'It Was Intentional': Biker Shivani Chauhan On Gurugram Hit-And-Run Incident

Gurugram Police have arrested car driver Kalyan Baisla from Dausa in Rajasthan after a hit-and-run video involving biker Shivani Chauhan went viral. Authorities have booked Baisla under charges of attempt to murder, stalking, and outraging the modesty of a woman. Chauhan stated that the accused intentionally hit her two-wheeler after passing comments and engaging in an argument. While Baisla claimed he tried to avert the collision and blamed the biker's riding, the victim called it a deliberate attempt on her life, urging strict action.

A merchant fee of 0.4% has been announced on UPI transactions above 2,000 rupees, with the charge on high-value transactions capped at 300 rupees. A flat fee of 5 rupees applies to transactions above 2,000 rupees in categories such as railways and fuel, while small merchants earning 1 lakh rupees a month remain exempt. The Merchant Discount Rate is payable by merchants to banks rather than ordinary consumers making person-to-person or retail payments. The move aims to make the UPI system financially sustainable and ease costs for banks and payment aggregators following a surge to 24 billion monthly transactions. Addressing concerns over merchants potentially passing charges to consumers, the report highlights the need for official grievance mechanisms and awareness.

Saudi Arabia has issued an emergency alert across Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif following warnings of potential aerial threats amid a fresh wave of Houthi missile and drone strikes. Residents in Mecca were advised to remain indoors, avoid windows, and move to safe locations. The escalating conflict is further compounded by Houthi forces capturing key locations along the Red Sea, including Mocha, Dubab, Perim Island, and the Hanish Islands, tightening their grip on the Bab-el-Mandeb shipping route. With the United States declining direct military intervention and allies like Pakistan and Turkey ruling out immediate military action under defense arrangements, Saudi Arabia is seeking intelligence assistance to counter the incoming aerial threats.

A panel discussion analyses the voting trends and outcomes of the Rajasthan local body polls. Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari highlights that while the BJP and Congress have largely maintained their vote shares, the emergence of independents winning 22% of seats points to a split in the anti-incumbency vote and a rising third front. Political analyst Rashid Kidwai notes that the results offer no reason for Congress to celebrate, pointing out internal structural issues, leadership vacuums, and factional challenges ahead of future assembly contests.