January 2, 2026

US Slashes Tariffs on Italian Pasta After Companies Address Concerns

The US has cut proposed tariffs on Italian pasta from nearly 92% to as low as 2.26%. This move prevents big price hikes for US buyers and comes after Italian firms cooperated with US officials.

January 2, 2026

KSEB Adds Thermal Fuel Surcharge on January Electricity Bills to Cover Extra Power Costs

Kerala State Electricity Board will charge a thermal fuel surcharge of 7 paise per unit for bimonthly consumers and 8 paise for monthly consumers in January. The fee recovers ₹18.45 crore spent on higher fuel costs for power in November 2025, as per KSEB and State Electricity Regulatory Commission rules.

January 2, 2026

UAE Banks End SMS OTPs from 2026, Switch to In-App Biometric Payment Approvals

From January 6, 2026, UAE banks will stop sending SMS OTPs for online card payments. Instead, users must approve transactions through bank apps using biometrics for stronger security.

January 2, 2026

MHA Restores ₹100 Crore Project Approval Powers to Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor

On January 1, 2026, MHA restored financial powers to Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor to approve projects up to ₹100 crore. This follows a recent withdrawal. Powers now require consultation with finance officials and quarterly reporting.

January 2, 2026

Supreme Judiciary Council Launches Online Auction for Vehicles, Real Estate, and License Plates in January 2026

The Supreme Judiciary Council will hold a transparent online auction in January 2026 on the Court Mzadat app. Items include vehicles, heavy machinery, real estate, and special license plates. Bidding is open to individuals and businesses with a clear schedule over several days.