Author: Neel Achary

All 28 States Record Fiscal Deficits in FY25, Says CAG Report

New Delhi, June 16: Fiscal pressures across India’s states have intensified in FY25, with all 28 states reporting revenue or fiscal deficits, according to the latest report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

The report highlights that rising expenditure commitments, coupled with uneven revenue growth, have contributed to widening fiscal stress across several states. Increased spending on welfare programmes, subsidies, and infrastructure projects has added pressure on state finances, even as revenue mobilisation efforts continue.

The CAG noted that while states remain committed to maintaining development momentum, fiscal imbalances have emerged as a key concern in the post-pandemic economic recovery phase. The report underscores the need for improved expenditure management and stronger revenue augmentation strategies.

Experts observing the findings stated that persistent deficits across all states reflect structural challenges in fiscal consolidation, particularly in balancing developmental priorities with financial sustainability. They added that greater efficiency in public spending and enhanced fiscal discipline will be critical going forward.

The report further suggests that strengthening tax administration, improving compliance, and rationalising expenditure could help states move towards more sustainable fiscal paths in the medium term.

Despite fiscal stress, states continue to play a crucial role in driving public investment and delivering essential services, making fiscal health a key area of focus for overall economic stability.

The findings underline the importance of coordinated fiscal reforms to ensure long-term sustainability of state finances while supporting growth-oriented spending.

CLIRNET Receives Recognition from Indian College of Anesthesiologists for Advancing Digital Medical Education

Mumbai, India June 16: CLIRNET, a global leading platform present across 30+ countries and serving a community of over 650,000 doctors worldwide, has been awarded a Certificate of Recognition by the Indian College of Anesthesiologists (ICA) in acknowledgment of its continued digital support and contribution towards strengthening medical education and professional development within the anesthesiology community.

The recognition highlights CLIRNET’s commitment to leveraging technology to bridge knowledge gaps, facilitate continuous medical learning, and enable healthcare professionals across India and beyond to access high-quality educational resources and expert-led discussions. Through its digital ecosystem, CLIRNET has consistently partnered with leading medical associations and institutions to support knowledge dissemination and foster clinical excellence.

The Indian College of Anesthesiologists, a distinguished academic body dedicated to advancing anesthesiology education and standards in India, acknowledged CLIRNET’s role in supporting its educational initiatives and helping expand the reach of its programs among medical professionals nationwide.

Connecting Doctors at Scale and What It Means for Patients

CLIRNET’s recognition by the ICA is not an isolated milestone; it is emblematic of a broader transformation underway in how India’s medical community learns, connects, and practices. With over 650,000 verified doctors engaged on the platform across 30+ countries, CLIRNET has built one of the largest and most active physician intelligence networks in the world. In India alone, the platform reaches practitioners spanning every major specialty  from critical care and anesthesiology to cardiology, oncology, and primary care  across tier-1 cities, tier-2 towns, and underserved geographies alike.

This scale of physician engagement carries direct, measurable consequences for patient care. When a doctor in a semi-urban hospital can access the same expert-led CME content, clinical case discussions, and evidence-based guidelines as a specialist in a metropolitan teaching hospital, the quality gap in patient care begins to close. CLIRNET’s platform makes this possible daily.

The ripple effect of this physician-patient connection includes:

• Better clinical decision-making: Physicians regularly updated on the latest treatment protocols and drug advancements are better equipped to make informed, evidence-backed decisions at the point of care.

• Reduced medical errors: Continuous learning and peer-to-peer case discussions on platforms like CLIRNET help doctors recognise atypical presentations, avoid diagnostic pitfalls, and adopt updated safety standards reducing preventable adverse events.

• Equitable access to medical expertise: A patient in a smaller town is no longer limited by the local availability of specialist knowledge. When their doctor is connected to a national network of experts and KOLs through CLIRNET, that expertise flows directly into the consultation room.

• Faster adoption of medical innovations: From new drug therapies to updated surgical protocols, CLIRNET accelerates the dissemination of medical breakthroughs shortening the gap between research and bedside practice.

In a country where doctor-to-patient ratios remain strained and healthcare infrastructure is unevenly distributed, platforms that elevate the knowledge and capabilities of every practising physician serve a critical public health function. CLIRNET’s work, as recognised by the ICA, is ultimately in service of the millions of patients whose care depends on a well-informed, continuously learning medical community.

Commenting on the recognition, Saurav Kasera, Co-founder, CLIRNET, said: We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Indian College of Anesthesiologists. At CLIRNET, our mission has always been to empower physicians through accessible, evidence-based, and technology-enabled learning. This acknowledgment reflects the collective efforts of our team and our continued commitment to supporting medical communities with meaningful digital solutions that enhance clinical knowledge and ultimately improve patient care. As we continue to expand our global footprint, recognitions such as these reinforce the impact that collaborative, digital-first medical education can have on healthcare professionals and patient outcomes.

This recognition from the Indian College of Anesthesiologists underscores CLIRNET’s ongoing commitment to advancing digital medical education and empowering physicians through technology-enabled learning. Serving over 650,000 doctors across 30+ countries, CLIRNET remains dedicated to fostering continuous professional development, facilitating expert-led knowledge exchange, and helping healthcare professionals stay at the forefront of medical advancements worldwide.

NIVEA MEN extend Real Madrid Partnership, Taps into India’s Growing Football Fandom

AD Ports Group and Dajin Heavy Industry Sign MoU to Explore Offshore Wind and Maritime Opportunities

ollaboration to explore scalable solutions in high-growth renewable energy market 

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 16 June 2026: AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a leading global enabler of trade, industry, and logistics solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dajin Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. a leading offshore wind equipment manufacturer to explore long-term cooperation across offshore wind supply chain development, maritime logistics, port infrastructure, and strategic vessel investments.

The collaboration builds on a series of strategic initiatives and partnerships announced by AD Ports Group in the renewable energy and offshore sectors, including recent agreements with Masdar, Siemens Energy, and Green Parrot, as well as the acquisition of Balenciaga Astilleros Shipyard in Spain, a specialist in offshore wind construction, all of which are building the Group’s offshore energy capabilities.

The MoU reflects the shared ambition of both parties to combine their complementary strengths in order to accelerate growth within the offshore wind and energy infrastructure markets in Europe and other regions.

Under the framework of the MoU, both parties will explore opportunities, including transportation solutions for offshore wind components, development of pre-assembly hubs, cooperation on selected offshore wind tenders and industrial projects, plus fabrication, assembly, and logistics solutions for offshore energy infrastructure. 

Friedrich Portner – Chief Commercial Officer, Maritime & Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group, said: “We are pleased to partner with Dajin Heavy Industry to jointly work on opportunities that leverage our maritime and logistics capabilities in support of the offshore wind sector, a strategic growth area for us. Together, we aim to deliver more integrated, efficient solutions across the renewable energy value chain.” 

Walid Oulmane, Chief Commercial Officer – New Products, Dajin Heavy Industry, said: “This MoU represents an exciting opportunity to combine industrial strength, maritime expertise, and long-term strategic vision. We believe both companies can create meaningful value together in support of the global energy transition.”

The offshore wind energy market continues to experience strong global growth, driven by accelerating decarbonisation targets, large-scale renewable energy investments, and the expansion of offshore wind capacity across Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. The industry is projected to grow from USD 109 billion in 2026, to USD 307.5 billion by 2035, reflecting the increasing scaled and strategic importance of offshore wind within the global energy transition.

Ericsson Mobility Report: India’s 5G subscriptions to reach 1.1 billion by 2031

More than 1.1 billion 5G subscriptions are expected in India by the end of 2031, reaching 81 percent subscription penetration. 5G adoption in India continues to grow rapidly, driven by the availability of affordable 5G-enabled smartphones and devices, expanded network coverage across almost all districts, and the increasing rollout of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. These findings are highlighted in the June 2026 edition of the Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) Mobility Report (EMR).

The June 2026 report covers the same period (2025-2031) as the November 2025 edition, with updated statistics and forecasts.

5G subscriptions reached 430 million at the end of 2025, accounting for 35 percent of total mobile subscriptions. While 4G remains the dominant technology at 46 percent, subscriptions are forecast to decline from around 570 million in 2025 to nearly 160 million by 2031, as users migrate to 5G.

The country also continues to lead globally in mobile data consumption per smartphone, with average monthly usage already at 37 GB and expected to nearly double to 70 GB by 2031. 

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, says ” India’s rapidly growing 5G adoption based on enhanced mobile broadband and 5G FWA is transforming consumer experiences.  The robust and secure 5G infrastructure in the country is driving inclusion, governance, and innovation at scale and is serving as a powerful foundation for Digital India.” 

In a significant development, a service provider in India recently launched differentiated connectivity services based on network slicing for its postpaid 5G customers, signaling the evolution of advanced 5G use cases in the market. 

Global Momentum

Global 5G mobile subscriptions passed the three billion mark during the first quarter of 2026; 5G Standalone (SA) network slicing commercial offerings from communications service providers continue to grow significantly; while uplink mobile data traffic growth is already outpacing downlink for many service providers. 

The 162 million new 5G subscriptions added globally during the first quarter of 2026 brought the total past the three billion mark, to 3.1 billion subscriptions. This figure is expected to grow rapidly and is forecast to more than double (to 6.4 billion) by the end of 2031. 

Some 390 service providers have launched commercial 5G services to date – more than 90 of which have launched 5G Standalone (SA). 5G networks handled 48 percent of all mobile data traffic at the end of 2025 – a figure expected to rise to 85 percent by the end of 2031. Western Europe, North America, North East Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are forecast to have 5G mobile subscription adoption close to, or above, 90 percent by the end of 2031. 

The number of commercial differentiated connectivity service offerings based on 5G SA network slicing from service providers – with the ability to deliver guaranteed quality of service for use cases through securing slices of the network – continues to grow at pace. The total increased from 65 in the November 2025 EMR report to 84 across all regions in the new June edition – indicating that services based on differentiated connectivity are moving from early adoption to mainstream commercialization. 

“With the upcoming transition to physical AI, traffic patterns will fundamentally shift as we move from centralized models in data centers to distributed, autonomous AI agents embedded across our device vehicles and cities, commonly connected by 5G,” Erik Ekudden, EMR publisher and CTO, Ericsson, says.

“Mobile networks are no longer only about providing best-effort connectivity, they are becoming critical, intelligent infrastructure that meets diverse application needs. Reflecting part of this shift is the continued rise in new commercial service offerings based on 5G standalone network slicing and the number of communications service providers deploying 5G SA.” 

Speed-based tariff plans for fixed wireless access (FWA) also continue to appeal to service providers as a structured monetization strategy targeting different market segments. The share of FWA service providers offering the service over 5G has reached 71 percent – up from 57 percent in June 2025 – the largest annual increase in four years. Speed-based tariff plans are now offered by 57 percent of FWA service providers – up from 51 percent a year ago. 

The diverse momentum is reflected in new 5G FWA launches in Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Morocco, Taiwan, Türkiye and Vietnam. 

5G FWA connections uptake is strongest in North America, the Nordics, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and parts of Asia.

Changing user behavior is also reflected in the June 2026 EMR network traffic statistics.

Uplink traffic is growing faster than downlink for most service providers – in some instances, significantly faster. The main current drivers are smartphone communication and collaboration apps, the sharing of user-generated content, and cloud storage.

Based on network traffic measurements conducted by Ericsson 43 out of 55 service providers experienced a higher uplink growth rate than downlink; 17 out of 55 service providers experienced more than 1.5 times higher uplink growth rate than downlink. Ericsson scenario modeling suggests additional AI traffic could result in uplink traffic being three times higher or more in 2031 compared to 2025. 

Network data traffic (for both mobile and FWA) grew 22 percent year-on-year for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 – exceeding expectations. This was driven mainly by continued strong growth in India and North America

The report also reflects the increasing industry focus on 6G – with standardization discussions underway. Early expectations include full support for integrated sensing and communication (ISAC); seamless integration between terrestrial and satellite networks to reduce coverage gaps; and a strong focus on energy efficiency – all driven by AI-native 6G. 

The first implementable 6G specifications are expected to be finalized by the end of 2028 or early 2029. The first commercial 6G services are expected to follow around 2030, with varying subsequent uptake between regions and countries. As with 5G launches, the US, China, Japan, South Korea and the GCC countries are expected to be early adopters.

Calicut FC Welcomes Newborns into the CFC Family on Second Foundation Day

Kozhikode, June 16: Marking its foundation day with a heartfelt community initiative,  Calicut FC welcomed babies born on June 15 as the youngest members of the CFC family.

Representatives from Calicut FC, Lady Beacons, and Beacons Brigade celebrated the birth of the newborns and shared special moments with their families across the hospitals in Calicut, including Aster MIMS Hospital, IQRA Hospital, Starcare Hospital, and Fathima Hospital. 

As part of the second foundation day celebrations, families received specially curated hampers containing a club jersey, a soft football, a tote bag, and a welcome card. 

“Our Foundation Day is not only about looking back at our journey as a club but also about celebrating the future. Welcoming these newborns into the CFC family was a special experience for all of us. We wanted to mark this day by sharing joy with families and creating a connection that they can cherish for years to come,” said Bino Jose Eapen, Club Secretary, Calicut FC.

The occasion brought smiles to parents and hospital staff alike, creating memorable moments on a day that holds special significance for the club. Through this Foundation Day celebration, Calicut FC sought to connect with the people of Calicut in a meaningful way and extend the spirit of football beyond the field.

Evergreen Goodwill Unveils New Mural by Seattle Artist in World’s Largest Goodwill

SEATTLE, June 16:  As global soccer brings visitors from across the country and around the world to Seattle, Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is proud to introduce a vibrant new addition to its Seattle flagship store, the world’s largest Goodwill: a permanent mural by celebrated Seattle artist Stevie Shao. 

Located just steps from Seattle Stadium, Goodwill’s 70,000-square-foot flagship store offers a distinctly local experience for visitors: part retail destination, part reflection of Seattle’s commitment to sustainability and community. Now, with the addition of Shao’s mural in one of its most visible, high-traffic interior spaces, the store offers an even richer sense of place for both travelers and locals exploring the neighborhood.

As one of the most unique retail destinations near the stadium, the store offers something distinctly local: a shopping experience shaped by community contributions, where every purchase supports life-changing programs—and now, a striking work of art that brings that mission to life.

The mural gives the space a new look at a time when the city is drawing global attention. Created in Shao’s signature style, it draws inspiration from themes of community, opportunity, and place, which makes her the perfect partner for a project rooted in the diversity and energy of Seattle’s Chinatown–International District and surrounding community. Completed in early June and designed as a permanent installation, the mural is intended to become a defining feature of the flagship store. As visitors explore the city this summer, Goodwill offers more than a place to shop; it’s an opportunity to experience a uniquely local intersection of art, community, and impact.

For more than 100 years, Evergreen Goodwill has generated revenue through retail to support tuition-free job training and education programs across Northwest Washington. The new installation builds on that mission by investing in placemaking and storytelling, transforming a high-traffic retail environment into a space that reflects the people and communities it serves.

The mural marks Evergreen Goodwill’s second collaboration with Shao, following a limited-edition tote bag for Secondhand Sunday last year. The continued partnership highlights the organization’s approach to working with artists as creative collaborators, while deepening ties to the local arts community.