A solo travel vlogger from the southern Indian state of Kerala has been released after being temporarily detained by Taliban authorities in Bamyan, Afghanistan. Arunima IP, known online as "Backpacker Arunima," sparked widespread concern on social media when she posted an urgent SOS message seeking assistance from the Indian Embassy. She claimed local Taliban members had detained her for violating strict rules regarding female travellers.


Taliban 'detains' Keralam woman on solo Afghanistan trip

India’s top drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has issued a public health advisory warning consumers against using unauthorised fairness creams manufactured in Pakistan. Lab tests confirmed that products like 'Goree Beauty Cream' and 'Chandni Whitening Cream' contain excessive levels of heavy metals—including toxic mercury and lead—well beyond permissible safety limits, posing severe health risks.   


Pakistan-made fairness creams rife with heavy metals, warns India

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday with special prayers, cultural events, and outreach programmes across the country. Party leaders, supporters, and workers gathered at temples and community centres to offer prayers and extend their wishes to the Prime Minister. The celebrations also feature welfare initiatives and public events, highlighting Modi's political journey and his role in India's governance over the years.


PM Narendra Modi turns 76 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the high-profile fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Dwarka, New Delhi. Co-organized by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and SEMI, the three-day flagship event runs from September 17 to September 19, 2026, under the central theme, "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem."

Semicon India 2026 brings global chip industry to Delhi 

New Zealand has formally passed the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, paving the way for the landmark pact to come into force on October 19. The agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade, expand market access and strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Officials say the deal will create new opportunities for businesses, exporters and investors.


All Indian goods to get duty-free access to New Zealand

Taiwan’s representative in India has said direct air links with New Delhi will resume on 1 December and that two semiconductor projects involving Taiwanese firms should begin operating within one to two years, as Taipei looks to expand trade, and people-to-people contact.

Dr Mumin Chen, who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center, said the Delhi–Taipei route would be operated by EVA Air five times a week. “The first priority is that we’ve resumed the direct flight and encourage more Indian friends to visit Taiwan,” he said, adding that Taiwan would “certainly consider” new procedures to make visa applications easier for Indian travellers. 

Taiwan, India expand connectivity & trade, semiconductor cooperation gains momentum

India-Taiwan ties: Semiconductor cooperation gains significant momentum

 Taiwan’s representative in India has said direct air links with New Delhi will resume on 1 December and that two semiconductor projects involving Taiwanese firms should begin operating within one to two years, as Taipei looks to expand trade, and people-to-people contact.

Dr Mumin Chen, who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center, said the Delhi–Taipei route would be operated by EVA Air five times a week. “The first priority is that we’ve resumed the direct flight and encourage more Indian friends to visit Taiwan,” he said, adding that Taiwan would “certainly consider” new procedures to make visa applications easier for Indian travellers. 

Taiwan seeks deeper India ties as direct flights restart soon and chip projects advance

New Zealand parliament approves legislation to implement FTA 

Seven months into widening global conflict and West Asian tensions, India continues to manage supply disruptions through strategic energy maneuvering. Russia has solidified its position as India's top crude supplier, with imports reaching record levels in July and accounting for over 50% of the country's seaborne crude intake. Facing potential supply bottlenecks along Red Sea transit routes and Saudi export pipelines, Indian refiners are leveraging flexible spot purchases and discounted Russian grades to buffer against global price shocks and domestic demand pressures.  


Seven months of war: How India is keeping energy flows alive

India's UPI ecosystem is entering a new phase. Payments up to ₹2,000 will continue to remain free, protecting everyday users and small merchants. However, larger merchant transactions above ₹2,000 will attract a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), capped at ₹300. Consumers will not pay the charge directly, but the move is aimed at making India's digital payments infrastructure more financially sustainable as UPI volumes continue to surge. The debate now is who ultimately bears the cost of the world's largest real-time payments network.


Who pays what? Full breakdown of new UPI merchant discount rates

Tamil Nadu Police have registered cases against senior DMK leaders—including Nilgiris MP A. Raja, Harbour MLA P.K. Sekar Babu, and Rishivandhiyam MLA Vasantham Karthikeyan—following allegations of defamatory and derogatory remarks made against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar. The FIRs were lodged across Saidapet, North Beach, and Kallakurichi police stations based on complaints filed by TVK functionaries following statewide DMK demonstrations.  


Tamil Nadu politics: Three DMK leaders booked for controversial remarks against CM Vijay

India has summoned Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires after PNS Hunain, a Pakistani offshore patrol vessel, collided with an Indian warship in the North Arabian Sea on September 15. India says the Pakistani ship ignored repeated warnings, then sped up and crossed the Indian vessel's bow, brushing against it. MEA called the conduct "unacceptable and unprofessional," said it violated the 1991 bilateral agreement, and has instructed its envoy in Islamabad to lodge a similar protest. No damage or injuries were reported on the Indian side.


MEA slams Pakistan's 'unprofessional' conduct after PNS Hunain collides with Indian warship

The tide has turned.For decades, hilsa flowed one way, from Bangladesh's rivers straight into Bengal's markets. Now, India is sending the prized fish across the border, and Bangladesh can't get enough of it.Over the past two months, India has shipped roughly 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh, according to govt of India. Traders expect another 150-200 tonnes to cross in the coming weeks — a surge driven largely by a slump in Bangladesh's own domestic catch.Much of the fish isn't even Bengali by origin. A large share has come from Gujarat's Bharuch region, while additional consignments have moved through West Bengal's Howrah wholesale fish market, long the nerve centre of the state's fish trade. Once across the border, the hilsa finds eager buyers: fish carrying high roe content is fetching strong demand in Chattogram and Sylhet, with some roe processed further for re-export, and other portions salted and dried.Dr. Pradip Dey, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, called the export surge "a strong market signal reflecting the exceptional consumer preference, economic value and regional demand for this iconic fish." He added that for West Bengal, it's a chance to build "a knowledge-driven, sustainable and value-added Hilsa economy."But the celebration comes with a caution. Scientists are warning that rising export demand could tempt heavier fishing pressure on wild stocks already under strain. The remedy, they say, lies in enforcing existing West Bengal government gazette rules — stricter policing of juvenile catches during March-May, keeping gillnet mesh sizes above 90mm to spare undersized fish under 500g, and honouring seasonal fishing bans around Mahalaya-Kali Puja and Holi, when hilsa migrate upstream to spawn.Dr. Ranjan Kumar Manna, HoD at ICAR-CIFRI, framed conservation as forward-looking investment: "Hilsa conservation is an investment in the future of the fishery." He pointed to protecting migration corridors and salinity balance, along with breeding advances, as the foundation for "sustainable Hilsa fisheries in the Hooghly–Sundarban ecosystem."The Sundarban's Saptamukhi, Matla, Thakuran and Herobhanga rivers, meanwhile, remain thin on hilsa — a consequence, researchers say, of reduced freshwater flow altering salinity patterns, something restoration and careful dredging could help reverse.&nbsp;

India has shipped around 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh in two months as domestic catches slump, but scientists warn of pressure on wild stocks.

The tide has turned. For decades, hilsa flowed one way, from Bangladesh's rivers straight into Bengal's markets. Now, India is sending the prized fish across the border, and Bangladesh can't get enough of it. Over the past two months, India has shipped roughly 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh, according to govt of India. Traders expect another 150-200 tonnes to cross in the coming weeks — a surge driven largely by a slump in Bangladesh's own domestic catch. Much of the fish isn't even Bengali by origin. A large share has come from Gujarat's Bharuch region, while additional consignments have moved through West Bengal's Howrah wholesale fish market, long the nerve centre of the state's fish trade. Once across the border, the hilsa finds eager buyers: fish carrying high roe content is fetching strong demand in Chattogram and Sylhet, with some roe processed further for re-export, and other portions salted and dried. Dr. Pradip Dey, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, called the export surge "a strong market signal reflecting the exceptional consumer preference, economic value and regional demand for this iconic fish." He added that for West Bengal, it's a chance to build "a knowledge-driven, sustainable and value-added Hilsa economy." But the celebration comes with a caution. Scientists are warning that rising export demand could tempt heavier fishing pressure on wild stocks already under strain. The remedy, they say, lies in enforcing existing West Bengal government gazette rules — stricter policing of juvenile catches during March-May, keeping gillnet mesh sizes above 90mm to spare undersized fish under 500g, and honouring seasonal fishing bans around Mahalaya-Kali Puja and Holi, when hilsa migrate upstream to spawn. Dr. Ranjan Kumar Manna, HoD at ICAR-CIFRI, framed conservation as forward-looking investment: "Hilsa conservation is an investment in the future of the fishery." He pointed to protecting migration corridors and salinity balance, along with breeding advances, as the foundation for "sustainable Hilsa fisheries in the Hooghly–Sundarban ecosystem." The Sundarban's Saptamukhi, Matla, Thakuran and Herobhanga rivers, meanwhile, remain thin on hilsa — a consequence, researchers say, of reduced freshwater flow altering salinity patterns, something restoration and careful dredging could help reverse.

India has shipped around 500 tonnes of hilsa to Bangladesh in two months as domestic catches slump, but scientists warn of pressure on wild stocks.

Hilsa diplomacy in reverse: What's driving India's surprise fish export surge

UPI's ₹2,000 divide: Free for millions, but who pays for India's digital revolution? 

India’s latest defence assessment has flagged a reduction in Chinese troop deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), offering a fresh development in the ongoing India-China border situation. The report highlights changes in China’s military posture along the disputed frontier.

China scaled back troops along Lac in 2025 amid thaw in ties with India

Calls for reforming and restructuring the United Nations Security Council are growing, with developing countries demanding greater representation and a stronger voice in global decision-making. 

UNSC reform, restructuring and ensuring representation of developing countries

According to the Ministry of Defence's latest annual report, India and China are experiencing a gradual diplomatic and military stabilization along the northern frontier. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has scaled back its troop presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), maintaining 10 combined arms brigades near the border alongside equal reserves in traditional training areas. While the report characterizes the border situation as stable, the Indian Army maintains a robust, high state of readiness across all sectors to meet any contingency. 

India-China reset: Will diplomatic thaw reflect along lac?

In one of the biggest highlights of BRICS 2026, Xi Jinping told PM Modi that China and India are "partners, not rivals, and opportunities, not threats" for each other, laying out a four-point framework for steadier ties. Modi thanked Xi for backing India's BRICS chairship and confirmed India will fully support China as it takes over the chairship in 2027 to host the 19th Summit. Border peace, trade imbalances and market access also featured prominently in the talks.


BRICS Summit 2026: China aims to start third 'golden decade' of BRICS cooperation 

BRICS leaders gathered for the main open session as PM Modi took the floor to open discussions on inclusive global growth. Modi flagged serious concerns over the "weaponisation of technology and critical minerals," warning it could hinder shared progress and prosperity for the bloc. He also pointed to rising geopolitical tensions hurting ordinary lives worldwide, stressing that BRICS must strengthen resilience, especially for the Global South, through better supply chains and tech access.


BRICS Summit 2026: China controls over 60% of global rare earth mining output 

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim brought some Bollywood magic to his BRICS Summit visit, breaking into an impromptu rendition of Kishore Kumar's classic "Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat" at a Delhi hotel. The song, from the 1965 film Teen Devian, is one of many Hindi classics Anwar has sung during his India trips, following past performances of "Dost Dost Na Raha" and "Bole Chudiyan." His visit also saw India-Malaysia ties elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.


BRICS 2026: Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim sings Bollywood classic at BRICS dinner  

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi calls for unified BRICS growth model

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi calls for BRICS cooperation across sectors

BRICS Summit 2026: 'Nature is a mother,' PM Modi prepares bilaterals with 7 nations

PM Modi's BRICS vision: Growth, green development and a stronger global south

Zahra Pezeshkian, daughter of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, visited the Brics Bazaar at the National Crafts Museum on Saturday along with her husband, Hassan Majidi, on the sidelines of the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi.


BRICS Summit 2026: Iranian president's daughter explores crafts, culture at BRICS Bazaar

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi warns weaponising critical minerals, tech hampers progress 

Day 1 of the BRICS Summit ended on a high note for India, all 11 members unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration, overcoming sharp Iran-UAE differences over West Asia after days of tense negotiations. PM Modi packed the day with bilaterals, including a landmark meeting with Xi Jinping. With the main open session done and dusted, all eyes now turn to Day 2, where the agenda shifts to inclusive global growth and the BRICS+ outreach nations.


BRICS Summit 2026: Global leaders of BRICS nations attend main open session 

BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi to hold bilateral with leaders of 7 nations 

BRICS Summit 2026: Global leaders arrive for final session Of BRICS summit 

When PM Modi welcomed world leaders at Bharat Mandapam for the BRICS Summit, the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu formed the striking backdrop. Modi personally explained the temple's significance to Xi Jinping as they shook hands, before doing the same for Putin, El-Sisi, Ramaphosa and other leaders. One of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is deeply tied to the Ramayana and stands as a symbol of India's spiritual and cultural heritage.


BRICS Summit 2026: Bharat Mandapam features one of India's holiest shrines 

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