Policy Reset as Washington Opens Door for Syria’s Reconstruction

The United States Congress has taken a landmark decision by voting to permanently lift sanctions on Syria, imposed during the presidency of Bashar al-Assad. The move marks a significant shift in US foreign policy and signals improving ties with the new Syrian leadership under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, more than a decade after the country descended into civil war.

Desert Cyclone II Enhances Urban Warfare Cooperation in Abu Dhabi

India and the United Arab Emirates have launched the second edition of their joint military exercise, Desert Cyclone II, reinforcing the steadily expanding defence and strategic partnership between the two countries. The exercise is being held in Abu Dhabi from December 18 to 30, with a focus on improving joint operational capabilities in complex urban warfare scenarios.

Ambani Family Only Indian Name in World’s Top 25 Richest Families

Bloomberg’s 2025 ranking of the world’s 25 richest families offers a snapshot of how global wealth continues to be concentrated within powerful, multi-generational dynasties. Built largely on retail, energy, luxury goods and media empires, these families collectively represent some of the most influential economic forces worldwide. Notably, the Ambani family is the only Indian entrant on the prestigious list, reflecting both India’s growing economic stature and the rarity of globally dominant family conglomerates from the country.

Government Extends SBI MD’s Tenure Till December 2027

The Central Government has re-appointed Ashwini Kumar Tewari as Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India (SBI), ensuring leadership continuity at India’s largest public sector lender. The decision comes at a time when SBI is focusing on balance sheet consolidation, digital transformation and sustained credit growth in a changing economic environment.

RuPay-Based FLEX Card Enables Credit-Powered UPI Payments

Google Pay has introduced a co-branded digital credit card called FLEX, in partnership with Axis Bank, marking an important milestone in the integration of credit cards with UPI-based payments in India. Built on the RuPay network, the FLEX card allows users to make UPI QR-code payments directly using a credit line, expanding the use of digital credit for everyday transactions.