President Donald Trump To Address Meeting Of Top US Military Leaders At Quantico

Washington: President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a hastily-called meeting of top military leaders on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with his plans.

Hundreds of generals and admirals—senior commanders of the one-star rank or higher, along with their top advisers—have been summoned to the gathering at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia. The meeting was organized with little notice by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The source, who was not authorized to discuss the president’s plans publicly before an official announcement, spoke on condition of anonymity.

News about the meeting emerged on Thursday. When first asked by reporters during an Oval Office appearance, President Trump appeared unaware of the event.

The Pentagon’s top spokesman has since confirmed that Secretary Hegseth “will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week.”

Across the military, there are approximately 800 generals and admirals of all ranks. Many of these senior leaders command thousands of service members and are stationed worldwide, across more than a dozen countries and multiple time zones.

*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/president-donald-trump-to-address-meeting-of-top-us-military-leaders-at-quantico

24-Year-Old Entrepreneur Pioneers Goat Grazing Business

In Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, goats eagerly graze at a farm established by Yota Maeda, the head of Tokyo-based startup Mujou. Maeda, who launched a funeral services business while still at university, opened the goat farm in 2024. His latest venture offers goat grazing services as an alternative to conventional weeding methods.

Unlike machines, the goats consume the grass directly, eliminating the need for herbicides or the burning of clippings. “Their bleating is not particularly disruptive, and the animals don’t produce a strong odor,” Maeda said.

Contracts have already been signed with both businesses and individuals. One notable client is a large clinical testing facility capable of processing hundreds of thousands of samples daily, thanks to advanced automation and AI systems. The company introduced goats into its courtyard on a trial basis, allowing them to handle grass management.

“They work tirelessly from morning onward,” said Sakuya Odashima from H.U. Group Holdings’ HR and General Affairs Services Division. Employees also report feeling refreshed by the presence of the goats, with some noting how their greetings at the end of the day boost morale.

Behind Maeda’s project is a strong awareness of broader national issues, particularly the spread of abandoned farmland. By deploying goats, unused land can be restored, which may also help deter wild animal intrusions.

“In an era of population decline, we can’t maintain everything perfectly, but by leaving animals to graze, the land doesn’t lose its potential. We’re preserving it in a usable state,” Maeda explained.

Goat droppings naturally decompose, and Maeda is considering ways to repurpose them as fire starters, aiming to expand the scope of the business further.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147049.php

Mumbai Bank Launches 0% Interest Loans For Women Recipients Of Ladki Bahin Scheme; BJP Leader Pravin Darekar Supports Initiative

**Mumbai Bank Launches Zero-Interest Loans to Support Women Under Ladki Bahin Scheme**

Mumbai: As the Ladki Bahin scheme experiences a slight decline, Mumbai Bank has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting women beneficiaries of the program. Under the vision of BJP leader Pravin Darekar, the bank is offering zero percent interest loans to women recipients of the Chief Minister’s Ladki Bahin Yojana, which was launched on September 4.

The rollout event took place at Mumbai Bank’s head office auditorium in Fort and was attended by the bank’s chairman and MLA Pravin Darekar. During the press conference, Darekar shared, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally addressed the sisters present at the program where loans were provided at zero percent interest from Mumbai Bank. The Maharashtra government launched the Ladki Bahin Yojana to provide ₹1,500 per month to women in order to improve their financial condition and ensure their overall development.”

He further explained, “The women can use the monthly amount to invest in their businesses. This idea aligns with the vision of Honorable Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Saheb. I requested the Chief Minister to allow me to provide 1 lakh interest-free loans to these beloved sisters.”

### Key Details of the Loan Program

Under this initiative, Mumbai Bank will offer loans up to ₹1 lakh to Ladki Bahin beneficiaries at zero percent interest. According to a report by *Saamana*, approximately 5,000 women are expected to benefit from this program. At the launch event, loans were disbursed to the first 200 beneficiaries.

The event was also attended by Mumbai Bank Vice President Siddharth Kamble, along with other dignitaries including Shivajirao Nalawade, Prasad Lad, Nandkumar Katkar, Shilpa Sarpotdar, Tejaswini Ghosalkar, Kavita Deshmukh, and Sandeep Ghandat.

### Introduction of QR Code Service

In addition to the loan scheme, the bank also introduced a QR code service rollout at the same event, aimed at facilitating easier and more secure transactions for beneficiaries.

### Recent Updates on the Ladki Bahin Scheme

The Maharashtra government encountered controversy and audits in 2025 over irregularities in the scheme’s benefit disbursements. Minister Aditi Tatkare revealed in August that around 26 lakh women might be ineligible for the benefits.

In response, a physical verification drive was launched to confirm eligibility based on criteria such as age, income, and household status. The government temporarily paused payments in July 2025 to complete this verification process, with plans to resume payouts to eligible women subsequently.

An audit uncovered fraudulent enrollments, including over 14,000 men listed as beneficiaries, resulting in ₹21 crore being wrongly disbursed. Opposition leaders have demanded a CBI investigation into alleged scams worth ₹4,800 crore linked to the scheme.

Despite these challenges, the government disbursed the July installment of ₹1,500 on August 8 to the verified eligible beneficiaries.

Mumbai Bank’s new zero-interest loan program aims to revitalize support for women under the Ladki Bahin scheme, promoting financial empowerment and encouraging entrepreneurship among Maharashtra’s women.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-bank-launches-0-interest-loans-for-women-recipients-of-ladki-bahin-scheme-bjp-leader-pravin-darekar-supports-initiative

NIRF 2025 Engineering Ranking Out: IIT Madras Leads, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay In Top Three

**NIRF 2025 Engineering Ranking: IIT Madras Tops Once Again**

The Ministry of Education announced the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings on September 4, unveiling India’s premier higher education institutes across 17 categories. Among these, the Engineering stream rankings have garnered significant attention.

In the Engineering category, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has once again secured the top position, reaffirming its academic and research excellence. Following closely are IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay, maintaining their status as leading engineering institutions in the country.

### Top 10 Engineering Institutes in NIRF 2025

1. IIT Madras
2. IIT Delhi
3. IIT Bombay
4. IIT Kanpur
5. IIT Kharagpur
6. IIT Roorkee
7. IIT Hyderabad
8. IIT Guwahati
9. National Institute of Technology (NIT) Tiruchirappalli
10. IIT (BHU) Varanasi

IIT Madras, based in Chennai, has not only topped the Engineering ranking but also leads the Overall category, demonstrating its sustained dominance in technical education and research excellence.

The 2025 NIRF rankings align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), evaluating institutions across diverse streams including Overall, Universities, Colleges, Management, Medical, Law, and more.

Reflecting on the previous year, IITs continued to hold sway in the Engineering category, with the top eight positions occupied by IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Hyderabad.

These rankings serve as a benchmark for academic quality and institutional performance, guiding students and stakeholders in making informed decisions about higher education in India.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/nirf-2025-engineering-ranking-out-iit-madras-leads-iit-delhi-iit-bombay-in-top-three

Bihar Bandh: BJP, NDA Allies Stage Statewide Protest Against Remarks On PM Modi’s Mother

**Bihar Observes Five-Hour Bandh Over Derogatory Remarks Against PM Modi’s Late Mother**

Gaya: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers led protests on Thursday in Bihar’s Gaya and Danapur as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) observed a five-hour bandh across the state. The bandh was called in response to derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late mother during a Mahagathbandhan event in Bihar.

BJP’s Bihar state president, Dilip Jaiswal, announced that the bandh would be observed from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. However, essential services, including emergency facilities and rail operations, remained unaffected during the shutdown. The BJP Mahila Morcha also played a significant role in leading the protests.

The state-wide bandh was organized as a protest against the objectionable comments made by Congress workers against Prime Minister Modi and his mother last week in Darbhanga during the Voter Adhikar Yatra.

Commenting on the matter, Janata Dal (United) leader Umesh Kushwaha stated, “During the opposition’s rally in Darbhanga, abusive words were used against Prime Minister Modi and his mother. This is wrong, both morally and politically.” He added, “Using such language is highly inappropriate, and so far, the Mahagathbandhan leaders have not apologised. This shows how arrogant they are. They have insulted our mothers and sisters, and now we will retaliate. Therefore, the NDA has called for a Bihar bandh, and the women’s wing will hold protests across Bihar.”

Earlier, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav took to social media platform X to condemn the use of abusive language but also took a dig at the Prime Minister. He said, “A mother is a mother. The word ‘mother’ brings so much peace the moment it comes to the tongue. Even for the speechless, a mother exists. No one should ever use abusive words against anyone’s mother, sister, or daughter. Every human being, living creature, animal, and bird in this world is born of a mother.”

Tejashwi further alleged, “If Prime Minister Modi campaigns for and appeals to elect Prajwal Revanna, who rapes women and girls, then that is Modi’s masterstroke. If Modi calls someone’s mother a 50-crore girlfriend, then wow Modi ji, wow! If Modi refers to the wife of a brave former Prime Minister who sacrificed for the country and the mother of the Leader of the Opposition as a widow and a Jersey cow, then shameless people will say that Modi gave a brilliant speech.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the abusive remarks directed at his late mother during a public address on Tuesday. He said the comments were an insult to all mothers, sisters, and daughters in India.

“Mother is our world. Mother is our self-respect. I had not even imagined what happened a few days ago in this tradition-rich Bihar. My mother was abused from the stage of RJD-Congress in Bihar… These abuses are not just an insult to my mother. These are insults to the mothers, sisters and daughters of the country,” he remarked.

PM Modi added, “My mother, who has nothing to do with politics, who is no more, was abused from the stage of the RJD, Congress. Sisters and mothers, I can see your faces; I can only imagine the pain you must have felt. I can see tears in the eyes of some mothers. This is very sad, painful.”

*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/bihar-bandh-bjp-nda-allies-stage-statewide-protest-against-remarks-on-pm-modis-mother

CBIC Fact-Checks Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai Over His Claims Of 18% GST On Caramel Popcorn

**CBIC Corrects Rajdeep Sardesai on GST Rates for Popcorn Following Recent Reforms**

*New Delhi:* The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), the statutory body under the Ministry of Finance responsible for administering indirect taxes, fact-checked journalist Rajdeep Sardesai regarding the latest GST reforms on Thursday.

In a now-deleted post on X, Sardesai had claimed that caramel popcorn would be taxed at 18%. His post read:
*“The POPCORN debate has been resolved at last! Salted or spiced popcorn will now attract a uniform 5% GST, whether it’s sold loose or in pre-packaged form. Caramel popcorn will be taxed at 18%. Bring on the salted popcorn folks!”*

CBIC was quick to respond, sharing a screenshot of the post and clarifying:
*“Dear @sardesairajdeep, all sugar confectionery items will now be taxed at 5%. Kindly refrain from sharing incorrect information. Please see below the latest rates in Annexure II.”*

### Rajdeep Sardesai Issues Clarification

In a separate post on X, Sardesai corrected his earlier statement, saying:
*“Clarification: @cbic_india has clarified that ALL popcorn will have GST at 5%. Whether loose or packaged, or caramel. Earlier reports had said salted popcorn at 5% and caramel at 18% because of sugar element. Now, ALL sugar confectionery products will be at 5%.”*

### Background: The Popcorn GST Debate

Last year, popcorn became a topic of heated debate due to differentiated GST rates based on type:
– Loose salted popcorn: 5% GST
– Packaged popcorn: 12% GST
– Caramel popcorn: 18% GST

However, with the new GST reforms, the inclusion of all sugar confectionery items under the 5% tax bracket has effectively standardized GST rates for this popular snack.

The revised GST rates will come into effect from September 22.

The “popcorn controversy” dates back to the rollout of GST in July 2017. Initially, loose popcorn was exempt from tax, whereas packaged popcorn attracted 12% GST, leading to ongoing confusion and debate around applicable rates.

Stay tuned for more updates on GST reforms and their impact on consumers and businesses.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/cbic-fact-checks-journalist-rajdeep-sardesai-over-his-claims-of-18-gst-on-caramel-popcorn

Bombay HC Transfers Sanatan Sanstha’s Defamation Suits Against Narendra Dabholkar’s Son, Journalists From Goa To Kolhapur

**Mumbai: Bombay High Court Orders Transfer of Defamation Suits Filed by Sanatan Sanstha Against Hamid Dabholkar and Journalists from Goa to Maharashtra**

The Bombay High Court has directed the transfer of multiple defamation suits filed by the right-wing group Sanatan Sanstha against Hamid Dabholkar, son of the late rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, and several journalists. These cases, originally heard in Goa, will now be moved to Maharashtra following the court’s observations that the petitioners’ apprehensions regarding their safety appear “reasonable and genuine.”

### Background of the Defamation Suits

Sanatan Sanstha, headquartered in Ponda, Goa, had filed several defamation suits in 2017 and 2018 against Hamid Dabholkar and various journalists. The organization alleged that the accused had made or published false and defamatory statements that damaged its reputation. Until now, these cases were being adjudicated by the court in Ponda, Goa.

### Petitioners Seek Transfer Citing Safety Concerns

Hamid Dabholkar and the journalists petitioned the Bombay High Court to transfer the proceedings outside Goa, expressing fears for their personal safety if the trials continued within Sanstha’s stronghold. They referenced the assassinations of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, activist Govind Pansare, scholar M.M. Kalburgi, and journalist Gauri Lankesh—all outspoken critics of the group—arguing that they too could face similar threats.

### High Court Recognizes Threat and Orders Transfer

Justice Jamadar, hearing the matter, accepted the petitioners’ concerns. He stated, “If the animosity bordering on enmity between the Sanatan Sanstha and the applicants is considered, then the apprehension raised by the petitioners in their pleas are reasonable and genuine.” The judge added that “the command of dictate of justice would be better saved if the suits are transferred from the court at Goa to a court in Maharashtra.”

### Defamation Suits to be Heard in Kolhapur

Consequently, the court ordered the transfer of these defamation suits to a court in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, “in the interest of justice.” However, at Sanatan Sanstha’s request, the High Court stayed the operation of its order for six weeks.

### Court Refers to Dabholkar Murder Trial Findings

In support of its ruling, the court referred to the findings from the 2013 murder trial of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. The Pune sessions court had convicted two individuals for their involvement in the killing and noted that Sanatan Sanstha and affiliated groups had strongly opposed Dabholkar’s anti-superstition campaigns. Prosecution witnesses also established connections between the accused and the Sanstha.

### Applicants’ Vulnerability Highlighted

Justice Jamadar emphasized that the sessions court had found “reliable evidence” of Sanatan Sanstha’s opposition to Dabholkar. He further noted that even the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had been unable to identify the mastermind behind the assassination. “These findings of the sessions court appear sufficient to instill a sense of fear in the minds of the applicants,” the judge remarked.

### Historical Murders Lend Gravity to Safety Concerns

The court underscored that Hamid Dabholkar, having testified as a prosecution witness in the Dabholkar trial and continuing to criticize the Sanstha’s ideology, remains particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the judge highlighted the murders of Govind Pansare (February 2015), M.M. Kalburgi (August 2015), and Gauri Lankesh (September 2017)—all critics of similar ideologies—as factors that “lend gravity to the situation.”

**[End of Article]**
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-transfers-sanatan-sansthas-defamation-suits-against-narendra-dabholkars-son-journalists-from-goa-to-kolhapur

Seven-bedroom country home with panoramic views on sale for £1.4m

A stunning seven-bedroom country home in Llanvair Kilgeddin, Abergavenny, has just come onto the market.

This spacious property offers ample living space set in a picturesque location, perfect for those seeking a peaceful rural lifestyle.

Priced at £1,399,000, it presents a unique opportunity to acquire a beautiful family home in the heart of the countryside.

For more information or to arrange a viewing, please get in touch today.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25494462.abergavenny-luxury-country-home-market-1-39m/?ref=rss

Amazon’s hardware event on September 30: What to expect

**Amazon’s Hardware Event on September 30: What to Expect**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 28, 2025, 03:12 PM*

Amazon has officially announced its fall hardware event, scheduled for September 30. The tech giant is expected to unveil a variety of new products, including updated Echo speakers, a color version of the Kindle Scribe, and revamped TVs. This event marks one of the first major product showcases under Panos Panay, who joined Amazon in 2023 after leading Microsoft’s Surface division.

### New Echo Speakers Likely

The invitation for Amazon’s event prominently features the familiar blue Echo ring, hinting at new Echo hardware announcements. The standard Echo speaker hasn’t been updated since 2020, so a refresh is well overdue. Additionally, there are rumors about an upgrade to the Echo Studio, which was last refreshed in 2023.

If you’re planning to purchase an Echo speaker, it might be worth waiting a week to see what Amazon has in store.

### Kindle Updates: Color Kindle Scribe and Smaller Kindle

One of the teaser images for the event strongly hints at a color Kindle logo, accompanied by a cryptic mention of the “stroke of a pen.” This has sparked speculation about a color version of the Kindle Scribe — Amazon’s E Ink tablet that supports stylus input.

There are also rumors about a smaller Kindle model, possibly called the Kindle Petit Color, which is expected to deliver improved color performance compared to last year’s Colorsoft Kindle.

### Tech Advancements: Vega OS and Alexa Plus

The event invitation also features what appears to be a TV, fueling speculation about new Fire TV hardware. However, the bigger highlight might be the anticipated unveiling of Vega OS — a new operating system Amazon has been developing as a potential replacement for the Android-based Fire TV platform.

If these rumors hold true, this event will offer the public its first real glimpse of Vega OS running on TVs.

Additionally, Amazon may share updates on Alexa Plus, its next-generation AI assistant designed to compete with Google Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Stay tuned for Amazon’s hardware event on September 30 for all the latest announcements and product launches.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/everything-we-know-about-amazon-s-upcoming-hardware-event/story

Most B-school faculty in India lack AI expertise: Survey

**Most B-school Faculty in India Lack AI Expertise: Survey**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 28, 2025, 04:49 PM*

A recent survey conducted by MBAUniverse.com has revealed that while Indian business schools are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the majority of faculty members still lack the necessary expertise to effectively utilize these tools.

The study surveyed 235 educators from prestigious institutions such as IIMs, IITs, ISB, XLRI, and SPJIMR. It found that only 7% of these educators consider themselves expert users of AI tools.

### Growing Acceptance of AI in Academia

Despite the low level of expertise, the survey highlighted a positive shift in attitudes towards AI. About 51% of faculty members expressed confidence in the positive impact of AI adoption on business school students. More than half anticipate an increased role for AI in teaching, curriculum design, and research over the next year. This shows a growing acceptance and readiness for deeper integration of AI into academic processes.

### Application Areas: Transformative Potential of AI in Management Education

According to the survey, faculty are primarily using AI for research and teaching purposes. However, AI’s role in curriculum development is also steadily increasing. Administrative tasks and student assessment are emerging areas for AI application, indicating opportunities for structured support and capacity-building programs.

This highlights AI’s potential to transform multiple aspects of management education beyond just classroom teaching.

### Faculty Perceptions and Tool Preferences

The survey also explored faculty perceptions regarding AI’s impact on student learning, skill development, and classroom engagement. It assessed the tools, training, and policy guidance educators consider most important for responsible AI adoption.

Notably, ChatGPT emerged as the most relevant AI tool for teaching-related activities among faculty members.

### Challenges and Concerns in AI Adoption

While many faculty members viewed AI’s impact on student learning positively, 21% felt it was too early to determine its effects. Meanwhile, 18% perceived an unfavorable impact, and nearly 10% reported no significant changes.

The main challenges cited in using generative AI for research included ethical concerns, followed by issues related to inaccuracies, unreliable outputs, and a lack of regulatory policies.

The survey underscores the urgent need for capacity building and policy frameworks to equip business school faculty with the skills and guidelines necessary to harness AI’s full potential responsibly and effectively.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/ai-adoption-among-indian-b-school-faculty-what-we-know/story