Russia and Ukraine exchanged strikes on energy targets Tuesday, hours after US President Donald Trump said they had agreed to stop such attacks. Russia launched 200 drones overnight at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing two people and striking petrol stations, energy and port infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, struck an oil refinery in Syzran, Russia’s Samara region, along with drone production facilities in Taganrog and Oryol. The attacks came despite Trump’s announcement of an agreement to halt strikes on energy targets, casting fresh doubt on his peace push. The strikes showed both sides continuing attacks on strategic energy and military-related infrastructure, hours after the understanding. (PC: Times Now)

Saudi Arabia reportedly held talks with Israel, mediated by US Central Command, on intelligence support to counter Iran-backed Houthi attacks, according to Israeli outlet Walla, citing diplomatic sources. Riyadh’s request focused on intelligence to better understand Houthi military positions and assess potential operations. Bloomberg also reported Saudi Arabia approached Britain for help pushing the Houthis away from the Bab al-Mandab Strait and protecting oil facilities. Britain said it would work with partners to maintain regional stability. The Houthis have intensified attacks, including a drone strike on oil pipelines and pumping facilities that forced a partial operational halt. They recently captured Mokha and nearby islands, gaining greater leverage over the strategic waterway. (PC: AFP)

India is concerned about risks around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait as Iran-backed Houthis escalate attacks in the Red Sea region. The chokepoint connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a gateway between the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted amid the US-Iran conflict, Bab-el-Mandeb has become more important for energy supplies. India said attacks on Saudi infrastructure and economic assets threaten stability and freedom of navigation. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India continues receiving energy and said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the attacks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Prolonged disruption could increase shipping, insurance and energy-security pressures. (PC: Reuters)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Pakistan’s fresh increase in the bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as “gimmicks” and demanded concrete action against terrorism. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan’s “hoodwinking” was not new, noting that similar announcements had been made previously, once again. Responding to a question about Pakistan maintaining the bounty on Azhar, Jaiswal called the announcement “phoney” and said that, for a state sponsor of terrorism, such declarations were hollow. He stressed that Pakistan must take concrete action instead of making phoney announcements, adding that the bounty announcement was “of no consequence” in practice. Azhar is believed to be operating from Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province. (PC: AFP)

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf faced trolling from Indian and Pakistani fans after criticising India for refusing to accept the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. Yousuf called India a nation without humility and said pride had become arrogance. India had refused the trophy because Naqvi, Pakistan’s interior minister and ACC chief, was linked to the stance following the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian fans reminded Yousuf of Pakistan’s cricketing struggles, while some Pakistani fans blamed Naqvi for damaging the sport. Reactions included accusations of hypocrisy and demands to hold Naqvi accountable. One Pakistani user questioned Yousuf’s praise, asking him to fear Allah for praising someone publicly described as a violator. (PC: AFP)

The government has announced a new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for select UPI transactions, under which merchants will pay a fee on person-to-merchant (P2M) payments above Rs 2,000, while consumers will continue to use UPI free of charge. The new framework will take effect from October 15, 2026. Under the standard P2M structure, a 0.4% MDR will apply to UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. For transactions of Rs 75,000 and above, the MDR will be capped at Rs 300 per transaction. The charge will be paid by merchants to acquiring banks and cannot be passed on to customers. Thus, consumers will not bear the fee directly when making UPI payments. (PC: Getty Images)

A 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) may be charged on UPI payments above ₹2,000 made to merchants, according to a new proposal. The move is aimed at helping banks and payment companies cover the cost of handling UPI transactions. The proposed charge would apply to merchant payments, while person-to-person transfers would remain free. The government has not yet taken a final decision on introducing the charge. UPI has become one of India’s most widely used payment methods, with millions of transactions made every day. The proposal could affect businesses that receive large-value payments through UPI.

US diesel prices have climbed to record levels just as American farmers begin harvesting corn and soybeans, putting further pressure on already tight farm budgets. The national average reached $5.85 per gallon on September 4 before rising to $6.05 per gallon, according to AAA. That is about 60% higher than the roughly $3.76 average before the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February. Farmers depend heavily on diesel to run combines, tractors and trucks and to transport crops. Rising fuel costs come alongside higher prices for fertiliser, seeds and equipment, squeezing profits and forcing some farmers to delay work. (PC: The Times of India)

The Himalayas are facing a serious water crisis as glaciers are losing mass 65% faster than a decade ago, a new report has warned. Nearly 200 glacial lakes have been identified as high-risk, including 56 classified as very high risk in India. These lakes are linked to major rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra, raising concerns over floods, water shortages and the safety of downstream communities. The report says Himalayan water systems underpin more than 20% of India’s GDP, supporting agriculture, hydropower, tourism and millions of livelihoods. It warns the region could reach “peak water” by mid-century. (PC: X)

Gurugram Police have arrested Kalyan Bainsla, the driver accused of ramming his car into woman biker Shivani Chauhan (Sia) on Golf Course Road, along with his cousin Lavnish Gurjar. Both were detained in Dausa, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, days after Sunday's incident went viral. CCTV footage showed Bainsla's white sedan swerving into Sia's Aprilia RS 457, throwing her off the bike. Police added an attempt-to-murder charge, carrying up to 10 years in prison. Bainsla had earlier claimed he didn't know the rider was a woman, a claim Sia has strongly disputed, alleging the attack was deliberate and premeditated. (PC: HT)