The results of the prestigious civil services examination, to select IAS and IPS officers, among others, will be announced on Saturday evening by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Implementation of projects rises 8.4% in first quarter
This good news for the weekend. Data released by independent economy tracker CMIE shows an 8.4% rise in projects under implementation in the quarter ended June 30, fastest since the September 2012 quarter. Private sector projects under implementation rose 0.8% in the June quarter, the first expansion in eight quarters, providing boost to the Narendra Modi government that has faced criticism of late for a slackening of reforms. "Bottom line from this quarter's release is that the data looks encouraging with projects under implementation improving for the fourth quarter," financial giant Morgan Stanley noted in a report analysing the CMIE data.

PM greets the people of USA on their Independence Day
Prime minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of United States of America (USA), on their Independence Day today (July 4). "To all the people of USA, a very Happy 4th of July", the prime minister said in his social media message.

DU releases third cut-off, admissions in many colleges closed for general category
The Delhi University has released the third cut-off list for the 2015 academic session, announcing marginal dips in Arts and Commerce across popular colleges. Students can complete their admission formalities between July 4 and July 7 from 9 am to 1 pm.

Jat bodies to cut supplies to Delhi if reservation not implemented by September 28
Jat bodies have threatened to seal Haryana border along Delhi and cut off all supplies to the national capital if the Union government fails to implement reservation for the community before September 28. A meeting has been called at Jat Dharamshala in Kurukshetra on July 12 to intensify their movement for inclusion in Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota

El Nino gains triggering drought fears in north India
US forecaster Accuweather has said that northwestern India, which includes grain-bowl states of Punjab and Haryana, and Pakistan are heading for a drought as El Nino is reasserting itself, unhindered by rain-boosting weather systems that were active in June. However, due to heavy rainfall in June, area under kharif crops is 58 per centhigher than last year. Planting of oilseeds and pulses has risen sharply, which should help calm soaring prices.

New CCI rules put mergers and acquisitions on fast track
In a bid to make the process of approvals of mergers and acquisitions speedier and simpler, the Competition Commission Of India (CCI) has revised its combinations regulations. Stakeholders, for long, were demanding the revision of tedious compliance requirements of the competition regulator. As per the new guidelines, a summary of every combination (merger and acquisition) under review will be published on the website of CCI. The step will ensure greater transparency.

Amit Shah recasts is team, key states go to his confidants
BJP President Amit Shah has entrusted responsibility of politically key states to his close confidants in the party structure in the new list announced on Friday. Those close to him are Bhupendra Yadav, Avinash Rai Khanna, Anil Jain, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Shyam Jhaju, Saroj Pande and Murlidhar Rao.

Spectrum sharing, trading norms by month-end
The Union cabinet is expected to give its nod to the much-awaited spectrum sharing and trading guidelines, which will allow mobile operators to share their unutilised airwaves, by the end of this month, telecom secretary Rakesh Garg said on Friday.

Centre seeks report on sensitive posts from all departments
All central government departments have been asked to submit a report by next week on identification of sensitive posts and policy for rotational transfers of officers from these posts.The government has asked the cadre authorities in various ministries and departments to submit action taken report latest by July 10 on framing rotational transfer policy and putting up in public domain, identification of sensitive posts and rotation of officers from sensitive posts. The rotational transfer policy aims to harmonise objectives of institutional memory, avoid development of vested interests and provide variety of exposure to employees thereby ensuring overall growth of an officer.
 
Government rejects students' demand to remove FTII chief Gajendra Chauhan
The Centre has rejected the demand from students and alumni of the Film and Television Institute of India to revoke the appointment of small-time actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan as the Pune-based institution's chairperson.

Hema Malini discharged from Jaipur Hospital
BJP MP Hema Malini discharged from Jaipur Hospital where she was under treatment after Dausa accident. She has left for Mumbai along with her daughter Esha.

Maggi noodle found safe for consumption in Canada
After the food regulators in the UK found them safe, the Canadian food regulator have announced that Nestle India's Maggi noodle products were safe for consumption.Last month, after the ban in India, even Singapore's food regulator had declared that Maggi noodles from India as safe for consumption.

Greek verdict heading for photo finish
As Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his "yes" vote rivals made their final pitches at bailout referendum rallies, polls showed that the two sides in a dead heat. A series of polls published Friday at the end of a frantic weeklong campaign showed the two sides in a dead heat, with an incremental lead of the "yes" vote well within the margin of error. But they showed an overwhelming majority of people — about 75 per cent — want Greece to remain in the euro currency.

UK school bans skirts to prevent male teachers getting distracted
Trentham High School in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire headmistress has banned skirts at a secondary school in the UK’s West Midlands region to prevent male teachers and pupils getting “distracted”. All students will now have to wear trousers from September this year. The headmistress was fed up with reprimanding girls for showing too much leg and wearing skirts that “barely covered their bottoms”.