Topic
policy
Commodities Grain-based ethanol gains momentum: What it means for India's blending programme
India's ethanol blending programme has crossed 717 crore litres cumulative supplies by June 2026, with grain-based ethanol contributing nearly 480 crore litres. The shift to maize and surplus grains provides resilience against crop failures, supports rural industry, and advances energy security.
Trade India Reiterates Commitment to Open, Rules-Based Multilateral Trading System at WTO Review
India has reiterated its commitment to an open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based multilateral trading system during the final session of its Eighth Trade Policy Review at the WTO in Geneva. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said WTO reform should remain development-oriented and preserve policy space for developing countries, while highlighting India's tariff reforms, customs simplification measures and FTA strategy.
Regulations & Compliance UK E-Scooter Regulation in Limbo: Compliance Risks for Importers Amid Six-Year Trial Stalemate
The UK government's e-scooter trials, ongoing since 2021, remain unresolved after six years, leaving private e-scooters illegal on public roads while hired schemes operate under temporary permissions. This regulatory limbo creates significant compliance risks for importers, distributors, and fleet operators, who must navigate conflicting rules and uncertain enforcement.
Commodities Ladakh's Organic Push Faces First Big Test After Chemical Fertiliser Ban
The Ladakh administration has banned chemical fertilisers as part of its goal to become India's first fully organic Union Territory. However, farmers warn that the success hinges on the availability of organic manure, which has declined due to reduced livestock and modern sanitation. The ₹500-crore MODI initiative aims to support the transition, but immediate supply concerns persist.
Commodities Nickel's Fortunes Hinge on Indonesia's Mining Quota Policy as Prices Rebound
Nickel prices have rebounded from six-month lows to $16,950/tonne, but the direction for H2 2026 hinges on Indonesia's mining quota policy. Indonesia is considering raising its RKAB quota to 360 million tonnes, which could shift global supply dynamics. Forecasts from BMI, AOCE, and ING Think indicate potential price moderation, with market surplus or deficit depending on policy decisions.
Finance FM Sitharaman Distributes ₹3,216 Crore Loans to 1,03,246 Beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh Credit Outreach
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distributed loans worth ₹3,216 crore to 1,03,246 beneficiaries under various central government schemes at a Credit Outreach Programme in Narasaraopet, Andhra Pradesh. The assistance includes ₹2,363 crore for agriculture, ₹325 crore for MSMEs, and ₹624 crore for housing, education, vehicle and solar energy loans. The event underscores the government's push for financial inclusion and institutional credit access to rural areas.
India to Take Equity Stakes in Semiconductor Startups Under Semicon 2.0
The Indian government has approved Semicon 2.0 with a Rs 1,27,500 crore outlay, moving from one-time grants to milestone-linked funding and equity investments in semiconductor startups. The India Semiconductor Mission CEO Amitesh Kumar Sinha outlined a phased funding model where the government will generally keep its equity stake below 50%, avoid board representation, and allow founders to buy back shares. The policy addresses the challenge startups face in raising capital after the design stage.
Logistics Trump Promise on Military CDLs Echoes Existing FMCSA Programs, Industry Says
President Trump's remarks about creating an easier pathway for veterans to become CDL holders appear similar to the existing Military Skills Test Waiver Program administered by FMCSA since 2011. The program has already enabled over 40,000 veterans to obtain their CDL. Industry experts caution that military driving experience does not fully replace real-world trucking training.
Trade India to Release Export-Oriented Fisheries Policy Focusing on Inland Fishery
India's Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced an upcoming export-oriented fisheries policy emphasizing inland fishery, which currently accounts for only 2% of India's fishery exports. He stated that fishery exports jumped by Rs 10,000 crore to over Rs 72,000 crore in 2025-26, crediting free trade agreements. The minister also highlighted transport bottlenecks and directed ICAR to study drone use for connecting inland fisheries to export hubs.
Commodities British Steel Nationalisation Bill Passed by Parliament, Securing Public Ownership of Scunthorpe Operations
Parliament has passed the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill, paving the way for nationalisation of Scunthorpe-based British Steel. The King signed the bill into law on Wednesday. Energy minister Chris McDonald said the government acted decisively in the national interest. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith criticised the move, linking it to high energy costs. Owner Jingye has begun seeking compensation.
Commodities Cabinet Approves New Urea Investment Policy to Boost Domestic Production
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the National Investment Policy for Urea-2026, aiming to establish eight new urea plants and generate an additional 10 million tonnes of output. The policy, open to public, private, and cooperative sectors, is projected to attract up to ₹90,000 crore in investment. India currently imports about 10 mt of urea against domestic production of 30 mt and demand of 40 mt.
Technology New York Governor Signs First Statewide Data Center Moratorium, Halting Hyperscale Development for One Year
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order enacting a one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers over 50 megawatts, the first statewide pause in the US. The order directs the Department of Public Service to evaluate environmental and energy impacts and proposes ending tax incentives. The move follows growing opposition and a legislative bill with stricter limits.
DOGE Used AI for Housing Policy Decisions at HUD, FOIA Denials Raise Transparency Concerns
Members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) deployed artificial intelligence at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to inform policy decisions, according to documents obtained by Democracy Forward. The agency has denied Freedom of Information Act requests for details on the AI tools, citing a previously nonexistent 'AI privilege' and presidential communications privilege. Experts say the lack of transparency raises concerns about bias, hallucinations, and accountability in government AI use.
Technology Indian Government Considers Cybersecurity Framework for IoT Devices Beyond CCTV Cameras
The Indian government is exploring a broader cybersecurity framework for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, extending beyond CCTV cameras to include smart meters, home automation, and industrial sensors. The initiative aims to reduce vulnerabilities in connected products through mandatory security certification and supply chain transparency.
Commodities India's ethanol blending rollout: Setting the record straight on fuel transition fears
The article addresses misinformation about India's ethanol blending program, clarifying that E20 has been safely used since April 2025 and E25 is not scheduled. It emphasizes the methodical rollout, strategic benefits for energy security, and the need for evidence-based debate.
Commodities India urged to shift to need-based grain procurement, allow private sector to buy more, says Ramesh Chand
Former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand has proposed that India shift to need-based procurement of wheat and rice, limiting government purchases to public distribution system and welfare scheme demand, while allowing the private sector to buy more grains. He suggested ensuring minimum support price (MSP) through a price differential payment via direct benefit transfer. The proposal was made at the Wheat Products Promotion Society conclave, where other speakers discussed value addition and a new agriculture export complex near Jewar airport.
Technology EU Parliament Votes to Extend Big Tech's Right to Scan Private Messages Despite Majority Opposition
The European Parliament has voted to extend legislation allowing tech companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft to voluntarily scan users' private messages for child sexual abuse material, despite a majority of lawmakers voting against the proposal. The ruling reinstates permissions for scanning private text, email, and social media messages, but end-to-end encrypted chats remain exempt.
Commodities India Opens Bids for ₹37,500 Crore Coal Gasification Scheme to Boost Energy Security
The Indian government has invited proposals for setting up coal and lignite gasification projects under a ₹37,500 crore incentive scheme launched in May 2026. The scheme aims to produce syngas and downstream products like SNG, urea, and methanol, reducing import dependence and utilizing domestic coal. Key dates include a September 7 application deadline and a November 4 Letter of Award issuance.
Policy-aware Vector Search: A Vision for Fine Grained Access Control in Vector Databases
A new paper from arXiv presents a vision for policy-aware vector search, formalizing the problem of fine-grained access control (FGAC) in vector databases. The authors compare enforcement strategies, present preliminary findings, and identify open challenges for achieving secure, high-performance vector search in security-sensitive applications like RAG and AI pipelines.
Business Bengal to scrap Urban Land Ceiling Act to attract big ticket investments, says Finance Minister
West Bengal will scrap the Urban Land Ceiling Act to attract large-scale investments, with a focus on projects exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the government aims for the highest growth rate among Indian states in four years. SBI Research noted a decisive shift towards investment-led growth in the state budget.
Technology Pax Silica Summit: India among 35 countries backed US-led 'AI Opportunity' declaration
At the Pax Silica Summit, India was among 35 countries that endorsed the US-led 'AI Opportunity' declaration. The declaration focuses on international cooperation for ethical AI development. No further details were provided in the source article.
Trade SEZ Reforms: Commerce Ministry Calls Stakeholders' Meet on June 30 to Discuss Policy Overhaul
India's Commerce Ministry is convening a stakeholders' meeting on June 30 to discuss a policy overhaul of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), according to a Times of India report. The meeting aims to gather input from industry participants and government officials. No further details on the reform proposals have been disclosed.
Business Andy Burnham's Devolution Plan: Can It Boost UK Economic Growth?
Andy Burnham, in his first major policy speech as an MP, outlined a radical devolution plan to rebalance power from Whitehall, aiming to boost UK economic growth. BBC Verify's analysis shows no clear historical growth impact from devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but Burnham points to Greater Manchester as a successful case study.
Trade India's GST at 9: Experts Urge Reforms to Boost Auto Industry Export Competitiveness
As India's GST completes nine years, tax experts urge targeted reforms to resolve inverted duty structures on EVs, legacy cess credits, and refund inefficiencies. These changes aim to boost export competitiveness for India's third-largest automobile market, which contributes 7% to GDP and supports 37 million jobs.
Business Nearly 500 Indian Cities Set to Become Next Economic Hubs: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that nearly 500 cities in India are poised to become the country's next economic hubs, citing a rapidly expanding middle class that now represents 31% of the population and drives 93% of consumer spending. Speaking at a French economic forum, she highlighted the middle class's annual growth rate of 6.3% since economic liberalization and noted that India will surpass China in middle-class population size between 2030 and 2035, according to an OECD study.
Lessons from the Green Revolution: India's Bio Revolution Must Avoid Past Mistakes on Quality and Balance
India's Green Revolution achieved food security but caused soil degradation due to imbalanced fertiliser use. As the country embraces a Bio Revolution with biological inputs, the article warns against repeating past errors, emphasising quality assurance and stewardship.
Trade India to Chair Ninth Session of UNCTAD Consumer Protection Experts Meeting in Geneva
India, represented by Secretary Nidhi Khare, will chair the Ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy in Geneva from 6th to 8th July 2026. The session, organised by UNCTAD, will focus on consumer information, sustainable consumption, enforcement in global markets, and cross-border protection.
Business Maharashtra cuts stamp duty on 99-year lease agreements for Mumbai housing societies
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced a steep reduction in stamp duty for 99-year lease agreements of cooperative housing societies in Mumbai. Residential properties will attract a maximum duty of 0.5% and commercial properties 1.5%, down from previous rates that ran into crores. The move is expected to benefit hundreds of societies on government land across Mumbai city and suburbs.
Commodities ISMA defends E20 fuel, cites scientific evidence; remains silent on mileage drop claims
The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has dismissed public concern over E20 ethanol blended petrol, stating that the conversation should be based on scientific evidence and official clarifications. While automakers claim mileage drop is marginal (3-3.5%), social media users report a 20-30% reduction. The government and industry bodies defend the fuel, citing emissions cuts and foreign exchange savings of over Rs 1.4 lakh crore.
Logistics Only 3 of 79 Trucking Bills Became Law Over Two Congresses, FreightWaves Analysis Shows
Over the 118th and 119th Congresses, the U.S. introduced 79 trucking-related bills but passed only 3 into law. Two are modest CDL improvements and the third is a deregulation measure. The vast majority died in committee, highlighting legislative gridlock on road freight policy.
UP Data Center Policy 2026 Sends Strong Signal to Market, Experts Say, Focusing on AI, GPU, and Sustainability
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the Data Center Policy-2026, aiming to develop the state as a green and AI-ready data center hub with an additional 2 GW capacity. Experts highlight the policy's focus on GPU infrastructure, sustainability, and regional incentives for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, targeting over ₹2 lakh crore investment and 50,000 indirect jobs.
Commodities Indian Government Urged to Tackle Fertilizer Subsidy Issues by SOMS Sector
The soluble fertilizers, organic and bio-fertilizers, micronutrients and biostimulants (SOMS) sector has urged the Indian government to address problems caused by fertilizer subsidies. Stakeholders highlighted the practice of 'tagging' where dealers force farmers to buy additional nutrients when purchasing subsidized fertilizers. The sector, valued at nearly $1 billion, proposed solutions including direct payments and amendments to the Essential Commodities Act.
Commodities Policy, energy, climate, geopolitics to influence global veg oil sector: IVPA
The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA) President Sudhakar Desai, speaking at the 17th China International Conference on Oils and Oilseeds in Shanghai, projected a 3.1% increase in global vegetable oil production to 212.5 million tonnes in 2025-26, with consumption rising 1.9% to 211 million tonnes. He highlighted that policy decisions, energy markets, climate, and geopolitics are increasingly driving market direction, with Indonesia's B50 biodiesel mandate set to divert 14.6 million tonnes of palm oil to biofuels. Desai also provided price outlooks for crude palm oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil, and detailed India's edible oil import scenario of 16.8 million tonnes in 2025-26.
Commodities Centre hikes onion procurement price by 13% to ₹2,125/quintal, 5th revision this season
The Indian government has raised the onion procurement price for buffer stock by 13% to ₹2,125 per quintal, effective July 4, 2026. This is the fifth upward revision this season, driven by slow procurement of only about 2,000 tonnes since June 1. Supply remains adequate with robust mandi arrivals, though delayed monsoon and speculative buying are affecting prices.
Commodities Rain Deficit and Weak Kharif Sowing Prompt Finance Ministry to Call for Agricultural Pricing Policy Reorientation
India's finance ministry, in its monthly economic review, flagged concerns over a 22% decline in kharif crop sowing in June due to a 43% rainfall deficit. It called for reorienting agricultural pricing policies to incentivize climate-resilient crops and disincentivize water-intensive ones. Despite the sowing decline, wheat and rice stocks exceed 4.4 times the buffer norm, providing a cushion. The ministry also noted that easing global energy market stress moderated crude oil prices, improving growth and inflation outlook.
Regulations & Compliance US Government Assures India of Uninterrupted Access to Critical AI Technologies
The US has assured India that access to critical AI technologies will not be abruptly denied to trusted partners, according to Indian IT secretary S Krishnan. The assurance followed a US directive to Anthropic to restrict foreign nationals from accessing AI models. Both sides agreed on the need for collaboration and diversified supply chains.
Commodities Germany Reconsiders Coal Phase-Out as Gas Prices Surge Amid Iran Conflict
Germany currently generates 20% of its electricity from coal but had pledged to phase out by 2038. However, a surge in global gas prices after the US-Israel conflict with Iran has prompted reconsideration. Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned phase-out plans, and energy firm LEAG welcomes potential reprieve.
Trade US Temporarily Suspends Iranian Oil Sanctions After Nuclear Inspections Agreement
The United States on Monday temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil after Vice President JD Vance said Tehran agreed to allow UN nuclear inspectors back. The US Treasury issued a 60-day general licence authorising Iranian crude oil transactions through August 21, citing commitments on Strait of Hormuz access and IAEA inspections.
Technology India's digital sector faces competition, policy and tech challenges despite strong growth outlook
India's digital connectivity sector continues to show strong growth potential but must navigate intensifying competition, evolving regulations, cybersecurity threats, and rapid technological change, according to an industry assessment cited in Jio Platforms' draft red herring prospectus. The report, by Analysys Mason, warns that long-term sustainability depends on addressing structural and operational challenges.
Supply Chain Indian Government Launches Multi-Pronged Plan to Boost Domestic Supply Chain Resilience
In response to disruptions from the West Asia war, the Indian government has initiated a series of measures to enhance domestic resilience. The plan includes identifying 100-150 items for import substitution, boosting green hydrogen and solar energy, reducing LPG reliance, and diversifying export markets. Ministries are implementing steps under PMO monitoring.
Commodities Germany Reconsiders Coal Phase-Out as Gas Prices Surge Amid Iran Conflict
Germany, Europe's largest coal power user, is reconsidering its coal phase-out due to a surge in global gas prices following the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signalled a potential loosening of phase-out plans to ensure affordable electricity for industry. Energy firm LEAG welcomes the shift, while environmental researchers urge a faster transition to renewables.
ENPIRE Framework Enables Autonomous Robot Policy Self-Improvement for Real-World Manipulation Tasks
Researchers introduce ENPIRE, a harness framework that enables coding agents to autonomously improve robot policies through a closed-loop feedback routine. The system achieved 99% success rate on challenging manipulation tasks including organizing a pin box and fastening a zip tie. This approach minimizes human effort in real-world robotics training.
Deontic Policies: New Framework for Runtime Governance of Autonomous Agentic AI Systems
Autonomous agentic AI systems, powered by LLMs, create governance challenges beyond traditional access control. A new paper introduces AgenticRei, a deontic policy framework that handles obligations, dispensations, and conflict resolution at runtime, using OWL and a logic engine separate from the LLM.
Commodities From waste to wealth: Why crop residue burning is a system’s failure, not a seasonal
Every year, paddy harvest in north India triggers crop residue burning, causing severe air pollution. Despite over a decade of attention and significant public investment, the problem persists because farmers lack timely, low-cost alternatives to burning. New approaches like The Nature Conservancy's PRANA programme and biomass value chains offer a path toward regenerative agriculture.
Trade Kerala Budget Proposes Dedicated Gold Corridor in Kochi-Thrissur Belt to Boost Jewellery Trade
The Kerala state budget, announced by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, proposes a dedicated gold corridor in the Kochi–Thrissur belt to strengthen jewellery manufacturing and establish a gold exchange hub. The initiative, backed by a ₹10 crore allocation, aims to leverage Kerala's position as the largest gold-consuming state and create skilled employment. Industry leaders from Kalyan Jewellers and the Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants' Association have welcomed the move, noting its potential to attract back gold manufacturers who migrated to other states.
Technology The White House Is Making Up Its Rules for AI in Real Time, Leaving Industry in Limbo
The White House sent an export control directive to Anthropic, forcing it to pull advanced AI models offline. The dispute highlights a lack of clear rules, with the White House taking an anti-regulatory posture but acting in a slap-dash manner, according to a former official. The opaqueness has hampered innovation and left the AI industry in a quandary.
Technology White House Demands Anthropic Block All Jailbreaks; Experts Question Feasibility
The Trump administration is pressing Anthropic to prevent all jailbreaking vulnerabilities in its advanced AI model Claude Fable 5, but independent cybersecurity experts argue that guardrails are only a stopgap solution. The National Security Agency confirmed vulnerabilities in the model's safeguards related to cybersecurity, chemistry, and biology.
E-mem: Multi-Agent Framework for Episodic Memory Reconstruction Boosts LLM Reasoning Efficiency by 70%
Researchers propose E-mem, a multi-agent framework that reconstructs episodic context for LLM agent memory, inspired by biological engrams. It uses a hierarchical architecture with assistant agents maintaining uncompressed contexts and a master agent orchestrating planning, achieving 54% F1 on the LoCoMo benchmark, surpassing the state-of-the-art GAM by 7.75% with over 70% token cost reduction.
Anthropic Remains at Odds With White House Over Claude Fable 5 Export Controls
The Trump administration concluded talks with Anthropic without lifting export controls on Claude Fable 5 due to jailbreak concerns. The dispute involves Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and the NSA, underscoring tensions over AI model security and regulation.
Technology Anthropic to Meet White House Commerce Officials Over Suspension of AI Tools Fable 5 and Mythos 5
Anthropic executives are set to meet with White House officials from the Department of Commerce over the suspension of its AI tools Fable 5 and Mythos 5, following reported national security concerns about a potential jailbreak vulnerability. The meeting on Monday in Washington DC will include CEO Dario Amodei and Secretary Howard Lutnick, aiming to address the issue and determine whether the tools can be made accessible again.
Business Arvind Panagariya Calls for Dedicated Privatisation Ministry, Urges Reviving PSU and Bank Disinvestment
Arvind Panagariya has called for reviving the government's privatisation programme for PSUs and PSBs and advocated creating an independent privatisation ministry. He also noted strong gross FDI inflows rising to $94.5 billion in FY26 and expects FPI outflows to calm in FY27.
Technology US Government Quietly Lets Federal Data Center Regulation Expire Without Replacement
The US government plans to let the Federal Data Center Enhancement Act (FDCEA) expire this fall without a replacement, according to WIRED sources. The rule sets standards for federal data center usage and operations, and its expiration comes amid surging demand for data centers to power AI. Neither Congress nor the Trump administration has a plan to extend or replace the regulation, worrying current and former government workers.
Trade UK Government Set to Weaken Electric Car Sales Target to 50-70% by 2030
The UK government is set to water down its 2030 target for electric vehicle sales, currently 80% of new cars, with a consultation on a new target between 50% and 70%. The Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) mandate, which includes phased annual targets and fines of £15,000 per non-compliant car, has cost the industry over £10bn in two years according to the SMMT. Industry and unions warn of job losses, while sustainability groups argue weakening could harm charging infrastructure investment.
Technology Is India’s AI moment here? Not yet, as funding and compute lag behind US and China
India's AI ecosystem, despite a surge in startup funding, remains far behind global leaders like the US and China due to inadequate compute capacity, weak research, and a lack of billion-dollar revenue companies. The report highlights the need for sovereign compute and a shift from model building to deployment in sectors like agriculture and healthcare.
Business India aviation ministry launches study to strengthen financially troubled airlines
India's Union aviation ministry has initiated a study on financially stressed airlines to assess structural challenges and identify measures to improve sector resilience. The move, spurred by the ongoing West Asia crisis, seeks stakeholder input on policy, regulatory, and operational reforms. Airlines recommend bringing aviation turbine fuel under GST, revising airport charges, and implementing price surveillance on monopoly routes.
Trade UK vows to phase out Russian diesel and jet fuel imports by new year
The UK government has committed to banning imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil by 1 January 2027, as part of its sanctions package following the war with Ukraine. The temporary licence for such imports will be reviewed every two weeks and could be revoked earlier. The move has drawn criticism from the EU and campaigners.
Business Andrew Yang's Noble Mobile: A New Approach to UBI
Andrew Yang, known for his advocacy of Universal Basic Income (UBI), is taking a new approach with his startup, Noble Mobile. The company incentivizes users to reduce phone usage, aligning with Yang's vision of combating the 'attention economy.' This initiative reflects Yang's shift from policy advocacy to entrepreneurial action.
Trade UN Human Rights Council Session to Address Global Rights and Country Situations
The United Nations Human Rights Council will convene its sixty-second regular session from 15 June to 7 July 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The session, under the presidency of Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro of Indonesia, will consider over 60 reports and hold 25 interactive dialogues covering human rights situations in 20 countries, including Iran, Sudan, Palestine, and Ukraine.
Trade The Iron Insurance Collapse: A $130 Million Lesson
The Iron Insurance initiative by Knight-Swift, aimed at small carriers, resulted in a $130 million collapse. The program, tied to telematics and safety compliance, failed due to overwhelming volume and inadequate risk management.
Commodities India Clears E100 Fuel Framework, Accelerating Ethanol Vehicle Rollout and Impor
India has approved the regulatory framework for 100% ethanol (E100) as a vehicular fuel, enabling the commercial deployment of ethanol-powered cars and two-wheelers. The move, announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, aims to reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil (over 85% imports) and create new demand for agricultural feedstocks, while giving automakers regulatory certainty to invest in flex-fuel platforms.