The government rejected opposition criticism of Union Budget 2026 and asked for a debate based on “facts and figures”. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said allegations over market losses and scheme renaming lack substance. She said rural development spending has increased and allocations support welfare goals. Market weakness on Budget day was linked by officials to the higher securities transaction tax on futures and options trades. The renaming of the rural jobs scheme to Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Abhiyan triggered political protests. Opposition leaders called it ideological. The government said the focus remains on delivery and funding, not labels or narratives. (PC: X)

Carlos Alcaraz won the Australian Open 2026 tennis title and completed his Career Grand Slam with a four-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the final. Alcaraz beat the 10-time champion 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. He is now the youngest men’s player in tennis to win all four Grand Slam singles titles. Djokovic was chasing a record-extending 25th major crown but could not hold his early lead. Alcaraz raised his level after the first set and took control of long rallies. He secured a late break in the fourth set and served out the match. (PC: India Today)

India has not set aside funds for the Chabahar port project in Union Budget 2026, amid rising US-Iran tensions and uncertainty over sanctions waivers. In earlier years, the government allocated about Rs 100 crore annually for the project. Chabahar port in Iran is a key connectivity route for India to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan. It is also seen as a strategic counter to China-backed Gwadar port in Pakistan. The US had granted India a temporary sanctions waiver for Chabahar that is valid till April 26, 2026. Officials say India is still in talks with the US on the project framework. (PC: X)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any US attack would lead to a “regional war” as Washington increases its military presence near Iran. State-linked media quoted him saying Iran would not be intimidated by US naval deployments. The warning comes as Iran prepares live-fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. US Central Command said its forces are operating in nearby waters and cautioned Iran against unsafe actions. US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were under way and could produce an acceptable outcome. Iranian officials also confirmed progress on a negotiation framework.

Indian stock markets closed sharply lower on Budget day after investors reacted to tax and investment signals. The Sensex fell 1,546.84 points to 80,722.94 and the Nifty50 dropped 495.20 points to 24,825.45. Losses widened after the Finance Minister’s speech. Market experts pointed to three clear reasons. First, the Budget proposed a higher securities transaction tax on futures and options trades. Second, there were no major new incentives for foreign portfolio investors. Third, foreign investors have continued to pull money out of Indian equities in recent months. PSU bank and metal stocks saw the heaviest selling during the session. (PC: India Today)

Non-resident Indians can now invest directly in Indian shares through the Portfolio Investment Scheme, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Union Budget 2026 speech. The scheme lets overseas investors buy and sell stocks using a special RBI-approved bank account. It also defines limits and compliance rules for each transaction. The individual investment cap for persons resident outside India has been raised from 5% to 10%, while the overall company limit goes up from 10% to 24%. Investments made under this route can be repatriated. The government will also review FEMA rules for non-debt instruments to simplify overseas investment flows. (PC: NDTV)

Non-resident Indians can now invest directly in Indian shares through the Portfolio Investment Scheme, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Union Budget 2026 speech. The scheme lets overseas investors buy and sell stocks using a special RBI-approved bank account. It also defines limits and compliance rules for each transaction. The individual investment cap for persons resident outside India has been raised from 5% to 10%, while the overall company limit goes up from 10% to 24%. Investments made under this route can be repatriated. The government will also review FEMA rules for non-debt instruments to simplify overseas investment flows. (PC: HT)

Records released by the US Justice Department from Jeffrey Epstein’s seized devices show message exchanges with businessman Anil Ambani between 2017 and 2019, according to a report by The Wire. The messages refer to requests for help on US political access and discussions linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priorities. A May 2019 New York meeting is described in Epstein’s texts as involving a Modi “representative”. The report says Ambani attended a meeting at Epstein’s residence that day. It adds that the claim about a Modi representative is not independently confirmed. India’s external affairs ministry has earlier dismissed similar Epstein-linked references as unreliable. (PC: X)

The government has raised the defence budget to Rs 7.85 lakh crore for FY26, up from Rs 6.81 lakh crore last year, marking an increase of about 15 per cent. The Budget speech did not include any defence policy announcements, but allocations show higher spending on military readiness and upgrades. Defence capital expenditure rose 28 per cent to Rs 2.31 lakh crore for new equipment and systems. The move supports ongoing modernisation and domestic manufacturing goals. The increase comes after recent security tensions in the region. Customs duty was also exempted on key imported raw materials used for defence maintenance, repair, and overhaul work. (PC: India Today)

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India after research confirmed they were taken illegally from temples in Tamil Nadu in the 1950s. The idols include Shiva Nataraja, Somaskanda, and Saint Sundarar with Paravai from the Chola and Vijayanagar periods. Museum researchers traced old temple photographs from 1956 to 1959 with support from the French Institute of Pondicherry. The Archaeological Survey of India verified that the removals violated Indian law. One sculpture will later be displayed on long-term loan to explain its history and return. The museum said the decision follows a detailed provenance review. (PC: The Indian Express)