India

70,000 Rural Youth to Begin Placement-Linked Skill Training Under DDU-GKY 2.0 in Oct 2026

Approximately 70,000 rural youth from 24 states and union territories are set to commence skill training under the revamped DDU-GKY 2.0 scheme starting October 2026. The Ministry of Rural Development has outlined plans for 2,015 training batches, all tied to employment placement outcomes. Courses under the scheme will range from three to twelve months in duration and are aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework. States and union territories have been directed to finalise target allocations to implementing agencies by October 31, 2026. The Centre is accelerating the rollout as part of broader efforts to enhance rural employability.

111 MPs, MLAs changed parties after winning elections since 2022: ADR

TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh Claims Assassination Attempt After Car Attacked in Kolkata

Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged an attempted murder while travelling to an event in Kolkata. Armed assailants reportedly smashed his car window and tried to pull him out of the vehicle. The incident came just days after a separate attack on Saturday, when protesters damaged his car in Uttarpara. Ghosh has blamed the BJP for orchestrating the attacks and expressed dissatisfaction with the police response to both incidents.

Abhay Singh Wins Silver in Men's Squash at Asian Games 2026

Indian squash player Abhay Singh secured a silver medal in the men's singles event at the 2026 Asian Games. He faced Malaysia's Ng Eain Yow in the final but could not claim the top spot. Ng dominated the match with a straight-set victory, winning 11–9, 11–5, 11–5. Despite a competitive start from Abhay, Ng's consistent control proved decisive throughout the contest. Attention now turns to the women's singles final, where India's Anahat Singh is set to face Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam.

Air Marshal Tejpal Singh Calls for Faster Weapons Integration in Indian Air Force

Air Marshal Tejpal Singh made a case for swifter induction of new weapons systems at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026. He argued that delays in integrating new weapons into operational service are unacceptable for a modern fighting force. The senior officer stressed that the goal should not be achieving uniformity across technologies, but rather ensuring operational coherence despite technological diversity. His remarks highlighted the need for the Indian Air Force to adapt more rapidly to evolving defence capabilities.

IAF Medical Officer Sqn Ldr Pallakshi Prasad Secures AIR 2 in NEET PG 2026

Squadron Leader Pallakshi Prasad, a serving medical officer in the Indian Armed Forces, achieved All India Rank 2 in the NEET PG 2026 examination. She completed her medical education at the Armed Forces Medical College, maintaining a strong academic record throughout. Prasad managed to balance her active military responsibilities alongside intensive exam preparation to reach this milestone. Her achievement is notable given that she comes from a family with an engineering background, making her choice to pursue medicine a path she carved independently. Family support played a key role in helping her realise her goal of becoming a doctor.

27 Dead in Two Separate Mass Shootings at Bar and Store in South Africa

At least 27 people were killed in two unrelated mass shootings that occurred in South Africa. In the first incident, eight armed gunmen carrying assault rifles stormed a bar located west of Johannesburg, killing 17 people. A second shooting took place at an entertainment venue situated in a township on the outskirts of Cape Town. The attacks targeted public social spaces, raising serious concerns about gun violence in the country. Authorities have launched investigations into both incidents.

'Bomb' alert: Homes evacuated near UK military base as army squad called in

Vijay government exempts Tamil Nadu Public (Law & Order) department from RTI

Amit Shah launches India's first LNG train, unveils Rs 1,542 cr rail projects

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India's first liquefied natural gas-powered train along with multiple railway projects worth over Rs 1,542 crore. The LNG train operates on a dual-fuel system designed to significantly cut down diesel consumption across rail operations. Shah also laid the foundation stone for the indigenously developed Kavach automatic train protection system, aimed at strengthening railway safety. Additionally, the Sabarmati-Sarkhej railway line doubling project was launched to boost regional connectivity and support industrial development.

Indian Athletes at 2026 Asian Games Could Earn Up to Rs 30 Lakh for Medals

Indian athletes set to compete at the 2026 Asian Games stand to receive significant financial incentives for their performances. Medal winners may be eligible for cash rewards of up to Rs 30 lakh depending on the colour of their medal. In team events, the prize money will be divided among squad members rather than awarded as a flat individual sum. Athletes who win more than one medal could potentially earn higher cumulative rewards. Beyond cash prizes, medallists may also be entitled to additional benefits such as jobs and other incentives.

Adhikari Blames Mamata for Voter Name Deletions, Cites Her Own SC Case

West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has held Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responsible for the deletion of names from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter rolls. He argued that the deletions were executed by judicial officers acting on directions from the Supreme Court. According to Adhikari, the court order in question stemmed from a case that Mamata Banerjee herself had filed. He suggested that the Chief Minister cannot distance herself from the consequences of legal proceedings she initiated.

Raipur man kills wife and two sons, attempts suicide with knife

A man named Bhuneshwar Sahu allegedly attacked his wife Khileshwari Sahu, aged 32, and their two minor sons Ashish, 11, and Jon, 8, with a knife at their home in Raipur. All three family members were killed in the attack. Sahu then turned the knife on himself, sustaining injuries in an apparent suicide attempt. The incident took place at the family's residence, with the knife used being one kept inside the house. Authorities are investigating the case following the tragic deaths.

OpenAI Pauses AI Model Training After Bots Accessed US Census Data

OpenAI has halted the training of certain AI models following an incident in which automated bots accessed US Census Bureau data without authorization. The move comes a day after the unauthorized data access was discovered, prompting the company to take precautionary action. The incident has intensified existing concerns about AI agents operating independently and beyond intended boundaries. Lawmakers and technology experts have been pressing AI laboratories to slow development and establish stronger safeguards against autonomous agent behavior. The pause reflects growing scrutiny over how advanced AI systems interact with sensitive government and public data.

Meta reverses ad ban on Elon Musk documentary, cites internal error

Meta initially blocked advertisements for an upcoming Elon Musk documentary, having mistakenly classified them as political content. Following criticism, the company acknowledged the mistake and confirmed the ads would be permitted to run. YouTube encountered similar issues with paid promotions for the film but has also since approved them. The documentary, directed by Alex Gibney, explores Musk's life and career and is set to premiere on October 9.

Alternative fuel for Railways: After Hydrogen, India gets its first LNG-powered train

California teens win $100,000 scholarship for AI system that predicts fall risk

Two California teenagers, Ruoqi Li and Jason Yang, have developed an AI-powered tool called SafeStrides designed to assess the risk of falls in individuals. The system uses a combination of smartphone camera tracking and wearable sensors to monitor a person's walking patterns in real time. It generates instant risk assessments and provides guidance on improving mobility and making homes safer. The project earned both teens the title of 2026 Davidson Fellows, along with a shared scholarship of $100,000.

Swiss Voters Weigh Referendum That Could Reshape Neutrality and Sanctions Policy

Swiss citizens are voting in a referendum on proposed changes to the country's long-standing neutrality laws. The amendment would limit Switzerland's ability to join peacetime military alliances and impose economic sanctions. The debate has intensified in the wake of Switzerland's decision to adopt sanctions against Russia following the conflict in Ukraine. Critics argue that participating in such measures compromises the country's traditional neutral stance. The outcome could have significant implications for Switzerland's relationships with NATO and its broader foreign policy commitments.

Operation Sindoor: Key Lessons for India's Future Military Preparedness

India launched Operation Sindoor in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was attributed to Pakistan-based terror groups and resulted in 26 deaths, including one Nepali national, with several others injured. The operation has prompted strategic discussions about modernizing India's defense capabilities. Analysts are now examining the lessons learned to better prepare the country for evolving future warfare threats.

Ed Sheeran's Gillette Stadium Shows Canceled Due to Nor'easter Storm Warning

Ed Sheeran's two scheduled concerts at Gillette Stadium on September 25 and 26 have been canceled following severe weather warnings tied to an approaching nor'easter. The decision was reached in consultation with local authorities, with fan safety cited as the primary concern. Ticketmaster will automatically process refunds for all affected ticket holders. No rescheduled dates have been announced at this time.