India

Father of Dalit IIT-Bombay Student Who Died by Suicide Detained During Campus Protest

Darshan Solanki's father was detained by Powai police on Monday while protesting against caste discrimination at IIT-Bombay. He had sought a meeting with the institute's director to discuss measures to prevent student suicides. Protesters were denied entry to the campus, with at least one alleging manhandling by police. The demonstration comes in the wake of three student suicides at IIT-Bombay in 2024 alone. Solanki's son, a Dalit student, had died by suicide at the institute in 2023.

Volunteer Bittu Tabahi leads 585kg Yamuna cleanup drive on World Cleanup Day

On September 20, Surendra Singh Choudhary, known as Bittu Tabahi, led a large-scale cleanliness drive along the banks of the Yamuna river in Delhi. He and a team of volunteers collected 585 kilograms of waste in approximately four and a half hours. The initiative was organized in observance of World Cleanup Day, a global event promoting environmental responsibility. The drive received support from Philip Morris. The effort highlights growing grassroots momentum to address pollution along one of India's most prominent rivers.

US Threatens to Ground All Iranian Airlines Globally With New Sanctions

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has issued a sweeping threat to ground all Iranian airlines worldwide as part of escalating economic pressure on Tehran. The warning extends beyond airlines to include airports, ticketing companies, fuel suppliers, and other businesses that support Iranian carriers operating internationally. The move signals a broadening of US sanctions strategy targeting the entire aviation supply chain linked to Iran. This approach aims to cut off Iranian airlines from the global aviation ecosystem by penalizing any entity that facilitates their operations abroad.

UP's Green Army: Sari-clad women tackle addiction, violence and child marriage in villages

In rural Uttar Pradesh, women dressed in green saris and carrying lathis have formed a grassroots group known as the Green Army to address social issues in their communities. The group targets problems such as gambling, alcohol misuse, and domestic violence that affect village life. Drawing from their own lived experiences, members actively campaign for girls' education and work to prevent child marriages. The women also promote the celebration of daughters' births and support sustainable livelihood initiatives. Their collective efforts are driving meaningful social change across rural areas of the state.

North Korea Tests New-Type Weapon Shortly After Recent Missile Launch

North Korea has conducted a test of what it describes as a new-type weapon, coming just days after a missile launch. The country has constitutionally enshrined its identity as a nuclear-armed state. North Korean leadership has repeatedly declared its nuclear arsenal to be permanent and irreversible. These developments signal Pyongyang's continued advancement of its weapons programme despite international pressure.

Russian Strikes Kill 5 in Ukraine, Including a Child, Officials Say

Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least five people, including a child, according to Ukrainian officials. In the Donetsk region, a heavily contested frontline area, an attack struck an apartment building in the city of Kramatorsk, resulting in one fatality. A second person was killed in a village near Kramatorsk. The strikes caused significant structural damage to residential infrastructure in the region.

Hyderabad constable dies by suicide after fears of cancelled marriage

A 35-year-old police constable attached to the Armed Reserve of Malkajgiri commissionerate in Hyderabad died by suicide late Sunday evening. The constable had reportedly been under significant emotional distress over concerns that his upcoming marriage might not take place. Before taking the extreme step, he made a video call to his fiancée. Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances and cause of his death.

Amazon blocks Meta's Muse AI from making purchases over privacy concerns

Amazon has barred Meta's Muse AI agent from completing purchases on its platform, citing privacy and security concerns. The decision highlights the growing friction between the two tech giants over AI-driven commerce. Meta has defended its AI tool, claiming it handles user credentials in a secure manner. The standoff reflects broader competition between major tech companies for dominance in the digital shopping space.

Wow! Momo Founder Urges Food Delivery Platforms to Revisit Commission Rates

Wow! Momo co-founder Binod Homagai has called on food delivery platforms to reconsider the commission fees they charge restaurants. He acknowledged, however, that these platforms have played a significant role in reshaping the restaurant industry. Homagai noted that delivery aggregators have been instrumental in helping build numerous food brands. His remarks reflect a broader tension in the food-service sector between the growth opportunities platforms provide and the financial burden their commissions place on restaurant businesses.

PM Modi's classmate still fighting to reclaim land despite partial developer exit

Asgar Ali Vora, a classmate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been struggling to reclaim land he purchased in 1989. He alleges that developers unlawfully took possession of the property in 2011. Following a meeting with PM Modi, one developer gave up possession, but another reportedly continues to hold onto the land. Police have filed a non-cognisable offence against the developers involved in the dispute.

US Northeast airports resume operations after telecom outage disrupts flights

A telecommunications outage disrupted flight operations across airports in the US Northeast, preventing several inbound flights from landing. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the affected communications lines have since been repaired. Airport operations in the region are gradually returning to normal following the restoration of services. However, passengers are still advised to expect delays as airlines work through the accumulated backlog of disrupted flights.

Oil Holds Above $100 as Middle East Tensions Offset US-Iran Talk Hopes

Crude oil prices remained above $100 per barrel amid escalating tensions across the Middle East. Traders balanced the possibility of US-Iran diplomatic talks against continued instability in the Gulf region. Yemen's Houthi forces carried out strikes targeting Riyadh and a Saudi Aramco facility, further unsettling markets. Shipping traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply as conflict in the area persists. The United States and Iran have been engaged in an ongoing exchange of threats spanning more than six months.

‘We don’t condone cheating’: IIT Bombay students call for reforms after Sahil’s death

India Holds First-Ever Foreign Ministers Meeting with Visegrad Group at UNGA

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group for the first time on Monday. The landmark meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Visegrad Group comprises four Central European nations: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The meeting marks a new milestone in diplomatic engagement between India and this regional bloc.

Three men posing as cops gang-rape 17-year-old near Kalkaji Mandir in Delhi

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men who impersonated police officers in New Delhi. The assault took place in a park near the Kalkaji Mandir temple, which the victim and a friend had visited shortly before the incident. Police were alerted via a PCR call and responded to the scene, after which the girl was taken for a medical examination. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify and trace the three accused. No arrests have been reported yet as the probe remains ongoing.

EU Fines Google $462 Million Over Location Data Privacy Violation

The European Union has imposed a $462 million fine on Google for breaching data location privacy rules. The penalty was issued through Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), which serves as Google's primary EU-level regulator. The DPC holds this oversight role because Google, like many major tech companies, bases its European headquarters in Ireland. The fine reflects growing regulatory pressure on Big Tech firms over how they handle user data across the EU.

Delhi Poll Body Clarifies SIR Notices Do Not Mean Voter Deletion

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi has clarified the process around voter roll notices amid controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The office stated that receiving a notice does not automatically result in removal from the electoral rolls. No voter's name can be struck off without first being given an opportunity to present their case. Any deletion order must be reasoned and remain open to appeal, ensuring due process is followed.

Delhi HC examines if legally adopted child can be returned over behavioural issues

The Delhi High Court is hearing a case that questions whether a legally adopted child can be returned to state custody years after adoption. The adoptive mother has sought to hand over the child, citing serious behavioural problems including aggression and theft. The child, adopted in 2018, was later found to have an intellectual disability and has been expelled from school. The court has asked relevant authorities to present their position on accommodating the minor.

Inevitable veto power? 4 European nations back India’s permanent UN seat bid

Saudi Strikes on Yemen's Mokha Kill 6, Injure 8 After Houthi Takeover

Saudi Arabia carried out airstrikes on the Yemeni port city of Mokha, killing six people and wounding eight others. The strikes follow a recent Houthi offensive in which the Iran-aligned group seized control of Mokha from Yemeni government forces. The Houthis, who already control large portions of northwest Yemen, launched a large-scale attack against government troops earlier this month to capture the city. Saudi Arabia backs the Yemeni government in the ongoing conflict against the Houthi movement.