The United States has begun collecting a new 10% tariff on most imports. The move was confirmed in a notice by US Customs and Border Protection. It said goods would face “an additional ad valorem rate of 10%.”   The rate is lower than the 15% tariff earlier announced by President Donald Trump. A White House official said the higher rate may come later, but there is no formal order yet.   The step follows a Supreme Court ruling that blocked earlier tariffs. Trump then used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose the new duties for up to 150 days. (PC: HT)

India is looking at buying Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets, sources said. The Air Force may order around 40 aircraft if the plan moves ahead. The talks come less than a year after Operation Sindoor. Air battles during the operation gave new lessons to India’s defence forces. Modern air war now depends more on detection than dogfights. The Su-57 is built with stealth features. It uses radar-absorbent material and advanced systems. Sukhoi says the jet has “deeply integrated avionics” and can share data in real time. India is also developing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. Its first flight is expected around 2028-29. (PC: X)

India and France have updated their 30-year-old tax treaty. The change lowers dividend tax for large French investors. Companies holding at least 10% in an Indian firm will now pay 5% tax, down from 10%. However, investors with less than 10% stake will pay 15%, up from 10%. The new pact also allows India to tax capital gains from share sales in some cases. It removes the most-favoured-nation clause after a 2023 Supreme Court ruling. Both sides said the update will “secure economic activity” and support more investment. The treaty will take effect after legal approvals in both countries. (PC: India Today)

A Jharkhand family took a Rs 8 lakh loan to hire an air ambulance to save 41-year-old Sanjay Kumar. He had suffered severe burns in a hotel fire in Chandwa. His condition worsened, and the family planned to shift him to Delhi for treatment. The Beechcraft C90 aircraft crashed in Chatra district shortly after takeoff from Ranchi. Sanjay, his wife Archana Devi, and relative Dhruv Kumar died in the crash. Two pilots, a doctor, and a paramedic were also killed. The family had even considered selling their land for treatment. All 7 on board died.

India is considering buying Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets to strengthen its Air Force. Sources said the Air Force may order around 40 aircraft. The Su-57 comes with advanced stealth features and radar-evading design. It can carry out air-to-air and air-to-surface missions. Officials say modern air warfare now depends more on detection than dogfights. The talks come after Operation Sindoor and rising regional threats. China has deployed J-20 stealth fighters, which may support Pakistan. India is also developing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The first flight is expected by 2028 or 2029, with induction around 2035.

Reddit has been fined £14 million by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office for failing to protect children’s data. The watchdog said the platform did not properly check users’ ages. Children under 13 had their personal information collected without proper safeguards. The ICO found Reddit lacked strong age verification measures. It also failed to assess data risks to children before January 2025. UK Information Commissioner John Edwards said companies must ensure children are not exposed to harm online. He warned that relying only on self-declared age is not enough. The ICO is reviewing new controls introduced by Reddit.

The Union Cabinet led by Narendra Modi has approved a proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam”. The move follows resolutions passed by the state assembly in 2023 and 2024. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had urged the Centre to make the change under Article 3 of the Constitution.   The resolution said, “The name of our State is ‘Keralam’ in Malayalam Language.” It added that the Assembly “unanimously appeals to the Central Government” to modify the name.   The President will now refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state assembly for its views. The process comes ahead of assembly elections. (PC: HT)

A powerful winter storm hit the US east coast on Monday. It brought record snowfall and forced more than 5,700 flight cancellations. Parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts saw up to 37 inches of snow. New York City’s Central Park recorded more than 19 inches. Over 600,000 homes and businesses lost power. Travel bans were imposed in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Governor Maura Healey warned of “white-out conditions” and said travel was “extremely dangerous.” Nearly all flights from LaGuardia and JFK were cancelled. The National Weather Service said the storm will move toward eastern Canada, but strong winds may continue. (PC: BBC)

India has released its first National Counter Terrorism Policy, named PRAHAAR. The policy adopts a zero tolerance approach to terrorism. It calls for a whole-of-society response. The government said terrorism will not be linked to any religion or nationality. The policy highlights threats from cross-border terror, ISIS and Al Qaeda. It also flags risks from drones, cyber attacks and crypto funding. Local police will act first in attacks, while the NIA and NSG will handle major cases. The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act remains the key law. The policy also stresses de-radicalisation and stronger international cooperation.

Authorities in Chiang Mai are investigating the deaths of 72 tigers at Tiger Kingdom, a popular tourist park. The tigers died within two weeks across two facilities. Officials said tests found canine distemper virus and a respiratory bacteria. The virus is highly contagious and can be fatal for big cats. More than 240 tigers live at the park. Staff said the illness was hard to detect early. The park has been closed for two weeks for cleaning and disinfection. Animal rights groups raised concerns about captive wildlife conditions. Officials are monitoring staff, but no human infections have been reported. (PC: Getty Images)