Why MDR on select UPI payments is being viewed as a sustainable revenue model

IANS | September 24, 2026 8:11 PM

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The introduction of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select high-value UPI merchant transactions is being viewed by stakeholders as a step towards creating a sustainable revenue model for India's rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem, while keeping the vast majority of transactions free for users and small merchants.

SC lays down safeguards to prevent misuse of POCSO Act in matrimonial, custody disputes

IANS | September 24, 2026 8:11 PM

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The Supreme Court has laid down a set of safeguards to prevent the misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) in matrimonial and child custody disputes, cautioning that false allegations can cause irreparable harm to an accused parent while also adversely affecting custody proceedings.

Trump and Xi face tests beyond trade

Lalit K Jha | September 24, 2026 8:07 PM

Washington, Sep 24 (IANS) A last-minute extension of the US-China trade truce has eased one immediate pressure on the White House meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taiwan, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Iran remain on the agenda.

Reactionary identity-driven groupings like Mecca Agreement unlikely to last long

IANS | September 24, 2026 8:04 PM

Istanbul/New Delhi Sep 24 (IANS) Alliances play a crucial role in international politics. The rationale for any alliance is shared threat. Once in the alliance, commitment to the allied partners should come naturally. More important for any alliance is the clarity of potential threats or the goal to be achieved. It should be clear from the outset what threat the alliance is supposed to keep at bay or what goal is to be achieved. Relatedly, the nature and intensity of the threat also matter: it should be seen as threatening the allied partners to a great degree, if not equally.