India is pushing for a digital currency linkage among BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to enable seamless cross-border transactions, reducing dependence on the US dollar. Despite significant political tensions, differing regulatory frameworks, and technical challenges like interoperability between diverse digital payment systems, India aims to leverage its UPI success to drive this initiative. The move aligns with BRICS' broader de-dollarization agenda, though experts warn geopolitical rivalries and varying levels of digital infrastructure development among member nations could slow progress.

# RBI का नया 'Tap and Pay' UPI फीचर

RBI ने UPI में नया 'Tap and Pay' फीचर लॉन्च किया है। अब बिना इंटरनेट और UPI ऐप के भी पेमेंट संभव होगा। इसमें NFC (Near Field Communication) तकनीक का उपयोग होगा। यूजर को सिर्फ अपना फोन POS मशीन पर टैप करना होगा और पेमेंट हो जाएगा। यह ऑफलाइन मोड में काम करेगा, जिससे ग्रामीण और नेटवर्क-कमजोर इलाकों में भी डिजिटल पेमेंट आसान होगा। छोटे लेनदेन के लिए PIN की जरूरत नहीं होगी। इससे डिजिटल इंडिया मिशन को बढ़ावा मिलेगा और कैशलेस इकोनॉमी मजबूत होगी। RBI का लक्ष्य हर नागरिक तक डिजिटल पेमेंट पहुंचाना है।

Karnataka Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi responded to Enforcement Directorate raids on his associates, clarifying the cases are related to FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act), not money laundering. He stated his group had only sought RBI permission to invest abroad, which is legal. Jarkiholi downplayed the raids, suggesting political motives ahead of elections. The ED searched multiple premises linked to his associates over alleged foreign exchange violations. Congress called it political vendetta by the BJP-led central government to target opposition leaders.

Global chip stocks faced heavy selling pressure, with SK Hynix dropping 6.5%, AMD, Intel, and Nvidia also declining sharply. The selloff was triggered by growing concerns over AI sector overvaluation, potential demand slowdown, and rising geopolitical tensions affecting semiconductor supply chains. Investors are questioning whether the massive AI-driven rally has been overextended, with valuations outpacing actual earnings growth. Export restrictions on advanced chips to China added further uncertainty, prompting profit-taking across the sector.

Prominent AI leaders, including OpenAI's Sam Altman and DeepMind's Demis Hassabis, signed a statement warning that advanced artificial intelligence poses an existential risk to humanity, comparable to pandemics and nuclear war. Experts fear AI could surpass human control, spreading misinformation, enabling cyberattacks, or being weaponized. The statement urged global prioritization of AI safety. Critics argue such warnings distract from current harms like bias and surveillance, but supporters insist proactive regulation is essential before AI becomes uncontrollable.

The Election Commission of India has invited rival factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for a meeting to resolve the ongoing dispute over the party's official name and election symbol. The internal rift within the party led both groups to claim ownership of the TMC brand. As per established protocol, the EC steps in when a party splits, hearing both sides before deciding who retains the symbol and name. The outcome could significantly impact the political landscape in West Bengal and beyond.

The European Central Bank has raised interest rates in response to escalating inflation concerns fueled by the Iran war. The conflict has disrupted global oil supplies, driving energy prices sharply higher and intensifying cost-of-living pressures across the eurozone. The rate hike aims to curb surging inflation but risks slowing economic growth. Markets reacted with volatility as investors weighed recession fears. The ECB signaled further tightening if geopolitical tensions persist, urging fiscal coordination among EU member states to stabilize economies.

**विजय की पार्टी TVK को चुनाव आयोग की मान्यता**

एक्टर-पॉलिटिशियन विजय की पार्टी 'तमिलगा वेट्री कழगम' (TVK) को भारतीय चुनाव आयोग ने आधिकारिक मान्यता दे दी है। पार्टी को तमिलनाडु और पुडुचेरी में रजिस्टर्ड राजनीतिक दल के रूप में स्वीकृति मिली है। TVK को 'सीटी' (CITY) चुनाव चिह्न स्थायी रूप से आवंटित किया गया है। विजय ने इसे 'चमत्कार' बताते हुए खुशी जताई। यह मान्यता 2026 तमिलनाडु विधानसभा चुनाव से पहले पार्टी के लिए बड़ी उपलब्धि है, जिससे उन्हें चुनावी लड़ाई में मजबूती मिलेगी।

Street vendors in Gurugram staged a strong protest against the municipal corporation's bulldozer demolition drive targeting their shops and stalls. The vendors, many of whom have been operating for years, demanded protection of their livelihood, arguing that the action left them homeless and jobless. They accused authorities of conducting demolitions without prior notice or rehabilitation plans, violating the Street Vendors Act. Protesters urged the government to issue identity cards and allocate designated vending zones instead of displacement.

The RBI has introduced a new offline UPI payment feature called "UPI Lite," enabling "Tap and Pay" transactions without internet connectivity or opening a UPI app. Users can simply tap their NFC-enabled smartphones on merchant PoS terminals to make payments instantly. This works using near-field communication (NFC) technology, similar to contactless card payments. The feature targets areas with poor internet connectivity and aims to boost digital payments in rural India. Transactions are capped at small amounts for security, with funds preloaded into a UPI Lite wallet. This initiative reduces transaction failures due to network issues, making cashless payments faster and more accessible for millions of Indians.

A CRPF convoy was ambushed by suspected militants on National Highway-2 in Manipur's Imphal West district. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the convoy, but fortunately, no casualties were reported among the security personnel. The CRPF jawans retaliated, prompting the attackers to flee. Security forces immediately launched a combing operation in the surrounding area to track down the assailants. Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence and insurgency-related incidents, keeping security forces on high alert. Authorities have intensified patrolling along key highways to ensure safe movement of convoys. An investigation is underway to identify the group responsible for the attack.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited Dubai to attract foreign investment to the state. During his visit, he met UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi and other top business leaders to explore partnerships in sectors like infrastructure, mining, ports, and renewable energy. Majhi pitched Odisha as an investor-friendly destination, highlighting its rich mineral resources, skilled workforce, and improved ease of doing business. The visit aims to strengthen Indo-UAE economic ties and boost Odisha's industrial growth ahead of upcoming investment summits.

India's Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) chief addressed concerns regarding the liquidity issues faced by the Client Account Segregation (CAS) framework, stating these challenges are not unique to India but are experienced globally. The SEBI chairman emphasized that regulatory bodies worldwide encounter similar liquidity management issues when implementing client asset protection mechanisms. He reassured stakeholders that SEBI is working on solutions to improve market infrastructure and ensure investor protection while maintaining market efficiency and stability in the securities ecosystem.

Wall Street experienced a significant decline as rising oil prices and inflation data rattled investors. Brent crude surged past $105 per barrel, driven by supply concerns and geopolitical tensions, fueling fears of sustained high energy costs. Simultaneously, the Producer Price Index, which measures wholesale inflation, rose more than expected, signaling persistent price pressures across the economy. These factors heightened concerns that the Federal Reserve would maintain aggressive interest rate hikes, squeezing corporate profits and consumer spending. Major indices, including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, all fell sharply.

Brazil plans to leverage the upcoming BRICS Summit to promote its Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft to fellow member nations. The C-390 is a multi-mission tactical airlifter competing with the established Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Brazil sees the summit as a diplomatic opportunity to boost defense exports, particularly targeting nations like India and South Africa seeking modern airlift capabilities. The C-390 offers superior speed, payload capacity, and lower maintenance costs, making it attractive to developing nations modernizing their air forces.