BSchool Buzz — News & Insights

A new study shows that AI chatbots like GPT-4o Mini can be manipulated using classic psychology tricks. Tactics like authority, flattery, and gradual escalation allowed the researchers make AI chatbot break its own safety rules.

Amazon's Project Kuiper is rapidly progressing as a formidable competitor in the satellite internet market, targeting underserved and remote regions worldwide. With over 129 satellites launched and a plan for a full constellation of 3,236 satellites, Project Kuiper aims to offer high-speed broadband services with low latency by leveraging advanced satellite technology including optical inter-satellite links. The service, expected to begin commercial beta trials by late 2025 or early 2026, primarily targets enterprise, government, and consumer markets with multiple service tiers ranging from compact terminals offering up to 100 Mbps to enterprise terminals capable of gigabit speeds. Amazon integrates this satellite service with its cloud infrastructure, AWS, providing seamless connectivity for data-intensive applications.

The market implications of Project Kuiper are significant, given Amazon's massive investment of $10 billion and its goal to capture a substantial share of the satellite broadband market quickly. This move escalates competition with SpaceX's Starlink, which currently leads with thousands of satellites and millions of users. Amazon’s aggressive launch schedule and focus on performance and pricing aim to differentiate Kuiper in a growing but crowded market. If successful, Project Kuiper has the potential to generate billions in revenues by 2032 while driving broader digital inclusion globally.

Summary Pointers:

• Project Kuiper aims to deploy 3,236 satellites and has already launched over 129 by September 2025.

• The service targets enterprise, government, and consumers with service tiers up to gigabit speeds.

• Integration with AWS provides an edge for cloud and data applications.

• Amazon invested $10 billion, positioning Kuiper as a direct competitor to Starlink.

• Commercial beta service expected by late 2025 or early 2026.

• Project Kuiper could generate billions in revenue and enhance global internet coverage, especially in underserved areas.

Efforts by President Trump to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine have stalled in September 2025, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions and wary of compromise. Trump has reiterated his commitment to facilitating a peace agreement, maintaining an optimistic outlook that progress can be made, but acknowledged that neither President Putin nor President Zelensky are prepared to negotiate a solution at this time. Continued Russian missile attacks on Ukraine have heightened frustration within the White House, while Putin remains firm in his demands for Ukraine to yield, and Kyiv remains cautious about any ceasefire that could enable Russia to regroup militarily.

European leaders, meanwhile, are convening in Paris to finalize "security guarantees" for Ukraine, aiming to offer defensive support and prevent further escalation, even as Russia rejects proposals for foreign troop presences. The situation underscores the diplomatic stalemate and the complex security concerns facing the region, with Trump hinting at possible consequences if Moscow fails to pursue peace, and Putin threatening to end the war by force if talks fail.

Summary Pointers

• Diplomatic efforts stall: Trump’s attempts to bring Putin and Zelensky to peace talks remain unsuccessful, with continued violence and entrenched demands from Russia.

• Security guarantees in focus: European leaders are working to provide Ukraine with post-war security assurances; Russia rejects foreign troop deployments on Ukrainian soil.

• Potential consequences: Trump implies further action if Putin does not cooperate, while Putin warns he may end the war by force if negotiations do not proceed.

The Gaganyaan programme is expected to send India’s own astronaut into space in the near future.

The Gaganyaan programme is expected to send India’s own astronaut into space in the near future.

The Gaganyaan programme is expected to send India’s own astronaut into space in the near future.

The Gaganyaan programme is expected to send India’s own astronaut into space in the near future.

The Gaganyaan programme is expected to send India’s own astronaut into space in the near future.

The Gaganyaan programme is expected to send India’s own astronaut into space in the near future.

Tesla’s recent global performance shows significant struggles across key markets. In India, Tesla secured only about 600 orders for the Model Y after its much-anticipated launch, far below its internal target of 2,500 units. High import tariffs have inflated prices, making Tesla’s vehicles unaffordable for many consumers and highlighting the importance of local manufacturing—something rival BYD has leveraged successfully. Meanwhile, Tesla faces tough competition in Europe, where its market share has eroded amid a 40% sales decline, while Chinese brands like BYD registered sharp growth. Additionally, Tesla’s sales in China have also dropped due to aggressive pricing and rapid innovation from domestic competitors, putting further pressure on its global market position.

These challenges indicate deeper issues, including insufficient adaptation to local market conditions, delayed product updates, and high pricing strategies that aren’t effectively countering regional competition. Although Tesla is expanding its infrastructure and presence in places like India, ongoing tariff barriers and a price-sensitive consumer base continue to limit growth. In Europe and China, brand image concerns and the rapid rise of affordable competitors further highlight the need for Tesla to reconsider its global approach.

Summary Pointers

• India launch underwhelms: Only 600 Tesla Model Y orders, high tariffs make prices uncompetitive.

• Europe market share declines: Tesla sales dropped 40%, BYD surged 225% in registrations.

• China struggles: Tesla’s sales declined year-on-year as local competition intensifies.

• Key issues: High tariffs, lack of local production, delayed product refreshes, and aggressive competition have hampered global growth.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India has introduced draft guidelines for a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) aiming to enhance flight safety by scientifically managing pilot fatigue. This system is designed to complement existing Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations, allowing airlines flexibility to either follow the prescriptive rules, fully implement the FRMS, or adopt a hybrid approach. The guidelines stipulate maximum flight times, duty periods, minimum rest requirements, and performance monitoring, ensuring pilots have adequate rest and recovery to maintain safety standards.

The DGCA has proposed a phased implementation plan with a 12-month grace period for airlines to comply with the new system once it becomes effective. A prerequisite for applying for FRMS is the establishment of a Fatigue Safety Action Group (FSAG) within airlines, composed of officials from various departments to oversee fatigue management activities. These measures respond to growing concerns over pilot fatigue amid India’s rapid aviation growth, with a forecasted demand for 30,000 pilots over the next 15-20 years due to fleet expansions and increased flight operations.

In summary, the DGCA’s draft FRMS guidelines represent a significant step in aligning India’s aviation safety protocols with international best practices through a science-driven approach to managing crew fatigue. The flexible and phased rollout allows airlines to adapt effectively while prioritizing pilot well-being and operational safety.

Summary Points:

• DGCA draft guidelines introduce a scientific Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) complementing existing duty time rules.

• Airlines can choose prescriptive, FRMS-based, or hybrid fatigue management systems with DGCA approval.

• Phased implementation includes a 12-month grace period and requires airlines to form a Fatigue Safety Action Group.

• The move addresses pilot fatigue concerns amid rapid aviation growth requiring 30,000 new pilots in the next 15-20 years.

• Aligns India’s aviation safety with international standards through flexible, data-driven fatigue management approaches.

Airlines are facing an intense supply chain crisis in 2025 that has forced them to adopt creative solutions for maintaining and expanding their fleets. With critical shortages of aircraft parts and lengthy delivery delays, carriers are increasingly turning to strategies like sharing spare parts among themselves, sourcing refurbished components, and embracing new manufacturing methods such as 3D printing for non-critical parts. These innovations help airlines reduce downtime, minimize grounded aircraft, and navigate the unpredictable disruptions in the global supply chain.

Furthermore, carriers are teaming up with independent suppliers and forming partnerships with other airlines, repair shops, and logistics companies to pool resources and improve operational efficiency. Airlines have also started harvesting usable parts from retired aircraft and working closely with manufacturers to accelerate deliveries and manage inventory more effectively, with technologies like AI and predictive analytics playing a growing role in maintenance and logistics. These adaptive measures are vital for keeping flights operational and meeting passenger demand amid ongoing challenges.

Summary Pointers

• Supply chain disruptions in aviation are driving airlines to use innovative strategies, such as collaborative parts sharing and 3D printing for non-critical repairs.

• Partnerships with independent suppliers and interline agreements between carriers are helping airlines maintain operational fleets despite global shortages.

• Technological innovation, including AI and salvaging parts from retired aircraft, is enabling airlines to better manage maintenance cycles and reduce aircraft downtime

Qatar's ceasefire mediation suffered a major setback after the recent Israeli strike in Doha targeting Hamas leadership, halting what had seemed like promising progress toward a negotiated truce. In the days leading up to the attack, Qatar's Prime Minister was actively urging Hamas leaders to "respond positively" to the latest US-backed ceasefire and hostage release proposals, signaling rare diplomatic alignment and hope for de-escalation in Gaza. However, conflicting stances emerged within Hamas itself, with some officials dismissing the offer as a "humiliating surrender document" designed to elicit rejection rather than peace.

The situation shifted dramatically following the strike, as Qatari officials issued a strong condemnation and called the attack a "cowardly" violation of international law, vowing not to tolerate such behavior from Israel. This escalation has cast doubt on the viability of continued talks in Qatar, a country that has served as the region’s primary mediator since 2023. While mediators contended that a new US proposal for a ceasefire was under review, the immediate aftermath of the strike has left future negotiations in limbo, potentially derailing the rare momentum for a breakthrough.

Summary Pointers

• Ceasefire negotiations disrupted: The Israeli strike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders interrupted ongoing talks and may derail future diplomatic progress.

• Qatar presses for peace: Qatar's Prime Minister was pushing Hamas to accept the US-backed truce proposal, but divergent views exist within the group on its viability.

• Regional tension escalates: Qatar condemned the attack sharply and future negotiations are now uncertain, putting the fragile ceasefire prospects at risk.

Trump’s recent 50% tariff on Indian imports has severely strained US-India relations and caused ripples domestic and abroad, especially across export-heavy sectors. The sweeping duties, targeting products like apparel, jewelry, footwear, and chemicals, threaten thousands of jobs, particularly in India’s manufacturing hubs, and are projected to cut Indian exports to the US by around 40% in the coming year. This move has virtually halted trade talks and undermined years of strategic partnership between the two democracies, raising concerns among exporter associations and policy experts about long-term growth and economic cooperation.

For American consumers and businesses, these tariffs have raised costs on everyday goods and disrupted supply chains, with inflationary knock-on effects expected as production gets costlier and alternatives are sought. While some observers note that India’s push for higher domestic consumption could soften the impact on its economy and small businesses, immediate fallout is evident in threatened livelihoods, stalled investments, and a cooling of diplomatic engagement. With both countries currently at an impasse, the economic and geopolitical costs of Trump’s “America First” approach continue to mount.

Key Summary Points

• Tariffs have hit Indian export sectors hard, risking over 40% reduction in exports to the US and thousands of job losses.

• American consumers face higher prices and supply chain disruptions, with possible inflationary effects.

• Diplomatic relations are strained, with trade talks stalled and expert warnings about the cost to long-term economic cooperation.

Bengaluru-based space technology startup Digantara has entered into a strategic partnership with Japanese lunar exploration firm ispace to develop advanced mapping and tracking systems around the Moon. This collaboration aims to enhance situational awareness in the increasingly congested cislunar space, where growing debris poses significant risks to lunar missions. By combining Digantara's expertise in space domain awareness and ispace's lunar mission capabilities, the partnership addresses critical safety challenges in space, ensuring safer and more sustainable exploration beyond Earth’s orbit.

The joint initiative also focuses on building sustainable lunar infrastructure by laying the foundation for logistics, resource utilization, and long-term ecosystem development on and around the Moon. This effort complements ongoing governmental space missions from India and Japan, highlighting the increasing role of private companies in advancing international space cooperation. The partnership reflects the growing importance of cislunar space mapping both for commercial ambitions and global space safety.

Summary Points:

• Digantara and ispace collaborate to map and monitor space debris and objects in cislunar space to enhance safety for lunar exploration.

• The partnership addresses collision avoidance challenges faced by missions like India's Chandrayaan-2.

• The initiative supports building sustainable lunar infrastructure, complementing government space programs.

• Represents a major India-Japan cross-border collaboration in the commercial space sector focused on future moon ecosystems and logistics.

• Private sector involvement is increasingly critical for safe, long-term lunar exploration and space situational awareness.

YouTube has recently begun actively enforcing its Premium Family plan policy, requiring all members to live under the same household address, a rule long stated but previously loosely applied. Subscribers who share their $23 monthly plan with family or friends living at different locations are now receiving warning emails stating their Premium benefits will be paused within 14 days if the issue is not resolved. After enforcement, affected users lose Premium perks such as ad-free viewing, background play, and offline downloads but retain basic ad-supported access. This crackdown is part of YouTube’s move to curb account sharing and increase subscription revenue, similar to Netflix’s successful password-sharing enforcement since 2023.

This enforcement is still limited but gradually expanding across regions, with periodic electronic location checks occurring every 30 days. While some users report frustration, arguing that family definitions should be broader to include relatives living apart, YouTube is offering support channels for genuine cases to confirm household eligibility. Additionally, YouTube appears to be testing a new two-person Premium plan to accommodate couples or roommates, aiming to provide more flexible and compliant subscription options. Industry experts view this enforcement as a strategic effort to protect revenue while encouraging users toward personal or smaller shared plans, with Netflix’s experience suggesting that such measures can ultimately drive subscriber growth.

Summary Pointers:

• YouTube now enforces Premium Family plan rules requiring members to live in the same household; violations result in paused Premium benefits within 14 days.

• Enforcement uses electronic location checks every 30 days and mirrors Netflix’s successful crackdown on password sharing since 2023.

• YouTube offers a support option for users flagged by mistake and is testing a two-person plan for more flexible sharing.

• The move aims to reduce account sharing abuse, increase revenue, and push users toward compliant subscription options, though some users criticize the strict definition of "family."

TCS has rolled out delayed salary hikes of 4.5–7% for junior to mid-level staff, effective from September 1, 2025, with top performers getting over 10%. It is understood to be the lowest hike in the last four years given the slowing business environment’s impact on the IT industry and TCS financials.

Russia and China have finalized a legally binding memorandum to construct the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, designed to transport 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Russia's Arctic Yamal fields to China via Mongolia for a 30-year period. This agreement marks a significant deepening of their energy partnership, with Russia also committing to increase supplies through existing routes such as the original Power of Siberia pipeline and the upcoming Far Eastern route. The deal aims to provide China with more diversified energy sources while offering Russia vital revenue streams as European markets shrink due to sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict. Despite the milestone, key commercial elements like pricing, financing, and construction timelines remain under negotiation, with Gazprom indicating the gas price for China will be lower than what Europe currently pays.

This pipeline project reflects a broader strategic pivot by Russia toward Asia, especially China, to offset the loss of European gas customers amid Western efforts to end Russian gas imports. The deal also solidifies China's role as a global power capable of securing energy supplies amidst tensions with the US, as symbolized by high-level discussions during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Economically, the agreement caps a surge in bilateral trade, which hit record highs recently, though trade growth shows signs of cooling. The pipeline enhances energy security for China and strengthens Russia’s position in the Asian energy market, demonstrating the countries' intent to deepen cooperation despite unresolved commercial terms.

Summary points:

• Russia-China signed a binding memorandum for the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, delivering 50 bcm/year for 30 years through Mongolia.

• The deal is part of Russia’s strategic shift from Europe to Asia amid sanctions, and China’s effort to secure diversified energy supplies.

• Additional supply increases are planned on existing pipelines, with pricing and construction details still being negotiated.

• The agreement underscores broadened economic ties, with record bilateral trade though some recent cooling, and highlights geopolitical positioning at global summits.

On Wednesday, ChatGPT experienced a significant outage that disrupted access to its services globally, affecting both its web and mobile platforms. Users encountered error messages, blank screens, and loss of chat history, severely impacting functionalities like advanced data analysis, DALL-E image generation, and voice mode. The disruption generated widespread frustration on social media, highlighting how integral AI tools like ChatGPT have become for everyday productivity and creative tasks.

OpenAI quickly acknowledged the problem through its status page and worked to identify and resolve the root cause of the outage. This incident follows several previous outages earlier in 2025, underscoring the pressure on the platform due to its rapidly growing user base, which has surpassed 500 million weekly active users. During the downtime, users turned to alternative AI services such as Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Jasper Chat, reflecting the competitive nature of the AI market where reliability is key to user trust.

Summary Points:

• ChatGPT outage affected global users on web and mobile, disrupting many core functionalities.

• OpenAI acknowledged the issue and aimed to resolve it after identifying the root cause.

• Users relied on alternative AI platforms during the disruption, emphasizing competitive AI landscape and dependence on such tools.

Russia continues to firmly defend its territorial claims over Crimea and the four regions of eastern Ukraine it occupies, asserting that these reflect the will of the local populations and rectify historical grievances. Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, stress that any lasting peace settlement must recognize the "new territorial realities" embodied by Russia's annexations, which they argue must be codified in international law. Moscow insists that Ukraine should commit to neutrality and abandon its ambitions to join NATO, viewing these demands as essential to regional security and a foundation for future diplomatic negotiations.

Despite ongoing talks, Russia’s position remains steadfast, with President Putin and his representatives rejecting calls for a full Ukrainian sovereignty restoration. Russian leadership blames Western policies, including NATO's expansion, for provoking the conflict and challenges narratives framing Russia as the aggressor. This stance contrasts sharply with Ukraine and its Western allies, who demand a complete withdrawal of Russian forces and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The diplomatic environment remains tense and uncertain, with Russian demands serving as a major obstacle to resolving the conflict peacefully.

Summary Points:

• Russia demands recognition of territorial changes after annexations in Crimea and eastern Ukraine as a condition for peace.

• Russian officials call for Ukraine’s neutrality and the end of NATO expansion as part of security guarantees.

• Moscow blames Western actions for the conflict and refuses to compromise on its territorial claims.

• The hardline Russian stance complicates diplomatic efforts and prolongs the conflict's resolution uncertainty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to skip the virtual BRICS trade summit convened by Brazil in September 2025 highlights India’s careful diplomatic balancing amid escalating trade tensions with the United States. Modi was represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who used the platform to emphasize the need for fair and transparent trade practices and caution against linking trade policies with non-trade issues. The summit, which included Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, focused heavily on coordinated responses to U.S. tariffs that have hit several BRICS nations with duties as high as 50%, impacting global trade flows significantly.

This diplomatic posture came shortly after Modi's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit alongside Xi and Putin, signaling India’s alignment within the broader Global South cooperation framework despite strained U.S.-India relations. While President Trump softened his rhetoric toward India after weeks of trade friction, Modi's absence from the BRICS meeting underlines the complexities of maintaining strategic partnerships with both the U.S. and influential BRICS members. The summit reinforced BRICS’ commitment to multilateralism and economic cooperation while carefully avoiding direct confrontation with the United States.

Summary Points

• Modi skipped the September 2025 virtual BRICS trade summit; represented by EAM Jaishankar.

• Summit addressed U.S. tariffs impacting BRICS nations, with Xi and Putin participating.

• Jaishankar highlighted fair trade and warned against linking tariffs to political issues.

Syria exported 600,000 barrels of heavy crude oil on Monday from the port of Tartus, marking the country’s first known official oil export in 14 years, a Syrian energy official told Reuters.

Zerodha, India’s largest retail brokerage, recently faced another technical outage disrupting real-time price feeds and portfolio updates during peak trading hours. Though order placements remained functional, traders expressed significant frustration over the recurring technical issues affecting their ability to monitor and square off positions promptly. This incident adds to a series of glitches Zerodha has experienced over the past few years, raising concerns about the platform’s reliability, especially given its large client base of over 16 million retail investors and substantial share of the daily trading volume in India.

This outage occurred amid increasing regulatory scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which has tightened technology compliance and audit requirements for brokerages to ensure system reliability and investor protection. SEBI’s regulatory framework now includes more comprehensive audit supervision, including geo-location tracking to verify auditor visits. Zerodha’s management has voiced challenges about the growing regulatory pressures, warning that such mandates could impact innovation and profitability. Nevertheless, this incident highlights the critical need for robust and uninterrupted technological infrastructure in India’s discount broking sector as millions of investors rely on these platforms in volatile market conditions.

Summary:

• Zerodha’s recent outage disrupted real-time data during peak trading, frustrating millions of users but order placement stayed intact.

• Recurring glitches raise questions about Zerodha’s system reliability, significant given its vast market share and client base.

• Heightened SEBI regulations on brokerage technology systems aim to improve compliance and investor safeguards.

• Zerodha acknowledges regulatory challenges but emphasizes the necessity for reliable infrastructure in retail broking services.

The Israeli military offensive, known as "Operation Gideon's Chariots II," has escalated with Israeli forces seizing control of 40% of Gaza City, advancing through key neighborhoods like Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan. The operation aims to end Hamas's rule and secure the release of Israeli hostages. However, the offensive has intensified the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 64,000 Palestinians reported dead since October 2023 and tens of thousands displaced, many unwilling or unable to evacuate despite Israeli orders. Health facilities struggle to cope, with only half of nutrition centers operational and hospitals overwhelmed.

Amid the military campaign, political tensions have surfaced within Israel, with senior military officials warning that the operation may push Israel into full military governance over Gaza. Reservist mobilization faces challenges, including a significant number refusing to participate. In response, Hamas and allied groups launched a counter-operation dubbed "Operation Moses' Staff," targeting Israeli positions in Gaza, while ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked, with Hamas proposing a phased truce and hostage release, and Israel rejecting anything short of immediate release of all hostages.

Summary Points:

• Israeli forces control 40% of Gaza City, expanding their offensive to end Hamas's rule and reclaim hostages.

• Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis with tens of thousands displaced and thousands of deaths, overwhelming healthcare systems.

• Political and military tension in Israel as concerns rise over potential military governance of Gaza and reservist dissent.

• Hamas counters with "Operation Moses' Staff," escalating violence amid stalled ceasefire talks.

Web publishing is not dead, according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who recently shared that the web is actually expanding, with a 45% increase in web content over the last two years—growth driven mainly by human creators, not bots or AI tools. Pichai emphasized that Google remains deeply committed to driving traffic to publishers’ websites and supporting the open web, especially compared to other tech giants prioritizing closed platforms and keeping users within their own apps.

Publishers and businesses should focus on creating high-quality, original content and diversify their formats and channels—embracing YouTube, podcasts, and social media alongside websites—to remain visible in an AI-driven search landscape. Google’s evolving features, like AI Overviews, still require linking to sources and reward depth, context, and value, making strategic adaptation and consistent quality more important than ever.

Summary Pointers

• Web content is growing rapidly: 45% more pages published in the last two years.

• Google sends more quality traffic: Google strongly prioritizes driving referrals to a wide range of publisher sites.

• Success requires adaptation: Focus on quality, context, and multi-platform presence to thrive in the changing digital ecosystem.

India has forcefully rejected US trade adviser Peter Navarro's recent remarks, which accused the country's Brahmin community of profiteering from Russian crude oil imports and indirectly fueling the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described Navarro’s comments as “inaccurate and misleading,” emphasizing that such rhetoric undermines the robust partnership between India and the United States. Despite heightened trade tensions—including the imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian exports—Indian officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining productive diplomatic relations, indicating that official channels remain open for constructive engagement.

The fallout from Navarro’s statements has added strain to US-India relations at a time when both nations face economic and geopolitical challenges. Navarro's claims about India’s energy policy and trade practices have generated widespread criticism, both in India and within the Indian diaspora, for being inflammatory and divisive. Still, experts and government officials stress the resilience and strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, highlighting ongoing negotiations and India’s efforts to cushion the effects of tariff hikes on its export sector.

Summary Pointers

• India firmly rejected Navarro’s caste-related and trade comments as “inaccurate and misleading.”

• US-India ties remain strong despite ongoing tariff disputes and public controversies.

• Indian officials and analysts urge focus on diplomacy and strategic partnership to overcome current tensions.

Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea near Jeddah have caused significant internet disruptions across Asia and the Middle East, impacting millions of users. These cuts affected major cable systems such as SMW4 and IMEWE, which are crucial for connecting continents via the Red Sea—a critical telecommunications route through which nearly 17% of the world’s internet data flows. The incident has led to slower connectivity and increased latency, especially affecting cloud and network services, with companies like Microsoft rerouting traffic through alternative routes to maintain service stability.

Repairing the damaged undersea cables poses considerable challenges. Specialized cable ships must be deployed to precisely locate and mend the cables resting deep on the ocean floor, a process that typically takes several weeks. The geopolitical sensitivity of the Red Sea region, compounded by ongoing Houthi rebel attacks in nearby waters, adds complexity and risk to repair efforts, highlighting the fragility of global internet infrastructure reliant on specific chokepoints for data traffic.

The Red Sea cable cuts underscore the vulnerability of the world’s digital backbone to both accidental incidents and geopolitical tensions. They reveal the urgent need for diversified and redundant infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted global connectivity, especially in strategically vital regions like the Middle East, where internet reliability is essential for business, government, and daily life.

Summary Pointers:

• Undersea cable cuts near Jeddah disrupted internet connectivity widely across Asia and the Middle East due to damage to key cables SMW4 and IMEWE.

• Repairing these cables is complex, requiring specialized ships and can take weeks amid geopolitical tensions and Houthi activities in the Red Sea.

• The incident highlights dependency on fragile internet chokepoints and the necessity for diversified, resilient global digital infrastructure.

India and Israel have recently formalized a Bilateral Investment Treaty to deepen economic and strategic relations, marking a significant step amid growing global tensions and US tariff pressures on both countries. Israeli support for India's stance against US pressure, especially regarding Russian oil imports, signals a strengthening partnership based on mutual economic and security interests. These developments coincide with continued dialogue involving the US, with both India and Israel aiming to negotiate more favorable trade terms and reduce tariff impacts.

The newly signed investment pact is expected to boost reciprocal investments, providing stronger protection for investors from both nations and fueling bilateral trade, which currently stands at around $4 billion annually. Israel's diplomatic support comes at a time when India seeks to diversify its export markets and safeguard its sovereign energy decisions despite external pressures. Leaders from both nations have highlighted shared values, close strategic ties, and optimism for future cooperation in technology, defense, and market reforms.

Summary Pointers

• India and Israel sealed a Bilateral Investment Treaty to strengthen economic and strategic ties.

• Israel openly supports India’s right to purchase Russian oil and opposes excessive US tariffs.

• The treaty aims to boost investor protection and trade, and signals deeper cooperation amidst growing geopolitical tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, transferring ₹105 crore to support women linked to Jeevika self-help groups. The cooperative offers affordable loans digitally, reducing reliance on high-interest MFIs and promoting rural women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

India will streamline its GST tax structure to only 5% and 18% slabs from September 22, 2025, replacing the previous four-level system and introducing a separate 40% sin tax for luxury and harmful products. This ambitious reform aims to simplify compliance, reduce confusion for small traders, and increase ease of living for citizens. Essential goods like food, medicines, basic toiletries, educational supplies, and agricultural implements are set to be cheaper or exempt, while individual life and health insurance policies and numerous life-saving drugs move out of the GST net entirely.

The move should free up more disposable income for the general public and boost economic activity, with the government projecting a ₹48,000 crore revenue impact. Items such as TVs, ACs, and small bikes will see a reduced 18% tax, while luxury cars, tobacco, and sugary drinks fall under the higher 40% rate. This overhaul comes after the government found that the discontinued 12% slab yielded minimal revenue and the 28% category discouraged healthy economic activity.

Summary Points

• GST slabs cut to two (5% and 18%), plus a separate 40% tax for luxury and sin goods

• Daily essentials, educational supplies, and farm implements face reduced tax or exemption

• Life and health insurance policies, many life-saving drugs now fully GST-free

• TVs, ACs, small vehicles moved to lower 18% slab

• Luxury items, tobacco, large cars/bikes to pay 40% GST

• Expected to boost ease of living, support small traders, and leave more money in citizens' hands

• Government estimates a ₹48,000 crore revenue impact from the reforms