Gulf countries must have ties with Israel to end Iran war: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority nations from West Asia and beyond must normalise ties with Israel as part of efforts to reach a deal with Iran, adding fresh uncertainty into protracted peace negotiations. 

'Greater public participation, talks with stakeholders vital': SC on defining Aravali hills

The Supreme Court on Monday said the expert committee to be constituted to define the Aravali hills and ranges must ensure larger public participation through consultations with domain experts and stakeholders.

Finance Commission transfers and equity issue

The Finance Commission (FC), constituted under the Constitution, determines the distribution of the Union's gross tax revenues between Centre and States and among the States themselves to address vertical and horizontal fiscal imbalances. Following earlier commissions, the 16th FC has retained the vertical devolution share of 41% for the States and continued to emphasise equity as the guiding principle in determining horizontal transfers.

From black to grey 

If India wanted proof of its shifting demographic status, then the latest SRS bulletin, 2024 has provided just that. The figures from the Sample Registration System - Statistical Report, 2024, offer incontrovertible proof - falling fertility rate, low crude birth rate - to show that India's pace of population growth is considerably slowing down. While the pundits predict at least three decades of population growth for the country, the plunging fertility rate certainly commands pause for contemplation and forward planning, for India to crest a crisis that several nations are struggling to manage. 

India and Australia – bridging the trade and trust barrier

Is a comprehensive India-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the offing? With the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in India for the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, there is anticipation that a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) may be inked. This would expand the 2022 Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) that had opened 100% of the Australian market to India while India reciprocated with roughly 70% market access covering nearly 91% of trade value.

Water governance in peri-urban areas

India's peri-urban expanse: a zone where farmland and scattered habitations give way to factory sheds, and densely cluttered settlements.

A definite end to the Silverline

In one of its first decisions, the United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala denotified the controversial Silverline project, which envisaged a standalone semi high-speed standard gauge railway line along the length of Kerala. The project had been on the back burner for some time after the Union government had refused to give it the green signal, prompting the last Left Democratic Front (LDF) government to propose a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the run-up to the Assembly elections. Its scrapping, as promised by the UDF in its manifesto, was, therefore, a foregone conclusion.

Why is the Indian rupee falling?

The rupee-to-dollar exchange rate crossed 96 in May this year. A currency's exchange rate reflects the price it commands in the market relative to the dollar and other currencies.

Exchange rate is closely tied to a country's balance of payments. India has consistently run a merchandise trade deficit, with imports especially oil - exceeding exports.

The depreciation of the rupee imposes significant costs on the Indian economy. Therefore, the country must regulate speculative capital outflows and reduce its dependence on oil imports.

Assam UCC Bill tabled; seeks ban on polygamy

The Assam government on Monday tabled 'The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill' in the State Assembly, proposing a common law for all residents on matters related to marriage, divorce, succession,

and live-in relationships.

Uttarakhand and Gujarat are the two other States that have passed such a law earlier.

India-U.S. ties, Iran crisis in focus as Quad Foreign Ministers meet today

Foreign Ministers of the Quad will meet for the first time in nearly a year, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosts U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Delhi on Tuesday at Delhi's Hyderabad House. The Foreign Ministers will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an External Affairs Ministry advisory said.

Panel to study quantum tech's potential in financial sector

The Reserve Bank on Monday announced the setting up of an eight-member expert committee to study the potential of quantum technology in the financial sector. Quantum technology represents a paradigm shift compared with traditional systems as it leverages the principles of quantum mechanics. This enables quantum systems to address complex financial problems such as portfolio optimisation, risk assessment, and macroeconomic modelling, the RBI said.

Iran says progress on several issues, but agreement with U.S. not yet close

Iran warned on Monday that, while some progress had been made, it was not yet close to striking a deal with the United States to end the war in West Asia, after a weekend of mixed messages from Washington and Tehran.