Trump slaps tariffs on drugs, trucks, furniture

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled a new round of punishing tariffs on a broad range of imported goods in U.S., including 100% duties on branded drugs and 25% tariffs on heavyduty trucks, set to take effect next week. 

Repatriate six Bengal residents pushed into Bangladesh: HC

The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed repatriation of six persons from two families from Birbhum in West Bengal who were pushed into Bangladesh. 

Govt. announces 100% waiver of late payment charges on water bills

Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Friday announced a 100% waiver of the late payment surcharge (LPSC) on water bills for all domestic and government consumers, effective under a scheme valid till January 31, 2026.

The Minister also said that the LPSC, which is charged per billing cycle based on the actual bill amount, has been permanently reduced from 5% to 2%. 

Cannot completely ban, need balanced approach' on firecrackers, says SC

The Supreme Court on Friday said a complete ban on firecrackers would open the field for the mafia to capture the industry and illegally peddle their wares to the gullible public.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai referred to how a total ban on mining in Bihar had led to the mafia moving in.

New farming technology holds potential to stop desertification

An innovative experiment to grow wheat for the first time in the arid land, using desert 'soilification' technology powered by an indigenous bioformulation, holds the potential to stop the expansion of western Rajasthan's Thar desert towards the National Capital Region. The desertification process has speeded up with gradual destruction of the Aravali ranges. 

Upgrading shipyards

The recently announced package of ₹69,725 crore, to revitalise India's shipbuilding and maritime ecosystem, is to replace the package of 2015, which is set to expire in March 2026. In the last 10 years, while lucrative defence orders had kept some shipyards busy, only half-a-dozen small merchant ships or so were built in all of India. India's capacity to build large merchant ships remains minuscule, which the package hopes to expand to 4.5 million gross tonnage. The plan is to upgrade shipyards for cut-tingedge technology and management principles, promote new yards in clusters housing factories for shipbuilding ancillaries, and support shipowners for financing newbuilds. But key questions remain over how this package will suc-ceed as the earlier one was largely a failure. – 

DRDO wins businessline's Changemaker of the Year Award for its strategic technology

Education, social welfare, and the empowerment of marginalised sections were the major themes recog-nised this year at The Hindu businessline's Changemaker Awards, and the theme of indigenous production was underlined by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's winning of the Chan-gemaker of the Year Award. 

PM assured help for Maharashtra's rain-hit farmers: Fadnavis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that he will "stand firmly behind the rainhit farmers of Maharashtra", said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday after holding an hour-long meeting with the former in Delhi.

Mr. Fadnavis said he briefed the Prime Minister on the damage caused by the heavy rains in various districts, particularly in the Marathwada region. 

AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Arunachal, and Nagaland for six months

The Union Home Ministry on Friday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in parts of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland for six months. 

Tehran, Moscow ink $25bn nuclear deal

Iran and Russia signed a $25 billion deal to build nuclear power plants in the Islamic republic, Iranian state media reported on Friday, just hours ahead of the likely return of sweeping UN sanctions on Iran.