Indian swimmers, including Olympian Srihari Nataraj, faced a challenging day at the Asian Games in Tokyo, with most failing to advance beyond the heats. Nataraj finished 10th in the 50m backstroke final, while other Indian athletes also struggled in various events.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the UN General Assembly, strongly criticised Pakistan for its support of terrorism, asserting India's right to self-defence and stating that friendship cannot coexist with terrorism. He also highlighted India's global responsibilities, contributions to the Global South, and its stance on reformed multilateralism and AI.
Air India is developing a new in-house 'Vista Digital Platform' for its in-flight entertainment system, set to launch progressively from late 2027. This platform aims to integrate entertainment, loyalty, commerce, and travel services, enhancing passenger experience and boosting ancillary revenues through features like 'commerce-on-map' and personalisation.
India's foreign trap shooting coach, Peter Wilson, has voiced his disappointment over the exclusion of World Championship bronze medallist Zorawar Singh from the Asian Games squad. Wilson highlighted Zorawar's calibre and the "great shame" of his omission, attributing it largely to the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) selection policy which prioritises domestic trials over international results. He also addressed the Indian shotgun team's recent poor World Cup performances and discussed the need for systemic changes to improve access to shotgun shooting in India.
Indian archers Dhiraj Bommadevara and Chikitha Taniparthi delivered exceptional performances at the Asian Games archery qualification, topping individual recurve and compound events respectively. Their strong showing also secured high team seedings, setting India up for a promising medal hunt, especially in compound events where they are defending champions.
India's three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting Sunday, is a vital preparatory stage for the ICC World Cup 2027. The series will focus on giving game time to young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and assessing the form of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who is nearing a significant ODI milestone. The development of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also a priority. The West Indies team, grappling with recent losses and financial issues, will aim to overcome these challenges and deliver a competitive performance.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the UN General Assembly, condemned the targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers in the Gulf, calling it "simply unacceptable." He also voiced deep concern over the "weaponisation of everything," which he stated has severe consequences for Global South nations, impacting peace, progress, and development globally. India urged restraint, de-escalation, and protection of civilians, while also highlighting the 4F crisis (food, fuel, fertiliser, finance) faced by developing countries.
An Indian expat from Udupi, Alwin Prakash Kunder, was allegedly murdered in Sharjah, UAE, with his dismembered body found in his car. His family grew suspicious after unusual messages and a missing person report led to the discovery. Udupi police are now assisting the family in coordinating with UAE authorities for the investigation.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is a doubtful starter for the upcoming T20 series against India due to a dislocated shoulder sustained during a promotional shoot. While initial medical assessments show no major structural damage, his return depends on rehabilitation. New Zealand Cricket and coach Rob Walter have indicated they will not rush his recovery, especially with a demanding schedule ahead.
Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his three-day visit to the US, stating that his discussions with President Donald Trump had injected "new substance" into the China-US relationship. Both leaders expressed optimism for future cooperation, with agreements reached on certain trade goods and discussions held on AI capabilities.
Tata Motors has launched the Sierra Legend Series, a new line of its iconic Sierra mid-SUV, designed to democratize premium features across all variants. This strategy, dubbed "Luxury, From The Base," aims to challenge traditional industry norms by offering high-end comfort, refinement, and technology even in entry-level models, ensuring the Sierra remains a benchmark in the competitive Indian automotive market.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir stated that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is not yet fit to bowl a full 10-over quota in ODIs and will not be rushed back. Gambhir also hinted at the possibility of playing both Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy once Pandya achieves full bowling fitness, emphasizing his return depends on his all-round contribution.
Iran face an anxious wait to see if they will progress to the World Cup knockout stage after they came from behind to hold Egypt to a 1-1 draw.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has accused the "bhaipo gang," allegedly linked to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, of involvement in the murder of his personal assistant, Chandranath Rath. The allegations come as Rath's mother, Hasirani Rath, was nominated by the BJP for the Nandigram by-election. Adhikari claimed Rs 2 crore was spent on the murder and that the CBI investigation is progressing, with phone records and a money courier identified.
Michael Carrick faces his biggest test as Manchester United's permanent manager when rising expectations, an indifferent league start and last season's revival meet Manchester City in Sunday's derby.
A Mumbai court has granted bail to Rohan Parikh, a 24-year-old student, and his bodyguard, Dilip Kunde, who were arrested for entering Jio World Plaza with a firearm and a fake PMO identity card. The court cited the lack of "overt malicious act" and the potential prejudice to the student's future as reasons for bail, setting a cash bond of Rs 50,000 each.
Indian squash veteran Joshna Chinappa, at 40, continues to defy age, securing her sixth Asian Games medal in her record seventh appearance. She attributes her remarkable longevity to rigorous training, meditation, and a dedicated support team, while also expressing her desire for an elusive Asian Games gold and her hopes for Indian squash at the 2028 Olympics.
India continued its strong performance at the Asian Games, securing gold medals in both men's and women's Kabaddi, a historic silver in marathon by Sawan Barwal, and advancing to squash finals. The day also saw mixed results in shooting, athletics, and badminton, contributing to India's growing medal tally.
India-EU FTA opens a bigger European market for Indian carmakers while giving European brands greater access to India.
The Indian women's hockey team secured its second consecutive Pool B victory at the Asian Games, defeating Indonesia 17-1. Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, and Navneet Kaur each scored a hat-trick, contributing to the dominant performance. Coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction but highlighted the upcoming match against Japan as the real challenge for topping the pool and securing direct Olympic qualification.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he has 'undermined' voter rights by excluding over 13 crore names from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union territories during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
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.
India experienced a day of mixed results at the Asian Games, securing a gold medal in shooting through Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet, and a silver in men's 10,000m with Gulveer Singh. However, a major setback occurred with the unexpected early exit of top badminton men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. The nation also added several bronze medals in pole vault, shot put, table tennis, and assured more in squash, pushing its total medal count to 23.
BJP National President Nitin Nabin was welcomed by a fleet of brightly painted bulldozers at a Meerut toll plaza, marking the start of his significant two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh focused on Assembly election preparations, organisational meetings, and temple visits.
The Indian men's chess team, seeded second, is set to face sixth-seeded Holland in the fifth round of the 46th Chess Olympiad after a mixed start. While players like D Gukesh and Nihal Sareen have performed well, top board players R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi are looking to find their form. The Indian women's team, with a perfect score, will play Poland, with B Savitha Shri being a standout performer.
Indian badminton stars Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu face challenging draws in the individual competitions at the Asian Games, while defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have a more favourable path to the semifinals. The individual events follow India's men's team securing a bronze medal. Players will need to overcome tough opponents to secure individual medals.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a strong address at the UN General Assembly, rejecting US allegations against Iran and accusing Washington and Israel of aggression and terrorism. He criticised US sanctions, defended Iran's peaceful nuclear programme, and highlighted the Palestinian issue.
Telecom industry body COAI and the British High Commission signed an MoU to boost cooperation in AI, connectivity, and digital trust, fostering responsible tech innovation. The pact, signed at the CO.AI 2026 event, focused on AI's role in intelligent networks, security, and public services. Discussions highlighted AI's importance in combating fraud, improving network efficiency, and ensuring secure digital services. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti and Acting British High Commissioner Ben Mellor emphasised the need for balanced governance and international collaboration to ensure secure, inclusive, and responsible digital transformation.
Police investigating the gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Astha Kunj Park in New Delhi have revealed that the three accused followed the victim for nearly a kilometre before assaulting her at multiple secluded locations, coordinating their actions via phone calls. One accused, an advocate, was previously removed from a gym due to complaints about his behaviour. The probe also suggests the accused frequented the park and may have been involved in similar incidents, highlighting concerns about park security and lighting.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Karnataka government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a fresh probe into the 2012 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Dharmasthala. The court expressed shock at the previous investigations by local police, CID, and CBI, which led to the acquittal of the sole accused. The new SIT must conclude its investigation within three months, excluding any officers involved in prior probes, and the acquitted individual will not be re-investigated.
India's national soft tennis federation is pushing for the sport's inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, following a historic Asian Games medal. Special Advisor Harshang Khodadhara highlighted India's strong global ranking and its position as the leading Commonwealth nation in soft tennis, expressing confidence in winning gold medals if included.
Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, has announced he will compete as a doubles player in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned against the 'weaponisation' of technology and critical minerals at the BRICS summit, advocating for cooperation to foster shared prosperity. Concurrently, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans for an open-source AI ecosystem for BRICS nations, positioning Beijing as a key technology partner amid global AI competition.
Indian shooters Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Mane finished fourth in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the Asian Games, missing out on a medal. Valarivan cited struggles with her position, while Mane focused on consistency. Both expressed determination to learn from the experience.
'You cannot stop these models from getting better. There is competitive and business pressure and if the US stops then maybe China will go ahead.'
'Xi is conveying that China is a pre-eminent power, and India should modulate its actions or approaches accordingly.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held extensive discussions to strengthen bilateral trade, defence, and energy cooperation, while also addressing the ongoing Ukraine conflict and exploring avenues for peace and resolution, with Modi reiterating India's call for dialogue and diplomacy.
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.
The Tamil Nadu government has constituted an all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sensational POCSO case against granite baron R Veeramani (84), who is accused of sexual abuse of minor girls. The case has led to the easing out of two top IPS officers and allegations of delayed action and political interference.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration has endorsed India's proposals for a Working Group on Sports Technology and a Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave, aiming to enhance cooperation and innovation among member nations in the sports sector.
