Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the stories making noise today.
At the BRICS Summit, a terror attack brought the bloc together in a rare show of unity. The New Delhi declaration strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and called for joint action against terrorism.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s oil lifeline has gone quiet. The country shut its East-West pipeline after drone attacks struck pumping stations. The route had become even more crucial after the Strait of Hormuz closed amid the Iran war.
Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, don’t miss our coverage of TMC’s election symbol battle. The Rittabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction has made its case before the Election Commission. If neither faction gets the symbol in time, candidates could be forced to enter the race as Independents.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
Today’s Top Headlines
BRICS condemns Pahalgam attack, backs joint action against terror
The Pahalgam attack brought BRICS countries together. In its New Delhi declaration, Russia, China and other member countries strongly condemned the attack.
They called for joint action against terrorism, its funding and those providing terrorists safe havens. The declaration also said terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nationality or community.
Meanwhile, PM Modi called for a new agenda for BRICS’ next 20 years, greater Global South participation in shaping rules on AI, cyberspace, space and biotechnology, and stronger cooperation to help sailors in emergencies. READ MORE
Saudi Arabia shuts oil pipeline after drone attacks, 50 lakh barrels affected
Saudi Arabia’s oil route has suddenly gone quiet. The country shut its East-West oil pipeline after multiple drone attacks hit pumping stations, triggering fires and injuring several people.
The pipeline became especially important after the Strait of Hormuz was closed amid the Iran war, carrying around 50 lakh barrels of oil a day to the Red Sea coast.
It carries Saudi crude from the oil-rich east to Yanbu, bypassing Hormuz. But the Red Sea route could also face trouble, with Yemen’s Houthis claiming control around Bab al-Mandeb. READ MORE
TMC symbol row reaches EC, rebels seek decision before bypolls
The battle for the TMC’s symbol is now racing against the election calendar. The Rittabrata Banerjee-led rebel faction argued its case before the Election Commission, but the Commission asked it to submit more documents by the end of the day.
The timing matters. Bypolls are due in Nandigram and Rejinagar on 6 October, while 16 September is the last date for nominations. The rebel faction wants the symbol dispute settled before candidates enter the fray.
If the EC does not recognise either faction by then, candidates from both sides may have to contest as Independents. READ MORE
Zomato orders get costlier, ₹5–₹20 extra cash fee added
A food order that once ended with a simple “cash please” now comes with an extra cost. Zomato has started charging a separate ‘pay on delivery fee’ on cash-on-delivery orders.
The charge is ₹5 for some users, while others are seeing ₹7 to ₹20 added to their bills. Online payments through UPI, cards or net banking remain free of this extra fee.
With around 23–25 lakh orders placed on Zomato every day, even a ₹5 fee could mean up to ₹1.25 crore in additional daily revenue. READ MORE
‘Is Gujarat in Bangladesh or Pakistan?’ Paresh Rawal backs National Film Awards venue
The National Film Awards have always carried the weight of a tradition rooted in Delhi. But this year, that tradition is taking a different road, to Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar.
Raj Thackeray questioned why the National Film Awards are being moved from Delhi to Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar, asking why Mumbai or another major film-producing state was not chosen.
Paresh Rawal, however, backed the move, asking, “Is Gujarat in Bangladesh or Pakistan?” He said Gujarat is part of India and national events should travel to different states. READ MORE
The Day Ahead
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral meetings with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Philippines, Egypt, South Africa and Burundi, and the vice-presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit today.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Agra today to attend the Khatik Samaj Garjana Sammelan at RBS College, Khandari. He will arrive at 12:10 pm, attend the conference from 12:30 pm to 2 pm, visit Maharani Bagh.
- September 13 is the last day for stakeholders to submit suggestions to the High-Powered Task Force headed by Nandan Nilekani on public examination reforms. Suggestions can cover exam security, design, technology, infrastructure, accessibility, governance, malpractice prevention, grievance redressal and student well-being.
- India face Afghanistan in the first T20I of their three-match series in Delhi at 7:30 pm. Later, India’s women take on Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final in Dubai, with the match starting at 8:00 pm.
- Heavy rain is expected in parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh today. Gujarat’s Navsari, Valsad, Narmada, Tapi, Dang, Bhavnagar and Amreli may receive heavy showers, while Madhya Pradesh’s Umaria, Mandla, Balaghat and Dindori are also likely to witness heavy rainfall.
Visual Of The Day
A Confluence of Powers: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS Summit in Delhi.
Today In History
Statement Of The Day
News With A Twist
2 youths inject horse steroids before race
In Uttar Pradesh, two youths injected themselves with horse medicine to win a race. Meanwhile, a woman is reportedly addicted to getting pregnant. In China, millions of young people are deliberately buying products designed to look ugly.
In Andhra Pradesh, doctors found 14 pens, 5 wooden spoons and a candle in a woman’s stomach. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, villagers held a mobile tower technician hostage after failing to get a 5G network. READ MORE
News In Headlines
1. Pakistani terrorist’s decayed body recovered in Doda; M4 rifle found READ MORE
2. Indian-origin woman arrested in Canada over renter cooking beef READ MORE
3. ₹4 crore spent on Israeli PM’s makeup during 2023 war READ MORE
4. Lady Gaga becomes mother at 40, welcomes first child READ MORE
5. Ex-Uttarakhand CM Rawat offers to quit Congress posts after ED raid READ MORE
