'How will this woman find her? And how does that affect her, because it's not a biological relationship.'
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. The ministry clarified that the NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to promote domestic alternatives and ensure a self-sustaining revenue model for smaller domestic companies, countering claims of favouring foreign payment providers.
Ladakh's own Stanzil Dolkar leveraged her mountain running expertise to win the Ladakh Marathon, overcoming an early deficit against Saraswati Rai. Despite facing physical challenges during the race and running in her home region for the first time competitively, Dolkar finished with a time of 3 hours, 32 minutes, and 58 seconds, highlighting the advantage of local acclimatisation.
Despite India's dominant Asia Cup victory, head coach Amol Muzumdar acknowledged fielding as an area for improvement, while dismissing concerns over the middle-order's performance.
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.
Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humaiun Kobir, announced that the country seeks to "reset" its relationship with India, moving towards a new bilateral engagement based on mutual interests. He described ties during the previous government's tenure as "uncomfortable" and emphasised the need for Bangladesh to approach India as "just another country," focusing on balanced relations rather than an "excessive preoccupation." This comes after Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did not attend the BRICS Summit in India.
TeamLease EdTech Founder and CEO Shantanu Rooj states that the AI-driven world transition is irreversible, with regulation and cost being crucial factors determining its speed and depth. He emphasizes that while AI will transform jobs, not eliminate them, continuous learning, domain expertise, and adaptability will be key for individuals and businesses to thrive in this evolving landscape. Rooj also highlights the need for universities to adapt their curricula to prepare a future-ready workforce.
'When a glacier collapse or a major flood event does occur, the water will simply reclaim its original path, and anything built in that path will be swept away.'
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.
Indian dressage rider Anush Agarwalla has voiced profound disappointment and hurt after being excluded from the upcoming Asian Games, despite being a gold medalist in the previous edition. He criticised the selection process as "unfair" and a "betrayal," stating he was never given a chance to compete, and called for a more transparent system in Indian sports.
New Delhi is gearing up to host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12-13, with extensive preparations underway across key venues, roads, hotels and security zones.
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 Afghanistan Cricket Board hosted 'Koh-E-Zafar' in New Delhi to celebrate the strong cricketing friendship between India and Afghanistan.
China Southern Airlines is set to resume its Guangzhou-New Delhi passenger service from September 21, ending a six-year suspension. This move is part of a broader normalisation of India-China relations, following recent high-level diplomatic meetings and previous flight resumptions by other carriers.
South Korean male professional tennis players face a unique challenge: mandatory military service, which interrupts their careers for 18 months. This article explores how players like Seong-chan Hong, Hyeon Chung, and Soonwoo Kwon adapt to this obligation, with some earning exemptions through sporting achievements while others navigate a return to the professional circuit after their service.
Executive Chef Kaushik Misra of the Taj Mahal, New Delhi, has meticulously curated an 'India Friendship Menu' for the 18th BRICS Summit delegates, blending India's regional flavours with international comfort foods and culinary references from participating countries.
For five Mumbaikars who were teenagers or in their 20s during the 1980s, the decade was not a sepia-toned Instagram filter. It was their everyday life, they tell Rediff's Rishika Shah. And while they remember its limitations, what they seem to miss most is something technology can't recreate -- the unhurried warmth of human connection.
The BJP has announced a month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign, starting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, September 17, to commemorate his 25 years in public life. The initiative includes various programmes like 'Seva Diwas', 'Ashirwad Ka Diya', 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra', youth yatras, and innovation challenges, all aimed at public participation and promoting the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.
Economists widely anticipate the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee will increase the repo rate by 50 basis points, likely split between the October and December meetings, as retail inflation is projected to peak at 6.1 per cent in the third quarter, exceeding the RBI's tolerance limit.
A new study published in AGU Advances reveals that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and expanding beyond traditional summer months globally. This expansion is asymmetric, occurring earlier in spring in regions like western Europe and northwestern India, and later into autumn in areas such as the western US and eastern China. Researchers highlight the challenges this poses for human acclimatisation and community preparedness, as existing infrastructure like cooling centres are built around historical summer calendars.
National selectors are set to convene in New Delhi to finalise India's ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming home series against West Indies, with Rishabh Pant's potential white-ball return and Hardik Pandya's fitness being the primary discussion points.
Telecom industry body COAI and the British High Commission signed an MoU to boost cooperation in AI, connectivity, and digital trust, fostering responsible tech innovation. The pact, signed at the CO.AI 2026 event, focused on AI's role in intelligent networks, security, and public services. Discussions highlighted AI's importance in combating fraud, improving network efficiency, and ensuring secure digital services. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti and Acting British High Commissioner Ben Mellor emphasised the need for balanced governance and international collaboration to ensure secure, inclusive, and responsible digital transformation.
Newly promoted Hull City secured a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, extending their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to four matches, much to the delight of manager Sergej Jakirovic.
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.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of popular Mumbai restaurant Cafe Mondegar and three other food establishments due to serious food safety and hygiene violations. This action is part of an intensified crackdown by the FDA, which also saw inspections of 38 establishments, seizure of substandard food products worth over Rs 15 lakh, and action against banned gutkha products totalling Rs 1.35 crore in seized goods and vehicles across Maharashtra.
Robert Pattinson's performance in Primetime captivated audiences at the Venice Film Festival, earning a remarkable seven-minute standing ovation.
A Delhi court has convicted former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain and four others for the murder of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, stating Hussain was part of a 'heavily armed mob' with 'animus against Hindus' that committed a 'savage and relentless assault'.
Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne discusses the team's preparations and strategy for the upcoming Asian Games. He highlights the different challenge posed by lower-ranked opponents compared to the World Cup, emphasising the need for effective scoring and maintaining focus. Marijne also stresses using the World Cup disappointment as motivation for gold and the importance of humility and unity within the team.
'Morally ambiguous characters are most interesting to play.'
Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal has surrendered before a Goa court to begin serving his 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in a 2013 sexual assault case. This follows a Supreme Court directive and his conviction by the Bombay High Court, which overturned his earlier acquittal. Tejpal's appeal against his conviction is slated for a Supreme Court hearing in September 2026.
Experienced Indian compound archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam is heading into her fourth Asian Games, aiming to focus solely on her performance. She highlights the rigorous preparation involving equipment and personal readiness, acknowledging the challenges of the sport. Jyothi also discusses the new women's team dynamics, emphasizing their growing cohesion and shared experience after participating in recent World Cup stages, with the Asian Games being their top priority this year.
Under Stephen Fleming, CSK won 5 IPL trophies as well as 2 Champions League Twenty20 tournaments.
Delhi Police has implemented a comprehensive multi-layered security system for the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, deploying 15,000 personnel, 200 paramilitary companies, and over 500 CCTV cameras. The arrangements aim to ensure maximum security for visiting dignitaries while minimising public inconvenience, with extensive coordination across agencies and states, and robust measures at the main venue, Bharat Mandapam.
K L Rahul is likely to be named India's vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting on September 27.
'Xi is conveying that China is a pre-eminent power, and India should modulate its actions or approaches accordingly.'
Razorpay CEO Harshil Mathur highlights India's leadership in real-time payments, stating it can foster numerous billion-dollar fintech companies capable of expanding globally. He draws parallels with the US internet boom and discusses how India's unique regulatory and private sector collaboration, exemplified by UPI, can be replicated in other emerging markets. Mathur also touches upon the opportunities and risks associated with leveraging AI in business.
Indian drug regulatory and law enforcement agencies have stepped up their efforts against the illegal manufacture and distribution of spurious drugs. This intensified action follows the seizure of a "misbranded" batch of Abhayrab rabies vaccine in Delhi, prompting nationwide vigilance and arrests.
Denied permission for his hunger strike in Mumbai, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday announced he would head to the Maharashtra capital alone on September 15 to stage a protest at Azad Maidan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned against the 'weaponisation' of technology and critical minerals at the BRICS summit, advocating for cooperation to foster shared prosperity. Concurrently, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans for an open-source AI ecosystem for BRICS nations, positioning Beijing as a key technology partner amid global AI competition.
The National Investigation Agency's (NIA) chargesheet in the 2025 Red Fort blast case alleges that the accused followed the 'Lone Mujahid Pocket Book/How to Become an Assassin', an AQAP-linked manual detailing explosives and covert operations. The chargesheet identifies Umer Un Nabi, who died in the explosion, as the alleged mastermind and 'operational in-charge' of a revived Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) module.
