Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the BRICS summit, urging the bloc to play a significant role in achieving peace and tranquillity in West Asia and the Gulf region. He highlighted BRICS' growth over two decades, its efforts in tackling global challenges, and its steadfastness in safeguarding the interests of the Global South. Xi called for opposing the Cold War mentality, strengthening multilateralism, and promoting cooperation in emerging domains like AI, as China prepares to chair the next summit.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India is in continuous dialogue with both Ukraine and Russia, seeking ideas and suggestions to mitigate or cease the ongoing conflict. Following his visit to Kyiv, Jaishankar reiterated India's stance that the war must end through dialogue and diplomacy, emphasising that trade decisions like oil purchases are not the solution to the conflict.
India's national security adviser was in Dhaka for roughly three-quarters of the day on Thursday to prepare the ground for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to New Delhi.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called upon 'Gen Z' and 'Gen Alpha' to assume leadership, prioritise the nation, and contribute to its growth, rather than questioning what the country has done for them.
Indian boxer Jadumani Singh, a silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games 2026, shared his emotional victory over a Pakistani opponent on Kargil Vijay Diwas with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dedicating his 5-0 win to Indian Army heroes.
Opposition parties in India are demanding the impeachment and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he is running the poll panel as a 'one-man autocracy' following revelations that two Election Commissioners red-flagged issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Indian government sources revealed that a 'cautious approach' was adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June talks with then-US President Donald Trump due to concerns over Trump's 'unpredictable behaviour' with foreign leaders, leading to a preference against a joint media interaction.
The Congress party has strongly criticised the Modi government's decision to introduce a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions over Rs 2,000, alleging it is a result of US pressure to benefit American card companies. The party also linked this move to broader US actions against India, including tariffs and H-1B visa issues, coining the term "Narendra's Ongoing Trump Appeasement." The government, however, clarified that consumers will not bear the charge, which applies only to merchants.
'The Chinese military cannot advance much in Ladakh, even if they want to.' 'Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, they can rename a village or two, intrude here or there, but cannot do much more realistically.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that India's Olympic performance can significantly improve by increasing participation in sports where the nation currently lacks representation. Speaking at the Khelo India Dialogue, Modi highlighted that India competes in only half of the Olympic sports, leading to a missed opportunity for medals. He also reiterated his vision for sports as a nation-building process, not just about winning medals, and mentioned a nationwide talent hunt for young children.
You don't just play here -- you must dare to play here because the sound from the stands crashes onto the field, and often the cheer comes back to the players like waves.
Anant Nag has dedicated the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 to the people and unique cultural environment of Karnataka, crediting the state for his unparalleled success in both art and commercial films.
One of the important topics of discussion between the two leaders is expected to be the Northern Sea Route and the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary stated that the JD(U) will thoroughly study the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill before deciding on its stance, indicating they will not oppose it without valid reasons. This position contrasts with the RJD's strong opposition and highlights the JD(U)'s independent approach within the NDA.
The Indian government has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of levying fees on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants. The government highlighted that a parliamentary standing committee, which included Congress MPs, had previously backed a tiered Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI. This move aims to ensure the financial sustainability of the UPI ecosystem and reduce its dependence on government subsidies, a concern raised by the committee due to the significant funding gap between allocations and operational costs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completing a decade, calling it a major turning point in India's digital payment journey. Launched in 2016, UPI has become the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem, showing exponential growth in transaction volume and value, and is a key pillar of the Digital Public Infrastructure.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has strongly criticised the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions, labelling it a "UPI tax" and demanding its immediate rollback. He drew parallels with demonetisation, arguing that the new framework would negatively impact small shopkeepers, MSMEs, and ordinary citizens by increasing prices.
Ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to India for the BRICS summit, Russia has expressed support for New Delhi's peace initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Discussions between Putin and PM Modi will cover defence, energy, technology, and the repatriation of Indian nationals from the Russian military, alongside addressing trade and investment ties.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has urged people to support and strengthen the party for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, while also criticising the BJP government on issues like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the Vande Mataram row.
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.
'The Bard of the Brahmaputra's voice carried Assam's spirit, stories and dreams far beyond its shores.'
A delegation of NCP (SP) Lok Sabha MPs, led by Supriya Sule, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss various issues concerning Maharashtra, including drought, onion prices, and river pollution. The meeting, which lasted about 15 minutes, did not include discussions on the FCRA Amendments Bill, which Sule opposes. This follows a previous meeting between Sharad Pawar, Sule, and the PM regarding student and farmer issues.
Salman Khan lost his cool on Bigg Boss 20 while taking a strong stand against trolls, influencers and paparazzi who shame and abuse people based on their age, body and physical appearance.
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.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to meet Hockey India League (HIL) franchise owners and federation officials to address the league's financial and administrative crisis. The HIL is struggling with unpaid player dues, rising costs, and franchise withdrawals, prompting the ministry to seek solutions for its survival, especially given its importance for Indian hockey development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to move from 'endless war to the end of war' in Ukraine, emphasising that a peaceful resolution is humanity's shared priority.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, used a satirical "resignation" letter to criticise the Mohan Yadav government in Madhya Pradesh over the deaths of over 30 tribal children in Balaghat district. His letter, addressed to the Governor, highlighted failures in compensation, basic amenities like water and education, and tribal welfare, questioning the government's accountability. The issue has also drawn the attention of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which sought responses from state departments regarding the alleged deaths due to infectious diseases and inadequate facilities.
State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, and Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans. This significant handover, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, underscores India's progress towards self-reliance in aerospace, strengthening both military and civil aviation capabilities with indigenous platforms.
'Uttam Kumar is someone who, even after 100 years, is so relevant. He's one of the biggest icons, the biggest superstar, the Mahanayak.'
There is a strong opinion within the BJP in Punjab that the party must now stand on its own two feet and dump the badly compromised SAD baggage.
Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry's statement will be watched closely against the backdrop of the listing battle as well as the Tata leadership contest, with veto votes being cast over the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as chairman of Tata Sons for a third term.
India has opened its Asian Games medal tally with two silvers in shooting, driven by Elavenil Valarivan's performance, and secured an unexpected podium finish in Mixed Martial Arts. The women's cricket team also advanced to the finals, aiming for a second consecutive gold.
Chhattisgarh is rapidly emerging as a significant sports destination in India, driven by state government initiatives to host major events and develop infrastructure. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai highlighted the state's commitment to sports, exemplified by the DP World PGTI Nava Raipur Open 2026 golf championship, inaugurated with cricket legend Kapil Dev. These efforts aim to foster talent, promote sports tourism, and transform the state's image, including positive changes in regions like Bastar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lovlina Borgohain for her quick action in objecting to a distorted map of India at a Glasgow restaurant, highlighting her thoughtful gesture during a celebratory moment.
The BJP has accused the Congress of spreading "fake news" regarding UPI transaction charges, asserting that the government has clarified that consumers will not be levied merchant discount rate (MDR) charges. This comes after the Congress criticised a government notification, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, highlighting that most UPI transactions remain free and the government provides incentives to maintain a charge-free ecosystem for users.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new target of creating six crore 'Lakhpati Didis' to empower women and transform the rural economy. He highlighted the success of the existing initiative and the growing contribution of women in various sectors, from defence to technology.
Odisha's Koraput Coffee, specifically the 'Tiger Bright' brand, was distributed to delegates and journalists at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This initiative has brought international attention to the Arabica coffee grown by tribal farmers in the Koraput district, highlighting the state's local produce and the 'Vocal for Local' spirit. The coffee's unique cultivation methods and the support from the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) have significantly boosted its market presence and benefited tribal families.
Authorities have implemented heightened security measures at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the India-New Zealand T20 World Cup final, including increased police presence, anti-drone systems, and holding areas to prevent stampedes.
India has dispatched the first tranche of 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Nepal following devastating flash floods that killed at least 95 people along the Nepal-Tibet border.
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu shared her emotional journey with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal. She revealed the struggles of the past four years, including injuries, family problems, and the heartbreak of narrowly missing a Paris Olympics medal, which led to her tears on the podium.
