UPI Fee Shock: Festive Shopping Faces Price Hikes as Retailers Cut Discounts

Retailers and apparel makers are warning that prices could rise or festive discounts could shrink after the government introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above ₹2,000, effective October 15. Although retailers are prohibited from directly passing the MDR on to consumers as a surcharge, industry executives say higher prices or reduced…

“Everything happening in Europe is a result of systemic mistakes by the West”: Putin on rise of ‘Alternative for Germany’

Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Western systemic mistakes for current European challenges. The far-right Alternative for Germany party surged to first place in Saxony-Anhalt elections. This historic win marks the first time a far-right party topped a state election since World War II. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged that some past decisions fueled support for…

Xi Modi meeting may reset India-China ties, business still cautious

Xi Jinping’s expected visit to Delhi for the BRICS summit could advance the India-China diplomatic thaw, though business ties lag behind. Despite eased investment rules, stalled Chinese ventures, visa delays, equipment holdups at customs, and mutual scrutiny persist. Analysts say a Modi-Xi meeting could ease friction, but deep trust deficits remain. Source:Deccan Chronicle Read More…