Rajasthan's forest department is implementing an AI-based surveillance system across its wildlife sanctuaries to enhance anti-poaching efforts and monitor animal movement. The system, utilising thermal cameras, drones, and advanced software, provides 24x7 monitoring, helps prevent human-wildlife conflict through real-time alerts, and strengthens the fight against wildlife crime. Installations are being rolled out in phases across key protected areas, with advanced cameras capable of identifying individual animals and suspicious activities.
India's Davis Cup team faces a significant challenge in their qualifier against South Korea as key doubles player Yuki Bhambri has been ruled out due to a thigh injury. This forces captain Rohit Rajpal to re-evaluate the doubles combination, a crucial aspect for advancing to the finals. The team is now experimenting with new pairings, with N Sriram Balaji emerging as a leading option.
Fifteen-year-old Indian shuttler Tanvi Patri defeated compatriot Shaina Manimuthu to win the girls' singles U17 title at the Badminton Asia U17 & U15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, China, marking her second continental title this year.
New research published in the European Heart Journal indicates that even low levels of night-time light exposure, as little as 3 lux, are associated with detrimental changes in heart structure and function. A study involving over 11,000 participants found that increased light at night led to thickening of the left ventricular walls and reduced myocardial contraction, suggesting early heart dysfunction and increased risk of heart failure. Researchers highlight night-time light as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Young Indian shuttler Mansi Singh secured a runner-up finish at the Indonesia Masters Super 100 badminton tournament, losing to China's Xu Wen Jing in the women's singles final. This marks her second runner-up finish this year.
10-year-old Delhi shooter Nyra Sharma has made history by becoming the youngest Indian to qualify for the National Shooting Championship in the 10m air rifle category. Her rapid rise in competitive shooting, achieving this feat in only her third competition, highlights her exceptional talent and dedication.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to foster a domestic payment ecosystem and that the MDR introduction aims to create a sustainable revenue model for smaller domestic companies, thereby protecting India's sovereignty in digital payments.
State Bank of India (SBI) is developing an innovative solution to assess the creditworthiness of small businesses lacking GST registration by utilising UPI transaction data. This initiative aims to provide end-to-end digital loans within a day, addressing the financial exclusion of many small enterprises.
The Delhi Billiards & Snooker Association (DBSA) has announced a new format for the Delhi State 15-Red Snooker Championship, which will now be held in memory of Raja Randhir Singh. The championship will feature a zonal qualification system leading to a 16-player main draw and offers a total prize money of Rs. 3 lakh.
Indian kabaddi player Brijendra Singh Choudhary has been stripped of his silver medal from the Asian Beach Games after failing an in-competition dope test. He tested positive for the prohibited diuretic brinzolamide and has accepted the sanction, leading to the disqualification of his results.
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.
Dr Komal Verma Saluja, a final-year student at Government Medical College Kota (GMCK), has been awarded the "Researcher of the Year Award 2026" by the India chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). She is the youngest and first medical student to receive this prestigious accolade. Saluja's research includes identifying an imaging biomarker for early cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes and developing a diagnostic method for fatty liver disease using echocardiography. Her achievements have brought pride to GMCK and highlight the need for more novel diagnostic and therapeutic research in India.
Indian golfer Krishiv Tekchandani, known for his philanthropic efforts, has launched an ultra-luxury watch brand called 'XII NOON'. The venture aims to create exclusive timepieces of Bharat origin and will dedicate a portion of its earnings to support widows of Indian Army soldiers.
The Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati is hosting the Nepal boxing team for a high-performance training camp. This camp, running until September 15, provides Nepalese athletes access to India's elite sporting facilities and coaching ahead of the Asian Games, fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
Despite occasional bursts of spunky comedy, the madness simply doesn't land as expected, and the overall vibe feels off with Vibe.
Multiple suspected drones were detected near the operational area of Amritsar's international airport, leading to the diversion of seven flights, including two international ones. The incident prompted a security alert and suspended flight operations for 90 minutes.
World junior champion Anahat Singh, now 18, is returning to the Asian Games with significantly higher stakes, as the women's singles gold medal offers direct Olympic qualification. Ranked world number 20, she is a strong medal contender and is embracing the pressure of competing for her country. Anahat faces formidable opponents like Satomi Watanbe and Sivasangari Subramaniam but is focused on refining her game and physical strength to achieve her goals.
Indian boxer Parveen Hooda is set to compete in the Asian Games, aiming to win a medal after her previous bronze was revoked due to a WADA suspension for whereabouts failures. Her comeback journey has been marked by significant challenges, including changing weight categories multiple times, overcoming injuries, and adapting her training to a new division. Hooda is determined to prove herself and achieve a podium finish, viewing it as unfinished business.
Global tech major Salesforce has committed to equipping one million learners across India with AI-focused skills by 2030, leveraging government partnerships, virtual internships, academic centres, and its partner network.
The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) is set to commence on October 8 in Hyderabad, featuring a strong lineup of India's top archers, including Olympians Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, alongside 12 international stars like world number one Marcus D'Almeida. The league will showcase 36 Indian archers competing in both recurve and compound categories, with a unique 15-second shot clock designed to enhance competition.
Higher US Treasury yields, particularly the 10-year yield approaching 5 per cent, pose a significant near-term risk to global equity markets, including India, potentially triggering a 'big correction' according to market strategists.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has dismissed concerns about organisational chaos at the Asian Games, attributing criticisms to attempts to "politicise" the event. Despite widespread issues like accommodation scarcity, lengthy check-ins, and athlete complaints, OCA officials insist challenges are normal and are being handled effectively. They also addressed a diplomatic complaint from South Korea regarding a historical figure at a welcome ceremony and defended cost-saving measures like container-style accommodation.
Employers want to know that you do not just know how to use AI tools like ChatGPT or automation services. They also want to know that you understand what AI is, says Kumar Rajagopalan, vice president-strategic initiatives and country head- India at Dexian, a leading staffing solutions firm.
An Indian swimmer, who had qualified for the Asian Games, has been suspended for 18 months after testing positive for terbutaline, a banned substance. This suspension means the 17-year-old will miss the upcoming continental event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, despite his twin brother being part of the team.
An industry-led AI curriculum taskforce has recommended shifting the present lecture-based teaching system for technical education to learning from real industry use cases and enhancing practical exposure of students.
India's deputy chef-de-mission, A Sharath Kamal, has downplayed concerns regarding the unique container room and cruise ship accommodation for athletes at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. He stated that Indian athletes have been prepared for these arrangements through mock setups at SAI centres. Kamal also expressed confidence in India's table tennis team, predicting at least one medal, specifically highlighting the men's doubles and mixed doubles pairs.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde concluded a two-day visit to the UK, focusing on attracting foreign direct investment and promoting the state's economic potential. His engagements included receiving leadership awards, meeting with sports figures like Virat Kohli to discuss Olympic aspirations, and appealing to British investors to bring technology and capital to Maharashtra, leveraging the India-UK FTA.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is actively working on plans to expand Aadhaar's reach globally, particularly to benefit non-resident Indians (NRIs) and overseas citizens of India (OCIs). This initiative aims to enhance interoperability, attract investment, and streamline digital identification processes, with new guidelines for merchants and products like Aadhaar Lite also in development.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a new investment platform, based on the New Development Bank (NDB), to fund projects in trade, infrastructure, logistics, and technology across BRICS nations, emphasising that the grouping's expanding economic cooperation is not 'against anyone' but aims to advance members' national interests.
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.
Info Edge, the parent company of naukri.com, has invested over 1,000 crore in more than 50 artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-tech startups since 2020, demonstrating its commitment to fostering India's emerging technology ecosystem.
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.
Indian squash player Anahat Singh was defeated by Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in the women's quarterfinals of the London Squash Classic. Despite her loss, the reigning world junior champion had previously overcome a higher-ranked opponent to reach this stage and is now preparing for upcoming tournaments, including the Qatar Classic and the Asian Games.
Seventeen-year-old table tennis sensation Syndrela Das has been called up to the senior women's side for the Asian Games. Ranked 99th globally, she aims for gold at the event and a rapid ascent into the top 50, attributing her success to rigorous training and a positive approach to pressure.
'If he settles on something, there are fifty considerations behind it -- the pros and cons, all of it.'
Experts laud the decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, along with a dedicated fund for small merchants, is seen as crucial for creating a sustainable digital payments ecosystem, incentivising expansion in rural areas, and funding innovation while keeping most transactions free for users.
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.
Hockey India is set to hold an emergent Executive Board meeting on September 18 to address a deepening internal controversy involving President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, stemming from a jersey colour change. The meeting will also focus on restructuring the Hockey India League (HIL) to create an independent Governing Council with franchise involvement, and discuss upcoming elections and Asian Champions Trophy hosting.
A gym trainer, Vijay Kumar, was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants in south Delhi's Aya Nagar. Police suspect personal enmity and are investigating a possible link to a long-running village rivalry, including other recent violent incidents in the area.
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.
