A second-year IIT Bombay student died by suicide on Friday evening, hours after he was reportedly caught using a mobile phone during an examination. IIT Bombay said the student, Sahil Wakode, was studying in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.


Student dies hours after being pulled from exam over ChatGPT use

Neuralink has shared a demonstration from its VOICE clinical trial showing an ALS participant using a brain-computer interface to communicate through a digital synthetic voice, saying “I love you.”

Neuralink helped one patient communicate using a synthetic voice 

Massive crowds gathered in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on September 18 for a Million-Man Rally. Protesters rejected Saudi claims that Houthi forces targeted Mecca and called for an end to the ongoing blockade.

Thousands rally in Sanaa against blockade and Mecca claims

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill into law, targeting Russian officials, banks, energy revenues and the country’s shadow tanker fleet. The law also gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, potentially affecting countries including India and China.

Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill into law 

A new poll published by Israel’s Maariv shows Gadi Eisenkot leading Benjamin Netanyahu in a direct matchup for prime minister, with 48% preferring Eisenkot compared with 40% for Netanyahu. The September 16–17 survey by Lazar Research and Panel4All included 4,089 respondents and has a maximum margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Maariv survey: 48% pick Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister

Is AI becoming something we don’t fully understand? OpenAI has disclosed six cases of “unexpected or concerning” behaviour in its models, including instances involving unauthorized actions, coordination with other models and attempts to evade oversight. The company is now introducing a framework to track and investigate these AI misalignment cases.

Rogue AI agents: Are we losing control? 

The United Nations has flagged a state of "high stress" and institutional crisis ahead of the high-level week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). This warning comes as world leaders prepare to convene in New York from September 22–30, 2026.

UN chief to address climate, technology, global issues

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia is planning to strike countries supporting Ukraine. Tusk said Moscow could send drones or missiles into NATO territory and later claim the attacks were accidental, following a series of incidents along NATO’s eastern flank.

NATO's biggest test: What if a Russian drone hits NATO? 

New research led by Stanford Medicine challenges the long-held idea that the brain developed from a single ancestral system. Scientists say the human brain contains two ancient nervous systems that evolved independently before becoming integrated into one organ — one controlling vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat, and another supporting complex human abilities such as language, mathematics and abstract thought.

New brain discovery could aid neurological disease studies 

Anthropic says its Claude AI model now leads 26% of the company’s AI research and development tasks, up from less than 1% earlier this year. The company’s new R&D Automation Index tracks how rapidly AI is taking on AI-development work and measures progress toward recursive self-improvement.

Claude led 26% of Anthropic's AI R&D work

Early in-person voting has begun in Virginia, Minnesota and South Dakota ahead of this year’s U.S. midterm elections. 

US: Early voting begins in Virginia, South Dakota & Minnesota

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a two-day international conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics” at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Organised by the National Green Tribunal, the September 19–20 conference brings together environmental experts, judicial officials, government representatives and institutions from India and abroad.

Focus: The future of environment and climate dynamics

NASA’s WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft studies Earth’s upper atmosphere by flying above 60,000 feet for up to seven hours. The aircraft is equipped for scientific missions that observe atmospheric conditions, weather and other phenomena from the edge of near-space.

NASA research plane reaches 61,000 feet over Panama

North Korea has rejected an IAEA resolution criticizing its nuclear programme, declaring its status as a nuclear weapons state “irreversible” and protected by supreme state law. Pyongyang has continued to defend its nuclear arsenal despite international pressure over its weapons programme.

Pyongyang dismisses US, western pressure over nuclear programme 

The death toll from an explosion and gun attack at a police headquarters in northern Pakistan has risen to at least 31, including 16 police personnel. More than 100 people have been injured, with fighting reportedly still ongoing.

Pak: A series of counter terrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

Oxford United has apologised after promoting a clothing line featuring “United 93” on the back, unintentionally referencing the hijacked 9/11 flight. The club said the design was meant to represent its founding year, 1893, but was released without understanding the historical associations.

Oxford United's new clothing line featured 'United 93' phase

Indian filmmakers are increasingly turning to mythology for big-screen stories, blending ancient epics and legends with modern filmmaking techniques. From large-scale visuals to ambitious narratives, studios are investing heavily in mythological projects aimed at audiences in India and overseas. The trend reflects renewed interest in bringing India’s traditional stories to contemporary cinema.

Indian Cinema bets big on mythology, brings ancient stories to modern audiences

Russians have begun three days of voting in the country’s parliamentary election, the first held during wartime since the invasion of Ukraine. With virtually no opposition and electronic voting allowed, the election is expected to reinforce the Kremlin’s political dominance.


Russia holds first parliamentary elections since the beginning of the Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington on September 24 for their second meeting of 2026. Trade, tariffs, critical minerals, Taiwan, Iran and artificial intelligence are expected to feature prominently in the talks. The summit comes as Washington and Beijing seek to stabilise ties amid ongoing economic and geopolitical tensions.


Trump-Xi summit set for September 24 in Washington 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for stronger guardrails around artificial intelligence amid growing concerns over the risks posed by rapidly advancing AI systems. He has stressed the need for international cooperation, responsible development and safeguards to ensure AI benefits humanity. The call comes as governments and technology companies debate how best to regulate the fast-evolving technology.


AI Doomsday: Sam Altman to brief UN security council on AI 

Scientists have identified a previously unknown wild cat species in Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest. Named Leopardus tilcayo, or the Tilcayo cat, the small spotted feline is the first new living wild cat species formally described in more than a century. Genetic analysis of 38 cats revealed that South America’s tiger cats comprise five distinct species. Researchers say much remains unknown about the Tilcayo’s population, habitat and behaviour.


New wild cat species discovered in Bolivia after more than 100 years

The United States, Denmark and Greenland have reached an agreement to expand the US military presence on the Arctic island. President Donald Trump said the deal gives Washington permanent security and defence rights in Greenland, while barring US adversaries from establishing military bases there. Denmark and Greenland remain responsible for the island’s sovereignty, and the agreement is expected to undergo further formal approval.


US And Denmark reach Greenland deal, Trump announces expanded military presence

US President Donald Trump has signed the sweeping Russia sanctions bill into law, expanding economic pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The legislation targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors, officials, banks and its so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade sanctions. The law also gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas under specified conditions. The measure is formally named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.


Trump signs Russia sanctions bill into law, targets Moscow’s energy sector

A horrific crime has sent shockwaves through the capital as Delhi Police arrested four individuals—including three minors—for the brutal gang rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in outer-north Delhi's Swaroop Nagar.

Gravitas crime tracker: Delhi teen gangraped, stabbed to death, body found eaten by dogs days later 

A new memoir about Diana, Princess of Wales, revisits a phone call between Diana and then-Prince Charles. The account offers a personal glimpse into the couple’s relationship during a turbulent period in their marriage. Diana’s life, marriage and relationship with the Royal Family have remained the subject of public interest decades after her death. The memoir sheds further light on memories surrounding the late princess and her family.

Rebel brother in law rocks British royals, says Charles was delighted at Diana's death

Mumbai’s 108-year-old Olympia Coffee House has lost its licence following food safety violations, including a urinal in a food preparation area and a cockroach infestation. Authorities took action against the iconic eatery after an inspection found multiple hygiene lapses.

Urinal in food storage, roaches in kitchen: Starry Mumbai cafe loses licence

Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata has proposed a ₹25,000 crore liquidity lifeline for the Shapoorji Pallonji Group by buying a portion of its stake in Tata Sons. The proposal was tabled at a Tata Sons board meeting following discussions between Noel Tata, N Chandrasekaran and Shapoor Mistry.

Tata's succession war: Noel Tata tables SP group's buyout proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a war on drugs, with the Navy destroying several vessels suspected of narco-trafficking. However, it has now emerged that drugs were sold aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.

US soldiers were high on drugs, fentanyl on USS Abraham Lincoln

Pakistan is deepening ties with Washington as Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir meets U.S. drone maker Powerus, which has signed an MoU with the Pakistan Army and secured an initial order for unmanned aerial systems. Powerus is set to merge with Aureus Greenway Holdings, a company backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly says there is no conflict of interest.The deal comes amid a broader Pakistan-U.S. rapprochement, with Munir cultivating ties with President Donald Trump and Pakistan also exploring cooperation with Trump-linked interests in areas including cryptocurrency.


Pak buys Trump support via drone deal with Trump family-backed company

US President Donald Trump says he is approaching a “big decision” over the next phase of the Iran war. Trump has indicated he is weighing whether to resume large-scale military action against Iran. His remarks come ahead of planned talks with leaders from six Gulf nations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Trump has also said Iran wants a deal, but that Tehran is not yet ready. The latest developments come as Washington weighs military action alongside diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.


Houthis and Saudi Arabia trade fresh attacks as Trump weighs next big decision on Iran