India
BRICS Summit Success Gives BJP Political Confidence Ahead of Opposition Battles
India recently hosted the BRICS Summit, which was widely regarded as a diplomatic success. The ruling BJP sees the event as a demonstration of India's growing stature on the global stage. The party plans to use the summit's positive reception to counter criticism from opposition groups. BJP leaders believe the successful hosting reinforces the government's foreign policy credentials. The development is expected to shape political narratives in the near term.

Pakistan docked 11 WTC points and fined 50% for slow over-rate against England
Pakistan have been penalised 11 World Test Championship points and fined 50% of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Test series against England. The team had already endured a difficult tour, suffering a 3-0 series whitewash in Birmingham. Captain Babar Azam accepted the sanction without contest on behalf of the side. The points deduction further weakens Pakistan's position in the ongoing WTC standings.
Rare Velvet Underground acetate bought for 75 cents sells for $25,200
A collector stumbled upon a rare Velvet Underground acetate recording at a flea market in 2002 for just 75 cents. The disc contained early versions of tracks that would later appear on the band's debut album. For many years, the existence of this recording went largely unnoticed by the public. The collector eventually sold the acetate to an anonymous buyer for $25,200. A remastered version of the recording was later made available to the public.
PM Modi Holds Candid Talks with Xi, Putin, Prabowo at BRICS 2026 in New Delhi
The BRICS Summit 2026 was held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with India hosting world leaders for high-level discussions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen engaging informally with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines. Modi also held discussions with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the two-day event. Video footage captured candid moments of interaction among the leaders, highlighting a tone of diplomatic camaraderie. The summit emphasized India's role in fostering international cooperation and tackling pressing global issues.
Mumbai Conman Arrested in Gujarat Over Rs 30 Crore Stock Market Fraud
A 56-year-old man accused of defrauding investors of over Rs 30 crore through a stock market scam has been arrested from Gujarat. The suspect had been evading authorities by wearing a wig and operating under three different aliases. Mumbai police confirmed the arrest on Monday. The accused allegedly lured victims with fraudulent stock market schemes before absconding.

Terror Recruitment, Infiltration Drop in J&K; Zero Stone Pelting in 2025
India's Defence Ministry has reported a significant decline in both infiltration attempts along the Line of Control and local recruitment into terrorist groups in Jammu & Kashmir. The ministry credits these improvements to sustained government initiatives and security policies in the region. However, ceasefire violations along the LoC saw a notable spike in the previous year, presenting an ongoing challenge. In a positive sign, there have been zero stone pelting incidents recorded in 2025 so far. Rising tourism figures in the region are also being cited as an indicator of growing stability and normalcy.
Meghan Posts Family Video as Sussex Family Settles in UK with Children
Meghan Markle has shared a rare family video following her return to the United Kingdom with Prince Harry and their two children. The family is reportedly staying at a private property in the Cotswolds, a rural area outside London. The couple's son Archie, aged seven, and daughter Lilibet, aged five, have been enrolled in a local UK school. The visit marks a notable return for the Sussexes, who have been based in the United States since stepping back from royal duties.

Schwarzenegger Credits Clear Vision as Key to Lifelong Success
Arnold Schwarzenegger has attributed his enduring motivation to having a well-defined vision of his goals. The former bodybuilder, Hollywood actor, and public servant says a clear sense of direction helped him overcome challenges throughout his career. He believes that knowing one's destination makes it easier to navigate smaller, day-to-day decisions. This philosophy, drawn from his own remarkable life journey, is presented as a broadly applicable principle for personal and professional growth.
Thrift store painting bought for under $100 sells for $189,200 at auction
Retired art teacher Helene Plotkin purchased a painting for under $100 at a New York thrift store back in 1966. Nearly six decades later, her son began researching the artwork, and with the help of AI technology, the artist's signature was successfully deciphered. The painting was identified as an original work by Scottish colourist FCB Cadell. It was subsequently put up for auction in Edinburgh, where it fetched an impressive £189,200.
Australia opens $7.8M wastewater plant in Dubbo to boost regional water security
The Dubbo Regional Council has inaugurated a new $7.8 million wastewater treatment facility capable of processing 700 megalitres of water annually. The plant features advanced recycling technology that significantly reduces energy consumption compared to conventional systems. It accelerates the breakdown of tough pollutants, destroying contaminants more efficiently and yielding cleaner water output. The facility is expected to strengthen water security for Dubbo and the surrounding region.
Bengaluru Man Arrested for Blackmailing Woman With Obscene Photos
A woman in Bengaluru has accused a man of taking obscene photographs of her without her consent. The accused allegedly used these images to extort money from her, threatening to upload them on social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook. The victim filed a complaint with local authorities, leading to the man's identification. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter under relevant sections of law.

CBI Registers FIR in Disha Salian Death Case After Bombay HC Order
The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a First Information Report in the death case of Disha Salian, former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The move follows a Bombay High Court directive issued approximately two weeks ago, ordering the CBI to take over the investigation. Salian's death had previously been under investigation by local authorities before the court intervened. The CBI's registration of the FIR marks a formal transfer of the probe to the federal agency.

Commentator draws backlash for Alcaraz-Sinner remark during Zverev's French Open win
Alexander Zverev, the top seed, defeated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 at a Grand Slam event. The win prevented Shelton from becoming the first American man to claim a Grand Slam title in 23 years. However, the match was overshadowed by controversy after a commentator made a remark referencing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner during the broadcast. The comment drew widespread criticism from viewers and fans online, with many calling for the commentator to be removed. The incident sparked a broader debate about commentary standards during major tennis broadcasts.
India's Forex Reserves Hit All-Time High of $785.71 Billion After $44.9bn Surge
India's foreign exchange reserves have reached a record high of $785.71 billion, following a jump of $44.9 billion. The reserves had previously faced sustained pressure since the onset of the West Asia conflict earlier this year. During this period, the Indian rupee also came under significant strain in currency markets. In response, the Reserve Bank of India intervened by selling dollars to stabilize the rupee. The latest surge marks a strong recovery, pushing reserves to their highest level ever.
Gurgaon Hit-and-Run: Car Owner Claims Friend Had Vehicle, Police Act on Viral Video
A woman biker in Gurgaon posted a video showing a car striking her motorcycle and fleeing the scene. The car's owner, who claims to serve in the Army, says a friend had borrowed the vehicle two days before the incident. He stated he only became aware of the hit-and-run on Monday morning. Gurgaon Police have taken suo motu cognisance of the widely circulated video. Authorities have indicated that the accused will be identified and arrested shortly.
Ukraine nears deployment of homegrown FP-7 ballistic missile with 200km range
Ukraine is close to deploying its domestically developed FP-7 ballistic missile, capable of striking targets up to 200 kilometres away. The country is also developing the FP-9 variant, which is expected to offer greater range and improved precision against Russian military targets. These developments represent a significant strategic shift for Ukraine toward military self-reliance. The move aims to reduce Ukraine's dependence on weapons supplied by Western allies amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.


