Brazil, India move to widen Mercosur trade pact (IANS Exclusive)

IANS | October 1, 2026 9:38 AM

Milwaukee, Oct 1 (IANS) Brazil and India are moving towards substantially expanding the existing India-Mercosur preferential trade agreement, with the two sides completing work on terms of reference that could pave the way for negotiations on a broader trade arrangement, a senior Brazilian minister has said.

Watch what Rubio does with Cuba, says Trump

IANS | October 1, 2026 9:33 AM

Washington, Oct 1 (IANS) President Donald Trump told a White House audience to “watch” what Secretary of State Marco Rubio does with Cuba, singling out the Cuban-American diplomat while praising his handling of US foreign policy.

UPI transactions rise by 18 pc to Rs 29.37 lakh crore in September

IANS | October 1, 2026 9:28 AM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction volumes went up 23 per cent (year-on-year) to 24.07 billion in the month of September, while UPI transaction value surged 18 per cent to Rs 29.37 lakh crore last month, according to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Thursday.

Poland eyes deepening defence, space ties with India (IANS Exclusive)

IANS | October 1, 2026 9:28 AM

Milwaukee, Oct 1 (IANS) Poland sees significant scope for expanding defence and space cooperation with India and plans to bring Polish space companies to the country as Warsaw doubles its investment in the sector, Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domanski has said.

'Gujarati blood flows in his veins': CM Patel hails Flydubai pilot Capt Smit Machchhar

IANS | October 1, 2026 9:22 AM

Ahmedabad, Oct 1 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday praised Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073, who was injured after helping avert a major in-flight crisis, and said that the country and the state are "immensely proud" of him, calling him a "true reflection of our resilience and courage".