The flag-hoisting ceremony for the Asian Games, involving India and five other contingents, was significantly delayed due to "miscommunication" between the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the local organising committee (ANAGOC). The disruption, which lasted over an hour, initially caused confusion and speculation about political issues, but organisers later clarified it was a communication breakdown, adding to existing organisational challenges for the event.
Former RAW chief AS Dulat has released his debut novel, "Our Kind of Games," a fictional exploration of the Kashmir insurgency and the complexities of intelligence work. The book, which features a foreword by Farooq Abdullah, delves into the moral dilemmas faced by an intelligence officer in Srinagar during the early 1990s.
The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.
Former chief selector Ajit Agarkar's departure from the BCCI was primarily driven by disagreements over Rohit Sharma's future in white-ball cricket and policy differences with Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman, culminating in his absence from a crucial review meeting.
'UPI has been free since Covid, so why is the government charging us now?'
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is facilitating discounted tickets for members of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting for India's upcoming FIFA tier-1 friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay. These high-profile matches will be held in Bengaluru and Kolkata, with the AIFF also planning Fan Parks across districts to promote grassroots football and allow wider viewership. The matches are seen as a significant opportunity for the Indian national team to test itself against top-ranked opponents.
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams are set to compete at the Asian Games in Kakamigahara, Japan, with the primary goal of winning gold to secure direct qualification for the Paris Olympics. The men's team aims to defend its title and overcome recent World Cup disappointment, while the women's team, buoyed by a strong World Cup performance, seeks only its second Asian Games gold. Both teams face tough competition, with the men needing to prove their dominance against regional rivals and the women confronting a strong Chinese side.
'I got back on the show after taking medication and doing whatever I could to ease the pain in my elbow. But when it happened again, I realised I couldn't take it anymore because, going forward, it could hamper my recovery.'
'It is a blunt and dangerous attempt to pressure India to sign BTA on one-sided terms.'
A Delhi court has granted default bail to US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, who was arrested in a terror-conspiracy case being probed by the National Investigation Agency, amidst ongoing investigations into potential UAPA offences.
IPL players' auction for the 2027 season is slated to be held in India, marking a return after three overseas editions, with league chairman Arun Dhumal expressing a strong desire for a domestic venue.
A member of the National Traders' Welfare Board (NTWB) has urged the central government to withdraw its decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective from October 15. He warned that the new charge, which will be borne by merchants, could negatively impact business growth and lead to higher prices, contradicting the government's 'ease of doing business' policy.
'Modi had his own cricket team in his school days. He was a good cricketer.'
Ajit Agarkar's tenure as India's chief selector is reportedly nearing its end, with Wednesday's meeting to pick squads for the West Indies series potentially being his last, amidst a communication breakdown with the BCCI.
RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu has dismissed concerns that the new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 will increase cash transactions. He also clarified the 'cash paradox' of rising digital payments alongside cash in circulation, explaining cash's dual role. Murmu further detailed the RBI's extensive regulatory changes aimed at reducing compliance burdens and emphasised that accountability for AI-driven decisions in finance will remain with institutional boards.
A Kottayam Vigilance Court has sentenced former Kerala DGP Tomin J Thachankary to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 30.84 lakh in a disproportionate assets case. This marks the first time a DGP-rank officer in Kerala has been convicted for such an offence, with the court finding him guilty of amassing wealth 135.80 per cent in excess of his known income between 2003 and 2007.
A forensic examination of a mobile phone seized from former MP Prajwal Revanna's prison cell revealed numerous explicit videos, while a pen drive contained movies and web series. Revanna, who was found using a smartphone in prison, denied ownership of the device and downloading explicit content, despite call logs showing unauthorised communication. Five individuals have been arrested for allegedly smuggling the phone and SIM card into the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
Scientists are stunned by the discovery of a nine-million-year-old capybara tooth fossil in Chile's Atacama Desert, a region currently devoid of capybaras. This finding not only marks the oldest record of the semi-aquatic rodent in coastal Chile but also significantly challenges the long-standing scientific view that the Atacama Desert has been continuously dry for 40 million years, suggesting a much wetter past.
Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and RJD, have strongly criticised the government's decision to impose a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000 made to merchants. They allege the move is a result of "American imperialism" and will lead to increased commodity prices, while the government maintains the charge is on merchants and not consumers, with person-to-person transactions remaining free.
The BRICS grouping adopted a consensus joint declaration in New Delhi, successfully navigating differences on the West Asia conflict but notably omitting any direct mention of US strikes on Iran or Iranian military attacks on Gulf Arab nations. The declaration also criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and called for a concerted approach against terrorism.
A minor argument over a matchbox in northwest Delhi escalated into a fatal stabbing incident, leaving one man dead and another injured. Police have apprehended three individuals, including the main accused who allegedly used a knife, following the Tuesday night incident in Keshav Puram.
The BCCI has clarified that the Indian women's cricket team's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council's Pakistani chief Mohsin Naqvi was a "conscious, institutional" call, made due to prevailing circumstances and national sentiments.
Around 200 SpiceJet passengers protested at Delhi airport after their flights to Dubai were repeatedly rescheduled and delayed since Monday. The airline cited operational reasons due to an aircraft grounding and is arranging alternate flights, while the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA are monitoring SpiceJet's operations.
The BCCI's 95th Annual General Meeting in Mumbai will address several crucial matters, including the grant of associate membership to the Cricket Association of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the appointment of a BCCI representative to the ICC, and the induction of new members to the IPL Governing Council.
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh discusses his aspirations for Test cricket, acknowledging his limited first-class appearances but asserting his readiness. He highlights the importance of understanding body mechanics, managing workload, and adapting to various pitch conditions. Arshdeep also touches upon the strong contingent of Punjab players in Indian cricket and his preparations for upcoming international assignments like the T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games.
The BJP has announced Hasirani Rath, mother of slain former aide to Suvendu Adhikari, as its candidate for the Nandigram bypoll, aiming for an emotive campaign. The party also named Sakharav Sarkar for the Rejinagar seat. These bypolls are set against a backdrop of multi-cornered contests and internal TMC disputes, with voting scheduled for October 6.
The opposition has strongly criticised the government's decision to introduce a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15. They allege the move is a result of US pressure and will lead to increased commodity prices, calling it a "betrayal" of the common man. The government, however, clarifies that customers will not be charged, and the MDR applies only to merchants for larger transactions.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has confirmed Pakistan's participation in the upcoming Men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in India. The event, scheduled from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali, will feature six nations, with India hosting its arch-rivals under the central government's policy allowing multi-lateral sports engagements.
The Congress party has accused the Indian government of imposing new charges on UPI transactions due to pressure from the United States, specifically to benefit American card companies. The opposition party demanded the withdrawal of the decision, calling it "anti-national" and alleging it fills the coffers of US firms while burdening Indian citizens. The government, however, clarified that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges apply only to commercial transactions above Rs 2,000 and are not levied on consumers, a stance supported by the BJP which accused Congress of spreading "fake news".
A tragic incident in Belagavi, Karnataka, saw four women from the same family killed and two men seriously injured after a refrigerator reportedly exploded, leading to a house fire. Police are investigating the exact cause, with preliminary findings suggesting a short circuit.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has denied any knowledge of or meeting with late Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. He alleges that attempts to link his name to the case are politically motivated character assassination, following the CBI's registration of an FIR in the 2020 Disha Salian death case.
A woman in Lucknow was filmed clinging to the bonnet of a moving car before being struck by the vehicle as the driver sped away. Police have registered an attempt-to-murder case against the driver, who has been detained, following the incident which reportedly stemmed from a dispute between the two, who were previously friends.
Five rescued baby orangutans quarantined at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar underwent extensive health checks, including X-rays and blood sample collection, to assess their condition and facilitate DNA testing. The health check-up was prompted after one primate developed a fever. Officials are identifying a suitable laboratory for DNA analysis, which is crucial for determining their origin and aiding an ongoing international wildlife smuggling investigation.
Activist Manoj Jarange announced an indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai from September 19 for Maratha reservation in jobs and education. He will lead a march from September 15, covering various districts before reaching Azad Maidan. Jarange urged peaceful protest and accused the government of inaction on caste certificates, while the Bombay High Court upheld the right to protest. The core demand is for Marathas to be included in the OBC category via Kunbi records, a move opposed by existing OBC groups.
'Details of accounts such as the name, email id associated with the account, the IP address will now be shared with law enforcement agencies, which will help track down offenders faster.'
Arsenal preserved their perfect Premier League start with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Sunderland, despite Arteta's anger over a controversial penalty decision and Raya's crucial save.
Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched an inquiry into alleged dressing-room leaks involving senior players Mohammad Rizwan and Imam ul Haq. This follows a complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) amidst disciplinary issues during a Test tour of England. The players' phones have been handed over, and they have requested more time to respond to queries.
Abhishek Sharma smashed a record-breaking 30-ball century, the fastest by a full member in T20Is, leading India to a massive 127-run victory over Afghanistan. Sharma's explosive innings and his comments on India's batting philosophy highlight the team's focus on dominance ahead of the T20 World Cup, despite recent setbacks. Captains Shreyas Iyer and Ibrahim Zadran also shared their perspectives on the match and team development.
The US House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would empower President Donald Trump to impose 100 per cent tariffs on countries, including India, that purchase oil and gas from Russia, and also extend sanctions on Iran. The legislation, which previously passed the Senate, aims to curb Russia's energy revenue amidst the Ukraine conflict.
