Reliance, Disney’s $8.5 billion merger gets 100 questions from CCI, claims report

The High Court of Karnataka is hearing a petition filed by social worker D. Keshavamurthy, questioning the constitutional validity of the Karnataka Religious Structure (Protection) Act, 2021, which aims to protect religious structures in public places, including illegal ones. The court granted the state government three weeks to respond to the PIL, highlighting the importance of the issue and the legislature's power to legislate in accordance with apex court orders. Additionally, a separate PIL seeking...

The Israel Prison Service is set to release imprisoned terrorists in exchange for Israelis held hostage in Gaza, as part of the recent ceasefire agreement. IPS Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi has approved the list of prisoners to be released, with the transfer being managed by the Nachshon unit and special forces. This operation will adhere to strict guidelines to ensure the safe exchange of prisoners and hostages. Full Article

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has approved a ₹10,000 crore domestic ammunition contract, the largest in the country. The contract will include enhanced range Pinaka rockets and area denial munitions produced by Munitions India Ltd and Economic Explosives Ltd, boosting the Army’s capabilities significantly with rockets having ranges up to 150 km. Full Article

Hamas accused Israel of delaying aid deliveries to Gaza, jeopardizing a truce and a hostage release deal, while Israel denied the claims, stating that 3,000 trucks with aid have already entered Gaza. The agreement involves the release of hostages held by Hamas and prisoners in Israeli jails, but tensions escalated as two Palestinians were killed in West Bank raids by Israeli forces. Full Article

The Indian Army's Panaka Regiments are set to receive increased ammunition as the Cabinet Committee on Security approved two contracts worth approximately Rs 10,000 crore for procurement by March this year. The contracts, worth Rs 6,050 crore and Rs 4,000 crore, will be awarded to the lowest bidders, enhancing the capabilities of the multi-barrel rocket-launcher weapons systems. With a strike range of 45 km, the Pinaka system will strengthen the Indian Army's offensive artillery capacity,...

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers and Apollo Micro Systems have signed a five-year MoU for joint R&D, co-production, and export of advanced defence systems. The collaboration aims to develop cutting-edge technologies for underwater weapons, communication systems, and air defence, leveraging both companies' manufacturing infrastructures to address the demands of the Defence, Aerospace, and Commercial markets. Full Article