Author: Shital Rabara

Washington: The United States has taken a major step towards supplying Saudi Arabia with F-35 fighter jets, with the US Department of State approving a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II aircraft to Riyadh. The proposed deal, notified to the US Congress on September 17, includes 48 F-35 fighter jets along with 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, with 48 engines intended for the aircraft and one designated as a spare. The package also includes associated equipment, training, spare parts, maintenance and logistical support. The approval represents an important development in the long-running US-Saudi defence relationship. However,…

New Delhi: The Centre has moved to provide a clear regulatory safeguard for small-value digital payments, with banks and payment system providers now barred from imposing direct or indirect charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions of up to ₹2,000. The Finance Ministry issued a notification on September 14 under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, specifying the electronic payment modes that will remain protected from such charges. The notification covers UPI transactions of up to ₹2,000 and payments made using debit cards powered by RuPay. Under the new provision, neither the person making a payment…

The External Affairs Ministry today said, the BRICS Summit, which concluded in New Delhi today, produced a number of concrete and development-oriented outcomes. Briefing the media in New Delhi this afternoon, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry, Sudhakar Dalela, said more than 50 concrete outcomes had been achieved across various thematic tracks, describing this as a significant achievement of India’s BRICS Chairship. He said BRICS has maintained a consistent position on the need for reform of the United Nations, and added that India would like to further strengthen its engagement with BRICS countries. Mr. Dalela said the Summit also received…

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday (September 7, 2026) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a range of acquisition proposals for the armed forces estimated at ₹1.10 lakh crore, with approximately 98% of the procurements planned to be from Indian industry. The HMVs are expected to strengthen operational mobility and logistics support in difficult terrains, while the MMLs will provide faster and more responsive mine-laying capability during operations. The ALHs will be used by the Army and the Air Force for complex missions across diverse terrains and operational situations. The trawl tanks and…

The attacks included the Galaxy Leader seizure in November and a drone attack on the MV Saibaba in December 2023. In January 2024, Jaiswal said India strongly supported freedom of navigation and commercial shipping. The finance ministry said 80% of India’s Europe trade used the Red Sea route.Houthi attacks forced ships to travel around Africa, increasing freight and insurance costs.These higher costs could affect Indian exports and inflation. The December 2023 drone attack on the Indian-crewed MV Saibaba in the southern Red Sea. The latest situation has added an energy issue to those long-standing Indian worries. In August 2026, two…

The Income Tax Department’s probe into outward remittances has brought increased attention to large money transfers made by Indian residents to foreign countries. Outward remittance refers to sending money abroad for purposes such as education, medical treatment, travel, investment, or supporting family members. Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), resident individuals are permitted to remit money overseas subject to prescribed rules and limits. Banks and authorised dealers are required to collect relevant information and follow reporting and compliance procedures for such transactions. The Income Tax Department may examine high-value or unusual outward remittances when they appear inconsistent with a taxpayer’s…

The transition to E20 fuel, which contains 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, has become an important part of India’s automotive and energy policy. The government has introduced this initiative to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower carbon emissions, and promote the use of renewable energy. Although the transition offers several environmental and economic benefits, it has also raised concerns within the automotive industry. One of the major concerns is vehicle compatibility. Many older vehicles were designed to operate on conventional petrol and may not perform efficiently with E20 fuel. Higher ethanol content can affect engine components such as fuel…

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has introduced a major national reshuffle to strengthen its organizational structure and prepare for future elections. The latest changes include the appointment of new office bearers and the redistribution of responsibilities among senior leaders. The reshuffle aims to improve coordination between the central leadership and state units while expanding the party’s presence across the country. According to BJP leaders, the decision focuses on creating a balance between experienced politicians and young leaders. The party believes that new appointments will improve communication, strengthen grassroots networks, and increase public engagement. Several leaders have been given important responsibilities…

A tragic temple stampede in Bihar claimed several lives and left many devotees injured during a religious gathering. According to reports, a large crowd had gathered at the temple to participate in prayers and rituals when the situation suddenly became chaotic. The overcrowded area and lack of proper crowd management created panic among the devotees, resulting in a deadly stampede. Rescue teams, police officials, and local authorities immediately reached the scene and started relief operations. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, while authorities worked to control the situation. The state government expressed condolences to the families…

The Government of India has recently introduced new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules to strengthen the e-commerce sector and create more opportunities for small businesses, artisans, farmers, and fishermen. The new policy aims to expand digital trade by allowing greater participation in export-oriented e-commerce activities. This decision is expected to increase the global reach of products made in India and support the country’s growing digital economy. Under the previous policy, foreign-invested e-commerce companies were allowed to operate mainly through the marketplace model, where they connected buyers and sellers without owning the products. However, the revised policy allows foreign-funded e-commerce companies…