'When the House adjourned, they were not yet getting 360. They were short of that, maybe by six or seven or ten.' 'So they wanted to break more parties and get their support, and they were engaged in that.'
The Karnataka government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fresh probe into the 2012 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl near Dharmasthala, following a Supreme Court order. The SIT, headed by N Shashikumar, is tasked with completing the investigation within three months.
The Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI) is advocating for increased government support and improved grassroots infrastructure to make golf more accessible to young players in India. WGAI president Kavita Singh and Hero MotoCorp executive vice-president Sanjay Bhan challenged the perception of golf as an elitist sport, highlighting the need for public facilities and resources to foster talent and change mindsets. They stressed that government intervention is crucial for developing the sport and creating career opportunities beyond playing.
A new report reveals that enterprise AI investment in India has surged by 119 per cent, exceeding the global average. However, only 22 per cent of Indian organisations have established adequate governance frameworks, creating a significant gap between rapid deployment and safe, scalable AI adoption. This lack of governance impacts operational depth and raises concerns about transparency, regulation, and data privacy.
Arun Singh Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar are poised for unopposed re-election to the IPL Governing Council at the upcoming BCCI Annual General Meeting on September 18. The election process, including nomination dates and candidate scrutiny, has been outlined by the BCCI Electoral Officer.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is poised to approve significant constitutional amendments to comply with the National Sports Governance Act 2025. These changes, already endorsed by the executive committee, will be formalised at a Special General Body Meeting. Key areas of reform include age and tenure guidelines for office bearers, which differ from the existing IOA rules, and a potential reduction in the Executive Committee's size. The General House will also discuss the upcoming December elections.
A government school teacher in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district has been dismissed from service following his alleged involvement in the rape and subsequent death of a 15-year-old girl. The dismissal was enacted under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution, with authorities citing the case as "rarest of the rare."
The Delhi government has approved real-time monitoring of PM2.5 and PM10 sources in collaboration with IIT-Delhi and the procurement of 30 EV-based mechanical road sweepers to combat winter air pollution. These measures aim to strengthen ground-level dust removal and scientifically identify pollution sources throughout the year.
Manchester City could face severe sanctions, including fines, a points deduction, or even relegation, after an independent panel reportedly found the club guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The club, however, maintains its innocence and is expected to appeal, leading to a potentially lengthy legal process.
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.
Researchers from Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and Goa Business School conducted a study analysing over 1.31 lakh posts on social media platform X using machine learning models. They found that indirect aggression is most common during major social, financial, sporting, and political events in India. The study classified aggression into overt, covert, and non-aggressive forms, noting that overt aggression remained relatively low but peaked during events like India's T20 World Cup loss. The findings have significant implications for online moderation and communication policies.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has ended its protest at the Chandigarh-Mohali border after receiving written assurances from the Punjab government. The government has pledged to convene a state Assembly session within a month to address issues concerning river waters, agriculture, and farmer loans, including resolutions against old water agreements and certain central bills.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on September 18. Key agenda items include granting associate membership to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands cricket association, electing two posts for the IPL Governing Council, and appointing the BCCI Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.
The Keralam government has allotted the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi to Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters FC for its home matches in the 2026-27 season at a rent of Rs 3.5 lakh per match, along with a Rs 25 lakh security deposit. The decision acknowledges the club's contribution to football in the state and the promotion of sporting interests.
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.
Government sources clarify that the 0.4% merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15, will not be passed on to consumers. The charge, paid by merchants, aims to create a sustainable revenue framework for the digital payments ecosystem, with funds shared among banks and UPI entities. Small merchants using QR codes for up to Rs 1 lakh monthly are exempt.
China has called for stronger global governance of artificial intelligence, advocating for international cooperation to develop the technology for humanity's benefit while preventing it from getting out of control. This comes amidst warnings from leading AI researchers in the US about potential existential risks, with China emphasizing both rapid development and robust safeguards, including its new AI Safety Governance Framework 3.0. The issue is expected to be a key topic in upcoming US-China talks.
Before protesting against the State, the citizen should not have to ask: Sir, may I protest, please?, asserts Prem Panicker.
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.
The 13th MTB Himalaya Shimla mountain bike race commenced on Friday, drawing over 80 participants from 20 cities for a three-day event. Riders will tackle 130 km and 3,800m of climbing, predominantly off-road, with gravel bikes allowed for the first time. Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary KK Pant underscored the government's support for cycling development.
Jhansi police arrested a government school's officiating headmaster, Govind Das Arya, on Thursday for allegedly tampering with a cheque to embezzle Rs 2 lakh from mid-day meal funds. The case was registered on August 9 following a complaint by the village head, Seema Singh, who accused Arya of increasing a cheque amount from Rs 15,000 to Rs 2.15 lakh and misappropriating the funds.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Opposition parties, including Congress and AAP, stating that protests are futile and asserting that the NDA will form the next government in Punjab. He also spoke about Yamuna cleaning projects and accused previous Delhi governments of pollution.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4 per cent charge on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 made to merchants, with a cap of Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,000 and above. This policy shift ends the zero-MDR regime, which was previously criticised by financial institutions. While essential sectors and capital markets have specific fee structures, small merchants with monthly UPI QR code earnings up to Rs 1 lakh remain exempt. Person-to-person transfers are unaffected, and measures are in place to prevent merchants from passing these costs to customers.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the world football body's decision-making framework.
Two government officials in Madhya Pradesh, a clerk and a Block Education Officer, have been booked by Lokayukta police for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe to clear salary bills worth Rs 2.30 lakh for a hostel superintendent. A trap was laid, and the clerk was caught accepting the bribe, reportedly on the instructions of the Block Education Officer.
The Congress party has criticised the government's recent notification regarding UPI transactions, alleging it paves the way for users to be charged fees, particularly for transactions above Rs 2,000. The party claims the government lacks transparency and questions if the move is to benefit American firms. The government, however, states that charges are necessary for the system's sustainability and infrastructure upgrades, with the Finance Minister clarifying that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies to merchants, not customers.
A POCSO court in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced a man named Garibe to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30,000 for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in April 2024. The conviction followed a swift investigation and chargesheet filing.
A new report by TeamLease Digital highlights a significant AI-ready talent gap in India's technology industry, with shortages of 53-60 per cent in Generative AI and cloud skills. The report indicates that only 16 per cent of IT professionals possess AI skills, leading to rising salary premiums for AI-core roles and a projected demand for over 10 lakh GenAI roles by 2026.
IT services firm Tech Mahindra has announced a collaboration with AI coding platform SpaceXSI to help global enterprises modernise legacy applications, accelerate software delivery, and improve developer productivity through AI-assisted engineering across the software lifecycle. The partnership aims to embed AI intelligence across the software development lifecycle for better business outcomes, focusing on sectors like technology, telecommunications, and banking.
A 37-year-old engineer from Tamil Nadu, Sarath Subramanian, has been arrested in Kerala for allegedly sending fake bomb threat emails to various government offices, including the Secretariat and court complexes. He confessed to 34 of 36 registered cases, stating his motive was revenge against a Tamil Nadu political party. The emails were sent via the dark web, and investigations are ongoing.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke departed from Mumbai for Delhi on Saturday to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar. He claimed the government is "scared" amidst a clampdown in Delhi, including train cancellations.
An Odisha government assistant executive engineer, Tapan Sethi, was arrested on Friday in a disproportionate assets case after vigilance searches uncovered multiple properties, gold, and other assets far exceeding his known income.
Former Shimla SSP and DIG Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi has been booked in another FIR for allegedly misusing Rs 14.07 lakh designated for police constables' residences to renovate his own official residence. This follows an audit report revealing irregularities in Rs 1.28 crore meant for maintenance. He was also previously booked on Thursday for misappropriating Rs 2.35 lakh.
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.
The Congress has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "deafening silence" regarding reported face-offs with the Chinese Army in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has threatened to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) due to its failure to finalise a new constitution and hold elections as directed by the Delhi High Court. The international body cited breaches of good governance principles and has given EFI until September 28 to provide an explanation before its board considers suspension on October 13. The crisis stems from long-standing governance disputes and divisions within the ad-hoc committee appointed to oversee the federation.
A 27-year-old man died in Ludhiana after allegedly consuming medicine purchased from a chemist shop, leading to a protest where a mob vandalised the shop. Police have taken the chemist into custody, and a Congress MP has criticised the state government over the incident.
Authorities in Kathua, Jammu, demolished the residential house of a habitual drug offender, Rupesh Kumar alias Bobby, on Wednesday. The house was allegedly built on government land. The operation was conducted peacefully, reinforcing the administration's zero-tolerance policy against drug peddling and illegal encroachment.
A 19-year-old youth was arrested in Maharashtra's Beed district for allegedly creating panic at a medical college by roaming around with a sharp sickle. Police received information on Tuesday evening about a man with a sickle at Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Government Medical College and Hospital in Ambajogai. The youth, Noman Jabbar Shaikh, was taken into custody, and the weapon was seized. A case has been registered under the Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act.
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan congratulated Alphia James and Pallavi Kaluvehalli for securing India's first-ever bronze medal in wheelchair badminton at the 2026 Asian Para Games. The CM praised their resilience and determination, while James shared her personal journey and hopes for government support.
