The opposition has intensified its criticism of the government's decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh allege the move is a result of US pressure, particularly from American card companies, and demand an immediate rollback, warning of increased costs for consumers.
Non-resident Indians are increasingly investing in luxury homes in India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, particularly the Iran war. This trend is observed across major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the National Capital Region, with developers noting a significant rise in NRI pre-sales. While some see it as a temporary shift, others believe India is becoming a stable, long-term investment destination for NRIs, especially those from West Asia.
'The biggest difference between our marriage and that of our parents' generation is not simply that times have changed. It is that modern marriages require two people to continuously understand, support and adapt to each other while navigating a much more demanding world,' says Rahul Kulkarni.
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.
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".
India's cement industry is on the brink of an oversupply situation as aggressive capacity expansion by major players is set to outpace demand growth over the next two financial years, potentially leading to pricing pressures and moderated utilisation rates.
Extraordinary accounts of survival are emerging from Nepal's devastating flash floods, including a 97-year-old woman rescued from rubble and individuals who fled collapsing settlements, spending nights stranded in forests before rescue.
A 32-year-old man died after allegedly falling unconscious at a police post in Jammu, leading to protests by his family and locals who claim custodial torture. Police have ordered both departmental and magisterial inquiries into the incident, assuring action against any wrongdoing. Four police personnel have been attached to headquarters.
DMK president M K Stalin has responded to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's remarks regarding MISA, recalling his severe physical abuse in prison during the Emergency. Stalin dismissed Vijay's corruption allegations as 'politically motivated lies' and clarified his arrest and harsh conditions under MISA in 1976, including the death of a colleague.
Their message is blunt: Public scientific wealth should not be transferred at what they describe as 'throwaway prices'.capability, recruitment, promotional avenues and the voice of its employees.
At 23, Arishfa Khan has already mastered the art of looking like she's floating through a dream sequence.
A stake sale by Tata Trusts will help it to have a larger corpus that could be used to balance the unequal dividends that flow from Tata Sons on an ongoing basis.
A gym trainer, Vijay Kumar, was shot dead in south Delhi's Aya Nagar. Police suspect personal enmity and are investigating a possible link to a longstanding village rivalry. The incident involved multiple gunshots and occurred after the victim was called out of a gym.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected Tata Sons' application to surrender its non-banking finance company (NBFC) licence, a decision that mandates a public markets listing for the conglomerate's holding company as it is classified as an upper-layer NBFC.
Survivors of the recent flash floods along Nepal's Bhotekoshi river have shared harrowing accounts of desperate escapes, witnessing homes collapse, and friends being swept away by torrents of water, mud, and debris. Many described a frantic race to higher ground as the 'monster thing' of water and mud approached.
Two men, Rohan Parikh and Dilip Kunde, were arrested after attempting to enter a Mumbai mall with a firearm and a fake PMO identity card. Parikh confessed to fabricating the PMO ID using ChatGPT to enhance his social standing, while Kunde, a former Army man, was acting as his bodyguard with a personal weapon. Both have been remanded to judicial custody.
India's power sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a planned shift towards renewable energy and ambitious capacity expansion targets, with major players like NTPC, JSW Energy, Adani, and Tata Power prioritising predictable returns. However, execution challenges and valuation concerns remain critical factors for sustained growth.
An out-of-control truck rammed into vehicles parked outside a house in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, damaging three vehicles and a portion of the house. The truck driver and cleaner have been taken into custody and further investigation is underway.
A 60-year-old woman, Uma Kushwaha, was found dead in her Kanpur home with signs of strangulation and scattered belongings, leading police to suspect a robbery attempt. Authorities are investigating the motive, as there were no clear signs of forced entry, and only one cupboard containing jewellery was targeted.
Some decades are worth remembering exactly as they were, unfiltered, because that's the only way the people who survived them get to be seen at all, points out Binu Alex.
Five people were killed after a massive explosion at a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Monday afternoon, officials said.
A Delhi court has remanded the building owner's son, a PG operator, and a contractor in police custody following the collapse of a five-storey structure in Satya Niketan that resulted in seven deaths. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the Sunday incident, with authorities probing the role of alleged illegal constructions.
Torrential rains have caused widespread devastation across several Indian states, leading to at least 11 deaths in Assam and Uttarakhand, pushing rivers above danger levels, and disrupting daily life with landslides, floods, and school closures. States like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, and Jammu & Kashmir are also grappling with the monsoon fury, while Meghalaya faces an unusual rainfall deficit.
Authorities in Jammu demolished two residential houses belonging to alleged drug peddlers as part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking and illegal assets. This action follows legal procedures and targets individuals involved in multiple drug-related cases, aiming to disrupt criminal networks and combat the drug menace.
Uditi Singh has the kind of style that refuses to stay in one lane. One minute she's serving desi glamour in a sharara or sari, the next she's slipping into a boho maxi, a party-ready mini or a pair of seriously cool boots.
Ganges Grandmasters, led by Ian Nepomniachtchi, defeated defending champions Alpine APL Pipers to win their first Global Chess League title. Nepomniachtchi's crucial win against Magnus Carlsen in the final, coupled with Stavroula Tsolakidou's performance, sealed the victory. FYERS American Gambits secured third place in the tournament.
The Bombay High Court has strongly criticised the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the pervasive garbage on Mumbai's roads, warning of action against ward officers if the situation does not improve. Hearing petitions on pollution near the Kanjurmarg dumping ground, the court observed that the "entire municipal machinery is inactive" and suggested imposing heavy fines on litterers. The court has demanded BMC's Standard Operating Procedure and a list of officers responsible for cleanliness, threatening to remove those who fail to act.
Survivors of the recent devastating floods in Nepal share their harrowing experiences of escaping the raging waters, losing loved ones, and witnessing widespread destruction, as thousands remain missing and families struggle to rebuild their lives.
A gym trainer, Vijay Kumar, was shot dead in south Delhi's Aya Nagar. Police are investigating a possible link to a longstanding village rivalry and are verifying a social media post by gangster Himanshu Bhau claiming responsibility. This incident follows other violent deaths in the area, including a dairy businessman's murder, also linked to the Himanshu Bhau gang. Family members deny Vijay Kumar had personal enmity, suggesting he was caught in an ongoing family feud.
A Kishore Kumar song, a birthday cake, a prince's break from protocol to thank his driver, a Persian painting on the ceiling of the presidential residence -- the BRICS Summit had many memorable moments.
Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai claims he was placed under "house arrest" in Ayodhya to prevent him from visiting the Ram temple amidst an ongoing controversy over alleged embezzlement of donations. Other Congress delegation members were also reportedly stopped or detained, sparking protests and further political debate.
Amidst ongoing ethnic tensions, a new political alignment in Manipur sees Meitei and Naga groups uniting to demand an update to the National Register of Citizens with a 1951 base year, a move fiercely opposed by Kuki-Zo communities who fear it will disenfranchise them.
Families of students killed or injured in a paying guest accommodation collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan are returning home shattered, questioning the city's safety and warning others against sending their children to the national capital for education.
From the adorably vain Poo to the free-spirited Geet, Kareena Kapoor Khan has delivered some memorable performances.
Pradhama Drishtiya Kuttakkar is a gripping cat-and-mouse game that benefits from smart writing.
Immortal has a seductive premise and good performances, but this vampire tale could have used a lot more bite.
Central Delhi has undergone a significant beautification drive, including extensive lighting, floral displays, and BRICS-themed signages, in preparation for the upcoming BRICS Leaders' Summit. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and other civic bodies have focused on sprucing up key routes, hotels, and the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam, to welcome delegates and visitors.
The comparison will be inevitable, and watching new actors will need time to adjust and grow on fans, discovers Priyanka Bhatt.
A 54-year-old Manipuri musician, C Vikram Singh, tragically died in New Delhi after being allegedly assaulted by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff. The incident occurred when Singh objected to their loud behaviour and drinking outside his Kilokari village apartment. Police have arrested seven men and apprehended one juvenile in connection with the case, which is currently under investigation.
The Supreme Court will consider issues related to the Satya Niketan building collapse, which killed seven students, and has called for a time-bound inspection and safety audit of PG accommodations and similar establishments across Delhi. The court noted the overlap with its ongoing pan-India monitoring of unauthorised constructions and safety violations.
