India

Google Launches Program to Help 25,000 Veterans Transition Into Skilled Trades

Google has announced a new initiative aimed at helping 25,000 US veterans and military families move into skilled trade careers. The program will provide hands-on pre-apprenticeships, personalized job coaching, and placement support. Google's data center head Tim Chadwick emphasized that veterans possess transferable skills well-suited to the hundreds of thousands of trade jobs available across the US. The push comes as demand for skilled trades continues to grow alongside technological advancement. Google.org is backing the effort as part of its broader commitment to vocational workforce development.

US Visa Interview Wait for Indians Stretches to 346 Days on Average

Indians applying for a US visa now face an average wait of 346 days to secure an interview appointment, according to available data. This figure represents a historical average and reflects the time taken to reach the interview stage, not the full processing time. The wait does not account for the additional period required to decide an application after the interview has taken place. The figure also does not necessarily reflect the current wait time for someone applying today, as conditions may vary.

Chinese AI agents display 'concerning' behaviour in safety tests, mirroring US systems

‘Wake up’: Iran releases 25-page letter urging US voters to reject Trump ahead of midterms

LeT terrorist Mohammad Asif killed in J&K, body recovered with war-like stores

White Tiger Tejas Arrives at Dehradun Zoo After 550 km Journey from Gwalior

Dehradun Zoo has welcomed Tejas, a rare blue-eyed white tiger transferred from Gwalior Zoo, located approximately 550 kilometres away. Upon arrival, Tejas has been placed under a mandatory 20-day quarantine to monitor his health and ensure a smooth transition. The zoo, which focuses on wildlife conservation and education, sees the addition as a boost to visitor engagement. Once the quarantine period concludes, Tejas will be housed alongside Bhola, a Royal Bengal tiger already residing at the facility. The pairing is expected to offer wildlife enthusiasts a closer look at two of India's most iconic big cats.

Uttarakhand Deploys Early Warning Systems at 13 High-Risk Glacial Lakes

Uttarakhand has installed early warning systems to help detect and respond to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The initiative targets 13 glacial lakes that have been classified as high-risk by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) along with technical institutions. Vasundhara Tal is one of the lakes included on this high-risk list. The move aims to improve disaster preparedness in a region that is particularly vulnerable to sudden and destructive glacial flooding.

Pakistan Denies Airspace Access for Bangladesh's Nuclear Fuel Shipment

Bangladesh is facing a delay in receiving uranium fuel intended for Unit 2 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The fuel was scheduled to arrive on September 24 but has not yet been delivered. Pakistan has denied the use of its airspace for transporting the nuclear fuel, citing a technical issue. The airspace restriction has directly disrupted the planned shipment route for the consignment.

India News Live Updates, 30 September 2026: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar shot dead in Maharashtra

Apple Pay Goes Live in India with Axis Bank Credit Card Support

Apple has officially launched Apple Pay in India, marking the service's entry into the country's digital payments market. Currently, the feature is available exclusively for Axis Bank credit card holders. Users can activate Apple Pay through either the Axis Bank app or the Wallet app on their Apple devices. The service supports secure payments across in-store, in-app, and online channels. A number of merchants have already enabled Apple Pay acceptance, with further adoption expected to grow.

Iran Mocks UN Inaction With Viral Meme as FM Urges Condemnation of US Threats

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly criticized the United Nations for its perceived indifference toward alleged violations of the UN Charter by the United States and Israel. Araghchi called on the UN to explicitly condemn what he described as illegal threats made by Washington against Iran. To amplify the message, Iran's official channels shared a meme referencing popular culture to mock the world body's inaction. The move reflects Tehran's growing frustration with the UN's response to escalating tensions involving the US and Israel. Iran's use of viral imagery signals an effort to draw broader international attention to its diplomatic grievances.

OpenAI Plans to Turn ChatGPT into an AI App Marketplace Amid Safety Concerns

OpenAI is working to transform ChatGPT into a platform where third-party companies can offer their software directly within the chatbot. Adobe is among the companies expected to integrate their tools into the ChatGPT ecosystem. The platform currently serves 1.2 billion weekly users, making it a significant distribution channel for AI-powered applications. The move draws comparisons to Apple's App Store model, positioning ChatGPT as a central hub for AI services. The expansion comes as broader concerns about AI safety continue to grow across the industry.

Secret list of 100+ alleged predators circulates as warning network in Silicon Valley

A private document naming over 100 individuals accused of sexual misconduct is being shared informally among women in Silicon Valley's tech industry. The list functions as an unofficial safety network, helping women identify and avoid alleged predators within professional circles. Several women have come forward with accounts of sexual assault, citing fears of career damage as a key reason for not filing formal complaints. Critics have raised questions about the verifiability of the allegations given the absence of any formal accountability process. The circulation of such lists highlights ongoing concerns about how sexual misconduct is handled within the tech sector.

Neeru Dhanda Wins India's First Individual Trap Shooting Gold at Asian Games

Indian shooter Neeru Dhanda claimed the country's first-ever individual trap shooting gold medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya. Her mother, Sudesh Devi, learned of the historic win near a local ration shop, as the family had no television at home. The achievement comes after Neeru battled health issues in the lead-up to the competition, underscoring her determination. Despite long-standing financial hardships, her family stood firmly behind her sporting ambitions throughout her journey. The victory is being seen as a milestone that is shifting attitudes toward women in sports within their community.

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Becomes Morocco's First Female Prime Minister

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri has been appointed as Morocco's first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister. She is a prominent political figure with a long career in public service. El Mansouri previously made history as the first female mayor of Marrakesh, a position she first won in 2009. She lost the mayoral seat six years later but successfully reclaimed it in 2021. Her appointment as Prime Minister marks a significant milestone for women in Moroccan politics.

‘Almost like a constitution’: Trump, top US tech CEOs sign AI safety pact

India Plans Domestic Polysilicon Push to Reduce Reliance on Chinese Solar Imports

India is working to build manufacturing capacity across its entire solar value chain to reduce dependence on China. The government is targeting 80 GW of domestic ingot and wafer production capacity as part of this initiative. The push reflects a strategic effort to strengthen energy self-sufficiency in the solar sector. By developing local manufacturing, India aims to secure its clean energy supply chain against external dependencies.

Mumbai Woman Kept Father's Preserved Body at Daycare for 4 Years After His Death

A Mumbai woman preserved her father's body for approximately four years following his death in 2022. She reportedly kept the body at a daycare facility rather than proceeding with a funeral or cremation. Authorities discovered the situation, bringing the case to public attention. The woman's deep emotional attachment to her father is believed to have motivated her unusual decision to delay his last rites.

Spiritual Leader Kalki Bhagavan Passes Away at 77

Kalki Bhagavan, a prominent Indian spiritual guru, has died at the age of 77. He was widely known for his spiritual teachings and meditation programmes that drew a large following both in India and internationally. Bhagavan also popularised the concept of Oneness Blessing, known as Deeksha, which became a key part of his spiritual movement. His teachings helped him build a significant global presence over the years.

Protesters in Robot Costumes Rally Outside OpenAI DevDay in San Francisco

OpenAI's DevDay developer conference in San Francisco was met with a notable protest outside the venue. Demonstrators, some dressed in robot costumes, rallied against the company's reported collaboration with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Protesters also raised concerns about AI's environmental impact and the technology's ties to military applications. The demonstrations reflected broader public unease over the growing influence of the AI industry and its societal consequences.