India

Rajinikanth's 'Baashha' was inspired by a discarded scene from Amitabh's 'Hum'

The 1995 Tamil blockbuster 'Baashha' starring Rajinikanth had an unexpected origin on the sets of the Bollywood film 'Hum'. A casual brainstorming session involving Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda produced a police scene concept that was ultimately left out of 'Hum'. Rajinikanth, inspired by the idea, shared it with director Suresh Krissna while they were working together on 'Annamalai'. The duo developed the concept into a full-fledged script and completed the film in just five to six months.

Delhi to Install 20,000 Smart LED Street Lights Before Diwali

Delhi is set to receive 20,000 smart LED street lights before the Diwali festival as part of a major urban infrastructure upgrade. The new lights will feature real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing authorities to track and manage them remotely. This initial rollout is a phase of a broader project aimed at replacing one lakh outdated street lights across the city. The full replacement programme is targeted for completion by January 2027.

Trump and Xi Agree to Extend Trade Truce by Two Months at White House Talks

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks at the White House, addressing major issues including trade, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence. The two leaders agreed to extend their existing trade truce for an additional two months, even as several key disputes between the nations remain unresolved. Taiwan's security status featured prominently in discussions, with Xi calling for restraint on the matter. Both leaders stressed the need for cooperation over confrontation in managing the complex US-China relationship.

Mumbai Crime Branch Records 20 Statements in IIT-B Student Sahil Wakode Death Case

The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from 20 people in connection with the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode. Investigators have been unable to retrieve data from Wakode's locked iPhone, hampering the probe. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is separately examining allegations that Wakode faced discrimination and harassment before his death. His family has demanded action against Professor Doolla and staged a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. IIT Bombay has issued an apology over its earlier official communications regarding the incident.

Hyderabad Shuts Down 8 Eateries Over Food Safety and Hygiene Violations

Food safety authorities in Hyderabad have revoked the licences of eight eateries following inspections that uncovered serious violations. Officials collected 16 food samples from the outlets on suspicion of adulteration. Inspectors found multiple problems including expired food items, pest infestations, contamination, and poor kitchen hygiene standards. The action reflects a broader crackdown by authorities to enforce food safety regulations across the city.

Indian Railways winter fog update: 13 trains cancelled, services reduced for 3 months from December 2026

Akhilesh Yadav Launches SP's UP Poll Campaign in Raebareli, BJP Responds

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav kicked off his party's Uttar Pradesh election campaign with a public meeting in Raebareli. The city is a traditional Congress stronghold and is currently represented in Parliament by Rahul Gandhi. Akhilesh arrived in Raebareli aboard the party's 'PDA Rath', a campaign vehicle central to the outreach drive. The rally marks the formal beginning of SP's ground-level mobilisation ahead of the state elections. The move drew a reaction from the BJP, signalling early political sparring over the influential constituency.

Employee Says She Was Forced to Resign After Reporting Workplace Harassment

A woman named Ritica has shared her account of leaving her job after facing workplace harassment. She reported the incidents to HR, but management failed to respond adequately to her complaints. Rather than receiving support, she faced further retaliation, including pressure on her coworkers to file complaints against her. Feeling that the situation would not improve, Ritica ultimately felt she had no choice but to resign.

Delhi teen gang-raped at knifepoint in park on her birthday, three held

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped inside Aastha Kunj Park in Delhi on her birthday. The assault occurred after she and a friend visited Kalkaji Mandir and were approached by three men who falsely identified themselves as police officers. The accused allegedly forced the victim to multiple locations within the park at knifepoint and took turns assaulting her. Following the attack, the three men threatened both the victim and her friend to stay silent about the incident. The case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

Several Taliban fighters killed in clash along Pakistan-Afghanistan border

Terry Fox ran 5,373 km across Canada for cancer awareness before illness halted his journey

Terry Fox, a cancer survivor who lost his leg to the disease, launched his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, aiming to raise awareness for cancer research across Canada. He had undergone months of rigorous training before embarking on the cross-country run. Throughout his journey, Fox braved varying weather conditions and engaged with communities about the importance of cancer research. After covering over 5,373 kilometres, he was forced to stop on September 1, 1980, when doctors discovered his cancer had spread to his lungs.

Indian Markets Set for Flat Open as Oil Prices Dip on Iran Truce Hopes

Indian stock markets are expected to open on a flat note, according to early indicators. Global oil prices have declined as markets anticipate a possible truce involving Iran. However, investors remain cautious due to ongoing risks of attacks on oil infrastructure. The uncertainty in energy markets continues to weigh on overall investor sentiment.

Musk, Cook, Huang, Altman Attend Trump's State Dinner for China's Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump hosted a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, drawing several of America's most prominent tech executives. Attendees included Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and OpenAI's Sam Altman. The high-profile guest list signaled that trade relations and artificial intelligence were central topics of Xi's US visit. The presence of these industry leaders underscored the significant business and technology dimensions of the diplomatic meeting between the two leaders.

Oil Prices Ease as US-Iran Talks Offer Hope Despite Saudi Pipeline Attacks

Oil prices declined modestly after a volatile week driven by geopolitical tensions and supply concerns in the Middle East. WTI crude fell to $93.52 per barrel, while Brent crude dropped to $105.80. Diplomatic negotiations are underway to address the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has significantly disrupted global energy supplies. Military activity targeting infrastructure in Saudi Arabia has added further pressure on supply outlooks. The persistent regional instability continues to weigh heavily on international oil markets.

UAE suspends Iranian airline flights, joins countries enforcing US sanctions

India news LIVE updates, 25 September 2026: Major landslide damages Rimbi village in Sikkim’s West district; no casualties reported

Google, OpenAI, Anthropic to Launch Joint AI Safety Standards Body by 2027

Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic are collaborating to establish an independent AI safety organization tentatively called the Standards Authority for Frontier AI. The body is intended to set benchmarks and oversee public safety commitments made by leading AI companies. Sriram Krishnan and Arati Prabhakar are being considered for leadership positions within the new authority. The initiative stems from ongoing discussions among the three firms about creating coordinated safety frameworks for the industry. The organization is expected to be operational by early 2027.

Survey Flags Varanasi, Bareilly Among 10 UP Districts at High Cyber Fraud Risk

A recent survey has identified ten districts in Uttar Pradesh as facing elevated risk of cyber fraud activity. The analysis was conducted using Video-KYC onboarding data gathered across approximately 130 districts in the state. Among the high-risk districts highlighted were Bareilly, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Varanasi. The findings point to concentrated vulnerabilities in digital onboarding processes within these regions. The survey aims to draw attention to areas requiring stronger cybersecurity measures and fraud prevention efforts.

Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif Dodges Questions on Hafiz Saeed Prosecution at UN

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was questioned about the prosecution of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed during his visit to the United Nations. A reporter directly asked Sharif when Pakistan intended to prosecute the LeT founder, but the PM declined to respond. Sharif was approached a second time with the same question as he was leaving the UN headquarters. On both occasions, the Pakistani Prime Minister walked away without providing any answer.

Iran President Pezeshkian Reaffirms Nuclear Program Is Peaceful, Not Weapons-Focused

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed that Iran's nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes and not for developing weapons. He described pursuing a nuclear bomb as both unlawful and morally wrong. Pezeshkian stated that Iran is open to international inspections and is willing to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium. He also blamed the United States for heightening regional tensions, arguing that Washington favors military options over diplomatic engagement. The Iranian president maintained that his country's military posture remains strictly defensive in nature.