Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that the Makkah Defence Alliance, a newly formed pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, stands ready to activate its collective defence provisions in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Tanya Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh has set a new women's hammer throw national record at the Indian Athletics Series Final, achieving a distance of 68.35m and surpassing the previous record held by Anushka Yadav. Both athletes are part of the Asian Games team.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking a political row. The Congress party has labelled it a "Modi tax" and accused the government of succumbing to US pressure, while the BJP has defended the move, clarifying that consumers will not be charged and small vendors are protected. The finance ministry reiterated that the charge is on merchants, not customers.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has announced its comprehensive selection policy for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The policy outlines a four-stage qualification pathway, with medallists from the 2026 Asian Games directly qualifying for the 2027 World Boxing Championships, which serves as the first Olympic qualifier.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against Sheeba Inayat, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer. The charges include amassing assets disproportionate to her known income and alleged malpractices in the distribution of Public Distribution System (PDS) foodgrains, leading to a wrongful loss of over Rs 2.61 crore.
Indian discus thrower Seema Kaliramna discusses the emotional challenges of balancing motherhood with her sporting career, as she prepares for the Asian Games after winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games.
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.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has dismissed concerns about organisational chaos at the Asian Games, attributing criticisms to attempts to "politicise" the event. Despite widespread issues like accommodation scarcity, lengthy check-ins, and athlete complaints, OCA officials insist challenges are normal and are being handled effectively. They also addressed a diplomatic complaint from South Korea regarding a historical figure at a welcome ceremony and defended cost-saving measures like container-style accommodation.
A new study published in AGU Advances reveals that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and expanding beyond traditional summer months globally. This expansion is asymmetric, occurring earlier in spring in regions like western Europe and northwestern India, and later into autumn in areas such as the western US and eastern China. Researchers highlight the challenges this poses for human acclimatisation and community preparedness, as existing infrastructure like cooling centres are built around historical summer calendars.
An Indian firm, Bharat Forge, and US defence major Pratt & Whitney Canada have announced a collaboration to develop India's high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This partnership will focus on integrating advanced turboprop engines into the DRDO-designed HALE UAV, bolstering India's indigenous defence capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The collaboration aims to enhance India's strategic self-reliance in surveillance and reconnaissance technology.
Defending champions India faced significant organisational issues upon arrival in Samarkand for the Chess Olympiad, experiencing a five-hour delay in hotel room allotment. Players and coaches, including Grandmasters Srinath Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi, expressed frustration over the poor arrangements for the prestigious FIDE tournament.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has strongly criticised the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions, labelling it a "UPI tax" and demanding its immediate rollback. He drew parallels with demonetisation, arguing that the new framework would negatively impact small shopkeepers, MSMEs, and ordinary citizens by increasing prices.
Two students from Satyawati College were injured and two SUVs damaged during an altercation in northwest Delhi's Bharat Nagar area, near the college, while campaigning for student union elections. Police are investigating the incident, which involved reports of assault and firing, and are examining potential links to college rivalries or personal disputes.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has confirmed that the governing body's position on excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition remains unchanged, despite an upcoming Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) case. Coe emphasised that the decision is based on maintaining the integrity of competition, not politics. Russian Athletics has filed a fresh appeal with CAS challenging these sanctions, which have been in place since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The disappearance of 31-year-old Yuvraj Singh Manchanda, weeks before his wedding, led to his alleged murder and the discovery of his body in a Gurugram drain. His family alleges that Gurugram Police recovered and cremated his body without informing them, learning about it only during the Delhi Police investigation into his disappearance. Two former colleagues have been arrested in connection with the murder, allegedly due to a financial dispute.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% fee on UPI transfers above Rs 2,000 made to merchants, effective October 15, ending nearly six years of free merchant payments. This move led to initial rallies in fintech stocks like Paytm and Mobikwik, though some later pared gains. Person-to-person transactions and small payments remain free for customers, with the fee being a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).
Pakistan has requested the Asian Hockey Federation to move its Asian Champions Trophy matches from India to a neutral venue, citing a "sensitive bilateral situation" and security concerns. Hockey India has rejected this demand, stating there will be no change in venue for the tournament scheduled in Mohali and Jalandhar from October 27 to November 5. Pakistan's participation remains uncertain, with potential replacements like Bangladesh and Oman being considered.
'Major unions should be included. If this goes on, decision-making will become heavily one-sided and we will be forced to continue our strikes.'
Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt expressed amusement rather than frustration upon learning that a robot in China had broken his 100-metres world record by almost a second, stating, 'It just made me smile.'
Dave Cousins, India's new national compound archery head coach, believes a historic first Olympic medal for India is inevitable. He is preparing the team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and has long-term plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, noting the changing Asian archery landscape and the impressive work ethic of Indian archers.
Police have recovered a motorcycle allegedly used in the killing of a 28-year-old gym trainer in Aya Nagar. Two suspects have been identified, and raids are underway to apprehend them. The investigation is delving into a long-running rivalry involving previous murders and potential organised crime links.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to both the junior men's and women's hockey teams for their recent Asia Cup triumphs, highlighting their dedication and teamwork. Both teams secured their respective titles, with the women defeating China and the men beating Korea, thereby qualifying for the Junior World Cup.
A minor dispute over a matchbox in northwest Delhi escalated into a fatal stabbing, leaving a 30-year-old construction worker dead and another man injured. Police have arrested three individuals, including the main accused, in connection with the incident.
A POCSO court in Assam's Dhubri district has sentenced Utpal Ray to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in 2023, terming the crime "rarest of rare". The convict also received life imprisonment for rape and other sentences for related offences.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has denied sanctioning an emergent Executive Committee Meeting called by secretary Bhola Nath Singh, intensifying an internal power struggle. The dispute stems from a jersey colour change controversy and the secretary's attempt to address various issues, including the Hockey India League's future and upcoming elections, which Tirkey claims is beyond his authority to convene.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a gala dinner for BRICS Summit leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam. The menu featured a range of Indian delicacies, including starters like 'khandvi mille' and 'khumb galouti', main courses such as 'paneer lababdar' and 'gucchi marmik', and desserts like 'shahtoot phirni'. The dinner was accompanied by a cultural performance.
The US House of Representatives is debating a bill that would authorise the President to impose sanctions on Russia and steep tariffs on its oil and gas trading partners, including India and China. The bill, aimed at pressuring Russia over the Ukraine war, has faced opposition but is expected to be put to a vote.
Hockey India is embroiled in a significant internal dispute between President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, primarily over a controversial jersey colour change and the authority to call emergent meetings. An upcoming Executive Board meeting aims to address these differences, discuss the future of the Hockey India League (HIL) including its restructuring into a joint venture, finalise election dates, and deliberate on hosting Asian Champions Trophy events.
Researchers from IIT Guwahati and BHU have devised an eco-friendly biological method to treat textile wastewater, specifically targeting toxic azo dyes. Their novel bacterium, 'Brevundimonas sp. AJZ05', effectively degrades 98.50 per cent of Direct Blue-6 dye, producing non-toxic byproducts, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical treatments.
The CBI has registered an FIR in the Disha Salian death case, following a Bombay High Court order that criticised Mumbai Police for its six-year delay and "glaring discrepancies" in the investigation. Salian, former manager of Sushant Singh Rajput, died in June 2020, a week before Rajput's own death, which led to speculation about a connection. The High Court had expressed concerns over the Mumbai Police's handling of the case, which was initially treated as an accidental death.
'Giving up is very easy. But don't give up. Try out whatever you can. Something will happen.'
India's large contingent of 501 athletes is set to compete at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, aiming to showcase the nation's growing sporting depth and its ambition to become a global top-10 sporting power by 2036. Despite initial accommodation challenges, the focus is on building on the momentum from the record 2022 Hangzhou Games, with strong medal hopes in shooting, athletics, cricket, badminton, and hockey.
Denied permission for his hunger strike in Mumbai, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday announced he would head to the Maharashtra capital alone on September 15 to stage a protest at Azad Maidan.
India's men's and women's chess teams are set to defend their respective Chess Olympiad titles, with strong lineups featuring world champion D Gukesh and in-form R Praggnanandhaa for the men, and Koneru Humpy leading the top-seeded women's squad.
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. The plea argues that the levy was introduced without adequate statutory safeguards, transparency, or public consultation, and questions its constitutional validity and potential adverse effects on merchants and consumers.
Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma stated that the government's new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on large-value UPI transactions will significantly increase the company's revenue and profitability. The 0.4% fee on UPI transfers exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants, effective October 15, is expected to give Paytm a competitive edge. Sharma also highlighted the company's focus on generating free cash flow, expanding internationally, and developing proprietary artificial intelligence capabilities to drive future growth.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke have announced their support for students protesting alleged paper leaks and irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) online examinations. The CJP plans to join the agitation and undertake a statewide tour if demands for the MPSC chairman and secretary's resignations are not met by September 24.
Bank of Baroda has launched 'bob World 2.0', an AI-powered mobile banking app featuring voice-command capabilities for payments and navigation. The updated app also includes a personal finance management module and a persona-based customer experience, aiming to offer intuitive, secure, and personalised banking services.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new rule to eliminate the 60-day grace period for H-1B visa holders and other nonimmigrants after job loss, a move expected to significantly impact Indian technology workers.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to foster a domestic payment ecosystem and that the MDR introduction aims to create a sustainable revenue model for smaller domestic companies, thereby protecting India's sovereignty in digital payments.
