India's women's 4x400m relay team, featuring Kiran Pahal, Prachi Choudhary, MR Poovamma, and Vithya Ramraj, secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. The athletes received a grand welcome upon their return to Delhi, expressing immense pride and dedicating their victory to the nation and their supporters. Prachi and Vithya also earned individual bronze medals, and the team now aims for gold at the World Championships.
The son of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar has accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband of orchestrating his father's murder. While Shinde denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated, Thane police have arrested one suspect and detained another. The incident has sparked protests and intensified political rivalries ahead of the 2026 Thane Municipal Corporation elections.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has voiced concerns over significant delays in inducting new combat jets, including the Tejas aircraft, which are impacting the Indian Air Force's depleting fighter squadron strength. He stressed the need for annual induction of 36-40 jets to address the gaps and discussed ongoing procurement plans like the MRFA deal and future strategies for combat aircraft and theatre commands.
The Indian women's squash team secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Iran in their final group-stage match at the Asian Games, topping Pool C and advancing to the quarter-finals where they will face Singapore.
Pakistan has welcomed an Indian delegation's visit to Islamabad for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, marking the first such visit after a significant gap. The visit is seen as a positive step towards regional peace and cooperation, with Pakistan also commenting on other international and domestic issues.
Former Indian hockey captain and Olympian Pargat Singh has been appointed the new president of the Punjab Congress, replacing Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. A three-time MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment, Singh's elevation comes amidst internal party wrangling and is seen as a strategic move to unite factions ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. His journey spans from a decorated sports career to a prominent political figure, having previously served as a minister and consistently winning his assembly seat.
India's assistant coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar emphasised the importance of winning crucial moments ahead of the Asian Games gold medal cricket match against arch-rivals Pakistan. Drawing on his own experience from the 1998 Independence Cup final, Kanitkar stated that while the hype is significant, players must focus on their game and aim for a second successive Asiad gold for the country's medal tally.
Local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot and assaulted by unidentified assailants in Thane, Maharashtra, leading to his death during treatment. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, has sparked tension and concern, with police investigating potential motives like political rivalry and personal enmity. Authorities have launched a manhunt, setting up checkpoints to apprehend the suspects.
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to explore a statutory framework to ensure social media intermediaries comply with Indian laws regarding minors, particularly concerning their inability to independently enter into contracts. The court highlighted the need for safeguards to protect children from potential harms on digital platforms, including exploitation and misuse of data, and asked the Solicitor General to examine incorporating these requirements into intermediary rules.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of recent heinous crimes against minor girls and women in the Delhi-NCR region, highlighting a systemic failure in law enforcement. Citing parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya case, the court demanded accountability from authorities and sought comprehensive reports on public safety measures and the utilisation of the National Database on Sexual Offenders.
'It's a shame that we as a society are far more comfortable watching violence than we are watching love.'
Young Indian compound archer Chikitha Taniparthi clinched two gold medals at her Asian Games debut, fulfilling her father's long-held dream for her to pursue sports. Her journey involved significant financial sacrifices from her family and dedicated training, overcoming initial interest in karate to become a world youth champion and now a double Asian Games gold medallist.
'On two feet or on somebody's back, every soldier had to return'
Four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, including an assistant commandant, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district after a colleague allegedly opened fire following an argument. The accused has been arrested and an investigation is underway.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a 'hero of the entire world' for his bravery in foiling an alleged co-pilot's attempt to crash a flydubai flight, and has extended an invitation to Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) next week that seeks the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and challenges the alleged unilateral decision-making within the Election Commission without the approval of two other Election Commissioners.
An 80-year-old Mumbai man's family has preserved his body for four years due to "deep emotional attachment," spending over Rs 50 lakh. The police, ruling out foul play, confirmed the man died naturally in 2022 and the family is now considering cryopreservation in the US or performing last rites.
The Delhi High Court has refused to grant bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) concerning the "larger conspiracy" behind the February 2020 north-east Delhi riots. The court cited a Supreme Court order and the ongoing investigation into their alleged roles as masterminds.
A Delhi court has acquitted two men, Deepak alias Golu and Shanu alias Furkan, who were accused of robbing and shooting a man at a metro station in 2018. The court cited the prosecution's failure to establish their identity as assailants and inability to scientifically link the recovered pistol to the firing, highlighting a lack of evidence beyond reasonable doubt.
A professor at Nirma University in Ahmedabad allegedly grabbed a student's collar during a stand-up comedy show, sparking a controversy. The incident, captured in a viral video, occurred during the 'Technofora 2026' event after the student reportedly interrupted the professor. The NSUI has demanded an apology and an inquiry, threatening protests.
Banking services across India, particularly at public sector banks, are set to be disrupted for three days starting Monday due to a nationwide strike by bank unions. The strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), is primarily to press for a five-day working week and other demands, despite the finance ministry's appeal for dialogue.
Students at Scottish Church College in Kolkata allege they were threatened with academic repercussions for refusing to participate in a play titled 'Namo Seva -- Untold Stories', a charge denied by the principal who states participation is voluntary and follows state directives.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi reportedly called former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar a "traitor" during a CWC meeting, drawing sharp criticism from JD(U) leaders. Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan" and JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha condemned the remarks, highlighting Kumar's role in the INDIA bloc's formation and his popularity among the people.
India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ODI series against West Indies, largely due to Shubman Gill's record-breaking fastest double century and Rohit Sharma's significant milestones, including his 35th hundred and reaching 12,000 ODI runs. The match also saw the West Indies post their highest-ever ODI total and became the third highest aggregating match in ODI history.
Indian footballer Jay Gupta expresses his hopes that the upcoming friendly matches against five-time world champions Brazil and Uruguay will ignite a revolution for football in India, similar to Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup win for cricket. He views the unprecedented fixtures as a crucial opportunity for the Indian team to test their calibre against elite opposition and learn, aiming to build on their recent performance against Panama.
Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games with a throw of 84.35m, marking his first major international medal. This achievement has relieved him of years of pressure from family and friends, allowing him to compete with a freer mind. Despite not achieving his personal best, Yadav is optimistic about future competitions, aiming for 88m-90m throws next year and dedicating his medal to his father.
Mumbai International Airport is set to reduce 265 weekly international flights from October 25 to facilitate the redevelopment of Terminal 1. This move, impacting 46 airlines including IndiGo and Air India, has raised concerns among carriers and global aviation bodies like IATA, who advocate for collaborative planning over mandated relocations.
Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru clinched the men's individual bronze medal at the Asian Games, defeating Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang. This follows his gold medal win with the men's team. Thirumuru expressed pride in securing India's first individual compound medal at the event and reflected on his performance and future aspirations.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Saturday demanded punishment for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid an ongoing political row over the SIR exercise, declaring that "Kala Pani" is the appropriate punishment for Kumar based on the magnitude of his position and the alleged gravity of his misconduct.
Anup Saha, currently a Wholetime Director at Kotak Mahindra Bank, has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term, effective January 1, 2027, with the Reserve Bank of India's approval.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's planned visits to Uttar Pradesh for electoral literacy club conferences have been postponed, with officials stating it's a routine rescheduling. They denied any link to recent controversies regarding differences among election commissioners, highlighting that the postponements predated the controversy. The Election Commission is also ramping up efforts to engage Gen Alpha and Z ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha polls through educational outreach.
UPI transactions saw a 27% volume increase and 20% value increase in the first half of the current fiscal year. Despite a slight moderation in September, the digital payment system is set to implement a 0.4% merchant discount rate on transactions over Rs 2,000, aiming for a sustainable revenue model. Small merchants and person-to-person payments remain exempt, and UPI's global presence continues to expand.
Australia A, powered by Sam Harper's century and effective spin bowling from Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli, gained a significant advantage over India A on Day 2 of their second four-day match in Puducherry, leaving India A trailing by 236 runs.
The Indian IPO market recorded its highest monthly fundraising in September, with 34 mainboard companies raising 39,309 crore, despite a significant decline in the Nifty 50 index.
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer has allowed voter documents via WhatsApp for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with Block Level Officers (BLOs) conducting home verifications. This development comes amidst controversy surrounding the Election Commission and its Chief, Gyanesh Kumar, over alleged unilateral decisions regarding the SIR, which opposition parties claim dilute the powers of Electoral Registration Officers. The deadline for claims and objections has been extended to October 12.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has announced her independent entry into politics, starting her journey in Uttar Pradesh. She aims to create a platform to voice public grievances and challenge systemic issues, focusing on intent and justice rather than party politics.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of Air Staff, has expressed significant concern over the inordinate delays in inducting new combat jets, including the indigenous Tejas aircraft, stating that these delays are severely impacting the Indian Air Force's depleting fighter squadron strength. He highlighted the need for 36-40 new fighter jets annually to address these gaps and voiced worry over Pakistan's collaboration with China on a fifth-generation fighter jet.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka has reiterated the outfit's demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, alleging the exclusion of 13 crore names from electoral rolls and questioning the BJP's defence of Kumar. The CJP plans a nationwide protest starting October 2, vowing not to back down until Kumar resigns, and has launched the 'Election Commission Thik Karo' campaign. Ranka also accused the CEC of fraudulently redrawing constituencies in Assam to benefit the ruling party.
Indian hockey stars Hardik Singh and Manpreet Singh shared their thoughts on the recent Asian Games gold medal win, which also secured their qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics. They discussed their dietary plans, coach Craig Fulton's positive influence, and the team's belief in their attacking prowess.
Indian shooter Esha Singh secured a silver medal in the women's 25m pistol final at the 2026 Asian Games. She revealed that technical interruptions during the tense shoot-off were a "blessing in disguise," helping her manage unexpected fatigue and hand tightness. Esha battled through multiple shoot-offs, eventually finishing second to China's Xiao Jiaruixian, and plans to celebrate her achievement with a meal with her coach.
