Business / 13
Indian stock market opens lower amid global tensions and MSCI changes
The Sensex opened at 76,978.61, down 0.37%, while the Nifty 50 began at 24,117.55, lower by 0.24%, on August 31, 2026.
Latest
English-language national news, explainers and fact checks.
Politics / 14
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announces statewide protest in Punjab on August 31
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha has announced a one-day protest outside Deputy Commissioner offices in all 22 districts of Punjab on August 31, 2026, over demands concerning farmers, agricultural labourers, youth, land, water and employment.
World / 15
US strikes Iranian rocket launchers in Strait of Hormuz; UAE intercepts drone
The US military struck Iranian rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz on August 31, 2026, while the UAE said it intercepted an Iranian drone over its territorial waters.
Latest / 16
Xi, Putin and Modi attend SCO summit in Bishkek
Leaders from China, Russia and India are attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, alongside meetings involving Iran’s president.
World / 17
Arab foreign ministers to attend India-Arab meeting in Delhi as ties expand
Ten Arab foreign ministers are expected to join an India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Delhi on Friday and Saturday, alongside senior Arab League participation. The gathering is positioned as a push to deepen political and economic engagement, with a parallel India-Arab League business meeting also planned.
Business / 18
India and EU finalise major free trade agreement; sensitive items kept out, tariffs to fall over phases
India and the European Union have announced the finalisation of a sweeping FTA that would progressively reduce tariffs across most trade, while excluding sensitive segments such as cereals and dairy and protecting small cars. The pact promises expanded market access for Indian exports like textiles and leather, and outlines phased openings for autos and other categories, with implementation expected after ratification steps.
Sports / 19
New Zealand beat India by 50 runs in 4th T20I at Visakhapatnam; Seifert, Santner star
New Zealand posted 215/7 and bowled India out for 165 to win the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam by 50 runs. Tim Seifert’s 62 set up the total, while Mitchell Santner’s 3/26 led the bowling; Shivam Dube’s 65 off 23 kept India briefly alive before the chase collapsed.
Health / 20
India confirms two Nipah cases in West Bengal; contacts test negative as monitoring continues
India’s health ministry has confirmed two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal since December and says 196 identified contacts have been quarantined and tested, all negative so far. The government has called wider case-count claims inaccurate and says surveillance and containment steps remain active.
Politics / 21
Election Commission’s voter-roll revision sparks political fight as deletions top 3 crore: report
The Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls—launched in mid-2025 and now in its final stages—has reportedly removed over three crore names, triggering political backlash and a Supreme Court challenge. The exercise began in Bihar in June 2025 ahead of state elections, intensifying scrutiny over process, timing and safeguards.
Latest / 22
India says Nipah outbreak in West Bengal is contained as Asian airports tighten screenings
India’s health ministry says a Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal has been contained after two confirmed cases since December, with 196 contacts traced and testing negative. Even so, several Asian countries have stepped up airport surveillance for travellers arriving from India amid concerns triggered by early, reportedly inaccurate case reports.
Tech / 23
ISRO set to begin 2026 launch calendar with PSLV-C62 carrying EOS-N1 and multiple co-passengers
ISRO is preparing its first mission of 2026, PSLV-C62, scheduled for January 12 from Sriharikota. The flight will carry EOS-N1, an imaging satellite built for strategic purposes, along with a Kestrel Initial Demonstrator device from a Spain-based start-up and a set of commercial payloads from Indian and international customers.
Tech / 24
Microsoft unveils Maia 200 AI inference chip for Azure, aiming faster and cheaper model deployment
Microsoft has announced Maia 200, its new AI inference accelerator built on advanced 3-nanometre technology and designed for large-scale deployment in Azure. The company says the chip focuses on improving inference economics for real-world apps, with early deployments in US data-centre regions and a software stack to help developers optimise models.