Smartphone exports for the first six months (April to September) of 2025–26 (FY26) surged to $13.4 billion, based on industry estimates. Driven by the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, this marks a 59 per cent jump over the $8.5 billion exported during the same period of the previous financial year (2024–25/FY25).

In September alone, a threefold increase in smartphone exports to the US pushed total exports to $1.7 billion — the highest monthly growth recorded so far compared to FY25.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a United States-brokered peace plan to pause fighting in Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages and prisoners, US President Donald Trump announced.

Taking to social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!”

The government is in final stages of launching a ₹7,350 crore scheme to spur domestic production of sintered rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs) and cut import dependence, Business Standard has learnt. This comes months after China imposed restrictions on exports of REPMs in April, squeezing supplies to India’s automobile and electronics industries.

The Election Commission on Wednesday said the provisions of model code of conduct are also applicable to the Central government as far as announcements and policy decisions on Bihar are concerned.

The poll code came into force immediately after the Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule for the Assembly elections in Bihar on Monday.

Nineteen terrorists of the outlawed TTP and 11 soldiers were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said.

The operation was conducted by the security forces in the province's Orakzai district, bordering Afghanistan, on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to "Fitna al-Khawarij" on the intervening night of October 7-8, the military's media wing said in a statement.

Tamil actor Vijay's political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court order constituting a SIT to probe the Karur stampede that killed 41 people. The apex court agreed to hear the plea on Friday.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran took note of the submissions of a lawyer that the plea, filed through TVK's secretary Aadhav Arjuna, be listed for hearing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated his call to strengthen 'Make in India' across industries, including mobile phones, semiconductors, and electronics, noting that the government is fast-tracking reforms and creating attractive opportunities for investors.

Speaking at the 9th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) at Yashobhoomi, PM Modi said, "When I talked about ‘Make In India’, people used to make fun of it.

Indian refiners are expected to boost oil imports from Russia in the coming months, as trade talks with Washington drag on and discounts widen amid ample supplies.

Discounts on Urals crude loading in November are $2-to-$2.50 a barrel to Dated Brent, making it attractive, according to people familiar with the developments.

The government has stepped in to settle the escalating conflict within Tata Trusts, which holds 66 per cent in Tata Sons, the holding company of the salt-to-semiconductor conglomerate. Top representatives of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts met Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Tuesday evening to discuss attempts by a group of Tata trustees to “control” Tata Sons and behave like a “super board”.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on October 10 a plea challenging a Madras High Court order refusing a CBI probe into the September 27 stampede at Karur during a political rally of actor and TVK founder Vijay that killed 41 persons and injured over 60.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran took note of the appeal of BJP leader Uma Anandan seeking a CBI probe into the stampede.

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