The government is introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends the zero-MDR regime, aiming to fund UPI infrastructure and sustainability, as the previous government subsidy was insufficient to cover operational costs. Payments between individuals and most everyday merchant transactions will remain free.
'He didn't touch upon the core questions raised by the nine employee associations.'
A Kanpur-based engineer, Chandan Gupta, alleges he was abused, threatened, and tortured during a 48-hour detention by Russian police in Moscow. He denies charges of public intoxication and property damage, claiming police provided no evidence and denied him contact with family or a translator. Gupta also criticises the Indian Embassy's handling of the situation, stating they relied solely on the Russian police's version of events. Traumatised, he has returned to India and vows never to work abroad again.
'If he settles on something, there are fifty considerations behind it -- the pros and cons, all of it.'
From Kareena Kapoor Khan's 'cop who wears lipstick' in Daayra to Rani Mukerji's relentless Shivani Shivaji Rao in the Mardaani series, Bollywood has seen a rise in powerful and nuanced portrayals of female police officers tackling brutal crimes and societal challenges.
Security in most of India is a facade, discovers Binu Alex.
Chumbak is silly, loud, chaotic and genuinely funny in bits, discovers Deepa Gahlot.
West Bengal could be the Bharatiya Janata Party's real test case of its business-friendly policies, points out Kanika Datta.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPV) has launched its new brand identity, TATA.CARS, aiming to appeal to a younger demographic with a focus on smarter, greener, and more connected mobility experiences.
The Supreme Court has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for the current academic year. The policy, which mandates the study of three languages including two native Indian languages, is challenged by petitioners who question CBSE's jurisdiction over classes 6-8. The court emphasized finding a solution that avoids student pressure and suggested a potential deferral for Class 6.
Indian steeplechaser Avinash Sable made an emotional and triumphant return to competition, winning the men's 3000m steeplechase at the Indian Athletics Series Final. This victory marks his first race in the distance since suffering a career-threatening ACL and meniscus injury in July 2025, which led to surgery and a challenging recovery period. Sable, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, expressed the immense struggle he faced but is now confident of winning a medal at the upcoming Asian Games.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has stated he feels no added pressure to win the Champions League in his second spell, ahead of their opening match against Inter Milan, emphasising that his current tenure is distinct from his past one.
S Sreesanth and Sanju Samson ignore each other at the Kerala Cricket League 2026 awards ceremony.
Indian esports athletes are rigorously training for the Asian Games in Nagoya, aiming for medals and challenging the traditional perception of gaming as merely a leisure activity. With professional support and coaching, players are balancing academics and intense practice, hoping to elevate esports to mainstream sporting status in India.
A 'technical issue' in the UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) flight processing system grounded hundreds of flights across the UK, including long-haul routes to and from India, leading to widespread disruption and prompting Ryanair to demand the resignation of NATS CEO Martin Rolfe.
An army personnel has been taken into custody in connection with the theft of service weapons and ammunition from an Army facility in Hyderabad. The theft, which included assault rifles, pistols, and night vision binoculars, was detected on August 31, prompting a joint investigation by Telangana Police and Army authorities.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's legendary striker Edin Dzeko has announced his retirement from international football, concluding a nearly two-decade-long career. The 40-year-old, who has played for top clubs like Manchester City and Inter Milan, will make his final appearance for Bosnia against Sweden in October. Dzeko is the country's most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, having helped them qualify for their first World Cup in 2014.
Greco Roman wrestler Deepak has failed a dope test, leading to his withdrawal from the Asian Games contingent. This marks the third doping case for Indian wrestling ahead of the continental event, further reducing India's representation. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) found clomifene in his sample, a prohibited substance. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) decided to withdraw him to avoid potential penalties from the world governing body.
On the 25th anniversary of that world-changing morning in New York, it is also for the rest of to reflect. Not only on those who were killed but also on why the event happened and what led to it and what came after it, asserts Aakar Patel.
Pakistan women's team coach Wahab Riaz made a controversial statement after his side's seven-wicket defeat to India in the Women's Asia Cup 2026, claiming Pakistan is still the best team in the tournament. His comments came amidst criticism from former captain Sana Mir regarding squad selection, which Riaz defended as a move to build for the future. Pakistan now faces a crucial must-win match against Hong Kong to stay in the competition.
Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal discusses his approach to cementing a place in the Indian Test XI, acknowledging limited opportunities despite his recent back-to-back hundreds in Sri Lanka. He emphasises the importance of consistent performance and his readiness to seize opportunities, drawing insights from conversations with Rahul Dravid.
American tennis star Taylor Fritz was unexpectedly defeated by Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in a five-set thriller during the third round of the U.S. Open, marking Fritz's earliest exit from his home major in four years. Cerundolo's improved play in the latter sets secured his first-ever spot in the U.S. Open fourth round.
Pakistan's axed players were summoned to attend a meeting with King Charles amid PCB fears over a low turnout.
Former Asian Games gold medallist Shiv Kapur expresses strong confidence in India's golf squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games, stating that anything less than a gold medal would be a disappointment given the talent pool. He highlights the potential of both men's and women's teams, including top players like Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, to end India's long wait for a golf gold. The article also touches upon the healthy competition between Indian golf leagues.
Prasar Bharati Chairman Prasoon Joshi voiced concerns over AI's impact on India's cultural heritage, including music and endangered languages, advocating for human-AI collaboration. Meanwhile, a Spotify report revealed significant growth in royalties for Indian artists, with linguistic diversity driving economic strength in the creative industries, highlighting the platform's role in enabling talent across various Indian languages.
Rs 299,900 can buy you Apple's first foldable iPhone. Or it can buy you a passport full of memories, a suspiciously large holiday wardrobe and enough airport coffee to develop a personality.
Some see in the CJP the potential of weakening the Opposition. Hence the BJP/RSS's 'softly softly catchee monkey' approach, with co-option being the ultimate aim, points out Aditi Phadnis.
'It appears to be a combination: A glacier breaking away, and a dam-like formation downstream reaching capacity and releasing water suddenly.'
Sardar 2 has the interesting spy games, but too many convenient shortcuts and a tedious runtime leave this sequel struggling to match the crisp, engaging original, argues Sreeju Sudhakaran.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairperson Ravneet Kaur has warned that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could intensify anti-competitive practices in digital markets, including self-preferencing, discriminatory pricing, and market manipulation. She highlighted the CCI's ongoing study into AI's impact on competition and stressed the regulator's role in fostering growth while preventing abuse of dominance.
The Tamil Nadu assembly descended into chaos, leading to the eviction of DMK MLAs, as they vehemently protested Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's statements.
We check horoscopes. We check family background. We check whether the boy has a 'government job' or the girl 'knows how to cook'. Somewhere in this elaborate audit, nobody thought to ask: Hey, are you both healthy?
'The sales pressure on the ground, a board and CEO not fully aligned, and a senior team that isn't pulling together -- that's when these things surface.'
The magnificent Kailasa temple stands as a testament to ancient Indian engineering and artistic brilliance, carved meticulously from a single mountain.
Eiffel Tower employees launched a strike, leading to the iconic landmark's closure, after allegations surfaced that female staff were asked to vacate their posts during a visit by the Hindu religious organisation BAPS.
Ishan Kishan's unbeaten century put East Zone firmly in control as they ended Day 1 of the Duleep Trophy final on 385/4.
Survivors of the recent flash floods along Nepal's Bhotekoshi river have shared harrowing accounts of desperate escapes, witnessing homes collapse, and friends being swept away by torrents of water, mud, and debris. Many described a frantic race to higher ground as the 'monster thing' of water and mud approached.
Ishan Kishan, after scoring an epic 270 in the Duleep Trophy final, revealed that freeing his mind from overthinking and expectations has been crucial to his recent success. He emphasised focusing solely on scoring runs and winning matches, a change that came after a turbulent phase in his career, including losing his BCCI central contract. Kishan highlighted the importance of domestic cricket for reflection and growth, enabling him to return stronger.
Sanjay Sah, a 30-year-old employee, was rescued from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project in Nepal after nine days. He attributed his survival to chanting 'Hare Krishna' and was miraculously rescued on Krishna Janmashtami. Another worker, Kabir Maharjan, was also rescued but required further medical treatment. Sah, a foreman, stayed behind to ensure others' safety during the initial disaster.
'Value is not where you make money in India. It never has been.' 'You have to buy momentum.' 'Momentum is in technology, and I don't see that slowing down because I believe the AI infrastructure boom is going to last for a while.'
