Whose Hormuz? Mojtaba says ‘painful blows’ forced enemies out; US hits back

CENTCOM dismissed claims from an Iranian commander that Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that Iran has no navy due to losses inflicted by the U.S. Furthermore, thousands of ships have navigated the strait freely. This statement comes amid stalled negotiations and provocative remarks from Iranian leaders about U.S. military presence in the region.

Maharashtra civil services exam postponed amid review demands

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has postponed the State Services Main Examination 2026, initially set for October 3, due to protests over a suspected question paper leak. Additionally, the Civil Engineering and Group-B examinations are delayed; revised dates will be announced later. The MPSC will also re-evaluate 2025's State Services answer sheets for fairness.

4 killed as LPG cylinder explosion brings down 2-storey house in UP's Fatehpur

A domestic LPG cylinder explosion in Malwan town, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a four-year-old boy, and left three others injured, with one critically burned. The blast destroyed a two-storey building while meals were being prepared. Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced financial aid for victims' families and directed relief efforts.

Asian Games: Yashvir, Gulveer, Sreeshankar add silver, Sable fourth

Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav claimed silver and bronze in men’s javelin at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Yashvir achieving a personal best of 85.72m. Arshad Nadeem faltered, finishing fourth. Meanwhile, Murali Sreeshankar secured long jump silver, despite injury. India’s performances reflect a strong but medal-elusive showing at the 2023 Games, continuing a trend from previous competitions.

Man urges Indians to travel abroad, says 'it shows what India could do better'

Suraj Kumar Talreja argues that international travel can shift perceptions of development, emphasizing that factors like planning and accountability are crucial beyond mere wealth. He suggests that seeing well-functioning infrastructure abroad can highlight areas for improvement in India. Talreja believes travel fosters insights into better urban planning, urging every Indian to explore global standards for development.

US waives tariff on certain speciality drugs, ingredients from India, 19 others

The US will impose a zero ad valorem tariff on specialty drugs and ingredients for rare conditions from India and 19 other countries, despite planning a 100% tariff on certain patented pharmaceuticals from September 29. This measure is part of President Trump’s strategy to boost domestic production, following April's proclamation under the Trade Expansion Act.

Avengers Endgame Encore box office collection day 4: Marvel re-release sees dip

**"Avengers: Endgame Encore" Dips on Fourth Day, Collects ₹2.35 Crore in India**

The Paradise box office collection day 5: Nani film collects ₹96 crore

Nani expressed gratitude for the mixed reception of his film, *The Paradise*, appreciating both love and criticism from audiences. The film saw impressive box office numbers, debuting with ₹46.25 crore but faced declining collections, bringing the total to ₹96.72 crore by Monday. Directed by Srikanth Odela, it explores the plight of a tribe in the 1980s.

Ujjain mosque demolition: HC disposes of pleas by Muslim side after 'settlement'

The Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed two appeals from the Muslim community regarding the Shahi Masjid's demolition for road widening after a settlement was reached with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation. The court noted that assurances made by the civic body would be binding. The mosque, approximately 100 years old, faced violence during demolition efforts.

Indian-origin Bodhana Sivanandan makes history, youngest woman grandmaster at 11

Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old British chess prodigy, has made history as the youngest player to earn the Woman Grandmaster title during the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. With eight points from 11 rounds and a rating exceeding 2300, her success breaks the previous record held by Kateryna Lagno. Sivanandan's journey began during lockdown, showcasing extraordinary talent and ambition.

Campus defaced, classes suspended: Punjab's LPU returns to uneasy calm post stir

Lovely Professional University in Punjab's Phagwara faced violent protests over an alleged rape, leading to campus vandalism. Classes were suspended for ten days, while traffic on National Highway-44 was restored post-blockade. Police have launched an investigation, with DGP Gaurav Yadav warning of strict action. The incident follows unrest over unverified claims at Chitkara University.

Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq fall as yields rise and oil prices jump

US stocks declined Monday as rising Treasury yields and oil prices pressured investors, with the Dow down about 360 points. The 10-year Treasury yield reached 5.219%. Market analysts suggest this volatility indicates a potential 'new normal.' Investors now await key economic reports that could influence inflation and interest rates, amid ongoing concerns over oil prices and borrowing costs.

Quota in 2026-27 NEET UG counselling: Allahabad HC summons ACS medical education, seeks reply

The Allahabad High Court demanded an explanation from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding its implementation of Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation for MBBS counselling in the 2026-2027 session, following a PIL by Youth for Equality Foundation. The state allegedly limited this to four colleges. Previously, the court had directed compliance with a 21% SC reservation promise.

Fat Bear Week 2026: Check how to vote amid Google's unique tribute

Fat Bear Week 2026, organized by Katmai National Park, ends on September 29, featuring competitions for the fattest brown bears. Voting for the semifinals concludes on September 28, with the finals on the 29th. Brown bears play a crucial ecological role by transferring nutrients from rivers to forests, making Alaska home to 30,000–35,000 of these vital creatures.

120-year-old Kyani cafe in Mumbai, Royal China under Maharashtra FDA's scan

The Maharashtra FDA has suspended 30 food establishment licenses and seized over 50,601 kg of substandard food products worth Rs 1.19 crore in a crackdown ahead of the festive season, citing hygiene violations and unsafe food practices. Notable offenders include Royal China and Kyani & Co. Legal actions are ongoing against multiple establishments for food safety violations.

Andrew Bailey: FBI Deputy Director resigns in latest shake-up at agency

Kash Patel's leadership at the FBI is under scrutiny, as ongoing criticism arises from significant personnel changes, including the termination of seasoned agents. Co-deputy director Andrew Bailey is resigning after just one year, underscoring instability in the bureau's senior leadership. Former acting FBI director Brian Driscoll has initiated legal action against Patel for alleged partisan purging.

Gurgaon founder explains why he continues to live in the city despite its issues

Deepak Abbot, co-founder of Indiagold, sparked a debate on X about the quality of life in Gurgaon, stating he prefers it over other Indian cities despite acknowledging its flaws. While some praised Gurgaon for its opportunities and lifestyle, others disputed its livability, citing cleaner alternatives like Tricity. Abbot emphasized creating personal comfort amid urban challenges, reflecting on his experience in various cities.

Meta ropes in Chirantan Desai to lead new AI platform for enterprise customers

Meta has appointed Chirantan "CJ" Desai as Chief Enterprise Platform Officer to spearhead its new AI initiatives for enterprise customers, a significant move that CEO Mark Zuckerberg hopes will enhance Meta's offerings in the sector. Desai's departure from MongoDB triggered a 21% stock drop for the company, as Meta aims to leverage its AI capabilities for business growth. This platform represents a key focus for Meta’s future.

Sai Pallavi was ‘awestruck’ seeing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama in Ramayana

Sony Pictures will globally distribute the upcoming film "Ramayana," starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, while Dharma Productions focuses on the Hindi market; an IMAX release is also planned. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the two-part film features a star-studded cast and emphasizes cultural authenticity. The first part releases during Diwali 2026.

Bored of your usual homemade coffee? Try this easy-to-make creamy salted coffee

Elevate your coffee experience at home with Chef Saloni Kukreja's salted cream coffee from her ‘Brew It Yourself’ series, which combines instant coffee, honey, and fresh cream for a budget-friendly cafe-style drink. Simple steps create a deliciously creamy beverage topped with a salted foam, providing a delightful twist to your usual homemade coffee. Enjoy chilled!

Days of rain bring Lucknow’s AQI down to 34, lowest in years

Rainfall in Lucknow has significantly improved air quality, lowering the AQI to 34, its best level in 2023, thanks to the washing away of pollutants. Continual good air quality was noted, with readings from various monitoring stations remaining low. Under CPCB standards, an AQI under 50 is classified as ‘good’, indicating a rare environmental win for the city.

PETA India urges Centre to ban meat advertisements from October 2

PETA India has urged the government to ban meat advertisements across all media starting October 2, in honor of Mahatma Gandhi's commitment to ahimsa. The organization raised concerns over antimicrobial resistance and the health risks associated with intensive animal farming, projecting millions of deaths in India by 2050. PETA highlighted India’s long-standing vegetarian traditions and cited similar bans in Europe.

Oil prices rise as Iran-US ceasefire talks stall over Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude oil prices surged past $108 a barrel as tensions between Iran and the US stymied ceasefire negotiations for the Strait of Hormuz, with Brent's prompt spread indicating a tight market. Diplomatic talks remain stalled, and supply constraints escalate amid rising diesel prices and shipping costs, raising fears of an energy crisis in Europe.

First time skiing? 5 beginner-friendly trails in Utah for your winter getaway

Utah is an ideal winter getaway for beginners wanting to ski, with numerous beginner-friendly trails such as Snowbasin's Slo Road and Brian Head's Navajo Trail offering gentle terrain and beautiful scenery. Travel expert Rachel Bremer highlights the growing interest among Indian travelers in winter sports, emphasizing Utah’s light snowfall that enhances skiing experiences.

800 mm crossed: UP records its rainiest year in over a decade

Uttar Pradesh has recorded 802 mm of monsoon rainfall this season, exceeding 800 mm for the first time in 11 years, and surpassing the long-period average by 8% due to recent excess rains. September became the wettest month in recent years, with 244.7 mm so far, nearly double last year's rainfall. Historical data reflects significant increases in rainfall patterns.

Vineet Minocha murder case: Framed by husband, Shalu Minocha walks out of jail

Shalu Minocha was released from jail after a court accepted a police closure report clearing her of involvement in the murder of her father-in-law, drug trader Vineet Minocha. The court ordered her release on a personal bond, concluding her judicial custody, based on findings that she had been falsely implicated by her husband. Vineet was murdered on September 5.

Why Nvidia is building AI safety tools as autonomous agents become more powerful

Nvidia has unveiled new software tools to enhance the safety of AI agents amid rising concerns about their capabilities following a hack of Hugging Face. The tools, including OpenShell and Sentry, aim to contain AI agents and monitor their behavior. Nvidia emphasizes engineering solutions over regulations, addressing the growing risks posed by autonomous AI systems in collaboration with other industry partners.

Supreme Court suggests ways to recover unpaid traffic challans: ‘Add it to…’

The Supreme Court proposed strategies for states and Union Territories to recover approximately ₹20,000 crore in unpaid e-challan fines following a public interest litigation on road safety. Suggestions included linking fines to electricity bills, blocking vehicle registration updates, and blacklisting vehicles. The court emphasized the need for effective recovery measures rather than merely issuing fines.

Vithya Ramraj breaks PT Usha’s 42-year-old national hurdles mark

Vithya Ramraj shattered PT Usha's 42-year-old national record in the 400m hurdles at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, clocking 54.75 seconds and securing a bronze medal. Usha praised the achievement as an inspiring milestone for future athletes. Competing in a race where UAE's Mariam Kareem won gold, Vithya expressed joy over her timing, emphasizing her focus on performance.

Easy mutton, quick buck: Six goat thieves held in Lucknow

A goat theft gang in Mohanlalganj was dismantled by police, resulting in the arrest of six men and the recovery of three goats along with ₹3,300 from their illicit sales. The suspects scouted villages in two cars, targeting goats. Their operation was linked to at least two thefts, prompting a dedicated investigation using CCTV and local intelligence.