The Finance Ministry has dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI and do not favour international cards. The ministry also asserted that the MDR, applicable to person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, is unlikely to increase cash transactions or cause inflation, with measures in place to prevent burdening consumers.
An IndiGo flight carrying 229 passengers from Goa to Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing back at Manohar International Airport after one of its engines failed mid-air. The aircraft landed safely, and alternative arrangements were made for the passengers.
State-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) is strategically planning to enter the wealth management segment by early 2027 and significantly expand its credit card portfolio, aiming to tap into lucrative markets largely dominated by private-sector banks.
The Finance Ministry has clarified that the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15, is not expected to increase cash transactions or cause inflation. The ministry also dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the decision, asserting that the policy aims to promote RuPay credit cards within the UPI ecosystem, and a monitoring mechanism will ensure the MDR burden is not passed on to consumers.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has instructed telecom operators to refuse new mobile connections to individuals who already possess nine or more SIM cards, effective from August 24, 2026.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director, Rahul Navin, has issued directives to intensify action against Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) frauds involving "large haircuts" and to address delays in police registering FIRs based on ED's requests. The agency also aims to fast-track high-profile trials under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and enhance internal coordination and efficiency.
A 'technical issue' in the UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) flight processing system grounded hundreds of flights across the UK, including long-haul routes to and from India, leading to widespread disruption and prompting Ryanair to demand the resignation of NATS CEO Martin Rolfe.
The reforms, undertaken by the Department of Defence Production, remove stakeholder consultation for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations, while retaining safeguards for sensitive countries.
Buyers should check their scope and triggers and whether they need such policies alongside their regular health insurance.
India has finalised a deal with the United States to acquire Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems, significantly enhancing the Indian Army's combat capabilities. This procurement, facilitated through the US Foreign Military Sales process, underscores the deepening bilateral defence partnership and opens avenues for future collaboration and co-production between the defence industries of both nations.
Two Indian-origin individuals, Pritesh Walia, a jazz guitarist, and Venkata Vasamsetty, a green-card holder grandmother, have been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in separate cases, highlighting the Trump administration's intensified deportation and enforcement drive.
Nagaland is seeking to implement the Juvenile Justice Act and Adoption Regulations in a way that respects the state's customary laws and traditional systems of care, while remaining legally sound.
BMW India CFO Carsten Lammers has expressed surprise at the extensive scale and prolonged duration of tax and Customs litigation in India, advocating for faster dispute resolution and simpler procedures to ensure business stability.
Bank fraud is no longer just an external cyber threat -- insiders with legitimate access can exploit banking systems, trusted credentials and institutional blind spots to quietly siphon money.
At least three people died, and 21 were left injured after a woman carrying an improvised explosive device detonated a bomb near a summer cafe in central Moscow after being stopped by security, according to officials.
The devastating flash floods wreaked havoc across Nepal, with the ministry of external affairs on Thursday stating that 84 Indian nationals have been rescued while 290 remain uncontactable as the Himalayan nation stepped up search, rescue and relief operations following the disaster that has claimed more than 390 lives.
Nepal is grappling with one of its worst disasters in recent years as massive flash floods, triggered by an ice avalanche, have claimed 270 lives and left thousands missing across multiple districts, prompting urgent rescue and relief operations.
The Customs department seized gold worth Rs 3.15 crore from two passengers at Mumbai airport, including a finance professional smuggling gold due to US-Iran conflict concerns.
A popular resort in Mumbai is under investigation after a joint raid by Customs and forest department officials revealed the alleged unauthorized possession of exotic animals, including marmoset monkeys and macaw parrots.
InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo, has approached the Delhi high court seeking a refund of over Rs 900 crore it claims to have paid as Customs duty on aircraft engines and parts re-imported into India after overseas repairs. The petition came up for hearing on Friday before a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Shail Jain.
Customs officials at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport seized electronic items, cosmetics, cigarettes, and crude gold worth over Rs 1.79 crore from passengers arriving from Dubai, leading to one arrest.
'Taxpayers should not ignore any of these notices. Verifying the facts and responding promptly can help resolve issues early and avoid unnecessary litigation.'
Malicious cyber activity has disrupted technology at water and wastewater facilities in at least seven US states, forcing utilities to revert to manual operations, with authorities actively probing whether Iranian-linked hackers are responsible.
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has uncovered a Rs 1.5 crore WhatsApp fraud, leading to the arrest of two key SIM and OTP suppliers in West Bengal. The investigation revealed a sophisticated international cybercrime network spanning China, Pakistan, India, and Hong Kong, operating a "boss scam" and utilizing a "Cybercrime as a Service" model. Police recovered a significant portion of the defrauded amount and secured thousands of devices.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering proposals to encourage businesses to bring call centre jobs back to the US and require call-takers to be proficient in American Standard English.
'It's not about individuals operating the mule accounts being more or less skilled. Instead, 'lower-level' refers to the role the individual account plays in the broader mule network.'
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency and burn ban Saturday morning as an unprecedented wildfire crisis gripped the region, with active blazes scorching nearly 3,000 acres.
Infosys, India's second-largest IT services firm, has appointed company veteran Ashiss Kumar Dash as CEO designate, with the leadership transition scheduled for April 1, 2027, after current CEO Salil Parekh completes his second term.
Bharti Airtel is strategically shifting its focus towards data centres, cloud services, and financial services as key drivers for its next phase of growth, leveraging significant past investments in digital infrastructure, as outlined by Chairman Sunil Mittal in the company's Annual Report for 2025-26.
Customs officials at Mumbai international airport intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok with 29 exotic wild animals, including a gibbon, melanistic squirrel, ball python, and iguana. A rescue team was called to identify and stabilise the animals, which will be repatriated to their country of origin.
Beauty and lifestyle retailer Nykaa has announced a multi-year collaboration with OpenAI to integrate AI-driven shopping experiences through ChatGPT. This partnership will allow users to receive conversational recommendations for beauty and fashion products, with Nykaa fulfilling these queries. Additionally, OpenAI's technologies will be deployed across Nykaa's internal operations to boost productivity.
Customs officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport arrested four passengers arriving from Bangkok for allegedly smuggling drugs worth approximately Rs 9 crore.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has conducted a nationwide crackdown on wildlife trafficking, seizing over 440 endangered animals and 15 kg of ivory, and arresting 33 individuals involved in organised crime syndicates.
Airtel, which upgraded all postpaid customers to priority plans, argued that the service did not throttle or degrade the experience for its prepaid customers, forming the majority of its 368 million customers in the country.
The Delhi High Court has directed Customs officials to ensure that old and personal jewellery of travellers, including ornaments being worn by them during travel, are not unnecessarily detained at airports and they are not harassed. The court was hearing a batch of more than 30 petitions raising issues on the procedure for detention of goods belonging to the tourists travelling to India, of both Indian and foreign origin, by the Customs department.
Marriage, childbirth, dependent parents and ageing increase the cover a person needs.
Two passengers were arrested at Ahmedabad airport for allegedly possessing hydroponic weed worth Rs 2 crore, after arriving from Bangkok. The drugs were discovered following a tip-off.
Under an Executive Order issued by the US administration on July 30, 2025, goods valued above USD 100 will be subject to customs duties in America with effect from August 29 onwards.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to visit Karur for a crucial public interaction, where he will address victims of last year's stampede, distribute welfare, and lay the foundation stone for a major Rs 1,700 crore footwear manufacturing factory.
Dr Lovi Raj Gupta, pro vice-chancellor, Lovely Professional University, explains how aspiring professionals can equip themselves for a competitive AI-driven job market.
