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.
A 13-year-old girl in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, died ten days after allegedly being beaten by a teacher. Police have registered an FIR against the school headmaster, class teacher, and a classmate for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and the teachers have been suspended.
The Nomad Games, a biannual tournament of traditional nomadic sports, has drawn over 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries to Kyrgyzstan, including many from Western nations keen to experience ancient Central Asian traditions like horseback archery and Kok Boru.
Nora Fatehi is embroiled in a Rs 3 crore civil defamation lawsuit filed by Dunes Aviation, which claims her 'Lego airplane' comments on social media severely damaged its reputation and commercial operations.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed his belief that the growth of cricket in the United States has been slower than anticipated, but he remains optimistic about its potential, especially with the US national team's increasing competitiveness and the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"Everything was here before, but now there is nothing left," said Nayan Tiwari, one of many residents returning to flood-hit Galchhi in central Nepal to recover whatever belongings remain and to restore homes that once held their everyday lives.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board hosted 'Koh-E-Zafar' in New Delhi to celebrate the strong cricketing friendship between India and Afghanistan.
General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff, who is on an official visit to Nepal, was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by Nepalese President Ram Chandra Paudel at an investiture ceremony in Kathmandu on Monday, August 17.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly refuted the 'Guru Dokhi' edict issued by the Sikh clergy, asserting that the controversial video at the heart of the dispute is not him and accusing religious bodies of political manipulation.
A video of an inmate from Hoshiarpur Central Jail alleging harassment and demanding money from staff has gone viral, leading to an official inquiry and a political backlash against the Punjab government.
OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have unveiled new AI models with enhanced capabilities, including advanced cybersecurity and coding. OpenAI's Astra model achieved a 'Critical' cybersecurity tier, but its novel architecture, using "recurrent depth," has sparked significant safety concerns among researchers who fear it makes monitoring the model's reasoning more difficult. Anthropic and Google also introduced new models and features, further advancing AI technology while the debate over responsible development intensifies.
Leading technology companies OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have announced new AI models with advanced capabilities, including OpenAI's Astra reaching a "Critical" cybersecurity tier. However, these advancements have ignited a significant debate among safety researchers and netizens, particularly concerning the transparency and monitorability of OpenAI's novel "recurrent depth" architecture.
Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem's new film Bunker received a remarkable 16-minute standing ovation at the Venice film festival, marking the longest applause for a premiere at this year's event.
French tennis star Gael Monfils played his final Grand Slam match at the US Open, losing to Learner Tien. The charismatic 40-year-old received an emotional send-off from the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd, who celebrated his entertaining career with chants and a video tribute. Monfils, set to retire at the end of the season, expressed gratitude for the fans' love and shared a warm moment with his young opponent.
'Gurmmeet Singh was extremely sure in his head that the canvas should be bigger. The movie should look big on screen. It should look like the Mirzapur world but at the same time, much bigger.'
Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to India in seven years for the BRICS Summit and bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address crucial aspects of India-China relations, including trade, investment, and persistent border tensions.
'The fundamental issue that I have raised, how come India's GDP in current prices went down from Rs 86 lakh crore down to Rs 80 lakh crore -- a staggering erasure of Rs 6 lakh crore. This disappearance of Rs 6 lakh crore has not been answered by anyone.'
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly condemned the alleged desecration of the Indian flag and pro-Khalistan slogans by protesters outside Madison Square Garden in New York, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the Indian-American community. Rijiju warned against insulting the nation and its flag, while Bhagwat spoke on unity in diversity.
A devastating fire on a foreign-flagged cargo ship undergoing repairs at the Qingdao Beihai shipyard in eastern China has resulted in 20 fatalities. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang have issued directives for intensified search and rescue operations, thorough investigations into the cause, and enhanced safety measures across all sectors to prevent future accidents.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has waived landing charges for international flights at the Navi Mumbai International Airport for one year, with phased discounts for subsequent years. This move aims to incentivise airlines to establish new international routes from the airport, modifying previous criteria that linked waivers to the broader Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google have introduced new AI models with enhanced capabilities. OpenAI's Astra model, achieving a 'Critical' cybersecurity tier, has ignited a debate among researchers due to its "recurrent depth" architecture, which some fear makes its reasoning harder to monitor. Anthropic and Google also released new models, focusing on coding, scientific research, and cybersecurity, alongside new image and video AI tools.
Nepal's Hindu groups have sought an all-party discussion on restoring Hindu-nation status within three months.
Senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore has formally objected to the use of a song dedicated to Maharana Pratap in "Mirzapur The Movie", demanding its removal from the Central Board of Film Certification. Rathore argues that using the historical song in a scene with criminal characters disrespects Maharana Pratap and hurts public sentiments. The song's composer, Rapperiya Balam, also claims it was used without his permission and that its placement glorifies villains, insulting Rajasthan and Maharana Pratap.
The US Department of Homeland Security faced widespread criticism for an AI-generated advertisement featuring a brown-bearded man identified as "Mr Singh" in a campaign against unlicensed commercial drivers. Advocacy groups, including the Hindu American Foundation and Sikh Coalition, condemned the ad as "racist" and "anti-American" for its perceived targeting and profiling of Sikh and Hindu communities.
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.
A viral video showing a toddler being assaulted at a Navi Mumbai anganwadi initially sparked outrage against staff, but a police probe revealed the child's own mother was the perpetrator. The mother lost her temper due to the child's restlessness. Authorities counselled the parents and a minister addressed the spread of misinformation.
The company's India head, Arun Srinivas, has been summoned by the child rights body on Thursday.
The ruling BJP has increased its lead over the Congress in the Rajasthan urban local body elections, winning 3,587 wards against Congress's 3,050. Independents also performed strongly, securing 2,024 wards. While BJP secured a clear majority in Udaipur, Congress won in Ajmer and Pali. Bharatpur, the Chief Minister's hometown, saw Independents leading. These elections are a crucial test for the Bhajanlal Sharma-led BJP government ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls.
'Fourteen years ago, I made my debut as an actor. And now, 14 years later, I am introducing four new actors and a debutante director. I am way more nervous than they are right now. I have butterflies in my stomach.'
'Kunal is usually the funniest person in the room, that too from both sides of our family.'
Defending champions India, led by captain Anmol Ekka's two goals and goalkeeper Vivek Lakra's crucial saves, defeated Malaysia 3-1 in the AHF Men's Junior Asia Cup semi-final. India will now compete for their fourth consecutive and sixth overall title against the winner of the Pakistan vs South Korea match.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and actor-racer Ajith Kumar, known as 'Thalapathy' and 'Thala' respectively, shared a warm, lingering hug at the iconic Silverstone circuit in the UK.
Vivo is bringing another 5G smartphone to Indian buyers, with the T5 5G set to go on sale from September 9. It will be sold through Flipkart.
'Manoj Bajpayee is my enabler. Till Taandav nobody knew me, and for 10 years I was trying to make films. Manoj enters my life and suddenly, one after the other, I start getting opportunities.'
From Pink and Thappad to Aadukalam and Game Over, these 10 films showcase Taapsee Pannu at her most powerful and versatile.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran will not succumb to "bullying" from the US and Israel, vowing to protect national interests amidst escalating West Asian hostilities. During his visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit, Pezeshkian also discussed strengthening bilateral ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advocated for local currencies in BRICS trade, positioning Iran as a strategic energy and transport partner.
'Ever since I have become a mother, I have become a better actor.'
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.
Discover the latest star-studded OTT releases this week, featuring Akshay Kumar's Welcome to the Jungle, Vijay's Jana Nayagan, and a diverse selection of regional and international films and series across major streaming platforms.
Jeetu, as he is known in the IAF, is known for his high intellect, ability to quickly grasp the essentials of complex situations and the readiness to articulate his views clearly and unambiguously. An excellent professional in every sense of the word, he has a well-trained military mind, honed by extensive operational flying and flight testing experience, avers Air Marshal B Manikantan (retd).
