The ruling BJP has increased its lead over the Congress in the Rajasthan urban local body elections, winning 3,587 wards against Congress's 3,050. Independents also performed strongly, securing 2,024 wards. While BJP secured a clear majority in Udaipur, Congress won in Ajmer and Pali. Bharatpur, the Chief Minister's hometown, saw Independents leading. These elections are a crucial test for the Bhajanlal Sharma-led BJP government ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India's real GDP grew by 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter, surpassing the RBI's forecast. She attributed this strong performance to government reforms and agile economic management, reaffirming the government's commitment to expanding economic opportunities.
A Kishore Kumar song, a birthday cake, a prince's break from protocol to thank his driver, a Persian painting on the ceiling of the presidential residence -- the BRICS Summit had many memorable moments.
India's proposal to link BRICS payment systems, including central-bank digital currencies (CBDCs), was notably absent from the grouping's New Delhi Declaration, despite being a key agenda item for India's chairmanship. This omission leaves the 16-year effort for trade in local currencies without a settled payment architecture, with the declaration only 'acknowledging' the work of the BRICS Payment Task Force.
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.
BRICS nations have successfully reached a consensus on a joint statement following extensive negotiations, with India playing a crucial role in bridging differences, particularly among West Asian members like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, despite regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
The highlight of the successful BRICS Summit was its ability to deliver a joint statement that all members, including Iran and the United Arab Emirates, embroiled in the war in West Asia, signed.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has appealed to Opposition leaders to stop politicising the death of her husband, Ajit Pawar. Her comments follow accusations from NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule regarding the lack of an FIR and the ruling faction's perceived inaction. Pawar stressed the immense grief of the family and affirmed faith in ongoing investigations.
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.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
Veteran Congress leader Karan Singh has called for the establishment of a Himalayan authority involving all Himalayan nations, including India, Pakistan, and Nepal, to protect the fragile mountain range from destruction. He also criticised the four-laning of highways in Uttarakhand's Char Dham region, deeming it "reprehensible" due to its environmental impact. His appeal comes as Nepal grapples with devastating flash floods, highlighting the region's vulnerability.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday described BRICS as an important global forum, highlighting the grouping's growing demographic and economic weight and noting that its members account for around half of the world's population and 40 percent of global GDP.
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.
India's Sports Ministry has announced the formation of a 20-member National Sports Election Panel (NSEP), including two former Chief Election Commissioners, to oversee fair elections in national sports bodies. This panel, mandated by the National Sports Governance Act 2025, aims to streamline electoral processes. Additionally, the deadline for applications to the National Sports Tribunal (NST), which will handle sports disputes, has been extended.
'The Bard of the Brahmaputra's voice carried Assam's spirit, stories and dreams far beyond its shores.'
The Sports Ministry has established a 20-member National Sports Election Panel, including former Chief Election Commissioners, to oversee fair elections in national sports bodies as mandated by the National Sports Governance Act. Concurrently, the deadline for applications to the National Sports Tribunal, which will handle sports disputes, has been extended.
In recent years, China and Russia have pushed for de-dollarisation within BRICS, which India has resisted. One reason is that India does not want to hurt its relationship with the United States, and another is the fear of China controlling trade because the renminbi is considered the strongest currency in the bloc today.
A 50-year-old multi-storey building in Delhi's Satya Niketan area collapsed, resulting in six deaths and 11 rescues. The incident occurred during repair work, prompting a police case against the building owner and a magisterial inquiry.
Executive Chef Kaushik Misra of the Taj Mahal, New Delhi, has meticulously curated an 'India Friendship Menu' for the 18th BRICS Summit delegates, blending India's regional flavours with international comfort foods and culinary references from participating countries.
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.
In a major bureaucratic rejig, the Central government on Thursday promoted six 1995-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officers holding senior ranks in different Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Two Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers have been arrested in Pune for allegedly removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph from a government polytechnic office. The incident occurred during a visit by MNS leader Amit Thackeray, who is also facing a case related to the alleged act. BJP criticised the MNS leader for political immaturity.
Japan's national cricket team, led by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, will play a historic one-off T20 International against India on September 22 in Sano.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a two-nation tour to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, where he will attend the SCO Summit. He aims to advance India's vision for the region, focusing on security, connectivity, and opportunity, and to strengthen strategic partnerships in Central Asia, fostering a region free from terrorism.
A political controversy has erupted over the inclusion of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha's name in Delhi's electoral rolls. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged procedural irregularities, questioning how his name appeared in the Rajinder Nagar constituency's voter list despite the draft rolls showing fewer entries. Poll officials confirm Chadha's name was added through the updation process after being removed from Punjab's rolls, while Chadha dismisses AAP's claims as a 'bitter ex' reaction.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together numerous world leaders including presidents from China, Russia, South Africa, Iran, and Egypt, along with prime ministers and foreign ministers from other nations. The summit will feature bilateral talks and highlights the expanded BRICS grouping's growing global influence and India's significant role as a founding member and current chair.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the SCO summit, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the West Asia conflict and expressing India's desire to expand and diversify trade with Iran. Pezeshkian, in turn, urged India to leverage its contacts to promote peace.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the central bank consistently views fintechs as 'valuable partners' in shaping India's future financial system, crediting the sector with expanding financial inclusion, enhancing customer experience, and streamlining credit delivery, particularly for MSMEs.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has articulated India's position on BRICS, advocating for it to be a "non-West, but not anti-West" platform, a stance he believes is crucial for India's national interest. He highlighted the prestige of hosting the BRICS summit, India's responsibility to represent the Global South, and the significance of bilateral meetings, particularly with China and Russia. Tharoor also addressed the strained India-China relations, citing border issues and trade leverage, and discussed the challenges within BRICS, including difficulties in achieving consensus on global issues and trade imbalances, while also considering the need for diversified international relations amidst unpredictable US sanctions.
India has dispatched a fresh tranche of 35 tonnes of humanitarian aid to flood-ravaged Nepal, marking the eighth special flight since devastating flash floods struck the Himalayan nation on August 26. The aid includes relief materials, specialised rescue equipment, and expert personnel, with Indian teams actively assisting in tunnel rescue operations and forensic identification of victims. The death toll has climbed to 1,365, and thousands remain missing as India reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nepal's recovery efforts.
India is hosting the BRICS summit, leveraging the platform to address global trade tensions and champion the developmental priorities of the Global South, including food, energy, and supply chain security. The summit, attended by leaders like President Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, will focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, with India aiming to strengthen intra-BRICS collaboration and discuss global matters. The expanded BRICS grouping represents a significant portion of the world's population and GDP, making its discussions crucial for global economic stability.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking mandatory and uniform labelling of ethanol percentage in petrol at fuel pumps. The petitioner, Narendra Kumar Goswami, was advised to approach the jurisdictional high court for relief, with the Attorney General arguing it was a proxy litigation.
The BRICS summit in New Delhi brings together leaders from major emerging economies to address global challenges like trade disputes, geopolitical upheavals, and the economic impact of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. India, as chair, aims to position BRICS as an economic growth engine, focusing on the Global South's food, energy, and supply chain security. The summit also highlights the grouping's expansion and its growing influence in global governance.
AIIMS Jammu is poised to become the first hospital in India to receive armed security from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) due to its strategic location near the India-Pakistan international border. This move marks a significant shift in security policy for healthcare facilities, which the Ministry of Home Affairs had previously resisted. The CISF is also slated for deployment at Kolkata Metro and Donyi Polo Airport.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing reservation is unconstitutional and that the policy would be given up if casteism is eliminated. He highlighted the historical context of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs, and the Modi government's EWS quota. Athawale also criticised the opposition, praised government achievements, and discussed various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh.
'Uttam Kumar is someone who, even after 100 years, is so relevant. He's one of the biggest icons, the biggest superstar, the Mahanayak.'
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.
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, despite strong objections from the Punjab government. The Mann government claimed the appointment bypassed constitutional norms and procedures, leading to a political tussle with the Centre, which defended the process.
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.
