Financial Aid

MIT goes tuition-free for families earning below $200k in 2025: Details

Known as a global leader in STEM, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's financial aid programme addresses student debt in the US, which surpassed $1.6 trillion in 2020

CM Shinde seeks women's support for increasing Ladki Bahin aid to Rs 3,000

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said the financial assistance under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme could even be raised to Rs 3,000 if women in the state support his government. Shinde also wondered why the opposition was jealous over his government's welfare initiatives and exuded confidence that the ruling Mahayuti alliance of the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP will retain power in the upcoming state elections. He was speaking on Tuesday at a congregation of seers at the Kanheri Math in Kolhapur on the occasion of the 'dharma dhwaj' inauguration. Under the Mahayuti government's flagship welfare scheme 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana', introduced ahead of the state polls, married, divorced, and destitute women aged 21-65 are receiving Rs 1,500 per month as stipend with the annual family income of beneficiaries capped at Rs 2.5 lakh. Shinde criticised the opposition for criticising the government over the Ladki Bahin scheme and asked why was it getting jealous. "If the dear

IMF, Ukraine reach deal that would give access to $1.1 bn in financial aid

The IMF is a key international lender to Kyiv and its four-year $15.6 billion programme is a crucial part of a bigger global economic support package to Ukraine

Budget 2024: HP to get aid to overcome losses due to last year's floods

Himachal Pradesh, which suffered major losses due to floods last year, would be provided aid through multilateral development assistance, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during her budget speech in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in the hill state last year and about 550 people died during the monsoon season. The Himachal Pradesh government has requested the Centre to release Rs 9,042 crore as financial assistance following a post-disaster assessment carried out by a central team. "Himachal Pradesh suffered extensive losses due to floods last year and our government would provide assistance to the state for reconstruction and rehabilitation through multilateral development assistance," Sitharaman said. The state received three spells of very heavy rains last year. It received 223.9 mm of rain from July 8 to July 12 against the normal of 42.2 mm, 111.2 mm from August 11 to August 14 against the normal of 41.7 mm, an excess of 167 per cen

Coal India to offer Rs 1 lakh to eligible UPSC aspirants: How to apply?

As part of Centre's 'Mission Karmayogi', the state-owned Coal India is powering a CSR initiative to offer Rs 1 lakh financial assistance to eligible UPSC candidates

No moratorium on repayment of loans during trawling ban period: Kerala govt

The Kerala government on Wednesday made it clear that no moratorium has been granted on repayment of loans availed by fishermen during the time of the ongoing 52-day-long trawling ban imposed in state waters. However, several measures, including free rations, were given to the fishermen's families during the trawling ban period from June 10 to July 31, state Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan told the state assembly. He was replying to a question raised by MLA E K Vijayan (CPI-M) during the Question Hour. The fishermen, who use mechanised vessels, and those engaged in other related work in the sector lost jobs during the ban, and they are being given free rations, the minister said. Under the financial relief scheme, those fishermen, who are members of their welfare fund board, would get assistance of Rs 4,500 during this time. Of this, Rs 1500 each is contributed by the union and state governments and the rest is the share of beneficiaries, he noted. While replying to a question,

India announces financial aid of $1 mn for landslide-hit Papua New Guinea

India on Tuesday announced an immediate financial aid of USD 1 million to provide relief and assistance to people hit by a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea. A massive landslide hit Enga province of the island nation on May 24 that buried hundreds of people and caused major destruction. Over 2,000 people were killed in the landslide, according to media reports from that country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences and conveyed India's readiness to extend all possible support and assistance to the Pacific island country in its time of difficulty. "As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, the government of India extends an immediate relief assistance of USD 1 million to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts," it said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday

Russia's assault opens new front, diverts Ukraine forces as aid trickles in

Russian troops were locked in intense battles with Ukrainian soldiers around the embattled town of Vovchansk in northeast Ukraine on Monday, pushing ahead with a ground offensive that opened a new front and put more pressure on overstretched Ukrainian forces. Moscow's renewed northeast offensive, launched late last week, was the most significant border incursion since the full-scale invasion began. In just two days, Moscow has captured between 100 to125 square kilometers (38 to 47 sq miles) that includes at least seven villages, most of them already depopulated, according to two open source monitoring analysts. Vovchansk, among the largest towns in the area whose pre-war population of 17,000 had dwindled to just 2,500 before Russia renewed its ground assault last week, has emerged as a key focus of the pitched battles engulfing the Kharkiv region. By Monday, only 200 to 300 residents remained, said Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov, as Russian forces closed in from three sides. Poor

UN seeks $430 mn for drought-hit Zimbabwe, says millions need food, water

About half of Zimbabwe's population urgently needs food and water after the country's worst drought in four decades, the U.N. humanitarian agency said Thursday as it launched an appeal for $430 million to help those most in need. About 7.6 million of the country's 15 million people need lifesaving and life-sustaining humanitarian assistance, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. But the agency is asking donors for the money to help the 3.1 million people in the most severely affected districts for the coming year, said Edward Matthew Kallon, U.N. resident humanitarian coordinator. A drought induced by the El Nino weather phenomenon is sweeping across much of southern Africa and has left both people and animals in desperate need of food and water. Zimbabwe, an agriculture reliant nation and one time exporter of food, is among the hardest hit by the drought. Harvests for the staple corn for the 2023-24 season are estimated at about 700,000 tons, which is 7

Afghanistan receives $84 mn in aid from World Bank amid humanitarian crisis

The Ministry of Economy welcomed the World Bank's assistance and stated that it may support economic expansion and project modifications that result in job creation for the nation's workforce

What's inside $95 bn House package focused on aiding Ukraine and Israel

Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled a long-awaited package of bills that will provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and give humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The package totals USD 95.3 billion in spending, which matches the total that the Senate passed in mid-February. But there are also a few differences with the Senate bill designed to win over some House conservatives. Here's a look at what is in the bills that Johnson hopes to pass by this weekend. UKRAINE The aid to support Ukraine totals about USD 61 billion. Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee said that more than a third of that amount would be dedicated to replenishing weapons and ammunition systems for the U.S. military. The overall amount of money provided to Ukraine for the purchase of weapons from the U.S. is roughly the same in the House and Senate bills USD 13.8 billion. The main difference between the two packages is that the House bill provides more t

House Speaker Johnson pushes toward aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan

House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing toward action this week on aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, unveiling an elaborate plan Monday to break the package into separate votes to squeeze through the House's political divides on foreign policy. Facing an outright rebellion from conservatives fiercely opposed to aiding Ukraine, the Republican speaker's move on the foreign aid package was a potentially watershed moment, the first significant action on the bill after more than two months of delay. But Johnson's intention to hold four separate votes on parts of the package also left it open to being significantly altered from the USD 95 billion aid package the Senate passed in February. It's unclear if the House could end up with a package that is similar to the Senate's bill or something significantly different, which could complicate the months-long, painstaking effort to get Congress to approve military funding for Ukraine. We will let the House work its will, Johnson told ...

Baltimore bridge: Biden okays $60 mn aid, Guv warns of long road ahead

Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned Thursday of a "very long road ahead" to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved USD 60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse. Massive barges carrying cranes streamed toward the site to begin the challenging work of removing twisted metal and concrete as a first step toward reopening a key shipping route blocked by the wreckage of the span. Moore promised that "the best minds in the world" were working on plans to clear the debris, move the cargo ship that rammed into the bridge from the channel, recover the bodies of the four remaining workers presumed dead and investigate what went wrong. "Government is working hand in hand with industry to investigate the area, including the wreck, and remove the ship," said Moore, a Democrat, who said quick aid is needed to "lay the foundation for a rapid recovery". President Joe Biden has pledged the federal government would pay the

US NSA Jake Sullivan visits Kyiv as stalemate in Washington holds up aid

President Joe Biden's top foreign policy adviser Jake Sullivan sought to reassure Ukrainians during an unannounced visit to Kyiv that the US will continue to support their efforts to fend off Russia's two-year-old invasion. The national security adviser expressed optimism Wednesday that lawmakers in Washington will break a month-long logjam and approve tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Russian forces have exploited the shortfall to make some gains in the conflict. "We will get a strong bipartisan vote in Congress," Sullivan said during a press conference. "We will get that money to you as we should, so I don't think we need to speak about Plan B today." He also acknowledged that the process had "taken too long". Sullivan said the US would consider the conflict a victory for Ukraine if it emerges from the war as a sovereign, democratic and free country. He sought to reassure Ukrainians that the US will continue to support them as it did since the .

Guj launches schemes to provide financial help to students of Class 9 to 12

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday launched two schemes to provide financial assistance to students from Classes 9 to 12, for which the government has allocated Rs 1,650 crore in the state budget. Under its "Namo Lakshmi Yogana", the government will provide Rs 50,000 to girls studying in Classes 9 to 12 over four years, while Rs 25,000 will be given to both girls and boys who have opted for the science stream in Classes 11 and 12 under the "Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana", a release stated. "These two significant schemes have been initiated this year to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to girls' education, encouraging girls to pursue secondary and higher secondary education and to promote science education," the state government said in a statement. The chief minister launched the schemes from Gyanda High School in Ahmedabad, with around 35,000 students of primary and secondary schools and educators from across the state participating virtually

Congress reaches tentative deal to avoid govt shutdown, Ukraine aid stalls

Days before a possible partial government shutdown, negotiators in Congress worked furiously Wednesday to finish up a federal spending plan as Washington joined Ukraine and other American allies around the world in watching and waiting for House Speaker Mike Johnson's next move. The new Republican leader is facing the test of his career trying to keep the U.S. government open by Friday's midnight deadline for several federal departments. At the same time, emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies remains stubbornly stalled. President Joe Biden convened leaders Tuesday in hopes of pushing them toward a deal. We are very close to getting it done, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said as he opened his side of the Capitol on Wednesday. Republicans are also are optimistic that a deal can be reached. Congress is in what has become a familiar cycle of threatened shutdowns and disruptions as Johnson's hard-right Republicans in his GOP majority strive for ..

Biden summons congressional leaders to WH to talk about Ukraine funding

President Joe Biden will convene the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to press lawmakers on passing an emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, as well as averting a looming government shutdown next month, according to a White House official. The top four leaders include House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. During the meeting, the president will discuss the "urgency" of passing the aid package, which has bipartisan support, as well as legislation to keep the federal government operating through the end of September, said the White House official, who was granted anonymity to discuss a meeting not yet publicly confirmed. The Republican-led House is under pressure to pass the USD 95 billion national security package that bolsters aid for Ukraine, Israel as well as the Indo-Pacific. That legislation cleared the ...

Free world united with Ukraine, says Sunak on Russian conflict anniversary

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak marked the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Saturday with a pledge to renew the UK's determination to support the Ukrainians and declared the free world united in its response to President Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The British Indian leader reflected upon his recent visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv when he announced a major package of defence aid to Ukraine, taking the UK's total support to GBP 12 billion. It comes as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) pledged GBP 8.5 million in humanitarian funding allocations to the Red Cross Movement and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. When Putin launched his illegal invasion two years ago, the free world was united in its response. We stood together behind Ukraine. And on this grim anniversary, we must renew our determination, said Sunak in a statement from 10 Downing Street. I was in Kyiv just a few weeks ago and I met wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Eac

Biden wants people to know money sought for Ukraine would be spent in US

At a bustling construction site outside of Dallas, there are hopes that Congress can finally pass nearly USD 95 billion in foreign aid including funding for Ukraine because factory jobs in the United States depend on that money. Aerospace and defense company General Dynamics' new factory in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite is expected to initially employ 150 people to produce munitions. Set to open in June, construction is nearing completion, with newly planted trees and shrubs already in place at the complex overlooking one of the area's busiest interstates. We want to increase our wages and increase our skill levels and job opportunities, said Kim Buttram, Mesquite's director of economic development, who added that the factory is expected to have over 300 jobs when it's at full production. As President Joe Biden pushes House Republicans to pass needed aid, he wants voters to understand that nearly two-thirds or nearly USD 40 billion of the money for Ukraine would actually go to US

Aid package for Israel fails in House, another setback to GOP leaders

bill to provide Israel with more military aid went down to defeat Tuesday in the House, spoiling Speaker Mike Johnson's attempt to separate Israel from other national security priorities, including helping Ukraine defend itself from Russia's military invasion and deterring crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. The vote gave individual lawmakers another chance to show voters their support for Israel and could be used on the campaign trail to criticize those who voted against it. But it did little to generate momentum toward passage of a final emergency spending package. It was also the second setback of the day for House Republican leaders. Just minutes before the vote their drive to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas fell short due to opposition from three House Republicans. The House had already gone on the record in support of an Israel aid package. Johnson brought that package up in November on one of his first days as the new House speaker. The vote was in ...