UPI charges from October 15 2026 will mainly affect eligible merchant payments above Rs 2,000. Person-to-person UPI transfers remain free, while fuel, rail, insurance and utility payments get special MDR rates.   UPI charges from October 15 2026 will introduce a revised fee structure for certain merchant payments, while most everyday users will continue to make personal UPI transfers without charges. Under the n

Diesel prices in the United States have climbed to record territory, with GasBuddy reporting the national average above $6 a gallon and AAA listing diesel at $5.9773 on September 10. That is sharply higher than AAA’s year-ago average of $3.7060 and raises fresh concerns about transport costs, inflation and pressure on businesses that depend on heavy-duty fuel. Oil shock The latest oil shock h

The San Diego fatal plane crash at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport killed two people Monday evening, September 7, after a small aircraft crashed on the runway and erupted in flames. Fire crews contained the runway blaze and fuel leak as an airport closure remained in effect and authorities began a crash probe. Fuel leak According to the San Diego Police Department, the plane crashed at Montg

Labor Day gas prices are forecast to average a record $4.03 per gallon nationwide in 2026. GasBuddy says geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect fuel markets, while Columbus and central Ohio prices remain well above year-ago levels. Labor Day gas prices are forecast to reach their highest level on record for the holiday, with GasBuddy projecting a national average of about $4.03 per gallon during the 2026 Labor Day weekend. GasBuddy said on Tuesday, S

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on August 28, 2026, that a Russia mobile ICBM test from Plesetsk sent training warheads to the Kura range in Kamchatka. The drill also tested Plesetsk launch procedures, mobile TEL readiness, solid fuel ICBM performance and missile flight characteristics.   Plesetsk launch The Russian Defence Ministry said the Strategic Missile Forces carried out a combat-training launch from the Pl

The Gadkari E20 deepfake court order has renewed attention on online defamation, manipulated media and platform accountability. The Bombay High Court directed the removal of disputed posts and sought details of accounts that allegedly circulated misleading content. Post Removal The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted interim relief to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari

India’s first hydrogen train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Jind railway station in Haryana. The fuel-cell train will operate on the Jind-Sonipat route, generating electricity on board while emitting water vapour and heat at the point of use. Hydrogen Train Launch Marks Indian Railways Milestone Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, July 17, 2026, flagged off India’s first h

The disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has created sharply different outcomes across the global oil market. Saudi Arabia and Oman have benefited from higher prices and alternative export access, while Iraq, Kuwait and other Gulf producers remain constrained by geography. Refiners and non-Gulf exporters have also gained from changing crude and fuel prices. Saudi Route Creates an Export Advantage Saudi Arabia

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is pushing the state to prepare for a possible future expansion of India’s ethanol economy, calling on officials to encourage investment in ethanol production and related fuel projects. His focus comes as India continues to debate the next phase of its biofuel transition after the nationwide expansion of E20 petrol. Naidu has previously urged the Centre to consider increasing ethanol blending

Wayanad landslide video shows tanker swept away, narrow escape Terrifying CCTV footage from Kerala’s Wayanad district has captured the dramatic moment a powerful landslide sent tonnes of mud, rocks and debris rushing downhill near the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project. The footage shows people running for their lives as a thick wave of slush crashes through the area near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi. W

Columbus gas prices dropped sharply last week, giving central Ohio drivers some relief after one of the most expensive Fourth of July holiday weekends on record. According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, the average price of gasoline fell 19.1 cents per gallon last week to $3.61 per gallon. The reported Sunday average was 51 cents lower than one month earlier, but still 73 cents higher than the same time one year ago. Columbus

Delhi govt ends work from home, restores normal office timings The Delhi government has withdrawn its work-from-home arrangement and staggered office timings for employees, citing an improvement in the geopolitical situation in West Asia. The decision brings an end to temporary fuel-saving measures introduced earlier this year amid concerns over global energy supplies and rising uncertainty linked to the conflict involving the United States and Iran. Chief

Illinois drivers will not face the scheduled 1.3-cent motor fuel tax increase in 2026. The Illinois gas tax will remain at 48.3 cents per gallon through Thursday, December 31, 2026, before rising to 49.6 cents on Friday, January 1, 2027. Illinois Gas Tax Increase Delayed for Six Months The scheduled increase was suspended beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The temporary pause does not reduce the existing gasoline tax. It postpones only the inflation-link

The Russia–Ukraine conflict continues to evolve into a high-intensity war of attrition, with rising casualties reported among newly deployed troops and increasing strain on military systems. The nature of combat has shifted significantly, with rapid deployments and constant surveillance reducing operational margins for survival on key frontlines. Rapid deployment and shrink

India’s early petrol retail system began in the early 1920s during the British colonial period when automobiles were still a rare luxury. The petrol retail system in colonial India first appeared in major cities like Bombay (Mumbai) and Calcutta (Kolkata). At that time, there were no modern fuel stations, and petrol was supplied through depots, barrels, and basic manual systems. This early structure marked the foundation of the petrol retail system in colonial India and served only a limited group of users. Dependence on imported fuel sources During this period, India had very limited oil production. Most petrol was imported through the British imperial trade network. The imported oil came mainly from Burma, Persia, and other oil-producing regions under British control. This imported oil system made India heavily dependent on external sources for fuel supply. The oil import system played a key role in shaping how early petrol retail operations functioned across cities. Role of burmah shell in fuel distribution One of the major companies involved was Burmah Shell, which managed fuel storage and distribution across urban centers. Burmah Shell India operated depots and controlled the supply chain in key regions. These early fuel depots were not modern petrol pumps but organized colonial-era storage and distribution points. The company played a central role in shaping early fuel retail operations and expanding access in cities. Manual petrol pumps and basic technology Early petrol stations used manual petrol pump systems instead of modern electric dispensers. Fuel was moved using hand-operated pumps or gravity-fed systems from barrels into containers or vehicles. Workers had to physically operate the system, making the process slow and labor-intensive. This manual petrol pump system represented the early stage of fuel retail evolution in India. Limited access and elite vehicle ownership Vehicle ownership during the colonial period was extremely limited. Cars were mainly owned by British officials, princely rulers, and wealthy Indian elites. Because of this, petrol usage was also restricted to a small section of society. While there were no legal restrictions on petrol access, high costs and limited infrastructure made it inaccessible for the general population. Evolution towards modern petrol stations By the 1930s and 1940s, with increasing automobile usage, the petrol retail system began to evolve. Basic depots gradually transformed into structured petrol stations with better storage systems and improved dispensing technology. This transition marked the beginning of modern fuel retail development in India, leading to today’s automated petrol pump network.

Global crude benchmarks have softened in recent sessions, driven by easing supply concerns and improved shipping conditions across key routes. Despite this decline, retail gasoline prices in the United States have not adjusted downward at the same pace, creating a widening gap between wholesale and consumer fuel costs. Market data indicates Brent crude has eased compared to earlier highs, yet pump prices remain relatively sticky. This lag has triggered renewed scrutiny of how quickl

The Columbus gas prices summer outlook is improving as pump prices retreat from recent highs. Still, analysts say drivers may wait several months before prices return to levels seen before March. Columbus gas prices summer outlook points to gradual declines Gas prices in Columbus, Ohio, have fallen at several stations, giving motorists some relief after a sharp increase. Drivers said prices approached $5 per gallon during the surge. Zac Bruney

The national average gas price fell to $3.999 per gallon on Thursday, June 18, 2026, according to AAA, dropping below $4 for the first time since March. The decline followed President Donald Trump’s signing of an agreement with Iran on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. National average gas price reaches $3.999 The agreement calls for Iran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium while U.S.-backed sanctions are waived. It also begins a 60-day negotiat

New Illinois laws taking effect July 1 will change driver’s license renewals for older adults, broaden school cyberbullying rules and require permits for some school bus operators. The state will also pause its customary inflation-linked fuel tax increase. The measures take effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. While several make technical changes to existing statutes, they could affect drivers, students, families and school transportation providers across Illinois.

US shale oil exports reached a new milestone in May, pushing the United States ahead of Saudi Arabia and Russia in global crude oil and refined fuel shipments. The shift marks a major reversal for a country that once depended heavily on West Asian oil and was deeply affected by the 1973 Arab oil embargo. US Shale Oil Exports Reach May Record Ship-tracking data cited by Reuters showed U.S. exports of crude oil and refined fuels reached about 10.