US President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government’s efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply chain integrity. The statement came as India was included in the US list of “major illicit drug producing countries” on Wednesday. Trump said he looked forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework. India was among 23 countries designated by the US as “major drug transit or major illicit drug producing” nations. Pakistan and China were also included in the list. Other countries named included Afghanistan, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Burma and others.

Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest recognition for contribution to cinema. The Press Information Bureau announced the honour on September 16, with the award scheduled to be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22. Nag becomes the second Kannada actor to receive the honour after Dr Rajkumar, who was awarded it in 1995. Born Anant Nagarkatte in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district in 1948, Nag moved to Mumbai at 11 for further studies and developed an interest in theatre. He performed in Kannada, Konkani and Marathi plays, building a theatrical foundation that later shaped his film performances across his career. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Centre on Wednesday rejected opposition claims that introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments was driven by foreign influence or intended to appease US President Donald Trump. The opposition had alleged that the move was aimed at benefiting American card companies and followed external pressure. The Finance Ministry said India’s UPI policy decisions were made independently. It also clarified that UPI would continue to remain free for consumers. The government’s response came amid criticism of the MDR framework, with the Centre seeking to counter allegations linking the policy change to foreign influence. The Ministry reiterated that access to UPI payments would remain free under its independently decided policy. (PC: X)

Bangladesh said handing over prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League Secretary Obaidul Quader and others in India is an important condition for improving bilateral ties. Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Dhaka expects New Delhi to consider the issue while establishing a “working engagement” between the neighbours. His remarks followed Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentencing Quader and six others to death in a case linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising. Zahed said he raised the handover issue with High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi. Hasina has stayed in India since her ouster, while Dhaka has repeatedly sought her return. The demand comes amid efforts to navigate a phase in relations. (PC: AFP)

PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a Semiconductor Roundtable in Delhi with technology leaders, urging participation as India advances its semiconductor journey. He called for India to aspire to be among early leaders in emerging technologies, highlighting strengths in talent, technology adoption and infrastructure. Modi urged companies to contribute to skilling, innovation, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, citing a target to train one crore people in AI. He said India’s semiconductor ecosystem was moving towards scale and opportunity and invited suggestions on policies. CEOs welcomed India’s progress in manufacturing, chip design, infrastructure and talent, expressed confidence in India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, and committed to supporting India’s emergence as a semiconductor hub. (PC: PTI)

India rejected the China-Pakistan Joint Boundary Commission after it became operational, saying the body has no legal basis and Pakistan cannot enter arrangements concerning Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position remained clear, asserting there is no boundary between Pakistan and China. India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India and that it has never recognised the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, which it considers illegal and invalid. Jaiswal said boundary cooperation concerning Indian territories would be unacceptable and would not affect India’s sovereignty. He urged Islamabad to vacate the areas it holds under occupation.

Yemen’s Houthi forces have claimed attacks on a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and a Saudi air base in Khamis Mushait. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group used dozens of ballistic missiles and attack drones against the Yanbu facility, claiming the strikes caused a large fire and extensive damage. He also said multiple ballistic missiles targeted the Khamis Mushait air base. Saudi authorities and Aramco have not officially confirmed any damage, and the claims have not been independently verified. Yanbu has become important to Saudi oil exports because the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, prompting Riyadh to reroute crude through the Red Sea port. The Yanbu refinery has 250,000-barrel-per-day capacity, while YASREF has 400,000 barrels.

Adidas has confirmed layoffs within its Technology organisation in India, reportedly affecting nearly 50 per cent of employees at its India Tech Hub in Gurugram. Software engineers, data scientists and data engineers are among those affected. However, Adidas has not disclosed the number of employees impacted. In a statement to Wocult, the company said it had made the “difficult decision” to reduce roles within its Technology organisation. Adidas said the move is part of ongoing efforts to align its operating model with the changing needs of the business. The reported layoffs affect technology roles, while the company has provided no figure for the total workforce reduction at the India Tech Hub. (PC: AP)

Traders are worried about the new 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain UPI payments above ₹2,000. Several market groups said the charge could increase costs for businesses. Some traders warned they may encourage customers to pay in cash, especially during the festive season. The government has said customers cannot be charged the MDR. Small merchants earning up to ₹1 lakh a month through UPI QR codes will also remain exempt. The government estimates about 96% of merchant transactions will continue to have zero MDR. Traders, however, fear the new charge could make digital payments less attractive.  

India has rejected a new Pakistan-China boundary commission, saying it has no legal basis. The commission held its first meeting in Islamabad to discuss border management, surveys, trade and connectivity. India said it does not recognise the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement and considers it illegal and invalid. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan cannot make agreements involving territory that India claims as its own. India also opposed any move to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. New Delhi said such cooperation between Pakistan and China would not affect India’s claims over the disputed territories.