'...Aditya's intensity.' 'The film is very gritty and character-driven, and I wanted Aditya to feel like a real person rather than just a heroic cop.'
Pakistan continues to offer a 7 million rupee reward for information leading to the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, who remains on the Federal Investigation Agency's "Red Book" of most-wanted terrorists. This development comes ahead of the Financial Action Task Force's plenary meeting, highlighting Pakistan's ongoing efforts against terror financing.
Senior Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma expressed confidence ahead of India's Women's Asia Cup match against Pakistan, highlighting India's consistent performance against their rivals. She emphasised the team's balanced batting and bowling units and their focus on playing good cricket. Deepti also praised young spinners Shree Charani and Prema Rawat for their talent and contributions.
Opposition MPs have voiced strong criticism against the government's new fee on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants, calling it "anti-people" and expressing widespread "outrage". The issue was raised in a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting, where concerns were also flagged regarding the methodology of GDP growth calculation and the government's stance on Virtual Digital Assets.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has implemented a stringent Safeguarding Code of Conduct for athletes and officials participating in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The code prohibits inappropriate relationships, degrading language, and harassment, with violations leading to severe penalties including suspension. It also addresses social media use and places special emphasis on protecting minor athletes.
Our nation's skilled artisans spend days, sometimes weeks and months, weaving everything from gorgeous shawls to fantastic rugs, along with saris, using techniques passed down from father to son over centuries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping notably skipped a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for BRICS leaders and other dignitaries, with sources suggesting he returned to his hotel to rest. Meanwhile, a grand cultural performance, 'BRICS Symphony - One Rhythm, Many Cultures', featuring artistes from member countries, was a highlight of the evening.
India's boxing contingent had a stellar day at the Commonwealth Games, securing five more semifinal berths and bringing the total to nine. This achievement surpasses India's previous medal tally in boxing from Birmingham 2022, guaranteeing at least nine medals for the nation.
The Finance Ministry has clarified that the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15, is not expected to increase cash transactions or cause inflation. The ministry also dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the decision, asserting that the policy aims to promote RuPay credit cards within the UPI ecosystem, and a monitoring mechanism will ensure the MDR burden is not passed on to consumers.
India's junior women's hockey team defeated China 1-0 in the AHF Junior Asia Cup final, securing their third consecutive title and qualifying for the junior women's World Cup. Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored the decisive goal in the 17th minute.
Gautam Gambhir builds a lot of trust and confidence within the team, and every player knows their role and has clarity, said Shreyas Iyer, praising his head coach's man-management skills.
'He didn't touch upon the core questions raised by the nine employee associations.'
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Soman Rana has highlighted the critical need for increased corporate support and permanent jobs for Indian para-athletes. He stressed that financial security is vital for athletes to focus on training and achieve consistent international success, including at events like the Paralympics and Para Asian Games. His views were echoed by PCI president Devendra Jhajharia and M3M Foundation chairperson Payal Kanodia, who noted the growing recognition and support for the Paralympic movement in India.
Star Indian men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured the China Masters Super 750 title after a thrilling three-game comeback victory against China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu. This marks their second title of the season and provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.
Top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal discusses his new role as India A captain, viewing it as a valuable learning experience that will positively influence his batting ahead of the upcoming New Zealand tour. He also reflects on his recent good form and the challenges of adapting to different playing conditions.
India is grappling with significant selection dilemmas ahead of their opening T20I match against Afghanistan, particularly concerning the choice between Sanju Samson and young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and the potential impact of Ishan Kishan's injury scare. The series also serves as crucial preparation for the Asian Games, with India needing to finalise their bowling attack against a strong Afghan side.
Japan's cricket captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and all-rounder Charlie Hara-Hinze believe the upcoming historic T20 match against India on September 22 can serve as a crucial springboard for the sustained growth of cricket in Japan, a country traditionally dominated by baseball.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for a three-day trip to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships and addressing international issues, with Putin also scheduled to meet other world leaders.
India's U-21 men's hockey team will host Malaysia for an eight-match exposure series in Bengaluru from August 7-13, serving as crucial preparation for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup and strengthening bilateral sporting ties.
Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third successive US Open title with a dominant win against Colombia's Camila Osorio.
Kolkata's Viraj Madappa overcame a three-shot deficit with a bogey-free 64 in the final round to win the Rs 1 crore Chennai Open golf tournament. This marks his fourth professional title, earning him Rs 15 lakh and significantly improving his standing on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit. Ajeetesh Sandhu finished runner-up, while Amardeep Malik and Rashid Khan also secured top positions.
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.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) "is distributed only amongst the UPI ecosystem, to further invest into infrastructure resilience, innovation, cybersecurity (protecting the UPI infrastructure with banks and non-banks) and customer service."
Rs 299,900 can buy you Apple's first foldable iPhone. Or it can buy you a passport full of memories, a suspiciously large holiday wardrobe and enough airport coffee to develop a personality.
The government is introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends the zero-MDR regime, aiming to fund UPI infrastructure and sustainability, as the previous government subsidy was insufficient to cover operational costs. Payments between individuals and most everyday merchant transactions will remain free.
JioHotstar has officially launched its streaming services in the UK, Canada, and Singapore, offering over 160,000 hours of Indian entertainment in more than 12 languages, targeting both the South Asian diaspora and a wider global audience.
Deep Dasgupta said Sourav Ganguly's "I am the king" mindset transformed India's response to sledging, encouraging teammates to openly give back instead of silently channelling their anger.
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.
'We desperately want India to send the army as the evacuation process needs to be escalated immediately.'
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma successfully made the cut at the weather-affected Husqvarna British Masters, carding rounds of 69 and 71 to finish tied 13th at 4-under. Despite challenging conditions and multiple rain disruptions, Sharma displayed strong composure. While fellow Indian Yuvraj Sandhu missed the cut, local favourite Marco Penge leads the tournament, with Sharma well-positioned for the final rounds.
India is set to field a strong contingent at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, with key athletes like PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, and Lovlina Borgohain leading the charge to defend titles in cricket, kabaddi, and men's hockey.
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has offered insights into Shubman Gill's captaincy style, comparing him to Hardik Pandya and noting Gill's reserved yet keen approach to leadership. Nehra also discussed the uncertain future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating it's too early to predict. He also touched upon his own coaching ambitions and reflected on past World Cup losses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the BRICS summit, called for a fundamental shift in global governance, advocating for the replacement of the current 'pyramid of privilege' with a 'platform of partnership' where the Global South becomes a 'rule shaper' rather than a 'rule follower'.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a final hearing for a batch of petitions challenging the marital rape exception in Indian law. The court will examine the constitutional validity of the provision that grants immunity to husbands from prosecution for sexual acts with their wives, even under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. This significant legal challenge follows split verdicts from High Courts and seeks to address whether such an exception aligns with fundamental rights.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma has downplayed concerns about India's fielding ahead of the Women's Asia Cup T20 final, stating that dropped catches are 'a part of the game' and the team remains focused on a strong all-round performance.
The Indian junior men's hockey team secured a 3-3 draw against Japan in their second Pool A match of the Junior Asia Cup. India initially led 2-0, but Japan fought back to take a 3-2 lead in the final minute before India equalised with a penalty corner in the dying seconds.
A senior Geological Survey of India official warns that the Himalayas are vulnerable to cascading disasters, where one high-altitude event can trigger a chain of destructive events downstream, as evidenced by Nepal's recent floods. He stresses the need for integrated monitoring using satellite data and ground investigations to identify high-risk areas and improve preparedness in the Indian Himalayas.
Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who lost his spot in the national team after struggles with form and an inconsistent IPL season, has stated he is working hard for a comeback. The 35-year-old, a key player for Mumbai Indians, last played for India in Tests and ODIs in 2023.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi for talks focusing on the West Asia situation, bilateral relations, and BRICS cooperation. The meeting, Pezeshkian's first visit to India as president, comes amidst heightened tensions in West Asia due to new US sanctions on Iran and concerns over global oil supplies from the Strait of Hormuz. Both leaders emphasised regional stability and economic resilience.
