India

‘One ticket, One original ID card’: Railways warn of penalty as special checking drive begins October 1

Nepal Floods and Landslides Kill 24, Leave 14 Missing Across Districts

Recent floods and landslides in Nepal have claimed at least 24 lives, with 14 people still unaccounted for. The disasters have struck multiple districts across the country. A video has emerged capturing the moment part of a mountain collapsed into a river, with screams audible in the footage. The incidents are part of a continuing pattern of flood-related destruction affecting the region.

Haryana Gangster Fled Parole to Build Criminal Empire in Cambodia

Mainpal, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence at Hisar Central Jail in Haryana, was granted a six-week parole on July 17, 2018. Instead of returning to custody after his temporary release, he absconded and fled the country. He eventually made his way to Cambodia, where he reportedly rebuilt his life and established a criminal network. The case highlights concerns about the misuse of the parole system by convicted criminals to evade justice.

Parul Chaudhary wins 5000m bronze at Asian Games, her second medal of tournament

Indian distance runner Parul Chaudhary claimed a bronze medal in the women's 5000m final at the Asian Games 2026, finishing with a time of 15:14.61. This followed her earlier bronze in the 3000m steeplechase at the same Games. Parul had previously won gold and silver medals at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, cementing her status as one of India's top distance runners. Her back-to-back medals at the current edition have further boosted India's overall athletics tally at the tournament.

Child, forced marriages of minority girls in Pakistan flagged at UN event

Ex-NFL Star Warrick Dunn's Charity Has Housed 687 People Across 252 Homes

Former NFL player Warrick Dunn founded Homes for the Holidays in 1997, his rookie season, to honour his late mother's dream of owning a home. The initiative was designed to assist single-parent families in purchasing their first homes. Over nearly three decades, Warrick Dunn Charities has furnished 252 homes and helped 687 individuals transition into homeownership. The programme offers both furnishings and down-payment assistance to eligible families. Dunn's work has established a lasting humanitarian legacy that extends well beyond his football career.

Ujjain unrest: HC disposes of Muslim sides' appeals after agreement with civic body

Supreme Court refuses to stay MDR fee on UPI: What it means for customers, changes after Oct 15

CBDT extends tax audit report deadline to Oct 21, ITR filing to Nov 21

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has officially revised key income tax compliance deadlines for eligible taxpayers. The deadline for submitting audit reports has been extended to October 21, 2026, while the last date for filing income tax returns has been pushed to November 21, 2026. These extensions apply to specific categories of taxpayers covered under the Income-tax Act, 1961, who are required to get their accounts audited. A formal notification detailing the changes is expected to be released by the CBDT shortly.

Landslide in Nepal's Baglung Kills 10, Sweeps Ward Office into River

A severe landslide struck Baskhola in Galkot Municipality-9, Baglung district, Nepal, triggering the collapse of a ward office building into the Daram River. The disaster, caused by heavy rainfall, has claimed at least ten lives, with one person still unaccounted for. Rescue operations are actively underway in the affected area. The Nepali Army has deployed a helicopter to support the ongoing relief and search efforts.

Gulveer Singh wins second Asian Games silver with 1500m personal best

Indian athlete Gulveer Singh claimed his second silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, finishing the men's 1500m race in a personal best time of 3:36.72 seconds. He was edged out by Japan's Kazuto Iizawa, who took the gold. In another standout performance, Vithya Ramraj won bronze in the women's 400m hurdles. Her finish also came with a national record, breaking a mark that had remained unbeaten since 1984. The double achievement marked a strong outing for Indian athletics at the Games.

New Mobile Recharge Rules May Not Lower Bills, Experts Urge Caution

India's new mobile recharge rules have sparked consumer hopes of reduced annual phone bills. However, the changes do not automatically convert 28-day plans into 30-day plans at the same price. Actual savings will depend on the specific tariffs that telecom companies choose to offer under the new framework. Consumers are being advised to carefully compare plan details before assuming they will pay less overall.

Travis Kelce donates nearly $2M to Kansas City children's charity Operation Breakthrough

NFL star Travis Kelce has contributed close to $2 million to Operation Breakthrough, a Kansas City organization supporting underprivileged children. The charity provides meals, educational programs, and a safe environment for kids in need. Kelce recently won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Charity Challenge for an unprecedented third time, directing additional funds to the cause. His repeated recognition in the challenge underscores his sustained commitment to philanthropic work. The donations have significantly strengthened Operation Breakthrough's ability to serve vulnerable children in the Kansas City community.

India's Artillery Modernizes With Pinaka, Dhanush and Drone Integration

India's artillery has played a decisive role in warfare since the mid-14th century and continues to undergo significant modernization. The Regiment of Artillery has expanded its capabilities by inducting advanced indigenous systems, including the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher and the Dhanush howitzer. Recent military operations have underscored the strategic value of long-range firepower along India's borders. The artillery corps is also integrating Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance technologies to enhance operational effectiveness. These developments reflect India's broader push to build a self-reliant and technologically advanced defence force.

India Yet to Decide on Russia's Su-57 Fighter Jet, Says Defence Secretary

India has not yet made a decision on acquiring Russia's Su-57 stealth fighter jet, according to the country's Defence Secretary. Russia has been actively lobbying India to purchase the advanced aircraft, which was prominently displayed at Aero India in February 2025, Asia's largest airshow. As deliberations continue, India is reportedly exploring AI-powered network systems as a means to compensate for gaps in stealth capabilities. The development reflects India's cautious approach to major defence procurement decisions amid evolving strategic priorities.

Netanyahu secretly visited UAE, asked Sheikh Mohamed to deny pre-Oct 7 warning: Report

Western Snowy Plovers Nest at California Reserve for First Time in 40 Years

Western snowy plovers have returned to nesting at Coal Oil Point Reserve in California after an absence of roughly four decades. A collaborative conservation effort between the Santa Barbara Zoo, UC Santa Barbara, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service has been behind the recovery. Since 2016, the programme has released a total of 212 birds into the reserve. This year, 11 of the released plovers were equipped with radio and Bluetooth tracking devices to help researchers monitor their movements and survival rates.

Ex-Army Officer's Air Gun Advice Sparks Legal Debate in India

A controversy has erupted following air gun-related advice given by former Army officer Khushboo Patani. The incident has drawn attention to India's firearms regulations, particularly those governing air weapons. Under Indian law, even air guns that fall below prescribed power limits and are exempt from licensing still must be purchased through licensed dealers. The row has prompted a wider public discussion about civilian awareness of arms laws and their proper interpretation.

Vithya Ramraj breaks PT Usha's 42-year national record at Asian Games

Indian hurdler Vithya Ramraj shattered PT Usha's long-standing national record in the women's 400m hurdles at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, clocking a personal best of 54.75 seconds. The feat earned her a bronze medal and surpassed Usha's 42-year-old mark of 55.42 seconds, which Ramraj had only equalled at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Hailing from Coimbatore as the daughter of a truck driver, Ramraj has risen steadily through the ranks of Indian athletics. She has also represented India at the Paris Olympics and claimed bronze at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships.

Sable Finishes Fourth in Steeplechase; Ramraj Wins Bronze in 400m Hurdles

Indian athlete Avinash Sable narrowly missed a medal at the athletics competition, finishing fourth in the men's 3000m steeplechase with a season-best time of 8:21.67 seconds. In a positive result for India, Vithya Ramraj claimed bronze in the women's 400m hurdles, setting a personal best of 54.75 seconds. Seema Kaliramna also fell short of the podium in the women's discus throw, recording a distance of 59.88m. The mixed day of results highlighted both India's competitive presence and the fine margins separating its athletes from the medal positions.