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Showing posts from September, 2025

US president Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed on a framework to end the war in Gaza.

  1.US president Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday that they have  agreed on a framework to end the war in Gaza.  The plan, however, hinges on whether Hamas will accept its terms. Trump laid out a 20-point proposal  to end the Israel-Hamas war and establish a transitional administration in the region. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/israel-wont-occupy-gaza-no-one-will-be-forced-to-flee-trump-standing-beside-netanyahu-announces-gaza-deal-glbs-2795411-2025-09-30

China leading the way by announcing its first emission cuts.

 1.With China leading the way by announcing its first emission cuts, world leaders have said they are getting more serious about fighting climate change and the deadly extreme weather that comes with it. At the United Nations high-level climate summit on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the world's largest carbon-polluting country would aim to cut emissions by 7-10% by 2035. China spews more than 31% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, and they have long been soaring. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-worlds-largest-carbon-polluting-nation-announces-new-climate-goal-to-cut-emissions/article70092039.ece 2.US President Donald Trump met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Oval Office on Thursday. Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who was hosted by Trump for lunch at the White House early this summer, accompanied Sharif for the meeting, which was also attended by Secretary of State Ma...

4.India on Thursday successfully launched the intermediate-range Agni-Prime missile.

 1.Several people were feared dead and many injured in Leh city in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Wednesday (September 24, 2025) as an ongoing protest seeking the constitutional safeguards of Statehood and tribal status for the region bordering China turned violent.The Union Home Ministry, in a statement, said an unruly mob destroyed public property and attacked the police, injuring around 30 security personnel. The police had to resort to firing, in which “unfortunately some casualties are reported”, it said. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh-statehood-protests-leh-violence-live-updates-september-25-2025/article70091700.ece 2.The defence ministry will sign a ₹66,000-crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for an additional 97 light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1As) as soon as the state-run firm hands over to the air force the first two of 83 such fighter jets already on order, and the new deal could be signed soon, HAL chief DK Sunil said on Monday. https://www....

1.Yale scholar Gautam Mukunda has criticised Donald Trump's proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas.

 1.Yale scholar Gautam Mukunda has criticised Donald Trump's proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, warning that it would harm the US's ability to attract world-class talent. According to Mr Mukunda, the policy change is economically unsound and would put the US at a disadvantage in the global talent race.  https://www.ndtv.com/feature/every-country-would-kill-to-get-iit-graduates-yale-scholar-slams-h-1b-visa-fee-hike-9332806 2.China has accused the United States of “weaponising tariffs” after Washington slapped a 50% duty on Indian imports, escalating a trade clash that threatens to redraw supply chains across Asia. Speaking in New Delhi, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong called the move “unfair and unreasonable”, even as analysts suggest Beijing could quietly benefit from the deepening rift between Washington and New Delhi. https://www.livemint.com/news/world/china-slams-us-50-tariff-on-india-as-unfair-and-unreasonable-is-beijing-quietly-gaining-from-trump-s-trade-war-...

1.French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (September 22, 2025) recognised a Palestinian state.

1.French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (September 22, 2025) recognised a Palestinian state, leading a U.N. summit that already spurred other Western governments to take the landmark step that has infuriated Israel."The time for peace has come, as we are just moments away from no longer being able to seize it," Mr. Macron told the summit. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/macron-recognises-palestinian-state-at-landmark-un-summit/article70082272.ece 2.Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,125.37 crore in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday.From a function at the Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, he virtually laid the foundation stones for two major hydropower projects in Shi Yomi district, and a convention centre in Tawang. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-unveils-infra-projects-worth-over-rs-5-100-crore-in-arunachal-9321480 3.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an apparent bid b...

1.Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to the UK, Canada and Australia.

 1.Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to the UK, Canada and Australia after the three nations moved to recognise Palestine on Sunday. In a statement from the Prime Minister's office, Netanyahu accused the nations of "rewarding terrorism." https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/there-will-be-no-palestinian-state-netanyahus-warning-to-uk-canada-and-australia-after-move-to-recognise-palestine-101758492993158.html 2.On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that will raise the fee for H1-B visas to a whopping $100,000 annually, marking the latest move in his administration’s push to crack down on immigration. With 13,396 H-1B visas sponsored in total by Indian companies, the new order would increase the H-1B visa fees from about $13.4 million to $1.34 billion, or about 10% of the combined net profits of TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Cognizant and LTIMindtree in FY25. https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/trump-h-1-b-v...

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence pact.

 1.US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is very close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India nonetheless because of its imports of Russian crude oil. We have a very good relationship, and he put out a beautiful statement, too. But I sanctioned them,” Trump said at a joint press conference with United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers in Buckinghamshire. https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/trump-modi-relationship-india-tariffs-russian-oil-uk-125091801376_1.html 2.Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence pact on Wednesday, formalising a defence and security partnership dating back to the 1960s.Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, embraced after signing the agreement. Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was also present. https://indianexpres...

1.The European Union has set out a plan to upgrade its strategic ties with India.

 1.The European Union has set out a plan to upgrade its strategic ties with India, even as it warned that India’s military exercises with Russia and its purchase of Russian oil are risks to the growing strategic ties between Brussels and New Delhi. The European Commission and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas released ‘A New Strategic EU-India Agenda’ on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) in Brussels, and urged the European Parliament and Council (i.e., the heads of member states) to adopt it. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eu-announces-upgrade-to-partnership-with-india-but-warns-of-risks-from-india-russia-trade/article70062158.ece 2.A 15-day digital citizens’ engagement initiative was launched on the NaMo App on Wednesday as part of Seva Parv 2025, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and culminating on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/namo-app-launches-15-day-digital-seva-campaign-to-mark-pm-modi-s-birt...

Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is likely to be inaugurated on September 30 by PM Narendra Modi.

 1.MUMBAI: Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is likely to be inaugurated on September 30 by PM Narendra Modi, who is already scheduled to be in the city for the opening of the Worli-Cuffe Parade stretch of Metro Line 3. According to urban development department officials, though two metro stations, Kalbadevi and Girgaon, are not yet ready, two of the four entry/exits will be opened after the inauguration. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/modi-likely-to-inaugurate-navi-mumbai-airport-101758050399819-amp.html 2.After talks with the US for a trade deal formally resumed on Tuesday, the Indian government described the discussions as “positive and forward-looking, covering various aspects of the trade deal". The US echoed the sentiment with a spokesperson describing the meeting as positive as well. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/decided-to-intensify-what-india-said-after-resumed-talks-with-us-on-trade-deal-101758032866898-amp.html 3.Indi...

1.US White House trade advisor Peter Navarro has claimed that India was coming to the negotiating table.

 1.US White House trade advisor Peter Navarro has claimed that India was coming to the negotiating table, even as a US team, led by chief negotiator Brendan Lynch, arrived in New Delhi to hold key talks with Indian officials on the bilateral trade deal on Tuesday. "India is coming to the table. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a very conciliatory, nice, constructive tweet, and President Trump responded to that.  https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/us-team-in-delhi-for-crucial-trade-talks-trump-aide-peter-navarro-says-india-coming-to-the-table-top-updates-101757991157764.html 2.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 14, 2025) underscored the need for India to be self-sufficient in energy after inaugurating the country’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant in eastern Assam’s Golaghat district.He also laid the foundation stone for a ₹7,230-crore polypropylene plant at the Numaligarh Refinery. The project will be established near the ₹5,000-crore bioethanol plan...

Heavy Rain in Mumbai.

1.China has hit out at the US over President Donald Trump's recent call for 50-100% tariffs on Beijing for its close ties with Russia. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated that China is committed to promoting peace talks for resolving hot-spot issues. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-wang-yi-hits-back-at-trumps-100-tariffs-threat-we-don-t-participate-in-101757843474788.html 2.Qatar’s Prime Minister urged the international community on Sunday (September 14, 2025) to reject “double standards” and hold Israel accountable, speaking on the eve of an emergency summit called in response to an unprecedented Israeli strike on Hamas members in Doha. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/qatar-pm-urges-world-to-reject-double-standards-and-punish-israel/article70050361.ece 3.Incessant rains and water-logging slowed down traffic in Mumbai on Monday morning, with the IMD issuing a 'red alert', predicting very heavy showers in the city and neighbouring area...

3.Nepal's former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki has become the country's interim prime minister.

1.An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck off Russian Far East's Kamchatka on Saturday, USGS reported.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that "hazardous" waves were possible along coasts within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/powerful-earthquake-at-russian-coast-far-east-hit-with-tremors-of-magnitude-7-4-hazardous-waves-possible/articleshow/123862706.cms 2.The United States will now pressure G7 member nations to impose higher tariffs on India and China, the two largest buyers of Russian oil, in an attempt to compel Moscow to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, The Financial Times reported. https://www.business-standard.com/amp/world-news/donald-trump-g7-india-china-tariffs-russia-ukraine-crude-oil-125091200431_1.html 3.Nepal's former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki has become the country's interim prime minister after deadly anti-corruption protests ousted the government.Karki, 73, was sworn in durin...

Religious Tourism Boom.

 1.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) discussed with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni the proposed free trade agreement between India and the Europeanf Union (EU) and thanked her for the support to it. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-speaks-to-italian-counterpart-meloni-discusses-eu-india-fta-ukraine-conflict/article70034164.ece/amp/ 2.India hit back strongly at Switzerland at the United Nations after the country's representative raised concerns about thne treatment of minorities in India. The pushback came following Switzerland's suggestion to India on "protecting minorities". https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-switzerland-un-swiss-delegate-measures-to-protect-minorities-kshitij-tyagi-response-racism-101757552795054.html 3.Nepal has become the third country in India's immediate neighbourhood to see a violent uprising topple its government in recent years.Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned after more...

3.Israel and India have signed a bilateral investment agreement.

1.United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (US local time) that India, and the US "are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations."Sharing an update on India-US trade talks, Trump posted on Truth Social, “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks.” https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indiaus-trade-talks-donald-trump-tariffs-shares-update-says-look-forward-to-speaking-with-very-good-friend-pm-modi/amp-11757461425821.html 2.The situation in Nepal remained grim on Tuesday after the Army took charge of the security operations in the country from 10 pm, calling for a dialogue with the protesters after KP Sharma Oli resigned as the country's prime minister.The protesters, under the banner of Gen Z, intensified their demonstrations across Nepal on Tuesday, The protests in Nepal were triggered by the government's decision to ban 26 social media sites, including WhatsApp, Insta...

US Department of State recently updated its visa norms for non-immigrant visa applicants.

1.The US Department of State recently updated its visa norms for non-immigrant visa applicants, making the interview appointment mandatory in the applicant's country of residence. With the new guidelines, Indian visa applicants will face a significant challenge to book a quick B1 (business) or B2 (tourist) visa appointment from another country.  https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/us-tightens-visa-rules-on-interview-appointments-likely-to-hurt-indians-details-here-101757334937178.html 2.Vice Presidential Election 2025 Live Updates: The stage is set for a direct contest between NDA's CP Radhakrishnan and Opposition's B Sudershan Reddy for the vice-presidential election today, with the BJP-led alliance having a clear edge. The voting will begin at 10 am and will continue till 5 pm. The counting of votes will begin after 6 pm.  https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vice-president-election-live-updates-ndas-cp-radhakrishnan-vs-indias-justice-b-sudershan-reddy-maharashtra-govern...

1.India is expected to sign a bilateral investment treaty with Israel.

 1.India is expected to sign a bilateral investment treaty with Israel during Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s upcoming three-day visit to India, according to a PTI report.Smotrich will be in India from September 8 to 10 and is scheduled to meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister.. https://www.business-standard.com/amp/economy/news/india-israel-likely-to-sign-bilateral-investment-agreement-next-week-125090700498_1.html 2.Punjabi farmers suffer worst floods.-For days, farmers in the Indian state of Punjab watched the pounding monsoon rains fall and the rivers rise with mounting apprehension. By Wednesday, many woke to find their fears realised as the worst floods in more than three decades ravaged their farms and decimated their livelihoods. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/06/everything-gone-punjabi-farmers-suffer-worst-floods-three-decades 3.IIT Bombay has successfully mainta...

1.India has airlifted 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Kabul .

 1.India has airlifted 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Kabul following the devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan over the weekend. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the operation on Tuesday. https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/world/story/india-sends-21-tonnes-relief-materials-kabul-deadly-earthquake-glbs-2781008-2025-09-03 2.The GST Council on Wednesday approved a major overhaul of the indirect tax regime, replacing the existing four-tier structure of 5, 12, 18, and 28 per cent with a simplified two-rate system of 5 and 18 per cent, while introducing a special 40 per cent slab for select items. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gst-council-approves-2-slab-structure-what-gets-cheaper-what-gets-costlier-details-101756948254409.html 3.Punjab is witnessing massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. https://www.ndtv.com...

Not looking at lowering tariffs on India said Donald Trump

1.US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (local time) that he is not looking at lowering tariffs on India. His remarks came one week after the US doubled levies on the country’s imports to 50% as punishment for its Russian oil imports. https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-says-not-considering-lowering-tariffs-on-india-imports/amp-11756857562569.html 2.It was a scene in eastern China almost certainly intended for an audience on the other side of the world: The leaders of China, Russia and India, the three largest powers not aligned with the West, smiling and laughing like good friends as they greeted each other at a summit on Monday. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/world/asia/china-xi-putin-modi.html 3.Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to give shape to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call for GST reforms, when she chairs the 58th GST Council meeting today and tomorrow. On the agenda are rate cuts for 175 items—from cars to soap and air-condition...