Digest for 24 September, 2025
Trump Accuses India and China of Funding Ukraine War at UN General Assembly
US President Donald Trump, addressing the UN General Assembly, accused India and China of being "primary funders" of the Ukraine war through their continued purchases of Russian oil. The statement comes amid strained US-India trade relations, with Washington recently imposing punitive tariffs on New Delhi over the issue. Trump also urged European nations to cease all Russian energy imports and stated that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace, escalating geopolitical tensions.
Rupee Hits Record Low Against Dollar; Gold Surges Past ₹1.18 Lakh
The Indian rupee fell 47 paise to an all-time low of 88.75 against the US dollar, driven by foreign fund outflows following a steep hike in US H-1B visa fees expected to impact India's IT exports. This currency depreciation, combined with strong global demand for safe-haven assets, caused gold prices to surge by ₹2,700 to a new peak of ₹1,18,900 per 10 grams in the national capital. Silver prices also skyrocketed to an all-time high.
Supreme Court Allows CBI to Widen Probe into Builder-Bank-Homebuyer Fraud
The Supreme Court has permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register six more cases in its expanding probe into an alleged nexus between real estate developers and banks that duped thousands of homebuyers. The investigation, which initially focused on the Delhi-NCR region, will now include projects in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mohali, and Prayagraj. The court's decision follows a CBI preliminary enquiry that revealed cognisable offences, signalling a major crackdown on systemic real estate fraud nationwide.
Typhoon Ragasa Batters East Asia, Killing At Least 17
Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms in years, has wreaked havoc across East Asia, killing at least 17 people in Taiwan and the Philippines. The typhoon is now battering Hong Kong and southern China with sustained winds of 195 kph. Authorities in China's Guangdong province have relocated over a million people, while Hong Kong and Macau have shut down schools, flights, and businesses as the storm skirts the financial hub, causing widespread disruption and damage.
Ayodhya Development Authority Rejects Plan for Mosque Construction
The Ayodhya Development Authority has rejected the construction plan for a mosque in Dhannipur village, which was to be built as part of the 2019 Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case. According to a Right to Information (RTI) query, the application was rejected because the mosque trust failed to obtain mandatory no-objection certificates from several government departments, including fire services and public works. The trust secretary stated they had not received any official communication about the rejection.