India

IITs to ban 22 firms for 2 years over 150+ reneged campus job offers

A group of 22 companies is set to be barred from campus recruitment at IITs for two years after failing to honour more than 150 job offers. The cases span all 23 IITs, with some firms individually withdrawing between 10 and 15 offers. The decision was announced by John Jose, convenor of the Association of IIT Placement Committees (AIPC) and an associate professor at IIT-Guwahati. The ban is intended to protect students from last-minute offer withdrawals and hold recruiting firms accountable for their commitments.

Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Win Mixed Team Gold at Asian Games

Indian shooters Suruchi Inder Singh and Kamaljeet claimed the gold medal in the mixed team final at the Asian Games. The pair dominated the competition from the outset, posting strong scores across both stages of the event. They recorded 103.0, 202.4, and 303.5 in Stage 1, before continuing their momentum into Stage 2 with a score of 364.7 in the opening series. South Korea and Iran were unable to close the gap as the Indian duo maintained a comfortable lead throughout. Suruchi's coach had expressed confidence ahead of the final, saying she would return with nothing less than gold.

Trump orders US Navy to revert to steam catapults despite ongoing EMALS upgrades

President Donald Trump has instructed the US Navy to abandon electromagnetic launch technology and return to traditional steam catapults on new aircraft carriers. The directive conflicts with active contracts already awarded to improve the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Significant construction work is already underway on the USS Doris Miller, making a mid-course design switch technically and logistically complex. The move is seen as a step backward by some, particularly as China equips its newest carriers with electromagnetic launch systems. Critics warn the reversal could affect the operational capabilities and modernization trajectory of future US carrier fleets.

Six Men Assault Woman With Slippers at Bihar Tourist Site, Video Goes Viral

A disturbing incident was caught on camera at a tourist site in Bihar, where six men physically assaulted a woman using slippers. The attack took place on September 3, though the video surfaced and went viral only recently. The footage clearly shows the men misbehaving with and assaulting the woman. The viral spread of the video has drawn widespread attention to the incident.

Nationwide protests from Oct 2 if CEC doesn't resign by Saturday: CJP's Dipke

Lost US Army Ring Found After 20 Years Returned to Veteran Owner

A silver US Army ring belonging to veteran Terry Sheppard Jr., lost for approximately two decades, has been successfully returned to him. The ring was discovered by a woman named Mary Thelen inside her son's footlocker. Thelen took the initiative to track down the rightful owner rather than keep the item. Sheppard, who served in Iraq, is believed to have misplaced the ring during his time stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

In Bihar, third harassment video in a week

CJP says nationwide protest on October 2 if Gyanesh Kumar doesn’t resign

Tarun Tejpal challenges rape conviction, SC seeks Goa govt response

Locked iPhone Hinders Investigation Into IIT Bombay Student's Suicide

Investigators probing the suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode are facing a key obstacle in their inquiry. The student's iPhone is secured with a pattern lock, preventing authorities from accessing its contents. As a result, investigators have been unable to determine who Wakode had called or who had contacted him prior to his death. Retrieving this call data is considered critical to understanding the circumstances surrounding the case.

Saudi Grand Mufti Warns Soldiers May Die in Fight Against Houthis

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti has issued a statement acknowledging that soldiers fighting the Houthi movement may lose their lives in the ongoing conflict. The warning comes amid weeks of intensifying hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia with barrages of missiles and drone strikes during this period. The religious leader's remarks appear directed at Saudi troops engaged in operations against the Yemeni armed faction.

Indian woman leaves Deloitte Canada role after 6 years to care for ageing parents

Preeti Bisnik has resigned from her position at Deloitte in Canada after six years to return to India. Her decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with her ageing parents, particularly due to her mother's deteriorating health. Personal health challenges of her own also contributed to her choice to move back. Rather than immediately seeking new employment, Preeti has chosen to prioritise family caregiving for the time being.

Why Taiwan Independence Became a Key Topic in Xi-Trump Discussions

Taiwan's political status has long been a flashpoint in US-China relations, with both sides holding firmly opposing positions. The United States has historically maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity, neither fully endorsing nor rejecting Taiwan's independence. In 2022, the US State Department updated its Taiwan policy page to include references to the Six Assurances, a set of six security commitments made to Taiwan during the Reagan era. These assurances, which had been declassified in 2020, reaffirmed that the US would not pressure Taiwan into negotiations with Beijing. The issue resurfaced in discussions between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, reflecting its continued sensitivity in shaping US-China-Taiwan dynamics.

Trump Says US-China Relations at a High Point During Xi State Dinner

US President Donald Trump declared that the United States and China have never had a better relationship, making the remarks during a state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump struck an optimistic tone about bilateral ties between the two nations at the high-profile diplomatic gathering. As a gesture of goodwill, Trump presented Xi with an eagle statue, which he said was personally designed in collaboration with First Lady Melania Trump. The state dinner marked a significant moment in US-China diplomatic engagement under the Trump administration.

All-Woman SIT Formed to Probe POCSO Allegations Against Granite Baron Veeramani

Chennai police have constituted an all-woman Special Investigation Team to look into sexual offence allegations against granite businessman R Veeramani. The SIT will be headed by Additional Commissioner of Police PC Thenmozhi, supported by several senior officers. The scope of the allegations widened after Veeramani and his associates were taken into custody. Investigators are currently examining evidence, including digital material connected to the case. Authorities are continuing their probe to establish a clearer picture of the alleged incidents.

Minnesota 12-year-old wins $10,000 prize for anti-hate bracelet campaign

Natalie Flaherty, a 12-year-old from Minnesota, launched a campaign called 'I Stand With Anne' to combat hate and promote Holocaust awareness. She handcrafted over 100,000 bracelets carrying her anti-hate message and distributed them across 50 countries worldwide. Her efforts were bolstered through partnerships with Holocaust remembrance organizations, amplifying the campaign's global reach. Flaherty's dedication earned her the prestigious 2026 Gloria Barron Prize, which carries a $10,000 award. She plans to continue her mission by distributing more bracelets during Halloween.

Nine-year-old Indian boy eyes Guinness record with Grade 8 electric guitar exam

Adrian Abraham, a nine-year-old boy, is attempting to pass the Grade 8 electric guitar exam in the UK, which could earn him a Guinness World Record as the youngest person to achieve this feat. His musical interests are rooted in rock and metal genres, and he has already been performing on stage. Adrian also stands out for creatively fusing Indian classical music with Western rock, which he shares on social media. His pursuit reflects both exceptional musical talent and an ambitious drive at a remarkably young age.

Assam Raises Orunodoi Scheme Payout to Rs 1,500 for October Ahead of Durga Puja

The Assam government has increased the financial assistance under its Orunodoi scheme to Rs 1,500 for the month of October, coinciding with the Durga Puja festival. The move was approved by the state Cabinet as a festive gesture for beneficiaries of the welfare programme. In addition, the Cabinet declared October 17, 2026, as an extra public holiday for Durga Puja celebrations. This brings the total number of officially notified holidays for the festival to five. The decisions reflect the government's effort to mark the occasion with both financial relief and extended festive observance.

Nepal PM Shah Calls for India-China Data Sharing to Monitor Glacial Lakes

Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed the United Nations with a climate-focused appeal, urging cooperative action on glacial lake monitoring. He called for a mechanism that would enable India and China to share satellite data and technical expertise with Nepal. The proposal reflects Nepal's strategic effort to engage both its powerful neighbors on a shared environmental concern. Glacial lake outburst floods pose a serious and growing threat to Nepal's mountain communities. Shah's pitch signals Kathmandu's intent to use multilateral platforms to balance its relationships with Beijing and New Delhi.

60% of Indian Firms Plan to Hire in 2024, Led by E-Commerce and Travel Sectors

A recent survey reveals that 60% of Indian companies are planning significant hiring drives in the near term. The e-commerce and tech startup sectors lead the recruitment outlook, projecting a net employment change of 12.6%. The travel and hospitality industry follows closely, with a projected net employment change of 12.3%. These findings highlight a broadly optimistic hiring sentiment across key growth-driven sectors of the Indian economy.