File1 Updates

News Updates. Open Source. Credit to News Sources. Observations. Opinions Personal. Likes and Reposts not Endorsements.

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@ShivAroor *physical

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@ShivAroor Have two meals a day. Cut down on white sugar. Physics activity for 60 mins, even if broken through the day.
Simple! Stay blessed

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@mjavinod "नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्" , literally.

Happy Diwali.
Jai Hind

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Key Update

India Briefs 32 UN Nations on Operation Sindoor, Outlines Doctrinal Shift in Counter-Terror Strategy

India briefed military officers from 32 UN troop-contributing countries on Operation Sindoor, revealing that over 100 Pakistani soldiers and an equal number of terrorists were killed in four days of fighting.

Army Deputy Chief Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said India conducted deep precision strikes across Pakistan and PoK after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, achieving its politico-military objectives within 88 hours.

He highlighted a new doctrine: terror attacks will be treated as acts of war, India will not yield to nuclear blackmail, and there will be no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors.

Ghai said India struck nine terror hubs, 11 airbases, and radar sites in Pakistan’s heartland, marking a decisive shift in India’s counter-terror and deterrence strategy under PM Modi’s directive.

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Key Update

Russia Remains India’s Top Oil Supplier Despite 10% Dip in Imports

Russia accounted for 34% of India’s crude imports in September 2025, or about 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd), despite a 10% fall in average volumes over the first eight months of the year.

The dip is attributed to market dynamics, not US tariff pressures, with reduced discounts on Russian crude narrowing to about $2 per barrel.

Indian refiners have diversified toward West Asian, African, and US oil, aided by flexible processing capacities and weaker diesel demand during the monsoon.

Analysts expect Russian oil to remain cost-effective, given its high gross product margins and continued discounts, especially as refinery output rises for the festive season.

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Key Update

HouseEazy Raises $16.8M; Drone Startup Airbound Secures $8.65M Seed Round

Prop-tech startup HouseEazy raised $16.8 million (₹150 crore) led by Accel, with participation from Chiratae Ventures, Antler, and venture debt funds; $11 million was equity and the rest debt.

Founded in 2021 by Tarun Sainani and Deepak Bhatia, HouseEazy facilitates resale of residential properties and offers mortgage and legal services.

Drone startup Airbound, founded in 2023 by 20-year-old Naman Pushp, raised $8.65 million in seed funding led by Lachy Groom, with participation from Humba Ventures, Lightspeed, and industry leaders.

Airbound’s carbon-fibre blended-wing drones can take off vertically and fly like planes, achieving a 1.5:1 payload ratio and cutting delivery costs by up to 20x.

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Key Update

US Tariffs Hit India’s Labour-Intensive Exports; Sharp Drop in Textiles, Leather, and Gems

India’s exports of textiles, leather, gems, jewellery, and marine products to the US fell sharply in August, following Washington’s 25–50% tariff hike on Indian goods.

Shipments of leather goods dropped 11.9%, gems and stones 54.2%, handmade carpets 13.85%, and marine products 32.99% year-on-year.

Exports of tyres, jewellery, cotton garments, and drug formulations also declined, reflecting the broad impact of new trade barriers.

Even kitchen staples like tea, spices, and basmati rice saw export declines of 27.4%, 9.8%, and 2.3%, respectively, dragging India’s overall US export growth to a nine-month low.

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Key Update

Powell Hints at Further Fed Rate Cuts as Job Market Weakens Despite Inflation Uptick

Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled that the US Federal Reserve remains on track to cut interest rates further this year to support a softening labor market.

Powell noted that while the economy is on a “firmer trajectory”, the “downside risks to employment have risen,” reinforcing the case for continued easing.

Additional rate cuts are expected at the October 28–29 and December meetings, even as a US government shutdown delays key data releases.

Powell said the Fed will rely on private and alternative data sources to guide decisions amid the tension between inflation and employment goals.

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Key Update

India Post to Resume All Postal Services to US from October 15 Under New Customs Rules

India Post announced the resumption of all international postal services to the US starting October 15, 2025, after nearly two months of suspension.

Under new US Customs rules, postal shipments from India will face a flat 50% duty on declared consignment value.

The suspension in August followed Washington’s Executive Order 14324, introducing new import duty and remittance requirements.

India Post said the new framework reduces logistics costs and benefits MSMEs, artisans, and e-commerce exporters, with no extra facilitation charges for customers.

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Key Update

India, Mongolia Deepen Strategic Partnership; New Programme to Train Mongolian Border Forces

Prime Minister Modi and President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh announced new initiatives in defence, energy, digital infrastructure, and cultural cooperation, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties.

India will train Mongolia’s border security forces and appoint a defence attaché in Ulaanbaatar to strengthen strategic coordination.

Both leaders emphasized a shared vision for a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific and cooperation in global south platforms.

India will also send the holy relics of Lord Buddha’s disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, to Mongolia next year to reinforce spiritual and cultural bonds.

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Key Update

BlackRock’s Assets Surge to Record $13.46 Trillion on Market Rally and M&A Boost

BlackRock’s AUM hit a record $13.46 trillion in Q3 2025, up from $11.48 trillion a year earlier.

The firm reported a higher quarterly profit, driven by global market gains and strong deal activity.

Long-term net inflows totaled $171 billion, reflecting renewed investor confidence.

The performance cements BlackRock’s position as the world’s largest asset manager, benefiting from both market recovery and strategic acquisitions.

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Key Update

Madagascar Military Seizes Power After President’s Impeachment Amid Gen Z-Led Protests

Madagascar’s army took control after lawmakers impeached President Andry Rajoelina, who fled and went into hiding over the weekend.

The impeachment defied Rajoelina’s attempt to dissolve parliament, as soldiers joined nationwide Gen Z protests demanding his resignation.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced that all state institutions are dissolved and a transitional committee will soon return power to civilians.

The takeover follows weeks of unrest in Antananarivo, with youth-led demonstrations calling for political change and accountability.

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Key Update

Israel Returns First Batch of Palestinian Bodies as Hamas Enforces Control with Public Executions

Israel released the first group of Palestinian bodies from the Gaza war on Tuesday, while hundreds more remain withheld since the October 7, 2023 conflict.

Hamas fighters conducted public executions of alleged collaborators in Gaza City, signaling a tightened grip on the enclave despite international mediation efforts.

Local residents reported increased Hamas presence along key aid routes, and clashes with rival factions have reportedly left dozens dead.

Israel accused Hamas of violating the accord on the release of dead hostages, cutting aid truck entries to 300 and banning most fuel supplies into Gaza.

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Key Update

China Expands Trade War to Seas, Sanctions Five US Shipbuilding Units Linked to Hanwha Ocean

China banned dealings between its firms and five US subsidiaries of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, escalating its trade war with Washington over shipbuilding dominance.

Beijing also launched a probe into the US investigation of China’s maritime industry, calling it a national security threat and warning of further retaliatory steps.

The sanctions follow Hanwha Ocean’s acquisition of Philly Shipyard and its $5 billion US investment plan to support Trump’s push to rebuild America’s shipbuilding base.

The move deepens tensions after the US announced 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, with both sides now imposing reciprocal port fees on each other’s vessels.

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Key Update

China Denies Link Between Rare Earth Export Curbs and Pakistan’s Gift to Trump

Beijing rejected reports suggesting its new rare earth export restrictions were connected to Pakistan gifting the same metals to US President Donald Trump.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the reports were “groundless and intended to sow discord”, affirming that China–Pakistan ties remain strong.

Pakistan confirmed initial shipments of rare earth materials to the US but insisted the trade would not harm its cooperation with China.

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump–Xi talks in South Korea remain on track, with tensions de-escalating after intense diplomatic communication.

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Key Update

Trump Considers Supplying Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine if Russia Refuses to End War

US President Donald Trump said he may approve the transfer of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine via NATO if Russia continues its invasion.

The Tomahawk, with a range of 2,500 km, could strike deep into Russia — including Moscow — prompting Kremlin warnings against the move.

Trump discussed President Zelensky’s request for advanced weaponry during phone calls over the weekend, emphasizing that the US would supply NATO, not Kyiv directly.

The Kremlin called the potential transfer a sign of US involvement in the conflict, while NATO chief Mark Rutte mocked Russia’s “limping” submarine incident near France.

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Key Update

Indian Trade Delegation to Visit US for BTA Talks; Energy, Tariffs on Agenda

Indian negotiators will travel to Washington this week for the next round of Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) discussions, after five rounds of prior talks.

Both sides aim to finalise the first tranche of the deal by year-end, despite the ongoing US government shutdown delaying official processes.

India may import more US natural gas to help narrow the trade imbalance, currently tilted in India’s favour.

The proposed pact seeks to double India–US trade to $500 billion by 2030, even as tariffs of 50% remain on Indian goods linked to Russian oil purchases.

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Key Update

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan Back India’s Continued Role in Chabahar, Eye Broader Strategic Ties

Afghanistan and Uzbekistan voiced confidence that India will sustain operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port, even after the US sanctions waiver ends, citing its role as a vital trade gateway for Central Asia.

Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi, visiting India, called Chabahar a “gamechanger” for boosting India–Afghanistan trade and regional connectivity.

Uzbekistan, following a multipolar strategy, wants alternatives to China’s Belt and Road, and is seeking India’s engagement to secure regional trade routes.

Tashkent also proposed joint uranium development projects with India, expanding cooperation beyond a buyer–seller framework in the civil nuclear sector.

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Key Update

Afghanistan Halted Retaliation After Achieving Objective in Border Clashes, Says FM Muttaqi

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said Kabul had achieved its goal in clashes with Pakistan before halting further action at the request of Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Speaking in New Delhi, Muttaqi confirmed Afghanistan’s strikes were a response to Pakistani aggression along the border.

He made the remarks during an event organised by FICCI, amid his ongoing visit to India.

The statement follows recent cross-border violence, marking one of the sharpest escalations in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations in recent years.

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Key Update

French Army Chief Eyes Co-development with India After Operation Sindoor, Targets Long-Range Rockets & Loitering Munitions

Gen. Pierre Schill praised Indian systems used in Operation Sindoor and expressed interest in long-range rockets (Pinaka), loitering munitions and counter-drone capabilities.

France is considering a longer-range Pinaka for its forces and sees India’s industry and operational adaptation as a model.

Both sides identified electronic warfare and artificial intelligence as priority areas for co-development and knowledge exchange.

India–France plans include institutionalising annual army exercises (building on the Shakti series) with more complex joint training in UAVs, counter-drone ops and EW.