Asian Games 2026 action began for India with teqball in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Declan Gonsalves and Mohamed Beg became India's first competitors at the Games but lost both men's doubles group-stage matches. The event also marks teqball's Asian Games debut.   Asian Games 2026: India teqball pair lose both group matches India's Asian Games 2026 campaign got underway on September 17 with teqball ac

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit Varanasi on September 17 to participate in the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan being held on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. The programme is part of a month-long campaign marking 25 years since Modi first assumed elected executive office as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2001.

India’s women’s kabaddi team will head into the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with the goal of defending its continental title, with captain Pushpa Rana describing the pressure of expectations as a source of motivation rather than a burden. Rana has been named captain of the 12-member squad and will lead India in a campaign beginning on September 21. The team has focused on match-specific practice, video analysis and correcting weaknesses identified by the coaching staff as part

India BRICS joint statement consensus was achieved after intense negotiations involving Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The breakthrough highlights India BRICS diplomacy as New Delhi hosts the BRICS Summit 2026 amid West Asia tensions.  Iran Saudi Arabia UAE talks pave way for consensus India managed to secure agreement on the BRICS joint statement after negotiations continued into the early hours, rep

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Egypt has placed China’s expanding role in West Asia under the spotlight as regional governments reassess security partnerships amid the continuing US-Iran conflict. In Cairo, Xi called for regional countries to resist external interference and explore a new security architecture while deepening economic and strategic cooperation with Egypt. Xi Jinping Egypt visit sends regional security mess

Uzbekistan has introduced 30-day visa-free entry for Indian citizens following talks between Narendra Modi and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent, alongside new tourism cooperation and expanding trade, direct flights and strategic ties between India and Central Asia. Uzbekistan has introduced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indian citizens following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in

The six-month US-Iran conflict has unexpectedly strengthened the commercial position of the UAE’s EDGE Group, giving domestically developed defence systems real combat exposure. Company executives say the “battle-proven” status of drones, jammers and other equipment is now helping UAE EDGE defence growth and attracting greater international interest. Battle-Proven EDGE Weapons During the conflict, nearly 3,000 missiles and drones reportedly targeted the UAE, putting the country’s air-defence network under sustained pressure. EDGE executives cited in the source material said the fighting provided something the company previously lacked at scale: direct battlefield validation. Khaled Al Zaabi, president of EDGE’s Platforms and Systems cluster, said only a limited number of products could be described as battle-proven before the war. He said that number has now increased significantly, giving the company a stronger selling point when competing for international defence contracts. That matters in an industry where buyers often place a premium on systems that have already operated under real combat conditions rather than laboratory or demonstration environments. UAE Drone Defence The war also highlighted the economics of air defence. The UAE has invested billions of dollars in advanced American systems including Patriot and THAAD, but officials are increasingly focusing on cheaper ways to counter low-cost drones. EDGE executives said locally produced electronic warfare and counter-drone technologies played an important role during the conflict. Company chairman Faisal Al Bannai said locally developed jammers achieved an interception rate of about 85% against incoming drones, according to the source material. The broader challenge is cost. Using an expensive interceptor missile against every low-cost attack drone can become financially unsustainable during prolonged conflicts. EDGE is therefore positioning lower-cost drones, jammers and short-range systems as complementary layers of defence. SkyKnight Air Defence One of EDGE’s important locally developed systems is SkyKnight, a short-range air-defence platform designed to counter rockets, artillery, mortars, drones, cruise missiles and other aerial threats. EDGE says the system can protect infrastructure, military bases, ports and urban areas, with missile interception ranges reaching up to 10 kilometres against several categories of aerial targets. Developing more air-defence capability domestically would also reduce reliance on foreign suppliers while allowing the UAE to respond faster to evolving regional threats. EDGE Global Expansion EDGE, founded in 2019, has expanded rapidly across missiles, drones, armoured vehicles, naval systems and advanced technologies. The source material says international sales accounted for about 70% of the group’s roughly $5 billion in revenue last year. Europe has become a major target for further growth. EDGE officially launched EDGE Europe in June 2026 and established its European headquarters in Paris, alongside plans for engineering and manufacturing operations in France. The move places the Emirati group closer to NATO and European buyers at a time when defence budgets across the continent are rising. Defence Export Ambitions EDGE is also investing in production capacity at home, including facilities for components used in autonomous systems, while expanding partnerships and acquisitions abroad. Its long-term ambition is to become one of the world’s top 10 defence contractors. The US-Iran conflict may have accelerated that strategy by giving its systems battlefield credibility that marketing campaigns cannot easily replicate. The opportunity is significant, but so is the scrutiny. EDGE has faced allegations concerning the possible appearance of UAE-linked equipment in other conflicts, claims the company and UAE authorities have denied. For now, the clearest commercial outcome is that prolonged regional warfare has turned operational experience into a valuable export advantage. If EDGE can convert that battlefield validation into sustained contracts, the conflict may prove to be a major turning point in the UAE’s push to become a globally competitive defence manufacturing hub.

The US-Iran confrontation has entered another tense phase after American forces struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with claims of attacks on US-linked bases in the region, while diplomatic efforts continued in Bishkek, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Larak Island Strike

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. The Modi Pezeshkian meeting focused on India-Iran ties, the West Asia conflict, maritime security, trade and the need for lasting regional peace. India Iran Ties The two leaders revi

India opened their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 94-run victory over Thailand in Dubai. Shafali Verma’s attacking 64 set up India’s 159/9 before Deepti Sharma produced a sensational 3/0 spell to help dismiss Thailand for 65 in 16.1 overs. Shafali Verma Fifty Asked to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India made a brisk start through Smriti Mandhana a

Zohran Mamdani celebrated Raksha Bandhan with South Asian seniors at India Home in New York City on Friday, August 28, 2026. The mayor received a rakhi, spoke about mutual support and community, and linked the festival’s message to a safer, more affordable city. Mamdani joins Raksha Bandhan celebration New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrated Raksha Bandhan with South Asian seniors at India

Social Security is not expected to disappear in 2032, but retirees could face reduced payments if Congress does not address the funding gap. Seniors can prepare by reviewing income sources, home equity, debt and retirement timing. What the 2032 Social Security Projection Means The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement

India’s Hockey World Cup exit was confirmed after a 3-5 defeat to Argentina in Amstelveen, extending the men’s team’s 51-year wait for another World Cup medal. Sukhjeet Singh scored twice, but defensive errors and Argentina’s fast start ended India’s semifinal hopes. India Argentina hockey clash starts badly India entered Monday?

Bangladesh journalists jailed in a crimes-against-humanity case linked to the 2024 uprising have triggered renewed concern over press freedom. A special tribunal ordered Farzana Rupa, Mozammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta to remain in custody while investigators continue their case. ICT press case sends journalists back to jail Bangladesh’s Int

Pakistan has formally expanded Asim Munir powers through new defence legislation that places joint operational command of the Army, Navy and Air Force under the Chief of Defence Forces. The law also gives the CDF broad personnel powers and establishes a new Defence Forces Headquarters. Pakistan defence law reshapes military command Pakista

More than 2.07 crore Maharashtra SIR voter forms remained uncollected at the end of the enumeration exercise, bringing voter verification into focus before the state publishes its draft electoral roll. The scale is significant because Maharashtra has nearly 9.8 crore registered voters, while Mumbai SIR, Thane SIR and Pune SIR account for a large share of the pending forms. The Special Intensive Revision, conducted under the Election Commis

Former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker and senior Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office near his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday. Police have begun an investigation, while a purported note recovered from the scene is also being examined. Asish Banerjee Found Dead at TMC Office Senior Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found h

A new Pew Research Center survey shows the India-Pakistan threat perception remains deeply rooted. Rivalry, China’s role, Russia ties, mistrust and public opinion reveal how decades of tension continue to shape South Asia despite major changes in the global order. Rivalry India and Pakistan continue to see each other as their biggest geopolitical threat nearly eight decades after Partition. A

Iran military leadership reshuffle has formally installed six senior commanders across the Armed Forces, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's appointments place Ali Abdollahi at the top of the military command while confirming Ahmad Vahidi as commander-in-chief of the IRGC. Iran commanders appointed after wartime loss

Sri Lanka cybercrime networks are facing greater scrutiny after the suspected murder of a Chinese national exposed possible links to transnational scam operations. Police raids, foreign arrests and concerns over tourist visa abuse suggest fraud groups may be shifting into the country. Sri Lanka Cybercrime Networks Expand Sri Lanka is confronting an increase in suspected online scam operations as international criminal groups search for n