India

Gujarat waives Panchayat Tax for soldiers, veterans and war widows on one home

Gujarat has revised its Panchayat Tax regulations to grant full exemptions to armed forces personnel and related beneficiaries. The waiver applies to one residential property per qualifying individual, covering active service members, their spouses, veterans, and widows of deceased soldiers. The state government introduced these changes following public concerns raised over the original tax proposals. The move is aimed at easing the financial burden on those who have served the country and recognising their sacrifices.

Apple India Opens iPhone 18 Pro Pre-Orders; Starts at Rs 1,64,900

Apple India has launched pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max starting today. The two Pro models will officially go on sale for Indian customers on September 18. Pricing begins at Rs 1,64,900 for the iPhone 18 Pro, while the Pro Max is priced from Rs 1,79,900. Customers can place their pre-orders via Apple's official online store as well as major retailers across the country. Pre-orders for the separately announced foldable iPhone Duo are set to open on October 16.

China Southern to restart Guangzhou-Delhi route after six-year suspension

China Southern Airlines has announced the resumption of its Guangzhou-New Delhi flight service, which had been suspended for six years. The announcement coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to India for the BRICS summit. The revival will bring China Southern's total South Asian operations to over 100 flights per week across eight round-trip routes. The restart marks a notable step in restoring direct air connectivity between China and India.

Amid Xi’s BRICS visit, China Southern announces flights to Delhi after 6 years

Buy Canadian Wave Lifts Local Businesses Amid US-Canada Tariff Dispute

A surge in Canadian consumer nationalism, driven by ongoing trade tensions with the United States, is boosting sales for a range of local businesses. Ice cream parlours, gift shops, and wineries have all reported notable increases in demand as shoppers deliberately choose domestic products. Canadian wineries benefited further after American alcohol was pulled from store shelves in response to the tariff dispute. Defence manufacturers are also seizing the moment, exploring new opportunities and diversifying away from reliance on the US market. Despite the gains, some retailers are struggling with rising prices and higher operational costs linked to the trade conflict.

Ladakh Leaders Seek Governance Guarantees, Warn of Protest If Demands Unmet

Leaders from Ladakh have been pushing for firm commitments on land rights and local governance from the central government. They met with the Home Ministry to discuss measures aimed at preserving the region's cultural and administrative identity. Although a follow-up meeting was scheduled, no concrete assurances were provided during the initial discussions. The absence of clear commitments has raised concerns about major administrative changes that could affect the region. Ladakhi leaders have warned that a protest will be launched if their demands are not addressed in a timely manner.

India News Live Updates, 12 September 2026: One-year-old twins dead at home in Kerala, chemical poisoning suspected

3 Minutes of Sprinting Alters 25% of Blood Proteins, Study Shows

New research reveals that just three minutes of high-intensity sprinting can transform nearly 25% of proteins in the blood. In comparison, a 90-minute moderate cycling session produces only minor changes in blood chemistry. The findings suggest that short but intense workouts trigger rapid physiological responses in the body. While both exercise types offer distinct health benefits, the study indicates that intensity may drive faster biological adaptations than duration alone.

Microsoft Chief Communications Officer Frank Shaw Exits After 29-Year Tenure

Frank Shaw is stepping down as Microsoft's Chief Communications Officer after nearly 29 years with the company. During his long tenure, Shaw led corporate messaging through major industry shifts and significant acquisitions. He also played a central role in shaping public communication around key product launches and the company's cloud growth. In his farewell message, Shaw expressed gratitude to his team and external partners for their support throughout his career.

Sprinter Harita Bhadra heads to Asian Games debut after standout domestic season

At 23, Indian sprinter Harita Bhadra is set to compete at her first international meet after an impressive domestic season. She clocked 23.14 seconds in the 200m and 11.22 seconds in the 100m, while also winning a national indoor 60m title. Bhadra will represent India in the 200m and the 4x100m relay at the Asian Games, partnering with Unnathi Bollanda. Off the track, she runs a handmade jewellery brand and cites Rafael Nadal as an inspiration. She describes her approach to performance as focusing on one day at a time.

Firouzja opens up on injury recovery, Indian fans, and Gukesh title clash

Chess prodigy Alireza Firouzja, 23, spoke exclusively about his recovery from an ankle injury that had sidelined him recently. The French-Iranian grandmaster expressed admiration for Indian chess fans, noting their deep enthusiasm for the sport. He predicted the upcoming World Championship match between Gukesh and Sindarov would be a closely contested affair. Firouzja also reflected on the challenges players face in qualifying for the Candidates tournament. He is now fully fit and is set to return to competitive play at the Total Chess Championship in Budapest in November 2026.

Uditi Singh reflects on tough breakup with Karan Wahi, open to his BB20 wildcard entry

Bigg Boss 20 contestant Uditi Singh has spoken openly about her past relationship with actor Karan Wahi, describing the breakup as a difficult experience. The two had begun their relationship in London, and dated for approximately two and a half years before parting ways. Despite the painful split, Uditi expressed that she has moved on and would welcome Wahi as a wildcard entrant on Bigg Boss 20. Meanwhile, Karan Wahi is currently competing on the stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 15.

44 injured, 18-year-old critically hurt after train derails in northern France

BRICS: How the Bloc Grew and the Challenges It Faces Today

BRICS was founded with the goal of challenging the global order long dominated by the United States and its Western allies. The bloc has grown into a significant geopolitical and economic force over the years. Its member nations collectively represent more than 40 percent of the world's population. Economically, BRICS countries account for nearly a quarter of global output. Despite its scale, the grouping continues to face internal and external challenges in asserting a unified alternative to Western-led institutions.

Russian Embassy Spokesman Expresses Hope for BRICS Summit Outcomes in Hindi

Petr Sizov, Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in India, conveyed optimism about the upcoming 18th BRICS Summit on Friday. He delivered his message notably in Hindi, reflecting a gesture of diplomatic warmth toward India. The summit is formally set to begin the following day in New Delhi. Sizov expressed confidence in the discussions and deliberations expected to take place at the high-profile gathering. The 18th BRICS Summit marks a significant multilateral event hosted in the Indian capital.

China Pledges to 'Properly Handle Differences' With India Ahead of Xi Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has departed Beijing to visit India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit marks Xi's first trip to India in nearly seven years. He is attending the 18th BRICS Summit being held in New Delhi. Ahead of the visit, China stated its intention to properly handle differences with India, signaling a diplomatic tone aimed at managing bilateral tensions.

Dismissed Ex-Soldier Stole 12 Army Firearms in Hyderabad, Arrested After Tip-Off

A retired havildar stole twelve military firearms from a secured armoury in Hyderabad and fled the scene on a scooter without being detected. Investigators suspect the motive behind the theft may have been revenge following his dismissal from service. A breakthrough came when the suspect's wife and father-in-law shared key information with authorities. After being confronted by his wife, the former soldier surrendered voluntarily. The stolen weapons were subsequently recovered from beneath haystacks in Nagarkurnool district.

Record $6 Diesel Prices Squeeze US Farmers as Harvest Season Gets Underway

US diesel prices have reached record highs of $6, causing fuel costs for farmers to double compared to earlier levels. The surge is disrupting critical operations tied to the corn and soybean harvest season, putting farm profitability and financial stability at risk. Higher fuel costs are also complicating the transportation of harvested crops to market. Faced with mounting expenses, many farmers are considering postponing harvest activities in the hope that diesel prices will ease in the near term.

Ahmedabad, Hyderabad Among World's Least Climate-Resilient Cities: Study

A new study has ranked Ahmedabad and Hyderabad among the world's least resilient cities in the face of climate disasters. Both cities, along with several other South Asian urban centers, were flagged for high exposure to physical climate risks and inadequate adaptive measures. The findings highlight a broader vulnerability pattern across South Asia where mitigation infrastructure remains underdeveloped. In contrast, Chicago was identified as the most climate-resilient major city globally, while Chinese cities also demonstrated strong adaptation capabilities.

Harish Rawat Steps Down from Congress Roles After ED Raids Aide

Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has resigned from his party positions following an Enforcement Directorate action linked to one of his associates. The ED conducted searches that resulted in the seizure of Rs 32 lakh in unaccounted cash from the aide. Investigators also recovered gold coins and chains totalling approximately 200.5 grams, along with 12 luxury watches. Rawat's resignation comes amid the scrutiny generated by the raids on his associate.