The Janata Dal (United) is considering a proposal to rename the party as 'JD(U)-Nitish' to honour its leader Nitish Kumar, a move supported by key aides but criticised by the RJD, which suggests it indicates an impending split within the party.
The Gauhati high court has questioned the legality of the demolition of 21 dwelling units on private agricultural land in Goalpara, saying the action appeared prima facie illegal and unauthorised and may have involved misuse of the Disaster Management Act.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to be football's largest tournament but will unfold against a backdrop of significant geopolitical tensions, including conflicts, strained alliances, and complex immigration policies, challenging its traditional role as a symbol of global unity.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has proceeded towards Mumbai despite police denying permission for his protest at Azad Maidan. Jarange, who has been on a hunger strike for 17 days demanding OBC quota for Marathas, is travelling with a small group amid tight security, citing a Bombay High Court ruling that supports democratic agitation. He also alleged a conspiracy to kill him.
The US State Department has paused visa appointments worldwide to conduct a 'global training initiative' for consular officers, aiming to ensure applicants are not likely to become a 'public charge' and are comprehensively evaluated, intensifying President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
India's passenger vehicle sales are estimated to have surged by approximately 35 per cent to about 4.5 lakh units in August, driven by strong performances from major automakers like Maruti Suzuki India, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, and Mahindra & Mahindra, with the industry entering the festive season with optimism.
'Major unions should be included. If this goes on, decision-making will become heavily one-sided and we will be forced to continue our strikes.'
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt expressed amusement rather than frustration upon learning that a robot in China had broken his 100-metres world record by almost a second, stating, 'It just made me smile.'
Indian benchmark indices closed marginally higher, with the Sensex gaining over 43 points and the Nifty remaining flat, as a spike in crude oil prices due to geopolitical uncertainties tempered risk appetite.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa drew with tournament leader Wesley So in the fifth round of the Sinquefield Cup, maintaining his joint second position with 3 points. This result keeps him on track for a podium finish and a strong chance to qualify for the Grand Chess Tour finale.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) said the United States could "hit" Iran's heavily fortified underground nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain "very soon", days after Washington targeted Iranian military targets.
The UK has announced a comprehensive sanctions regime against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, banning the import of goods and targeting entities involved in settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" and highlighted international support for the UK's stance, while Israel reacted strongly with counter-measures.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced he would meet US Ambassador Sergio Gor to discuss the regional situation but firmly stated he would not raise internal issues with the US representative. Abdullah emphasised that solutions to J&K's problems lie with the central government, not with foreign entities, maintaining his stance against complaining about India to foreign diplomats.
With the duration of stay capped at four years, the biggest impact of the new F-1 visa rules is likely to be on PhD scholars, students enrolled in longer professional programmes, those whose graduation gets delayed and students moving from one academic programme to another, highlight education experts.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has endorsed the introduction of a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, which levies a 0.4 per cent fee on merchant payments above the threshold, aims to bolster the long-term sustainability and growth of India's digital payments ecosystem. The RBI clarified that person-to-person (P2P) transactions and small person-to-merchant (P2M) payments below Rs 2,000 will remain free for users, ensuring no direct charge on customers.
US President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on imported generic medicines, effective from August 2028, with the aim of boosting domestic pharmaceutical production. This policy, which includes a phased increase in tariffs up to 200 per cent, could significantly impact India, a major global supplier of generic drugs to the US market.
India's junior men's hockey team successfully defended their Asia Cup title, defeating Korea 4-1 in the final in Moqi, China. This victory marks their record sixth continental crown and secures their spot in the upcoming World Cup. The team displayed a dominant performance with goals from Ajeet Yadav, Anmol Ekka, Prabhdeep Singh, and Ashu Maurya.
Donald Trump announced he is replacing the 20% reimbursement fee for securing the Strait of Hormuz with massive trade and investment deals from Gulf States into the United States, while maintaining a full blockade on Iranian ship traffic.
Job aspirants in Jharkhand are protesting alleged paper leaks in PSC and other recruitment exams, demanding an independent inquiry by retired high court judges from outside the state. They have lost faith in the ongoing CID investigation, citing past failures, and threaten to intensify their agitation if their demands for a CBI or independent judicial probe are not met. The protests have garnered support from various organisations, with one leader on an indefinite hunger strike.
ESPN is launching "RedZone at the U.S. Open," a new streaming service designed to offer tennis fans simultaneous coverage of 16 courts, mirroring the successful NFL RedZone model. A dedicated broadcast team will curate the most important moments from August 30 to September 4, ensuring viewers catch all critical action.
'...in which our names are written with our phone numbers.'
Parents of a one-year-old girl have alleged medical negligence after a needle was found lodged near her ribs, suspected to have been left during treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital in June 2025. The needle was surgically removed in July 2026 at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, prompting the family to file a complaint and seek action from the State Health Minister. Hospital authorities have initiated an inquiry into the matter.
The Indian government has mandated that banks and payment providers cannot levy charges on UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 or on payments made via RuPay debit cards. This directive follows an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, aiming to sustain and expand the digital payments ecosystem.
Cricket Australia has announced that private investment will be introduced into the Big Bash League (BBL) from the 2027-28 season, beginning with the sale of the Melbourne Renegades T20 franchise, a move aimed at strengthening the league's long-term future and boosting finances.
A 'technical issue' in the UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) flight processing system grounded hundreds of flights across the UK, including long-haul routes to and from India, leading to widespread disruption and prompting Ryanair to demand the resignation of NATS CEO Martin Rolfe.
Sanjukta Parashar, an IPS officer with a formidable background in counter-insurgency, has made history by becoming the first woman inspector general of the CRPF's elite CoBRA force.
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.
Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States, has launched a new social-first series called 'More to Love'. This campaign aims to leverage the success of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which was hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, to encourage international fans to return and explore more of the country's diverse attractions, including its national parks and various states. The campaign is being amplified globally, including in India.
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.
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.
Iran has strongly rejected former US President Donald Trump's assertion that the Strait of Hormuz is 'NEW U.S. TERRITORY', with top officials warning that his 'delusions' would be 'corrected' and highlighting the gap between Washington's claims and its actual influence over the strategic waterway.
'It appears to be a combination: A glacier breaking away, and a dam-like formation downstream reaching capacity and releasing water suddenly.'
Brazil has announced its 26-member squad, featuring stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Marquinhos, for a historic first-ever football match against India on October 3 in Kolkata. This landmark fixture follows Brazil's Australia tour and promises a grand spectacle for Indian football fans.
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by India, to designate November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. This global initiative aims to raise awareness and accelerate efforts to combat this harmful practice, which disproportionately affects women and girls, hindering their education, health, and overall human rights.
'We have a very demanding electorate which expects us to do something. So we will have to do something which is a bit out of the ordinary while at the same time keeping in mind the risk factors.'
A high-level committee, including representatives from banks and payment associations, is set to decide on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants. While person-to-person and person-to-merchant transactions up to Rs 2,000 remain free, the move follows a recent amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, sparking debate and clarification from the Finance Minister that only certain high-value merchant transactions might incur charges.
India has strongly rejected remarks by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) officials calling for sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and advising against diplomatic courtesies for its leaders. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson labelled USCIRF a "biased" organisation with its own agenda, lacking credibility.
India is hosting the BRICS summit, leveraging the platform to address global trade tensions and champion the developmental priorities of the Global South, including food, energy, and supply chain security. The summit, attended by leaders like President Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, will focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, with India aiming to strengthen intra-BRICS collaboration and discuss global matters. The expanded BRICS grouping represents a significant portion of the world's population and GDP, making its discussions crucial for global economic stability.
Tennis legend Roger Federer is set to make an emotional return to Flushing Meadows for an exhibition event, providing a long-awaited farewell to his fans at the US Open, an event he once dominated with five consecutive wins.
