Bharti Airtel's homegrown cloud platform, Airtel Cloud, has acquired approximately 40 customers within a year of its launch, with a significant portion coming from the manufacturing sector. The platform, designed for Indian companies, offers sovereign, telco-grade cloud infrastructure, connectivity, and GenAI-based provisioning, addressing the growing demand for secure, India-hosted data solutions, particularly for sensitive workloads and regulated sectors.
A Grade Senior Civil Police Officer in Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram, was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe from a lawyer. The officer, Biju G B, demanded money for providing accident case documents.
State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, and Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans. This significant handover, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, underscores India's progress towards self-reliance in aerospace, strengthening both military and civil aviation capabilities with indigenous platforms.
Quimcy Dsouza has taken an unusual route to the Asian Games, moving from athletics and football to becoming one of India's leading Teqball players.
India's women's 10m air rifle team, comprising Sonam Uttam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan, and Vidarsa Vinod, secured a silver medal at the Asian Games, marking the country's first medal in shooting. The trio finished second behind China, with Sonam and Elavenil also qualifying for the individual finals, raising hopes for more medals.
'...in which our names are written with our phone numbers.'
Gurugram Police have arrested Eno Shedrack Wichu, a 35-year-old Cameroonian national, for possessing 14.83 grams of MDMA. Wichu, who entered India on a tourist visa in 2022, was apprehended by the Anti-Narcotics Cell and intended to supply the drug in Gurugram. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act.
A 38-year-old man, Baba Ali Shaikh, was fatally stabbed in Latur following an argument that began at a hotel and escalated outside. Police have identified three suspects, including a municipal corporator, who are currently absconding. Preliminary investigations suggest the murder may have been planned due to a long-standing dispute between the victim and the accused.
The successful hosting of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi has provided a significant boost to the BJP, offering a timely opportunity to strengthen its narrative against the opposition ahead of crucial assembly elections next year. BJP sources highlight the BRICS grouping's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and the consensus declaration as major diplomatic victories for the Modi government, countering criticisms of its foreign policy. The party plans to leverage these outcomes during its month-long Seva Sankalp campaign to connect with various sections of society.
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has voiced concerns that the government's new 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 could reverse the progress of digital payment adoption among small retailers. This fee, effective October 15, places the burden on merchants operating on thin margins, potentially pushing them back to cash transactions and undermining the government's formalisation agenda, especially ahead of the festive season.
The Central Crime Branch in Chennai has uncovered evidence suggesting that granite businessman R Veeramani's alleged sexual harassment of minors may span over two decades, predating 2003. The investigation, which began with a 2019 video clip, has identified multiple survivors, leading to charges under the POCSO Act, IT Act, and SC/ST Act against Veeramani and two accomplices. The Child Welfare Committee is also monitoring the case for further action.
A 50-year-old man has been arrested in northwest Delhi's Rohini area for allegedly molesting a seven-year-old girl. The incident occurred when the girl went to a shop, leading to a police complaint and registration of a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act.
The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to submit an affidavit within two weeks regarding the investigation into the encounter killing of an accused in the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur. The court also ordered the preservation of all related documents and CCTV footage.
The Bombay High Court has declined to issue a prohibitory order against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's proposed protest march to Mumbai, stating that the Maharashtra government is fully capable of managing any potential law and order situation. The court emphasised the right to protest in a democratic country and directed the government to ensure Jarange receives medical assistance if needed.
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.
Seasoned kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat has been named India's male flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony, replacing shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor. Toor was unable to attend due to not receiving his ceremonial kit in time, a logistical issue stemming from the athletics team's acclimatisation camp near Tokyo.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir believes the national team possesses the talent to breach the 300-run mark in T20 cricket soon, emphasising the importance of impactful performances over individual milestones.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Boeing 787's electrical systems during its probe into the fatal Air India crash of June 2025. This call follows concerns raised by the Foundation of Aviation Safety regarding chronic system failures and the central role of electrical architecture in the B787 design. The crash, involving a Dreamliner VT-ANB, killed 260 people, and FIP emphasizes the need for detailed examination of all electrical and electronically controlled systems.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde concluded a two-day visit to the UK, focusing on attracting foreign direct investment and promoting the state's economic potential. His engagements included receiving leadership awards, meeting with sports figures like Virat Kohli to discuss Olympic aspirations, and appealing to British investors to bring technology and capital to Maharashtra, leveraging the India-UK FTA.
Five Indian track and field athletes, including pole vaulter Sindhushree Ganesh and triple jumper Asha Ilango, who faced visa delays, have now received their travel documents and are set to join the Asian Games contingent in Japan. They will participate in an acclimatisation camp before the athletics competition begins.
The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) is set to host its first-ever T20I against reigning world champions India, a landmark event expected to significantly elevate cricket's profile and drive its long-term growth in Japan, according to JCA COO Alan Curr.
Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi's movement has launched the Satyarthi Fellowship, a year-long global leadership programme designed to train young leaders in compassionate action and drive social change. The fellowship focuses on immersive learning, grassroots engagement, and mentorship, building on the Satyarthi Summer School model.
Pranavi Urs has moved into the top 10 at the La Sella Open after a second-round 71, bringing her total to 4-under 140. Despite weather disruptions, Urs displayed resilience, mixing four birdies with three bogeys. She is currently seven shots behind leader Charlotte Heath. Other Indian golfers, Avani Prashanth, Diksha Dagar, Vani Kapoor, and Hitaashee Bakshi, are further down the leaderboard.
Bengaluru golfer Khalin Joshi secured his third title of the season, winning the inaugural Rs 1 crore Nava Raipur Open 2026 Golf tournament. He finished with a bogey-free three-under 31 in the final nine-hole round, overcoming weather delays and tough competition to claim the victory by one stroke.
Private corporations in India invested approximately 30.3 trillion in fixed assets during FY25, marking a 7 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the statistics ministry. This growth in private capital expenditure contrasts with a slowdown in government capital spending.
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.
Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal inaugurated the Khele Sanand Sports Utsav, an 18-day event aimed at promoting sports among 25,000 students across 105 villages in Sanand taluka, Gujarat. The initiative by Vijayi Bharat Foundation features various sports and age categories, with a focus on grassroots sports development.
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.
Mamata Banerjee, who founded the Trinamool Congress through an act of rebellion against the Congress, now faces a similar internal revolt that threatens the very identity of her party. The Election Commission's interim decision to withhold the TMC name and symbol for the upcoming bypolls highlights a deeper struggle for political inheritance. This situation, unprecedented for the party, forces both Mamata's loyalists and rebels to seek electoral recognition without their established identity, marking a significant challenge to her long-standing dominance.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% fee on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking strong opposition from political parties and traders. Despite accusations of foreign influence and demands for a rollback, the finance ministry and top functionaries have stated there will be no reversal, citing the need for a self-sustaining digital payments ecosystem.
The Indian government has confirmed there will be no rollback of the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective from October 15. Despite opposition, officials state the decision aims to make the UPI ecosystem self-sustainable and secure, with charges applying only to merchant payments, not person-to-person transactions.
Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar has called for an independent review of the National Rifle Association of India's (NRAI) coaching appointments, citing concerns about transparency, eligibility criteria, and potential conflicts of interest. The NRAI, however, asserts that appointments are merit-based and views Kumar's concerns as 'sour grapes' after his own non-selection.
An 85-year-old man has been arrested in Thane's Dombivali township for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl. The incident occurred when the girl was playing outside her home, and the accused lured her into his house. Police have registered a case under the BNS and POCSO Act.
Indian athletes, including wushu and table tennis players, faced initial check-in difficulties upon arrival for the Asian Games in Nagoya. While some wushu players and coaches reportedly had issues with room allocation on the designated cruise ship, officials stated the problems were resolved. The Games' accommodation plan involves a mix of cruise ships, container rooms, and hotels, with some contingents already raising concerns about the quality and availability of lodging.
Gandhinagar's in-charge Chief Fire Officer, Rajeshkumar Patel, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe. The bribe was demanded for issuing a Fire Safety Renewal No Objection Certificate (NOC). The ACB successfully trapped Patel after a complaint was lodged.
Salesforce executives, including South Asia CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya, predict a significant shift in India towards wider enterprise AI adoption, moving from experimentation to production deployments. The company plans to invest in physical infrastructure and talent upskilling in India. Salesforce's vision for the "agentic enterprise" involves a four-layer architecture, emphasising the need for robust security and governance for autonomous agents. Executives also highlighted the evolving nature of jobs, with AI handling repetitive tasks and creating new specialised roles, positioning India as a potential leader in agentic innovation by 2030.
Climate scientist Tapio Schneider advocates for expanding early warning systems beyond rainfall events to include other disaster triggers like flash floods, citing the recent Nepal floods. He highlights the inevitability of 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming and discusses the role of advanced climate modelling and AI in improving predictions and research, particularly for regions like India.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has clarified that young batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will need to wait for his T20I debut, prioritising consistent performers like Sanju Samson. Gambhir also addressed the impact of the Asian Games on the ODI squad selection for the upcoming West Indies series, highlighting opportunities for new talent.
The Finance Ministry has dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI and do not favour international cards. The ministry also asserted that the MDR, applicable to person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, is unlikely to increase cash transactions or cause inflation, with measures in place to prevent burdening consumers.
Fighting in Yemen has intensified as Houthi rebels advance on strategic government-held areas like Marib and Taiz, putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to respond. The conflict is also linked to wider US-Iran tensions affecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with former US President Trump commenting on the situation.
