INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Peru Imposes 30-Day State of Emergency in Lima Amid Rising Crime and Unrest

Peru’s President José Jeri has declared a 30-day state of emergency in Lima and the adjacent province of Callao in response to rising crime and public unrest.

The declaration allows the Peruvian Armed Forces to assist police in maintaining law and order, following violent protests that left one dead and over 100 injured.

The emergency was triggered by mounting tensions and violent demonstrations over government inaction on crime and insecurity, as protesters demanded safety and economic stability.

The measure, approved by the Council of Ministers, authorizes military deployment in urban areas to support police operations and strengthen internal security.

Under the state of emergency, the government can suspend civil liberties, including freedom of movement and assembly, and exercise expanded search and seizure powers without court approval.

Troops are expected to patrol crime-prone districts in Lima and Callao, assist with security checkpoints, and support rapid-response operations.

Lima has witnessed a surge in violent crimes, including armed robberies, gang activity, and homicides, while Callao has seen a rise in drug-related violence and extortion

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Atlas

OpenAI has launched “ChatGPT Atlas,” a full-featured AI-powered web browser for macOS, integrating ChatGPT’s intelligence directly into the browsing experience for contextual assistance, memory-based continuity, and task automation.

ChatGPT Atlas marks OpenAI’s most direct move into the web browser market, offering a smart alternative to Google Chrome and Safari.

Atlas is a native macOS browser that combines a standard web interface with the conversational and task-executing powers of ChatGPT, enabling users to interact with AI in real time within the browser window.

OpenAI describes Atlas as a step toward a “super-assistant” that merges browsing and productivity into a single AI-enhanced experience.

Atlas provides contextual assistance by analyzing webpage content, allowing it to summarize articles, explain concepts, and suggest next steps within the browser.

A ChatGPT sidebar offers instant explanations and inline editing tools.

The standout feature of Atlas is its Agent Mode, where ChatGPT can act on user commands such as adding items to a shopping cart, scheduling meetings, and filling out forms.

Agent Mode enables ChatGPT to open tabs, click through pages, and navigate workflows with user approval and is available in preview for Plus, Pro, and Business users.

Atlas includes ChatGPT’s integrated memory system, allowing it to recall past sessions and ongoing tasks for seamless task continuity.

 

BANKING

Curie Money and ICICI Prudential AMC Launch Innovative Platform

Curie Money, in partnership with ICICI Prudential AMC, has launched a first-of-its-kind solution that combines liquid funds, instant redemption, and UPI in one platform.

The partnership allows retail investors to grow their money steadily while maintaining instant access without any lock-ins or penalties.

Investors can instantly redeem up to 90% of their invested amount, with a daily cap of ₹50,000.

Curie Money has integrated ICICI Prudential AMC’s Liquid Fund with instant redemption and UPI functionality, providing a seamless user experience.

Investors can earn returns from ICICI Prudential’s Liquid Fund and instantly use redeemed funds for UPI payments.

Ageas Federal Life Insurance and CSB Bank Launch SME Bancassurance Partnership

Ageas Federal Life Insurance has partnered with CSB Bank to launch an SME Bancassurance partnership aimed at expanding life insurance coverage among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs across India.

The partnership will enable CSB Bank customers to access comprehensive financial solutions that integrate credit, savings, and life insurance for better financial protection.

Through this collaboration, SME customers can avail customized life insurance solutions that ensure business continuity, wealth protection, and family financial security.

CSB Bank, with 834 branches and 800 ATMs nationwide, is evolving into a new-age private sector bank offering seamless borrowing, saving, and investment services.

The integration of Ageas Federal’s protection products with CSB Bank’s loan and SME credit offerings aims to promote a protection-led financial ecosystem for customers.

Reserve Bank of India Lifts ₹10,000 Crore Lending Cap on Single Corporate Borrowers

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has removed the ₹10,000 crore ceiling on bank loans to a single corporate entity, allowing banks greater lending flexibility.

The earlier Guidelines on Enhancing Credit Supply for Large Borrowers (2016) were introduced to limit concentration risk and encourage corporates to diversify their funding sources.

RBI stated that bank funding profiles have evolved since 2016, leading to the withdrawal of these guidelines, with a draft circular for public feedback to be issued soon.

The Large Exposures Framework (LEF) will now manage concentration risk at the individual bank level, while systemic risk will be monitored using macroprudential tools.

Earlier, if banks exceeded the ₹10,000 crore cap, they were required to make higher provisions and apply increased risk weights, which affected capital allocation and lending capacity.

Standard Chartered and Bank of India Extend $215 Million Loan to AIFS

Standard Chartered and Bank of India (BoI) have provided a $215 million term loan facility to AI Fleet Services IFSC Ltd (AIFS) for financing six Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft to be leased to Air India.

AIFS, Air India’s leasing subsidiary based in GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), executed the first commercial aircraft finance transaction with a GIFT City borrower, showcasing GIFT City’s potential as an aviation finance hub.

Standard Chartered acted as the lead structuring bank, while Standard Chartered and Bank of India jointly served as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners for the transaction.

The deal boosts India’s aviation finance sector and positions GIFT City as an emerging global center for aircraft leasing and financing.

Universal Sompo Partnered with Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank

Universal Sompo General Insurance Company has partnered with Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank (APGB) to provide a wide range of general insurance products across all 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh.

APGB operates through 1,351 branches, serving the rural and semi-urban population across the state.

Through this partnership, Universal Sompo aims to leverage the ‘State Insurance Plan’ to expand access to affordable insurance solutions in Andhra Pradesh.

FatakSecure Gets IRDAI Nod for Composite Corporate Agent License

FatakSecure, a subsidiary of FatakPay, has received approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for a composite Corporate Agent License.

This regulatory milestone allows FatakPay to formally operate and expand its insurance vertical through FatakSecure.

FatakSecure is now authorised to offer motor, health, accident, life, corporate, and consumable insurance to millions of customers, including gig workers and blue-collar staff.

To obtain a composite corporate agent license, a company must have a minimum share capital of ₹50 lakh and maintain a net worth of at least ₹50 lakh at all times.

 

DEFENCE

Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 2025

INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, has arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, to participate in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX) 2025, held from October 16–17, 2025.

The exercise marks a significant milestone in the expanding India-Japan defence partnership, reflecting deepening cooperation and strategic alignment between the two Indo-Pacific democracies.

INS Sahyadri, commanded by Captain Rajat Kumar, was received by R Madhu Sudan, India’s Charge d’Affaires in Tokyo, and Rear Admiral Yamaguchi Nobohisa, Chief of Staff, JMSDF Yokosuka District.

The exercise involved INS Sahyadri, along with Japanese assets JS Asahi (destroyer), JS Oumi (supply ship), and a submarine, supported by the 2nd Artillery Brigade (JGSDF) and Western Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (JASDF).

The joint operations were conducted west of Kyushu and focused on multi-domain coordination and tactical interoperability between the two navies.

JAIMEX 25 strengthens the Indo-Pacific partnership, promoting a Free, Open, and Inclusive Indo-Pacific (FOIP) amid growing maritime challenges and geopolitical tensions.

The exercise is part of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan, established in 2014, emphasizing defence cooperation, military dialogues, and technology exchanges.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Masako Nozawa Becomes First Voice Actor Honored as Japan’s Person of Cultural Merit

Masako Nozawa, legendary voice behind Son Goku from the Dragon Ball franchise, has been selected as one of the 2025 Persons of Cultural Merit in Japan, becoming the first voice actor to receive this prestigious cultural award.

The award ceremony will be held on 3rd November 2025 at The Okura Tokyo hotel, honoring Nozawa alongside other cultural figures like manga creator Keiko Takemiya, actor Min Tanaka, and playwright Hideki Noda.

Persons of Cultural Merit Award, established in 1951, is one of Japan’s highest cultural recognitions.

Recipients receive a lifetime government-sponsored pension of 3.5 million yen annually (approx. $23,300) for significant contributions to culture and arts. Past recipients include filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.

Masako Nozawa, born in 1936, began acting at a young age and transitioned to voice acting in the early 1960s. She is famous for voicing Goku, Gohan, and Goten in all Dragon Ball series since 1986.

 

SPORTS

FIFA World Cup Title

Morocco defeated Argentina 2-0 in the Under-20 FIFA World Cup final held in Chile, winning the nation’s first World Cup title at any level.

Morocco became the first African team since Ghana in 2009 to win the U- 20 World Cup, highlighting their emergence as a global football force and strength in youth development.

Yassir Zabiri, playing for FC Famalicão in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, scored both goals in the first half, securing a decisive victory over Argentina.

Argentina, entering the final undefeated, missed key U-20 players—Claudio Echeverri (Bayer Leverkusen) and Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid)—which affected their performance.

Morocco’s tournament journey included victories over South Korea (Round of 16), United States (Quarterfinals), France (Semifinals), and Argentina (Final), showcasing technical skill, defensive strength, and attacking flair.