Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged calm over India-US trade tensions, asserting "no need to panic" despite Trump's punitive 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Goyal emphasized India maintains "very good relations" with Washington and expressed confidence in reaching an "equitable, fair and balanced agreement." The tariffs doubled from 25% to 50% as penalty for India's Russian oil trade. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously called India "recalcitrant" in negotiations, initially targeting October completion. However, scheduled August talks were deferred indefinitely. Goyal stressed patience in trade negotiations, noting there's "never a timeline" for such complex discussions. Multiple negotiation rounds have occurred recently as both nations seek resolution amid escalating trade disputes and geopolitical tensions. (PC: X)

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton declares the Trump-Modi friendship "gone now" amid escalating trade tensions. Bolton warns that personal relationships with Trump offer no real protection from his unpredictable policies, citing the deteriorating India-US ties as evidence. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods while Modi has been seen with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing, signaling shifting priorities. Bolton, who served as Trump's NSA from 2018-2019, criticizes Trump's tendency to view foreign policy through personal relationships rather than strategic interests. The former aide warns other leaders, including UK's Keir Starmer, that even strong personal bonds won't shield them from Trump's worst decision-making, marking the end of the much-publicized Trump-Modi "bromance". (PC: Bloomberg & The New York Times)

US President Donald Trump hosted prominent tech executives at a White House dinner Thursday, emphasizing AI advancements and corporate investments. The high-profile gathering included five notable Indian-American leaders: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Micron Technologies CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, TIBCO Chairman Vivek Ranadive, and Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar. Trump described attendees as "high IQ people" taking the country "to a new level." Originally planned for the Rose Garden, the event moved to the State Dining Room due to weather. Earlier, First Lady Melania Trump chaired the newly formed Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force meeting with participating tech leaders. The dinner underscores the administration's focus on AI innovation and strengthening ties with tech industry leaders driving America's technological advancement.

An old Irfan Pathan interview has gone viral again, reigniting debate about his relationship with former Indian captain MS Dhoni. In the resurfaced clip, Pathan suggested that Dhoni smoked hookah and allegedly favored players who participated. This has sparked widespread trolling and renewed scrutiny of team dynamics . The controversy is further fueled by renewed attention to a past incident where Pathan criticized Dhoni for wearing army-insignia gloves during a match . Yograj Singh, father of Yuvraj Singh, has weighed in—launching a scathing attack on Dhoni and other legends for allegedly mistreating fellow players—and backed Pathan’s claims.

A recent report from Standard Chartered Global Research estimates that India’s GST rate cuts—implemented mid-year—could boost GDP by 0.10–0.16 percentage points annually and lower CPI inflation by 40–60 basis points. However, given the staggered rollout, the FY26 impact may be halved, with more gains expected in FY27. The combined federal and state revenue loss is estimated around ₹48,000 crore (0.16% of GDP), potentially widening the deficit by 0.15–0.20%. Still, improved tax processes like faster registration and refunds could enhance ease of doing business and boost medium-term growth.  

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan late on September 4, 2025, at 22:26 IST, with its epicenter located at 34.58° N, 70.66° E, at a depth of about 160 km. Tremors were widely felt across Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi-NCR, though no immediate reports of damage or casualties emerged. This quake comes on the heels of a devastating magnitude-6 disaster earlier this week in eastern Afghanistan that has claimed over 2,200 lives, left thousands injured, and caused widespread destruction across remote regions, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the quake-hit country. (PC: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) changes, calling it the “biggest reform since Independence.” He said, “People will start benefiting from the first day of Navratri. This time, Dhanteras will be more vibrant.” The GST Council has reduced taxes on many items and removed them from bread, dairy, life-saving drugs, and insurance. Only 5% and 18% slabs will remain, while luxury and sin goods will face 40%. Modi added, “These reforms will improve life for citizens, encourage jobs and investment, and strengthen cooperative federalism for a developed India.” (PC: NDTV)

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan on Thursday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences reported. The quake hit at a shallow depth of 10 km, making it powerful and dangerous. This comes just four days after a 6.0 quake devastated Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, killing more than 2,200 people and injuring thousands. Many homes, built of mud and stone, collapsed instantly, trapping families inside. Rescue operations are still underway as survivors search for loved ones. The fresh tremor has raised fears of more damage in the already devastated region, where aid workers are struggling to reach remote villages.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram welcomed the recent GST overhaul but called it “a necessary step, not a sufficient step.” In an interview, he said the two-slab structure is positive but deeper reforms are needed to revive the economy. Chidambaram argued the government must simplify GST laws, which are “too complicated” and difficult for small traders to follow. “Every shopkeeper needs professional help to file forms,” he said. He also criticised harsh enforcement, warning against jailing traders for tax violations. Chidambaram stressed GST should be trader-friendly, with civil penalties instead of arrests, to truly boost growth and consumption. (PC: India Today)

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Thursday, with tremors felt in Delhi-NCR and Jammu and Kashmir. The quake hit at a depth of 160 km in Nangarhar and nearby regions. Earlier, a 4.8 quake also struck Afghanistan. This comes days after a deadly 6.0 quake killed over 2,200 people, mostly in Kunar province, and injured more than 3,600. Thousands of homes made of mud and stone collapsed, leaving families trapped. India has sent 21 tonnes of relief to Kabul, including medicines, tents, and food supplies. Rescuers and aid agencies continue searching for survivors in remote mountain villages.