The fires killed about 30 people, destroyed thousands of buildings, and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

Shubhanshu Shukla, are set to conduct pioneering research aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) later this year. Among their experiments is a groundbreaking study that could enable insulin-dependent diabetics to travel to space in the future. Bryan Mitchell, Ax-4 mission manager, shared exclusive details about this research, known as ‘Suite Ride’, and other scientific studies that the crew will undertake. Speaking to TOI from Axiom Space headquarters in Houston, Texas, Mitchell explained the significance of these projects. While TOI visited the mission control room and Axiom’s space station development facility, Shukla and his backup, Group Captain Prashanth Nair, could not speak due to the absence of clearance from ISRO.

On Thursday, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant jointly launched the auction of 13 Exploration Licence blocks, covering critical minerals such as Rare Earth Elements (REE), Zinc, Diamond, Copper, and Platinum Group Elements (PGE). «This initiative, facilitated through a transparent online bidding process, is set to accelerate systematic mineral exploration, enhance private sector participation, and reduce import dependency,» said the Ministry of Mines in a statement.

Goa Bench of Bombay High Court has struck down a section of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, that allowed the creation of zones within zones, holding that it was concerned with private land owners' interests. Three citizen organisations had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the HC contending that section 17 (2) of the Act was «mutilating» the Regional Plan. Notified in March 2023, the section was aimed at allowing the authorities to correct inadvertent errors or rectify inconsistent or incoherent zoning. The Regional Plan is a long-term land-use development blueprint prepared by the Town and Country Planning Department of Goa to guide infrastructure, zoning, and environmental conservation in the state. A division Bench of Justices Nivedita P Mehta and M S Karnik on Thursday struck down section 17 (2), holding that it was not in «furtherance of development in the public interest by maintaining a balance between sustainable development vis-a-vis environmental issues», but was concerned with private land owners' interests. The petitioners had argued that the section was being misused to change the status of large tracts of land for commercial purposes. According to the state, between March 2023 and January 2 of this year, there have been 353 approvals under section 17(2) which affect an area of about 26,54,286 square metres, noted the bench.

Telecom operators are resisting the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) decision to migrate to an authorisation regime, asking for the current practice of entering into contractual agreements with licensed entities to be kept in place. They said the current approach is vital in maintaining regulatory certainty, protecting existing investments and ensuring sustained investment growth in the sector. The telecom operators, through a letter from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) to the telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal, cited examples of the ministries of coal and petroleum and natural gas which grants licenses to successful bidders in their respective fields that are contractual in nature.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan. They assured their cooperation in fostering peace and expressed confidence in the State’s return to normalcy under the Governor’s leadership. Six MLAs—Awangbow Newmai, Khashim Vashum, Losii Dikho, Leishiyo Keishing, J. Kumo Sha, and Janghemlung Panmei discussed issues faced by the people, they assured their cooperation in fostering peace and expressed confidence in the State’s return to normalcy under the Governor’s leadership. Senior Border Security Force (BSF) and police officials on Thursday paid their homage to three BSF jawans, who were killed and 11 others injured after the bus in which they were travelling fell into a gorge in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. A BSF spokesman said that senior BSF, Police and Civil Administration officials paid homage to the three slain paramilitary personnel at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal. The three BSF personnel include, Head Constable Surendra Kumar, Constable Bachhu Mondal and Constable Ankul Singh of the 37 Battalion of BSF.

green projects to boost flow of climate-related financing. The central bank has also proposed to set up a dedicated “on tap” cohort on climate change risks and sustainable finance under its Regulatory Sandbox initiative. Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Thursday said that the lack of bankable green projects slowed the adequate flow of credit and a collaborative approach could address this constraint. «Capacity and expertise constraints limit the ability to appraise and thus finance climate change mitigation. It also enhances the risk of funding such projects. Thus, creation of a common pool of such bankable projects will have multi-fold benefits for the entire ecosystem,» Malhotra said at a seminar on climate change risks and finance organised by the central bank in New Delhi. He stressed upon capacity building and improving technical know-how to better appraise risks in financing projects which use green technologies.

state business summits. The sheer volume of these events, particularly in January and February, underscores their perceived importance in attracting investment. Yet, the question lingered: how many of these inked commitments truly translate into tangible economic development? India's economic landscape is punctuated by a surge in state-led investment summits.

Microfinance company Satin Creditcare Network has raised $100 million in external commercial borrowing from Standard Chartered Bank and six Sri Lankan lenders. This is Satin's maiden syndicated social term loan raised from overseas lenders under the automatic route of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). «Securing $100 million from new lenders, notably prominent Sri Lankan banks, amid challengingThis social loan marks a significant landmark as Satin Creditcare’s first syndicated transaction, reflecting the trust and confidence that global financial institutions have placed in us. It times highlights our strong governance, sustainable growth, and financial resilience,» Satin chairman HP Singh said.

Diwekar, who advises Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan, suggests adding two simple yet effective ingredients to your lunch—ghee and chutney.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, which include ending poverty and achieving gender equality, a study has found. However, when grouped according to geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors, different countries appear to be making progress on different goals, according to the findings published in the journal PLOS One. Researchers, including those from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, found that, for instance, African and Asian countries-which have the lowest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) — have made low progress on goals such as eradicating poverty, achieving gender equality, and ensuring good health and well-being. However, these countries have made the best progress on climate action and responsible consumption and production, the team said.

Milan Parikh, Managing Director, Jainam Broking Ltd. In an interview with ETMarkets, Parikh said: “AI will not replace traders but will enhance their ability to make faster, more informed, and data-backed decisions. Those who integrate AI into their trading process will have a clear edge in today’s evolving markets,” Edited excerpts:

“Post-pandemic investors faced their first correction. The current market presents selective opportunities, with a shift towards bottom-up stock picking rather than broad, top-down strategies,” says Achin Goel, PMS Fund Manager at Bonanza Group. In an interview with ETMarkets, Goel said: “The critical factor for a sustained recovery hinges on the resurgence of earnings growth, which is expected to materialize within the next 1-2 quarters,” Edited excerpts: The month of February started on a volatile note with Budget 2025; since then, we have been on a losing streak. The index fell nearly 6% in February – the worst monthly decline since Covid 2020 rout. What is your take on markets?

Stocks that were in focus include names like Swiggy, which fell 1.2% and RVNL, which gained 0.8% and TVS Motor, whose shares declined 1.5% on Wednesday.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Current market price: ₹2,807 | Buy range: ₹2,750–2,830 | Profit goal: ₹3,240 | Stop loss: ₹2,590 | Timeframe: 1–2 months Current market price: ₹1,528.1 | Buy range: ₹1,500–1,535 | Profit goal: ₹1,760 | Stop loss: ₹1,415 | Timeframe: 1–2 months Nifty 50 ended flat for the second consecutive session after trading between 22,330 and 22,580. The index started the session on a muted note at 22,536 and continued to slide toward its key support level of 22,300.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: There is unanimity on the need to reduce the goods and services tax (GST) on health and life insurance premia from 18%, but consensus eludes on what the final rate should be: nil, 5% or 12%.

“Bacca Bucci has carved a strong position in the sneakers market, demonstrating impressive growth and brand recognition,” said Ashutosh Taparia and Sanjeev Taparia, Board Members at Ananta Capital. “We see tremendous untapped potential in this segment, and we are excited to collaborate with Anuj and Natwar to help Bacca Bucci scale to new heights.” The company is poised to sustain its robust growth trajectory in the current financial year.

Tiger Woods underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. He sustained the injury while training at home. Post surgery, Woods is almost certain to miss the Masters Tournament for only the fifth time since he began competing in 1995. The injury has cast doubts on whether Woods will be able to appear for any major golf tournaments this year.

Patanjali Foods Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Manipur to implement an Oil Palm Plantation Programme under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP). The agreement, signed in Imphal on Wednesday marks a significant step in boosting oil palm cultivation in the state, covering four districts in a phased manner. The MOU was formally signed by Peter Salam, Director of Agriculture Manipur and Ashok Kumar Singh, Head of Northeast Oil Palm Operations, Patanjali Foods Limited, in the presence of Arun Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary of Agriculture Government of Manipur.