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India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) marks a decade since its launch in August 2016, with annual transactions surging from 1.78 crore in FY17 to 24,162 crore in FY26. The platform now handles nearly half of global real-time payments, operates in 11 countries, and has become the backbone of India's digital economy.
India's Petroleum Ministry has asked states and Union territories to provide district-level administrative support to accelerate the switch from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG) in households, including appointing nodal officers. The move follows supply disruptions during the West Asia crisis and aims to reduce dependence on imported cooking gas.
The BRICS Sports Ministers' Meeting 2026 concluded in Visakhapatnam with the adoption of a joint declaration, as India advanced initiatives on sports technology and manufacturing. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also led a BRICS Friendship cycling event, promoting the Fit India Movement and urging fitness for a developed nation.
Iran's parliament speaker says Tehran has received messages from neighbouring nations about shaping new security and economic cooperation in the region, while a top security official warns countries against joining a US-led 'economic war'. The statements come amid ongoing conflict and threats of new sanctions.
'Bethlehem Kudumba Unit' has surged to a worldwide gross of ₹37.25 crore in two days, outperforming rival 'Khalifa' during the Onam season. The Nivin Pauly-Mamitha Baiju rom-com has seen strong growth fueled by positive word-of-mouth and family turnout, while 'Khalifa' continues to decline.
Canada's premiers lined up behind Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to suspend trade talks with the U.S., but divisions emerged over retaliatory tariffs. New U.S. tariffs on billions in Canadian goods took effect, with Carney promising dollar-for-dollar countermeasures starting Sept. 8.
Tadej Pogačar won the opening stage of the Vuelta a España with a dramatic late surge, beating Ethan Hayter by 0.09 seconds in the Monaco time trial. The Slovenian leads the general classification as the race heads to its second stage, with a notable backdrop of Josh Tarling competing days after his brother's death.
The BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting concluded in Visakhapatnam on Saturday with the adoption of a joint statement on youth cooperation. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu proposed a BRICS Youth and Sports Innovation Network and highlighted the city's potential as an international water sports destination.
Six armed pirates hijacked an oil products tanker off Yemen and steered it toward Somalia, a Somali maritime security official said, in the sixth commercial vessel seized since April in a resurgence of piracy in the region. The Eritrean-flagged Sibu 1 was carrying 20 crew members, and had been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury last year over alleged ties to an Iranian 'shadow fleet.'
102 former French and British diplomats signed an open letter published in Le Monde, urging their governments to jointly sanction Israel, including arms transfer bans and a freeze on trade agreements, warning that Israeli policy threatens to erase the possibility of a Palestinian state.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Russia on August 23-24, meeting President Vladimir Putin and conveying PM Modi's personal communication. Discussions covered economic cooperation, upcoming summits, and regional issues, with both sides highlighting growing ties and setting the stage for future engagements.
Dangote Group has offered East African nations a combined 30% stake in its planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, Kenya. Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda have expressed interest, with potential regional investment reaching $1.5 billion. The $20 billion project is slated for a September groundbreaking.
As India gears up for the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is emerging as a key export item in bilateral talks, with a range of countries from the Gulf to Southeast Asia expressing interest. Recent combat use in Operation Sindoor has bolstered its appeal, and several agreements are already in place.
Florida-based startup Powerus has opened its first Middle East facility in the UAE to assemble low-cost Guardian drone interceptors, producing about 30 per day. The company plans to scale global output to 15,000 interceptors monthly by 2027, following a wave of Iranian drone and missile attacks on the Emirates.
The US Treasury has redesignated Hezbollah to emphasize its role as an Iranian proxy under the IRGC Quds Force and imposed sanctions on 10 individuals accused of smuggling hundreds of millions of dollars via commercial flights. Officials described the group as an extension of Iran's forces operating with little regard for Lebanese sovereignty. The move occurs amid ongoing Israel-Lebanon hostilities and broader US pressure on Iran.
A new report details a covert US military operation that has established a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, moving approximately 10 million barrels of oil daily. The operation, reportedly coordinated from Fort Bragg, was enabled by a campaign that degraded Iran's radar and surveillance capabilities.
September WTI crude oil climbed 1.67% on Tuesday, buoyed by a weaker dollar and persistent Middle East supply disruptions, while gasoline prices slipped. The UAE's decision to cut economic ties with Iran and renewed Israeli strikes heightened concerns, though OPEC production increases and rising US inventories tempered gains. IEA head Fatih Birol warned the Strait of Hormuz crisis has caused long-term damage to energy markets.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters acknowledges he cannot give a timeline for the resolution of Manchester City's 115 financial charges, citing confidentiality. The case, unresolved after three-and-a-half years, has drawn rival frustration, legal notices from top clubs, and reported warnings from UAE officials about potential diplomatic consequences.
India's export dependence on the US stayed largely unchanged at around 20% in the 12 months through July, despite tariffs that reached 50% and diversification efforts. Commerce ministry data show US-bound shipments rose to $87.31 billion in 2025-26, while trade experts warn diversification will take years.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each on August 19, 2026, in a swap mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the return of servicemen from several branches, while Russian officials reported that freed soldiers were in Belarus for medical care. Another exchange is expected before the end of the month.