Automobile Electric Vehicles

India Slashes EV Import Duty to 15% to Boost Local Manufacturing

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

In a landmark move to attract foreign investment and accelerate the growth of its electric vehicle ecosystem, India has launched the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India’ (SPMEPCI). The centerpiece of this policy is a dramatic reduction in import duty on fully built electric vehicles—from a steep 110% to just 15%. […]

National

Opposition MPs Demand Special Parliament Session on National Security

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

In a significant show of unity, more than 200 opposition Members of Parliament have come together to demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi convene a special session of Parliament. Their primary objective is to deliberate on the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response under Operation Sindoor. This demand follows an earlier initiative by 20 […]

International

Kim Jong Un Vows Unconditional Support to Russia in Ukraine Conflict

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his country’s “unconditional support” for Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and other international matters. During a high-level meeting in Pyongyang with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Kim stated that North Korea would fully honor its military commitments under a defense treaty signed with Russia

National

Monsoon Stalls After Early Start, Likely to Resume by June 11

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

India’s southwest monsoon, which arrived earlier than usual on May 24 this year, has temporarily stalled. After rapidly advancing over southern, northeastern, and parts of western India, monsoon progress slowed significantly from May 29 onward. The delay has led to subdued rainfall in several key regions, affecting early agricultural activity. Meteorologists attribute the

Industry

India Halves Import Duty on Crude Edible Oils to Curb Inflation

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

In a major policy move aimed at controlling food inflation and supporting the domestic edible oil industry, the Indian government has slashed the basic customs duty on crude palm oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil from 20% to 10%. With additional cesses and surcharges included, the effective duty now stands reduced from 27.5% to 16.5%. […]

Infrastructure National

Adani Airports Secures $750 Million for Expansion and Debt Refinance

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, has raised $750 million through external commercial borrowings to fuel its next phase of growth. A significant portion of this funding will be used to refinance $400 million in existing debt, while the remaining capital will go toward expanding infrastructure and operational capabilities across six […]

International

Oil Prices Steady After U.S. Inventory Build and Saudi Price Cuts

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

Oil prices held steady on Thursday after a sharp drop the previous day, as traders digested data showing a surprise build-up in U.S. fuel inventories. U.S. gasoline and diesel stockpiles rose despite expectations of a summer demand surge, signaling that consumption may be softer than anticipated in the world’s largest oil consumer. Brent crude saw […]

Business Finance

GST Council Plans to Scrap 12% Slab, Shift Items to 5% or 18%

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is actively considering eliminating the 12% tax slab from India’s four-tier GST rate structure. The current system includes 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28% slabs. If implemented, the proposal would move all goods and services currently taxed at 12% into either the 5% or 18% brackets. This rationalisation is […]

International

India Raises Concerns Over ADB’s $800 Million Aid to Pakistan

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

India has formally objected to the Asian Development Bank’s recent approval of an $800 million financial aid package to Pakistan, raising alarms over how the funds might be used. According to Indian officials, there is a growing fear that the aid will not contribute to genuine economic recovery but will instead be diverted to non-developmental […]

Technology Telecom

Tata Communications Unveils TGN-IA2 Subsea Cable to Boost Asia Connectivity

By BPN News Desk June 5, 2025

Tata Communications has launched the TGN-IA2 submarine cable system to enhance digital connectivity across Asia. The new subsea cable links three critical business hubs—Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan—forming a key part of the company’s strategy to support growing data demands and strengthen intra-Asia network resilience. This state-of-the-art infrastructure is