From Rs 20 to Rs 100: Coconuts turn luxury in India; prices shoot up amid Onam

Across South India, coconut prices have surged from Rs 15-25 to Rs 80-100 due to pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions, climate change impacts, and pest infestations. Neglect of plantations, coupled with increased demand during festivals and tourism, has exacerbated the shortage.

Amid a trade war initiated by Trump, a partnership in defense

Despite trade tensions initiated by the U.S., India and the U.S. are engaged in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 in Alaska, a large-scale military drill involving 450 Indian Army personnel. The exercise, focused on high-altitude operations and interoperability, underscores the strong defense partnership between the two nations. India emphasizes its commitment to the U.S.

Jaishankar to visit UNGA; PM Modi may skip amid Trump factor

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to represent India at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York. While a slot was reserved for PM Modi, his participation remains uncertain. Sources suggest a meeting with President Trump is unlikely due to ongoing trade talks and recent diplomatic tensions.

Fourth quake hits Afghanistan days after 2,200 killed in deadly temblors

Afghanistan has been struck by a magnitude 5 earthquake on Friday night, adding to a series of quakes that hit the nation earlier in the day. This recent seismic activity follows a devastating earthquake on Sunday, which resulted in a death toll exceeding 2,200.

David Lammy takes over as UK deputy PM: Tax row prompts cabinet reshuffle

Rain fury: PM Modi to visit flood-affected states; to review situation

NIRF 2025: IIM Ahmedabad leads, sixth year on top; here’s why

IIM Ahmedabad has secured the top position in the NIRF management rankings for the sixth consecutive year, maintaining its lead since 2020. The institute consistently excels across key metrics such as teaching, learning and resources, graduation outcomes, and perception. Data from 2016 to 2025 show IIM Ahmedabad’s stable and high performance compared to peer institutions. The 2025 rankings highlight the growing participation of Indian management institutes and the evolving scope of NIRF’s evaluation framework.

Tax underpayment: Angela Rayner quits as UK deputy PM; Starmer sends handwritten letter

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on Friday after an inquiry found she failed to meet ethical standards related to a property purchase. Rayner admitted to underpaying tax on an apartment and expressed deep regret for not seeking specialist tax advice. Prime Minister Keir Starmer accepted her resignation, acknowledging her decision to refer herself to the independent adviser.

Data wars: Amazon-backed AI firm blocks Chinese companies; cites security risks

Anthropic, an OpenAI competitor, has updated its terms of service, prohibiting sales of its Claude AI platform to companies in China, Russia, North Korea, and other regions due to legal and security concerns. The company also settled a copyright lawsuit with US authors who alleged their works were used without permission to train Claude.

Nepal social media ban: Facebook, Twitter among 26 apps blocked; Govt explains why

Nepal has banned major social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X after they failed to register with the government by the given deadline. This decision follows a Supreme Court directive to regulate online platforms and monitor content.

NIRF rankings 2025: Hindu, Miranda House remain best two colleges of India

Delhi University (DU) continues its dominance in the NIRF 2025 rankings, securing top positions with 32 colleges on the list. Hindu College and Miranda House retain their top spots, while DU achieves its best-ever fifth position among universities. Other Delhi institutions like JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia also shine, with AIIMS Delhi leading in medical and dental categories.

GST 2.0: Full comprehensive list of items with revised rates

New GST rates 2025 full list: The Finance Minister announced significant GST rate cuts and slab changes, effective September 22, 2025, leading to cheaper daily-use items. Many food items will attract 0% GST, and life and health insurance will also see zero tax. The government is monitoring price changes, while luxury and sin goods may face higher taxes, potentially reaching a 40% bracket.

Is it a bank holiday on September 5? Check details

Banks across multiple Indian states remained closed on September 5 due to Id-E-Milad and Thiruvonam, as per the RBI holiday calendar. While digital banking services continued uninterrupted, physical branch visits were necessary for certain transactions. Maharashtra, however, shifted the Eid-e-Milad holiday in Mumbai to September 8, 2025, impacting government securities and related markets.

Former Prez François Hollande on Jean Pormanove case demands action against Kick

Ex-French President Francois Hollande strongly criticises Kick platform regarding Jean Pormanove’s death. He highlights moral responsibility of viewers and platform. Hollande calls for stronger legal actions. Streamer Raphael Graven died after a 12-day livestream. French authorities investigate Kick for violating digital service rules. Digital Affairs Minister Clara Chappaz sues Kick for negligence. The platform faces French government investigations and reviews content policies.

ScaleAI lawsuit: Mark Zuckerberg-backed firm sues ex-employee; data theft allegations surface

Former Scale AI employee, Eugene Ling, apologizes to his new team at Mercor as Scale AI sues him for allegedly stealing confidential documents. The lawsuit claims Ling took over 100 documents containing customer strategies and attempted to poach a major client. Ling denies nefarious intent, stating he was instructed not to delete the files when he offered.