Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra congratulated Indian athletes for their Asian Games performance but stressed the critical need to enhance the country's high-performance sports ecosystem. He highlighted the urgency required for preparations, with the Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away, advocating for robust systems that support athletes from early stages to build resilience and ensure timely expert intervention.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the UN General Assembly, accusing Russia of using citizens from over 40 countries, including India, to fight in its war against Ukraine. He urged these nations to prevent their citizens from being drawn into the conflict, highlighting that Ukraine has taken prisoners of war from these countries and that many have perished. Zelenskyy also called for limiting trade with Russia to cut off its war funding and criticised the weakening of sanctions.
The Karnataka government has significantly increased cash awards for Asian Games medallists, with gold winners now receiving Rs 1 crore. Additionally, all 20 participating athletes received a Rs 5 lakh incentive. The state also announced direct recruitment opportunities for Group-B posts and a 2% reservation in government jobs for accomplished sportspersons, alongside financial support for Olympic preparation under the 'Guri: Olympics' scheme.
Following the Indian men's hockey team's historic Asian Games gold and direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Head Coach Craig Fulton revealed plans to 'build a new team afresh' after the Hockey India League, emphasising the need for meticulous planning for the upcoming Games.
Tata Power has partnered with Norway's Ocean Sun to introduce innovative membrane-based floating solar technology to India. A 300 kWp pilot project will be undertaken at Tata Power's Mulshi reservoir in Maharashtra to evaluate the technology's performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness under Indian conditions. This collaboration aims to leverage India's significant floating solar potential and contribute to its renewable energy goals.
Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has defended the newly rolled out Closing Auction System (CAS), stating that it is a transparent mechanism and that the industry needs time to understand the change. He acknowledged initial turbulence and concerns from fund houses but noted an increase in mutual fund participation.
India's services sector experienced its strongest growth in three months in September, with the HSBC India Services PMI Business Activity Index rising to 55.2, driven by a sharp increase in new orders and strengthening domestic demand.
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel have been jointly awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discoveries in light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, a method revolutionising the study of brain function.
'In fact, when monetary policy has been deployed, it does not distinguish between types of shocks. It goes straight for the kill.'
A dentist on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight heroically saved Captain Smit Machchhar's life after he was stabbed by a co-pilot in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Dr. Shuta Musaev's 45-minute intervention, using makeshift medical supplies, stabilised the severely injured captain, who is now recovering and has been praised by Indian and Israeli Prime Ministers.
Allu Arjun and Atlee's Raaka has set a Guinness World Record for the Most People Motion-Captured in Real-Time, involving 37 performers simultaneously.
Digital services major Jio Platforms is anticipated to list on the stock exchange by the end of October, with an estimated enterprise valuation of USD 143-146 billion, making it India's largest public offer at around USD 3.8 billion.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian government will release a consultation paper on AI regulations within a month. This framework will address critical aspects like AI safety, deepfakes, and a human-first approach, emphasising the industry's primary responsibility in ensuring safe AI deployment. The move comes amidst growing global concerns over AI risks and the need for robust safeguards.
Rising bond yields in the US and other advanced economies are making it increasingly difficult for Indian equities to attract foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), leading to pressure on valuations and potentially lower returns for domestic investors.
'For Indian institutions this year, global peers are outpacing in key areas such as RoI, entrepreneurship, and alumni outcomes.'
Pune, India, has been selected to host the 2032 UCI Cycling Road World Championships, marking a historic first for the country in hosting such a prestigious international cycling event.
Xi's bilateral meeting with Modi was substantial and readouts from both sides gave indications of rapprochement, if not a reset of bilateral relations between India and China, notes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
'India is collateral damage. There is no way that foreign investors are going to bring money in India despite our yields also going up.'
Indian educational institutions are adopting physical modifications like "anti-suicide" fans and barriers to prevent student suicides, drawing parallels with measures taken by foreign universities such as Houston, Cornell, Harvard, and NYU. While these measures are seen as "bandaid solutions" by some, experts suggest restricting access to lethal means is a valid part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, alongside crucial mental health support.
A football friendly match between India and Brazil, featuring star player Vinicius Jr, saw a surprisingly low attendance at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. High ticket prices and the ongoing Durga Puja festival are cited as the primary reasons for the subdued response, contrasting sharply with the usual fan frenzy for local derbies and past international events.
UPI transactions saw a 27% volume increase and 20% value increase in the first half of the current fiscal year. Despite a slight moderation in September, the digital payment system is set to implement a 0.4% merchant discount rate on transactions over Rs 2,000, aiming for a sustainable revenue model. Small merchants and person-to-person payments remain exempt, and UPI's global presence continues to expand.
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer expressed enthusiasm for India's historic bilateral T20 match against Japan, marking cricket's expansion into new territories and celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. Iyer highlighted the unique cultural experience and the importance of such fixtures for global cricket growth, despite initial weather challenges.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has achieved a rare feat in Test cricket, becoming only the fourth player in history to score over 4,000 runs and take 350 wickets. He joins an exclusive club alongside legends like Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori, reaching the milestone during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
A two-day weekend would help employees recover physically and mentally. They would return better prepared for branch work that demands patience, judgment, and accuracy, asserts Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
India is determined to host the 2036 Olympics as part of a broader strategy to become a global sporting superpower, despite challenges like limited multi-sport event experience and a poor doping record, according to Indian Olympic Association CEO Raghuram Iyer.
A report by the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute projects approximately 15,800 additional heat-related deaths in India over the next six months due to the 'super El Nino' phenomenon. Globally, nearly 451,000 additional deaths are anticipated. Experts in India emphasize the need for swift action, including implementing Heat Action Plans and focusing on vulnerable populations, while also urging caution regarding model-based projections.
Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, has been appointed as the new Deputy Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) until November 2027, succeeding Singapore's Imran Khwaja. This significant appointment is expected to bolster African cricket, especially as Zimbabwe prepares to co-host the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
The Brics proposal for a Grain Exchange, aimed at challenging the dominance of Western trading firms, faces significant operational and implementation hurdles, including settlement currency, regulatory frameworks, and limited participation from key members like India, according to experts.
Tewolde Gebremariam, Air India's CEO and MD-designate, has outlined passenger safety, operational reliability, and sustainable profitability as the airline's foremost priorities, emphasising a stronger safety-reporting culture and improved disruption recovery.
India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series against West Indies, largely due to Shubman Gill's record-breaking fastest double century and Rohit Sharma's significant milestones, including his 35th hundred and reaching 12,000 ODI runs. The match also saw the West Indies post their highest-ever ODI total and became the third highest aggregating match in ODI history.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has commended India's professional approach to hockey, urging other Asian nations to adopt similar strategies to improve their global standing. He highlighted India's journey from past Olympic glory to recent bronze medals, positioning it as a model for development in the sport.
Kazakh businessman Timur Turlov has been elected the new president of the world chess governing body FIDE, succeeding Arkady Dvorkovich. Turlov won a closely contested election against German entrepreneurs Wadim Rosenstein and Jan Henric Buettner, securing a four-year term. His victory comes amidst scrutiny over Russian influence and FIDE's financial independence, with Turlov campaigning on expanding digital reach and supporting smaller federations. He also addressed concerns about his ties to the outgoing administration and FIDE's commercial partner, Freedom Holding Corp.
Panama's coach, Thomas Christiansen, suggests India can learn from Panama's football growth despite baseball's dominance, highlighting the need for league improvement, better facilities, and attracting top players to boost football's popularity and global standing. Midfielder Carlos Harvey also advocates for bringing in star players to increase visibility.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the UPSC centenary, urged a fundamental shift in civil services recruitment and governance. He highlighted the need for services to adapt to an "instant-delivery world" powered by AI, focusing on citizen-centricity and evaluating candidates' motivation beyond academic knowledge. The PM also praised Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery during his address.
The Asian Games' mixed martial arts competition features modified rules, including traditional uniforms and shin guards, to make the sport more palatable for potential Olympic inclusion. While intense, this version differs significantly from UFC fights. The sport faces challenges, including rival governing bodies vying for Olympic recognition, but FIMMA hopes the current format will appeal to IOC officials.
Indian football coach Khalid Jamil and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu view the upcoming FIFA international friendly against World Cup participant Panama as a crucial learning opportunity. They believe playing stronger teams is essential for India's development and ambition to become a world-class football nation, despite Panama's superior ranking and World Cup experience. The match is seen as a chance to understand the demands of top-tier football and integrate younger players into the squad.
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra announced plans to significantly scale up the company's chip assembly and testing facility in India, moving from "vision to execution" in the nation's semiconductor ambitions. He highlighted the success of the Sanand, Gujarat plant, which is already producing "Made in India" memory chips, and the company's substantial engineering contributions from its Indian centres. Mehrotra also emphasised the critical role of memory chips in the AI era, driving Micron's growth.
Zoho has launched Zia Chat, a unified AI interface designed to streamline business operations across various functions by providing a single conversational platform for information, lead generation, and data analysis. Concurrently, the company has expanded into vertical SaaS with seven new industry-specific applications for sectors like retail, automotive, healthcare, and education, reinforcing its position as a homegrown alternative to global tech giants.
BrahMos is a benchmark for India's emerging export story with exports to cross $600 million, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has said and noted that there are contracts or agreements to sell the high-end strategic system to three Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia and Vietnam.
Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali heaped praise on teenager Kimi Antonelli on Wednesday as the sport gave itself a glowing half-term report, with sold-out races and booming viewing figures in key markets.
