Saudi Arabia’s central bank launches Google Pay and announces Alipay+ acceptance by 2026

Google Pay has officially launched in Saudi Arabia via the national Mada network, enabling secure digital transactions. SAMA also announced Alipay+ acceptance by 2026, enhancing cross-border payments. These moves align with Vision 2030 goals to boost financial inclusion and reduce cash use. Saudi’s fintech sector has surged, attracting $2.39 billion in investments and achieving 79% electronic retail payments.

ITR filing due date today: Tax portal still facing glitches? What taxpayers are saying

ITR filing FY 2024-25 due day extension: Taxpayers are reportedly facing persistent technical issues on the Income Tax e-filing portal even after the Finance Ministry extended the ITR filing deadline to September 16, 2025. Despite scheduled maintenance, users reported problems with submission, late fee reflections, and portal functionality.

Maharashtra local body polls: Hold elections by January, SC tells government, EC

The Supreme Court has mandated the Maharashtra government and State Election Commission to conduct local body elections by January 31, 2026. The court has instructed authorities to complete the delimitation exercise by October 10 this year.

Roads blocked, vehicles swept away: Cloudburst in Himachal, Uttarakhand

Heavy rain, cloudbursts, and landslides have caused widespread destruction in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, three people died in Mandi district due to a landslide. Uttarakhand was hit by a cloudburst in Dehradun, damaging properties and infrastructure. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are providing assistance to those affected, with the Chief Ministers monitoring the situation.

Pak PM likely to meet Trump; talks expected on UNGA sidelines - Report

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, recently promoted to Field Marshal, are reportedly meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. This follows a prior White House luncheon between Trump and Munir, where discussions included the Iran-Israel conflict and potential US-Pakistan trade partnerships.

Who is Nupur Bora? Assam officer accused of illegal transfer of Hindus’ land

Assam Civil Service officer Nupur Bora has been arrested in connection with a corruption scandal involving illegal land transfers and disproportionate assets. Raids on her residences in Guwahati uncovered nearly Rs 1 crore in cash, diamonds, and jewellery. The investigation was triggered by complaints of unexplained wealth and questionable land transactions, particularly in Barpeta district.

Online betting scam: ED summons Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, actor Sonu Sood

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former cricketers Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh, along with actor Sonu Sood, for questioning in a money laundering case related to the alleged illegal online betting app 1xBet. They are scheduled to appear next week under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Bihar elections: Nitish Kumar announces interest-free education loans

Roads blocked, vehicles swept away: Cloudburst in Himachal, Uttarakhand; rains trigger floods, landslides

Heavy rain, cloudbursts, and landslides have caused widespread destruction in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, three people died in Mandi district due to a landslide. Uttarakhand was hit by a cloudburst in Dehradun, damaging properties and infrastructure. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are providing assistance to those affected, with the Chief Ministers monitoring the situation.

Google’s Nano Banana AI: Saree edits take over Insta; 5 mistakes to avoid

The internet is abuzz with the Google Gemini Nano Banana AI saree trend, enabling users to transform selfies into 90s Bollywood-style portraits. These viral edits feature chiffon sarees, grainy textures, and golden-hour lighting, achieved through precise AI prompts.

ITR filing: Why was due date extended by a day? What we know

Amid a record surge in Income Tax Return (ITR) filings, the government extended the deadline for Assessment Year 2025-26 by a day, pushing it to September 16, 2025, as taxpayers reported portal access issues. Over 7.3 crore returns were filed by the original deadline.

Raid on Assam civil servant tied to ‘illegal transfer of Hindus’ land’

Assam bureaucrat Nupur Bora, a 2019-batch ACS officer, has been arrested for alleged corruption involving illegal land transfers in Barpeta, where the government is targeting suspected Bangladeshi settlers. Raids on her properties revealed nearly ₹1 crore in cash and valuable jewelry. CM Sarma stated that Bora was under investigation for transferring land to a specific community and hoarding disproportionate assets.

Dehradun cloudburst: Scary visuals of flash floods emerge

A cloudburst in Dehradun triggered flash floods, causing significant damage and disrupting traffic. A bridge collapsed on the Dehradun-Haridwar highway, and the Sahastradhara river overflowed, damaging shops. The Tamsa River flooded the Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple premises, prompting rescue operations by SDRF and police. Authorities are on high alert, monitoring the situation.

Charlie Kirk assassination: Leftist ideology the motive? 10 key points about Tyler Robinson

Tyler Robinson is accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. Robinson allegedly confessed, citing irreconcilable hatred, and left a chilling note. Investigators are exploring his radicalized leftist ideology, online activity, and potential accomplices. The case has ignited national mourning, political repercussions, and security concerns, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.

India-US trade deal: First in-person talks since Trump imposed 50% tariffs; what to expect

India and the US are set to resume trade talks, the first since the US imposed tariffs on New Delhi over Russian oil purchases. The meeting aims to establish a roadmap for addressing trade matters, focusing on issues like agricultural import duties and commodity procurement.