A Spanish naval commander was removed from his NATO post in the UK and had his security clearance suspended over concerns about his relationship with Janina White, a Russian-born US-Polish dual national he met on Tinder. The Telegraph reported that NATO and Spanish authorities investigated the relationship in 2025, after which the officer was barred from the Northwood base and returned to Spain. White, 49, denies links to Russian intelligence and is seeking a judicial review over why she was considered a security risk. She has also filed a discrimination case against Britain’s Ministry of Defence. The commander and White are no longer together, while NATO and the MoD declined comment. (PC: X)

The government has prohibited banks and payment system providers from imposing direct or indirect charges on UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000 and payments made using RuPay-powered debit cards. A Finance Ministry notification specified both as electronic payment modes covered by the ban. The move leaves scope for a possible fee framework for higher-value merchant transactions. Under the notification, no bank or system provider can charge a person making or receiving a payment through the specified modes. The decision comes amid debate over introducing Merchant Discount Rate charges for larger transactions. The government’s move ensures payments through UPI up to Rs 2,000 and RuPay debit cards remain free from charges imposed by banks or payment system providers. (PC: Reuters)

US lawmakers have proposed competing amendments to a Russia sanctions bill that could expose oil-trading partners, including India, to 100 per cent tariffs. Congressman Steny Hoyer’s amendment would name China, India, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the UAE, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic as countries eligible for the duties. Congressman Gregory Meeks has proposed scrapping Section 113, which grants the President authority to impose secondary tariffs on Russia’s trading partners. The Senate passed the bill 86-11 on August 7, targeting Russia’s leadership, energy sector and shadow fleet. Meeks proposed 90-day sanction waivers and $15 billion in loans to Ukraine. The House has four working days before its midterm election recess. (PC: Money Control)

Gurugram hit-and-run victim Sia released a video statement, challenging accused Kalyan Bainsla’s claim that he did not deliberately ram his car into her motorcycle. Bainsla had said two bikers overtook his car, moved ahead and slowed down, and that he did not know a woman was riding. Sia questioned why he followed them if their riding concerned him and alleged videos showed the car changing lanes before hitting her. She said her hair and bun were visible and alleged Bainsla had asked her to stop before the collision. She said two videos showed the car’s movements and being dragged before falling. She questioned why driver did not stop after the crash.

Indonesia is coordinating with Indian authorities and CITES to repatriate five baby orangutans rescued in Odisha’s Balasore on September 8. The primates, three males and two females aged six months to one year, were found in Bichitrapur forest and moved to Nandankanan Zoological Park, where they remain quarantined in a temperature-controlled facility. Preliminary observations suggest they may be Sumatran orangutans, with DNA testing needed for confirmation. Indonesian authorities are working with India’s CITES Management Authority, diplomatic missions and conservation bodies to expedite their return. Odisha Police’s Special Task Force and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau are investigating a suspected international trafficking network and how the animals reached India, including possible trafficking routes.

A 24-year-old Indian-origin woman, Malaika Chitre, and her Nepali-American friend, Navam Kaul, were killed after being struck by a subway train at Spring Street station in Lower Manhattan. According to The New York Post, citing the NYPD, the two were sitting on the roadbed when a southbound No. 4 train hit them at 3:15 am. Chitre was from Dayton, New Jersey, while Kaul was from Sayreville, New Jersey. Bystander video appears to show them sitting on the tracks before the train approached. Sources said the train operator saw them, activated emergency brakes, but could not stop in time. Operator reportedly said Chitre appeared to be laughing while pulling Kaul toward her.

A US judge blocked a Trump administration rule that would have limited how long international students and journalists could remain in the country without extensions. US District Judge F. Dennis Saylor in Boston issued the order a day before the Department of Homeland Security rule was due to take effect. The July rule sought to replace the nearly five-decade “duration of status” system, limiting F and J visas to four years and I visas for journalists to 240 days. Saylor said DHS relied on “exceptionally weak” rationales and failed to consider less burdensome alternatives. He warned the policy could reduce foreign students, professors and journalists, harming universities and the US economy. (PC: X)

China’s Embassy in India spokesperson shared a video highlighting China-India friendship and youth exchanges at the BRICS Bazaar in New Delhi. The clip features young participants from multiple BRICS countries exploring cultural exhibition stalls and celebrating the diversity of the grouping. Shared during India’s 2026 BRICS chairship, the post reflects Beijing’s public-diplomacy outreach and emphasis on people-to-people ties. It also spotlights cultural engagement between China and India at the multilateral gathering, presenting the BRICS Bazaar as a space for interaction among young participants from different member countries. The video’s “China! Namaste, India!” message underscores the embassy’s focus on friendship, cultural exchange and youth engagement during India’s BRICS chairship and multilateral gathering.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the “most important consensus” that China and India should be partners during their meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. Summing up Xi’s September 12-13 visit to New Delhi, Wang said the leaders held candid, in-depth discussions on strategic, long-term and directional issues concerning bilateral relations. According to Wang, Xi said China and India could draw on each other’s strengths, support one another, help each other succeed and pursue common development. The leaders also agreed to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas and support each other as rotating BRICS chairs. Wang said their meeting attracted widespread international attention.

The first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have declared that “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” and urged the UK government to prepare for constitutional change. The nationalist leaders of Plaid Cymru, Sinn Féin and the SNP, who support their countries leaving the United Kingdom, signed an agreement stating that no Westminster government had the right to block democracy. Scotland’s John Swinney and Northern Ireland’s Michelle O’Neill called for independence referendums during a joint press conference. However, Wales’ Rhun ap Iorwerth declined to provide a timetable for a Welsh referendum. The agreement signals a coordinated push by the three nationalist parties for constitutional change across the United Kingdom.