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Breaking news is a term used to describe timely and significant events that are typically unexpected or unforeseen. These events often have a major impact on people's lives and can be either positive or negative in nature. Breaking news stories are typically covered by the mainstream media as they unfold, giving the public access to information in real-time. While breaking news can refer to any type of event, it is most commonly used in relation to catastrophic events such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or political disasters. In these situations, the need for accurate and up-to-the-minute information is paramount. Traditional news outlets such as television, radio, and print media are typically the first to report on breaking news stories as they happen. However, in recent years social media has become an increasingly important source of information for people looking for the latest updates on current events.

India's forex reserves rise by USD 2.7 bn to USD 698.2 bn after three-week decline

India's foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 2.703 billion to USD 698.192 billion for the week ending July 25, after falling for three consecutive weeks, according to the official data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In the previous reporting week, the country's foreign exchange reserves fell by USD 1.18 billion to USD 695.49 billion. In the week ending July 25, foreign currency assets, the major constituent of the forex reserves, rose USD 1.316 billion, at USD 588.926 billion, possibly becoming the primary reason for the uptick in the forex reserves. The Gold reserves, another major component of the forex, again witnessed an uptick, increasing by USD 1.206 billion to USD 85.704 billion. India's Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the global financial body, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), increased by USD 126 million, reaching USD 18.809 billion. Central banks worldwide are increasingly accumulating safe-haven gold in their foreign exchange reserves kitty, and India is no exception. The share of gold maintained by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its foreign exchange reserves has almost doubled since 2021, till recently. In 2023, India added around USD 58 billion to its foreign exchange reserves, contrasting with a cumulative decline of USD 71 billion in 2022. In 2024, the reserves rose by a little over USD 20 billion, touching an all-time high of USD 704.885 billion at the end of September 2024. India's foreign exchange reserves (Forex) are sufficient to meet 11 months of the country's imports and about 96 per cent of external debt, said Governor Sanjay Malhotra while announcing the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decisions. Foreign exchange reserves, or FX reserves, are assets held by a nation's central bank or monetary authority, primarily in reserve currencies such as the US Dollar, with smaller portions in the Euro, Japanese Yen, and Pound Sterling. The RBI often intervenes by managing liquidity, including selling dollars, to prevent steep Rupee depreciation. The RBI strategically buys dollars when the Rupee is strong and sells when it weakens. (ANI)

Uttarakhand CM Dhami distributes appointment letters to selected candidates under Irrigation dept and Transport Corporation

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday distributed appointment letters to the candidates selected for various posts in the Irrigation department and the state's transport corporation. The distribution ceremony was held at the CM's residence in Dehradun. CM Dhami congratulated and wished 43 eligible candidates for the post of conductor under the deceased dependent quota in the Transport Corporation. He also handed over the appointment letters to the 129 newly selected draftsmen and 15 newly selected tubewell mechanics under the Irrigation Department. On Saturday, CM Dhami approved the increase in the existing rate of dearness allowance admissible to those employees of the State Government and State Autonomous Bodies/Undertakings, who are drawing their salaries and allowances in the pay band/grade pay applicable as per the recommendations of the Fifth and Sixth Central Pay Commission, from January 01, 2025, the Chief Minister's office said in a press release. The increase would be done from 455 per cent to 466 per cent for the fifth pay scale and from 246 per cent to 252 per cent per month for the sixth pay scale. He has approved the release of an amount of Rs 40 crore as the first instalment while approving a scheme of Rs 516 crore for the slope stabilisation work plan of the disaster-affected area of Joshimath in Chamoli district. The Chief Minister has also approved the release of an amount of Rs 200 crore through reappropriation in anticipation of the amount to be received as the central share from the Government of India for the ongoing works under the centrally funded Jal Jeevan Mission program. Earlier, CM Dhami on Saturday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he released the 20th instalment of the 'Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana', in Varanasi, transferring Rs 20,500 crores to 9.7 cr farmers. Addressing an occasion, CM Dhami highlighted that over eight lakh farmers in Uttarakhand will benefit from this initiative. (ANI)

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets BJP's OBC Morcha President K Laxman

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) OBC Morcha National President and Rajya Sabha MP Dr K Laxman met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his residence on Saturday in a courtesy visit. They discussed various contemporary topics during their meeting. Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved the increase in the existing rate of dearness allowance admissible to those employees of the State Government and State Autonomous Bodies/Undertakings who are drawing their salaries and allowances in the pay band/grade pay applicable as per the recommendations of the Fifth and Sixth Central Pay Commissions, from January 1. The increase would be from 455 per cent to 466 per cent for the fifth pay scale and from 246 per cent to 252 per cent per month for the sixth pay scale. He has approved the release of an amount of Rs 40 crore as the first instalment while approving a scheme of Rs 516 crore for the slope stabilisation work plan of the disaster-affected area of Joshimath in Chamoli district. The Chief Minister has also approved the release of an amount of Rs 200 crore through reappropriation in anticipation of the amount to be received as the central share from the Government of India for the ongoing works under the centrally funded Jal Jeevan Mission program. The Chief Minister has also approved the release of an amount of Rs 200 crore through reappropriation in anticipation of the amount to be received as the central share from the Government of India for the ongoing works under the centrally funded Jal Jeevan Mission program. The Chief Minister has approved Rs 350 lakh for Uttarakhand Drinking Water Corporation and Rs 10 lakh for Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan for programs such as NABARD, State Sector, EAP, and Ring Fencing, as part of the self-project undertaken by Uttarakhand Drinking Water Corporation. Approval has been given for the release of an amount of Rs 150 lakh. The Chief Minister has also approved a scheme of Rs 11 crore for strengthening and protective work of Ramjhula bridge located at Munikireti in the Narendra Nagar assembly constituency of Tehri Garhwal district under the State Plan. (ANI)

Mahindra & Mahindra completes acquisition of 58.96% controlling stake in SML Isuzu

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) have acquired 58.96 per cent stake in SML Isuzu Ltd. (SML) from Sumitomo Corporation, Japan and Isuzu Motors Limited, the company said in a statement on Saturday. As part of the transaction, M&M would also launch a mandatory open offer for acquisition of up to 26 per cent stake from eligible public shareholders of SML in accordance with the SEBI Takeover Regulations. Consequent to the above, the Board of Directors of SML has been reconstituted. The board of Directors of SML has appointed Vinod Sahay, President - Aerospace & Defence, Trucks, Buses & CE - Mahindra Group, as Executive Chairman of SML Isuzu, effective August 3, 2025. Dr Venkat Srinivas has been appointed as the Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of SML Isuzu Ltd, effective August 01, 2025. The Board of Directors of SML has also approved a change in the name of the company to 'SML Mahindra Limited'- subject to approvals from RoC, Central Registration Centre, MCA and shareholders of the Company or any other authority as may be necessary. In April 2025, M&M agreed to acquire a 58.96 per cent equity stake in SML at Rs 650 per share, representing a total investment of Rs 555 crore. It is a big step for M&M towards establishing a strong presence in the >3.5T CV segment, where the company has a 3 per cent market share presently, as compared to a 54.2 per cent market share in the Sub-3.5 tonne LCV segment. M&M's Trucks and Buses Division has made meaningful progress over the past few years. This acquisition will double the market share to 6 per cent, with a plan to increase this to 10 - 12 per cent by FY31 and 20 per cent + by FY36. SML, established in 1983, is a listed company with well-recognised brands, strong heritage and pan-India presence in the 'Trucks & Buses 'segment. The company has a market-leading position in the 'ILCV [Intermediate and Light Commercial Vehicles] Buses segment, 'with around 16 per cent market share. Vinod Sahay is a member of the Group Executive Board of Mahindra Group. In addition to his new role in SML Isuzu Ltd, he will continue to serve as President - Aerospace & Defence, Trucks, Buses and Construction Equipment sector of Mahindra Group. He brings 27 years of extensive business leadership experience in Automotive, Aerospace and Defence industry with vast leadership experience in Commercial vehicle industry. In over 10 years with the Mahindra Group, he has previously served as President & Chief Purchase Officer at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, CEO of Mahindra Truck & Bus and Construction Equipment business, and CEO of Mahindra Two Wheelers businesses. Dr Venkat Srinivas, in addition to his new role, will continue to serve as the Business Head for Mahindra Truck & Bus (MTB) and Construction Equipment (CE). He brings 35 years of extensive R&D and leadership experience in the Aerospace and Automotive Engineering domains. Over the 11 years with the Mahindra Group, he has led key initiatives in the Commercial Vehicle (CV) space, including the development of Blazo, Furio, Cruzio, Bolero Maxx Pikup, Zeo EV and strategic platforms like Veero and Global Pik Up. (ANI)

US tariff on Taiwan "temporary," says President William Lai

The United States has imposed a 20 per cent tariff rate on goods from Taiwan, which is considered temporary by Taiwanese President William Lai, who expects further negotiations to secure a lower rate, Taipei Taiwan reported. This move is part of the US's reciprocal tariffs aimed at reducing trade imbalances. The tariffs on semiconductors, electronics, and information technology products will be determined separately under future US sectoral measures, as per Taipei Taiwan. The rate set by the US was one of several so-called reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, just hours before a deadline to finalise trade frameworks with his administration. According to Taipei, Taiwan, the US initially proposed a 32 per cent tariff on Taiwanese goods in April, which was later reduced to 20 per cent. However, Taiwan's tariff rate exceeds those of regional competitors like Japan and South Korea, which face a 15 per cent levy. Notably, the tariff is set to take effect next Thursday after being formalised in an executive order signed by Trump. According to an economist at Barclays Bank, key Taiwanese exports, such as semiconductors, are largely exempt; the effective average tariff on shipments from Taiwan would rise to 8.3 per cent from 5.8 per cent. The 20 per cent tariff rate was never Taiwan's target to begin with. We will continue negotiations and strive for a rate that is more favourable for Taiwan, Lai told a news briefing. Trade talks between the US and Taiwan are continuing, a US official confirmed on Friday, adding that a final agreement is close. The interim rate is lower than the original rate, and it's much lower than that of several other major trading partners with ongoing negotiations, said the official. Taiwan's offer was well received, and the two sides are close to a final agreement, the official added. Taiwan is also awaiting the outcome of a US investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which includes probes into sectors such as semiconductor products, a cornerstone of Taiwan's exports that remains exempt from the newly imposed tariffs. Taiwan and the US will continue negotiations, with upcoming discussions to also include supply chain cooperation and issues related to the Section 232 investigation, the Executive Yuan said. If an agreement is reached, there is a possibility of further reducing reciprocal tariff rates and securing preferential treatment on tariffs related to the Section 232 investigation. The final tariff rates would inevitably impact Taiwanese industry, Lai said. (ANI)

If India were to stop buying Russian oil global crude prices could jump to 200 dollars a barrel: Sources

Global crude prices could jump to 200 US Dollars a barrel if India were to stop buying Russian Oil thus severely harming consumers worldwide, sources told ANI. Russian oil has never been sanctioned and is still not sanctioned by either the United States or the European Union. Providing context for India's energy security policy, sources explained that Russia, the world's second-largest crude oil producer with about 9.5 million barrels per day output--nearly 10% of global demand--is also the second-largest exporter, shipping roughly 4.5 million barrels per day of crude and 2.3 million barrels per day of refined products. Past fears of Russian oil being squeezed out of global markets had driven Brent crude prices to a high of $137 per barrel in March 2022. In this challenging environment, India, as the world's third-largest energy consumer with 85% import dependence, strategically adapted its sourcing to secure affordable energy while fully adhering to international norms, sources added. Earlier, United States President Donald Trump on Friday ( EST) claimed that India may cease purchasing Russian oil, calling it a good step if confirmed, while India has defended its sovereign right to pursue an energy policy in its own national interest. News agency Reuters reported on July 31st that Indian state-run refiners suspended purchases of Russian oil amid tariff threats from President Trump and narrowing price discounts. However, Indian sources have now rebutted these reports, clarifying that Indian refiners have continued to buy Russian crude based on commercial viability. Sources further told ANI that Russian oil has never been sanctioned, but rather subjected to a G7/EU price-cap mechanism to limit Russian revenues while keeping global supplies flowing. India oil refiners' purchases have remained fully legitimate under international frameworks. Had Indian oil refiners not absorbed discounted Russian crude, combined with OPEC+ production cuts of 5.86 million barrels per day, global oil prices could have surged well beyond the March 2022 peak of 137 dollars per barrel, intensifying inflation globally, sources explained. It was also highlighted that Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs) have refrained from buying Iranian or Venezuelan crude, which is actually sanctioned by the US, and have complied with the $60 per barrel price cap recommended for Russian oil by the US. The European Union has recently recommended a lower price cap of $47.6 per barrel for Russian oil, to take effect in September. Commenting on Europe's continued Russian energy imports, sources noted the EU was the largest importer of Russian-origin liquefied natural gas (LNG), buying 51% of Russia's LNG exports, followed by China at 21% and Japan at 18%. For pipeline gas, the EU remained the top buyer with a 37% share, followed by China at 30% and Turkey at 27%. Backing India oil refiners' decision to continue sourcing Russian oil, sources reiterated that India's energy choices are guided by its national interest, while also contributing to global energy stability. India's pragmatic approach has kept oil flowing, prices stable, and markets balanced, while fully respecting international frameworks, they added. (ANI)