The West Bengal Urdu Academy postponed a poetry symposium featuring Javed Akhtar after religious groups protested his invitation, citing that his comments hurt their sentiments. While the Academy cited "unavoidable circumstances," critics suggest yielding to pressure. Akhtar stated he receives criticism from both Hindu and Muslim organizations and remains undeterred, hoping to visit Kolkata soon.
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India is expected to receive above-normal rainfall in September, exacerbating the already extreme monsoon season. The IMD warns of potential disruptions like landslides and floods, particularly in Uttarakhand and other regions. Northwest and South Peninsular India have already experienced unusually heavy rainfall, leading to devastating floods and landslides in several states.
Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying over 500 aerial weapons, primarily targeting western regions. Ukrainian officials reported injuries and damage to residential areas and infrastructure. The overnight attack injured railway workers, prompting Poland to activate its defense aircraft.
In 2019, Reese Ketler's hockey career ended abruptly due to a spinal cord injury. Doctors initially feared he might never walk again. Through intensive rehab and unwavering determination, Ketler defied expectations and returned home early. Now, he inspires thousands as a content creator, proving life continues after tragedy and sharing a message of hope and resilience.
The GST Council has approved a new 40% tax slab for sin and luxury goods, set to replace the existing cess. While the implementation date is pending, 5% and 18% slabs take effect from September 22. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the move, highlighting reduced tax burdens for the common person.
India has strongly condemned Peter Navarro's remarks about "Brahmins profiting from Russian crude" as inaccurate and misleading. The statement, linking India's oil purchases to funding Russia's war in Ukraine, has sparked widespread criticism across Indian political parties. Even Trump's comments on India's relationship with Russia and China at the SCO summit, adding fuel to the fire.
Google has launched its new AI photo editing tool, Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, internally known as Nano Banana. CEO Sundar Pichai showcased the tool's capabilities by sharing AI-edited images of his dog, Jeffree, in various scenarios. Gemini allows users to modify photos with costume changes, blending, and object manipulation, ensuring consistent likeness. All AI-generated images will include watermarks.
Uddhav Thackeray visited cousin Raj Thackeray's residence for Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, fueling speculation of a potential alliance for upcoming civic polls. This marks their third public interaction, following Raj's birthday visit to Uddhav in July. Their renewed bonhomie was also evident during a joint political appearance protesting language policies.
In 2026, the NFL will break its recent tradition of opening Week 1 with a Friday night game due to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which protects high school and college football. While the Friday opener disappears, the NFL is expanding its international presence, beginning the season with a historic game in Australia.
During a meeting at the SCO summit in Tianjin, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping addressed cross-border terrorism, recognizing its impact on both India and China. PM Modi emphasized the necessity of mutual understanding and support in combating this shared threat. He also highlighted the importance of peace along the border for fostering India-China relations based on trust and respect.
President Trump convened tech leaders, including Cook, Zuckerberg, and Pichai, to discuss AI's future. Melania Trump emphasized preparing children for an AI-driven world, advocating for its careful guidance. Tech CEOs lauded the administration's AI Action Plan and investments, with Google and Microsoft pledging significant financial contributions to the U.S. economy.