Revenue intelligence and customs officers are set to intensify surveillance and increase vigilance on international borders to combat potential gold smuggling following a significant increase in customs duty on gold.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty discuss their efforts to increase badminton's visibility and appreciation in India following their Thomas Cup triumph and bronze medal win.
India has capped gold imports under the Advance Authorisation scheme at 100 kg, a day after significantly increasing import duties on precious metals. This move aims to tighten conditions for duty-free gold imports by jewellery exporters and curb non-essential imports amidst a ballooning import bill.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun in Bishkek to discuss maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and broader regional security concerns.
India's pharmaceutical industry is experiencing increased bulk drug prices, particularly for APIs from China, following the escalation of the West Asia crisis in March. While current inventories provide a temporary buffer, concerns are mounting over the availability of key solvents and feedstocks, potentially leading to manufacturing disruptions and shortages in specific drug categories.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering military action against Iran due to stalled negotiations and Tehran's approach to its nuclear issue, according to CNN sources. Divisions within the Trump administration have emerged over the next course of action, with some officials advocating for a more aggressive approach through targeted military strikes.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted some 20 per cent of the global flows but even if it opens, damages to production facilities in the region will take time to repair, points out Sunita Narain.
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (retd) has been appointed as India's next Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been named the next Chief of the Naval Staff, succeeding Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Lt Gen Subramani's primary mandate will be to implement the military theaterisation plan and bolster tri-services synergy.
The Indian government has increased import duties on gold and silver from 6 per cent to 15 per cent to curb inbound shipments of precious metals amid a rising import bill due to the West Asia crisis.
Sri Lankan police have arrested over 130 foreign nationals in a crackdown on alleged cybercrime operations across the island nation. The arrests, part of a wider effort to combat cross-border online fraud, took place in Colombo suburbs and involved individuals from various countries.
Punjab Police busted an ISI-backed espionage module, arresting a key operative and recovering surveillance equipment used to monitor sensitive sites.
Moody's Ratings has reduced India's GDP growth forecast for 2026 to 6 per cent, citing subdued private consumption, capital formation, and industrial activity due to higher energy costs and global uncertainties.
Indian compound men's and women's archery teams faced disappointment at Stage 2 of the Archery World Cup in Shanghai, failing to secure a podium finish. Recurve archers showed signs of recovery, but the compound teams' struggles raise concerns ahead of the Asian Games.
Neeru Dhanda and Vivaan Kapoor won a bronze medal in the trap mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking their first World Cup podium finish in the Olympic event.
Phunchuk Stobdan's forte was candour and strong views on India's defence. Naturally, India's adversaries were in awe of him, fearing his views and unyielding stand on boundary issues, remembers Tarun Vijay.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in India for a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, where discussions will focus on the escalating crisis in West Asia and its impact on global energy supply chains.
The Indian government has relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for countries sharing land borders with India, including China, a move that amends press note 3 of 2020.
India's women's recurve team secured a spot in the Archery World Cup Stage 2 final after defeating South Korea, while the men's team suffered an early exit against Bangladesh.
China's latest defence budget surges to $275 billion, fueling its ambitious military modernisation program and intensifying geopolitical dynamics in the region.
As temperatures soar, booking queries have surged by double digits -- going up to 125 per cent -- for destinations like Kashmir, Shillong, Gangtok, Munnar, Leh, Rishikesh, Guwahati, Imphal, Kodaikanal and the Andamans.
Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu will lead India's challenge at the Thailand Open Super 500 tournament, following the country's bronze-medal finish at the Thomas Cup Finals.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on India and China to view each other as partners rather than rivals, emphasising the importance of cooperation for regional stability and development.
India will aim to continue their quest for a second title when they face Japan in the quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup Finals. India progressed to the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group A and will face Japan, who, like them, have won the title once.
The Indian women's recurve archery team secured a medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2, defeating South Korea in the semi-final. However, the men's team faced a disappointing defeat against Bangladesh.
India will aim to continue their quest for a second title when they face Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup Finals.
Lakshya Sen lost a hard-fought match to Li Shi Feng in their Thomas Cup tie, putting India behind China 0-1. Despite a strong showing at the All England Championships, Lakshya couldn't replicate his success, losing in three games.
India will face Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup Finals, aiming to continue their quest for a second title. India progressed to the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group A. Chinese Taipei, led by world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen, topped Group C.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has urged India to take the lead in bringing peace to West Asia, highlighting the UAE's role in stalling BRICS consensus on the conflict. Gharibabadi also discussed a new framework with Oman for merchant vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
India's defence expenditure surged to $92.1 billion in 2025, making it the world's fifth-largest military spender, according to SIPRI data. This 8.9 per cent year-on-year rise was primarily driven by operational and procurement needs following heightened regional tensions with Pakistan in May 2025.
India's EV ecosystem is growing, but remains too underdeveloped to cushion a major oil supply shock.
India has expressed serious concerns about the West Asia crisis and its potential impact on energy supplies and maritime stability, urging BRICS nations to find practical solutions to geopolitical challenges and unilateral sanctions.
Badminton's new 15-point scoring system, set for the 2028 Olympics, has divided players, with some welcoming shorter matches and others warning of increased pressure and tactical shifts.
India's men's team secured a dominant 5-0 victory over Australia to reach the Thomas Cup quarterfinals, while the women's team faces a tough road in the Uber Cup after PV Sindhu's defeat against Wang Zhiyi.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open for normal passage of ships, describing it as an 'international waterway' amid rising tensions between the US and Iran.
Indian shuttlers recovered from their initial defeat by securing a decisive victory against Ukraine in the Uber Cup Finals, keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report said Trump believes the conflict is in its final stages and has urged aides to adhere to the four-to-six-week timeline he has outlined publicly.
Guntas Kaur Sandhu will lead the Indian team at the Queen Sirikit Cup, a prestigious Asia-Pacific amateur team championship in Indonesia.
Andhra Pradesh is spearheading an ambitious initiative to establish a fully integrated beach sand minerals, rare earth, and titanium ecosystem, aiming to attract over 50,000 crore in investments over the next decade. This move is part of India's broader strategy to reduce its reliance on China for strategic minerals and permanent magnets, with the state preparing a comprehensive rare earth policy and planning specialised industrial clusters.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the country believes that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solutions to resolving disputes and that the continued escalation of the conflict serves no one's interests.
'General Subramani's appointment as military adviser in the NSCS has given him insight into decision-making at the apex level prior to formally taking over as CDS.'
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