Latest News India and World LIVE Updates: Trump-Xi summit, ECI controversy and more

Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan on Thursday, including an attack reported in Kandahar, the hometown of Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, as tensions between the two neighbours escalated further. A resident of Kandahar told AFP that they heard a jet followed by a large explosion and later saw a fire in the centre of the city. Pakistan did not specify the locations of the targets in its initial statement.

Read Here. 

INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on 22 Sep 2026 to participate in the 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise ‘VARUNA’ between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.

Exercise VARUNA will witness professional engagements in harbour and at sea, including cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting engagements. These engagements will provide opportunities for both Navies to share experiences and best practices, enhance interoperability and foster greater mutual understanding.

The visit underscores the strong and enduring maritime partnership between India and France and reflects the expanding scope of maritime cooperation and strengthening ties between the two nations.

Oil prices jumped in Asia's afternoon trade, with the international benchmark, Brent crude, surging three percent to $106.24 per barrel, as uncertainty swirled around the seven-month conflict.

Hopes for a deal to get Gulf oil and gas flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz as global leaders gathered in New York had sent oil prices down in recent sessions.

Hong Kong closed 0.3 percent down, with Sydney, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Singapore also in the red. South Korea's Kospi was closed for a holiday.

Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8 percent up on its first day back from a three-day break.

- Key figures at around 0815 GMT -

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 percent at $93.41 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 3 percent at $106.24 per barrel

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,761.13 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.2 percent at 3,888.37 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 65,513.99 (close)

London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 10,710.78

Dollar/yen: UP at 158.34 from 158.29 on Wednesday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1389 from $1.1385

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3244 from $1.3242

Euro/pound: FLAT at 85.97 pence

Asian markets fell on Thursday as jitters around a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hit equities.

Shanghai closed 1.2 percent down, shrugging off US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's announcement that the superpowers had agreed to extend a trade truce by two months.

The simmering trade war between the world's top two economies is a key concern. Both sides have maintained a tariff truce for nearly a year, but they have yet to secure a lasting agreement.

The "economic detente" will now extend beyond its November 10 deadline to January 10, Bessent said.

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race to be part of Germany's bid to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, leaving only Munich and the western Rhine/Ruhr region as potential hosts.

The Berlin Senate confirmed the withdrawal at a press conference in the German capital on Thursday, a day after reports emerged that the city would no longer take part.

"Today is a sad day for Berlin, because the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have been a tremendous opportunity -- for Berlin, for East Germany, and for future generations," Berlin mayor Kai Wegner told reporters.

On Saturday, the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) will make a call on a preferred region as part of a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host one of the 2036, 2040 and 2044 Summer Games.

Berlin was one of the three remaining regions in the race after Hamburg's withdrawal, however, support to host the games in the German capital flatlined after elections last Sunday.

"Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond," said Yahya Rahim Safavi in a video released by Iran's Fars news agency.

The meeting between Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Abbas Araghchi came amid efforts by mediators, including Pakistan, to end hostilities between Tehran and Washington. Both Iran and the U.S. have confirmed holding talks in New York. Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement the two countries had discussed regional and international developments, without elaborating.

Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Thursday that Pakistani airstrikes killed four civilians, vowing to deliver an "appropriate response" to the raids.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has officially dissolved the country's transitional government, paving the way for the nation’s first-ever national elections scheduled for December 22, 2026

Morocco's centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), part of the kingdom's ruling coalition, celebrates its victory after it came out ahead in parliamentary election, winning 97 out of 395 seats, according to provisional results. The election drew a turnout of 38 percent, marking the lowest level in almost two decades as the kingdom struggled with voter apathy amid social crises

Seven people were killed in a Russian strike on a farm in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky said, after a wave of attacks across the country.

"In the morning, a drone struck an agricultural enterprise, killing seven people and injuring 10," he wrote on Telegram.

Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Karthik SG, founder of A1 Sports World, has triggered a heated online debate after announcing that his company will no longer recruit male candidates from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.

The BJP spent Rs 529.38 crore on contesting the last round of Assembly elections held across Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal, with more than half of the expenditure incurred in West Bengal, according to the party’s election expenditure reports submitted to the Election Commission.

Amid the ongoing row over alleged differences within the Election Commission of India, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke took a swipe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, asking on social media, “What if all Gyanesh haters unite?”

Days after a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped at Astha Kunj near Kalkaji Mandir, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has ordered tighter security at its parks across the city, including restricting entry through select gates after sunset, installing more CCTV cameras and lights, and increasing night patrolling. The directions have been issued by the DDA Vice Chairman and are to be implemented immediately, even as a wider safety audit of parks gets underway.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it "would be great" if a functional international system existed to address potential conflicts around the world, including those between India and Pakistan. "We see the utility in the international system. We're here...I think the President has said that the United Nations, for example, has tremendous potential, but it's not living up to it...," Rubio told reporters. The top US diplomat said there's "unanimity and consensus" at the high-level UNGA week that the international system is broken. 

"But it's broken because it broke itself. It needs to be brought back to its proper focus and its proper role. It would be great if we had a functional international system, for example, that could deal with a war between Thailand and Cambodia that occurred, or a potential conflict between India and Pakistan...Right now, we don't seem to have a functional international system that can address it," he said.

Pakistan has appointed retired Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood as the first Secretary-General of the Secretariat that will oversee implementation of the Mecca pact—the trilateral defence agreement between Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan. READ MORE ABOUT HIM HERE 

Another case of molestation has surfaced from Bihar's Samastipur district, days after Jamui incident prompted Bihar Police to take action. Similar to the Jamui incident, this has also been captured on CCTV. In a 56-second video that has now gone viral, four men were seen harassing and molesting a girl. READ MORE

A new CNN/SSRS poll finds just 26% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, down from 33% in March. Even among Republicans, approval has fallen as more Americans question the war’s direction and costs. READ MORE

An overnight airstrike hit the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, home to the Taliban government's supreme leader. The latest strikes come days after a deadly bombardment by Islamabad forces in eastern Afghanistan and nearly a week after a militant attack on a police headquarters in northern Pakistan that killed at least 31 people

A man in California accidentally backed up his Tesla Cybertruck over his six-year-old son, who died at the hospital. Terrick El Guindy is a Mr Olympia judge who remembered his son in an Instagram Story. “We are one. We will always be one. We will be together forever. Preston and Terrick," he wrote. The 48-year-old struck his son outside their home on Saturday around 9 pm. The California Highway Patrol questioned Terrick, but he wasn't arrested. READ MORE

https://www.wionews.com/videos/iit-bombay-student-suicide-case-cctv-from-the-exam-hall-hours-before-suicide-1790234425635

What if your next romantic date was with an AI partner instead of a real person? South Korea’s reality show My AI Partner: Strange Love explores how human beings can become attached to digital companions. The new series has ignited conversations about intimacy, relationships and the future of human connection. READ MORE

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

Read more

A 70,000-page charge sheet filed in Ram Mandir donation theft case. Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao made prosecution witnesses. Charge sheet filed against eight arrested accused.

The charge sheet did not name office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as accused. Charge sheet filed before the expiry of the 90-day deadline. Trust office-bearers and the bank were given a clean chit due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The eight accused named in the police charge sheet are: Anukalp Mishra — Identified as the mastermind behind the donation theft; recovery of ₹16.82 lakh from his home noted.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the road accident in Greater Noida and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured, provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. 

The CM announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for the injured

Police and rescue teams safely rescued 30 people from the bus accident

US shares fell and benchmark 10-year Treasury yields climbed to their highest level since 2007 on Wednesday, after data showed US business activity racing to a more-than-five-year high in September, fueled by a surge in new orders.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

According to El Mundo, second-largest printed daily newspaper in Spain, Russians plan to use commercial vehicles in international waters, turning civilian ships into mobile launch platforms for the attack to maintain plausible deniability.

Read more

A federal judge in the United States has reinstated CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access to the White House, days after US President Donald Trump banned them from the premises. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly has ordered the Trump administration to restore the media publications' access.

Just days earlier, on Friday (Sep 18), Trump barred them from the presidential mansion as punishment for distributing what he calls "fake news." The POTUS had said on social media that the three outlets “shouldn’t be ⁠able to constantly write or ​report ​FICTION and LIES,” ​and Justice Department lawyers ​had ‌sought to ​justify ​the ban on national security grounds. The DoJ, in a justification for the ban, said that "Access to the White House is a privilege -- not a right".

Read more

CCTV footage from IIT Bombay has emerged showing BTech student Sahil Wakode in the examination hall before he was found dead on the institute campus. The footage shows Wakode seated on the first bench of the examination hall, with other students seated behind him.

At one point, Wakode looks down towards his lap, where he appears to be checking something on his phone while the examination is underway.

Read more

China has been vastly expanding its nuclear arsenal, adding at least seven nuclear test and construction facilities in recent months. A report by the Daily Telegraph, based on an analysis of satellite imagery, shows that the Chinese countryside has been filled with huge networks of infrastructure and testing sites. President Xi Jinping has often claimed that he is in favour of scaling back on the nukes, but the latest report presents a different picture.

Read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued his first statement after landing in United States on Thursday (Sep 24). In a written statement released by state news agency Xinhua, Xi said that China and the United States “should be partners rather than rivals.” Highlighting the people to people ties between the two countries, Xi said that interests are “deeply intertwined.” In a direct message to US President Donald Trump, Xi said that his vision of ‘Make America Great Again’ can be aligned with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and in turn benefit the world. Stating that the differences between both sides are “manageable,” the Chinese premier also added that he is hoping for a stable relationship with the US and a path where two major powers can co-exist.

Read more

Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan on Thursday, including an attack reported in Kandahar, the hometown of Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, as tensions between the two neighbours escalated further. A resident of Kandahar told AFP that they heard a jet followed by a large explosion and later saw a fire in the centre of the city. Pakistan did not specify the locations of the targets in its initial statement.

Read Here. 

INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on 22 Sep 2026 to participate in the 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise ‘VARUNA’ between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.

Exercise VARUNA will witness professional engagements in harbour and at sea, including cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting engagements. These engagements will provide opportunities for both Navies to share experiences and best practices, enhance interoperability and foster greater mutual understanding.

The visit underscores the strong and enduring maritime partnership between India and France and reflects the expanding scope of maritime cooperation and strengthening ties between the two nations.

Oil prices jumped in Asia's afternoon trade, with the international benchmark, Brent crude, surging three percent to $106.24 per barrel, as uncertainty swirled around the seven-month conflict.

Hopes for a deal to get Gulf oil and gas flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz as global leaders gathered in New York had sent oil prices down in recent sessions.

Hong Kong closed 0.3 percent down, with Sydney, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Singapore also in the red. South Korea's Kospi was closed for a holiday.

Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8 percent up on its first day back from a three-day break.

- Key figures at around 0815 GMT -

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 percent at $93.41 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 3 percent at $106.24 per barrel

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,761.13 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.2 percent at 3,888.37 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 65,513.99 (close)

London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 10,710.78

Dollar/yen: UP at 158.34 from 158.29 on Wednesday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1389 from $1.1385

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3244 from $1.3242

Euro/pound: FLAT at 85.97 pence

Asian markets fell on Thursday as jitters around a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hit equities.

Shanghai closed 1.2 percent down, shrugging off US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's announcement that the superpowers had agreed to extend a trade truce by two months.

The simmering trade war between the world's top two economies is a key concern. Both sides have maintained a tariff truce for nearly a year, but they have yet to secure a lasting agreement.

The "economic detente" will now extend beyond its November 10 deadline to January 10, Bessent said.

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race to be part of Germany's bid to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, leaving only Munich and the western Rhine/Ruhr region as potential hosts.

The Berlin Senate confirmed the withdrawal at a press conference in the German capital on Thursday, a day after reports emerged that the city would no longer take part.

"Today is a sad day for Berlin, because the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have been a tremendous opportunity -- for Berlin, for East Germany, and for future generations," Berlin mayor Kai Wegner told reporters.

On Saturday, the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) will make a call on a preferred region as part of a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host one of the 2036, 2040 and 2044 Summer Games.

Berlin was one of the three remaining regions in the race after Hamburg's withdrawal, however, support to host the games in the German capital flatlined after elections last Sunday.

"Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond," said Yahya Rahim Safavi in a video released by Iran's Fars news agency.

The meeting between Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Abbas Araghchi came amid efforts by mediators, including Pakistan, to end hostilities between Tehran and Washington. Both Iran and the U.S. have confirmed holding talks in New York. Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement the two countries had discussed regional and international developments, without elaborating.

Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Thursday that Pakistani airstrikes killed four civilians, vowing to deliver an "appropriate response" to the raids.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has officially dissolved the country's transitional government, paving the way for the nation’s first-ever national elections scheduled for December 22, 2026

Morocco's centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), part of the kingdom's ruling coalition, celebrates its victory after it came out ahead in parliamentary election, winning 97 out of 395 seats, according to provisional results. The election drew a turnout of 38 percent, marking the lowest level in almost two decades as the kingdom struggled with voter apathy amid social crises

Seven people were killed in a Russian strike on a farm in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky said, after a wave of attacks across the country.

"In the morning, a drone struck an agricultural enterprise, killing seven people and injuring 10," he wrote on Telegram.

Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Karthik SG, founder of A1 Sports World, has triggered a heated online debate after announcing that his company will no longer recruit male candidates from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.

The BJP spent Rs 529.38 crore on contesting the last round of Assembly elections held across Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal, with more than half of the expenditure incurred in West Bengal, according to the party’s election expenditure reports submitted to the Election Commission.

Amid the ongoing row over alleged differences within the Election Commission of India, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke took a swipe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, asking on social media, “What if all Gyanesh haters unite?”

Days after a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped at Astha Kunj near Kalkaji Mandir, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has ordered tighter security at its parks across the city, including restricting entry through select gates after sunset, installing more CCTV cameras and lights, and increasing night patrolling. The directions have been issued by the DDA Vice Chairman and are to be implemented immediately, even as a wider safety audit of parks gets underway.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it "would be great" if a functional international system existed to address potential conflicts around the world, including those between India and Pakistan. "We see the utility in the international system. We're here...I think the President has said that the United Nations, for example, has tremendous potential, but it's not living up to it...," Rubio told reporters. The top US diplomat said there's "unanimity and consensus" at the high-level UNGA week that the international system is broken. 

"But it's broken because it broke itself. It needs to be brought back to its proper focus and its proper role. It would be great if we had a functional international system, for example, that could deal with a war between Thailand and Cambodia that occurred, or a potential conflict between India and Pakistan...Right now, we don't seem to have a functional international system that can address it," he said.

Pakistan has appointed retired Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood as the first Secretary-General of the Secretariat that will oversee implementation of the Mecca pact—the trilateral defence agreement between Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan. READ MORE ABOUT HIM HERE 

Another case of molestation has surfaced from Bihar's Samastipur district, days after Jamui incident prompted Bihar Police to take action. Similar to the Jamui incident, this has also been captured on CCTV. In a 56-second video that has now gone viral, four men were seen harassing and molesting a girl. READ MORE

A new CNN/SSRS poll finds just 26% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, down from 33% in March. Even among Republicans, approval has fallen as more Americans question the war’s direction and costs. READ MORE

An overnight airstrike hit the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, home to the Taliban government's supreme leader. The latest strikes come days after a deadly bombardment by Islamabad forces in eastern Afghanistan and nearly a week after a militant attack on a police headquarters in northern Pakistan that killed at least 31 people

A man in California accidentally backed up his Tesla Cybertruck over his six-year-old son, who died at the hospital. Terrick El Guindy is a Mr Olympia judge who remembered his son in an Instagram Story. “We are one. We will always be one. We will be together forever. Preston and Terrick," he wrote. The 48-year-old struck his son outside their home on Saturday around 9 pm. The California Highway Patrol questioned Terrick, but he wasn't arrested. READ MORE

https://www.wionews.com/videos/iit-bombay-student-suicide-case-cctv-from-the-exam-hall-hours-before-suicide-1790234425635

What if your next romantic date was with an AI partner instead of a real person? South Korea’s reality show My AI Partner: Strange Love explores how human beings can become attached to digital companions. The new series has ignited conversations about intimacy, relationships and the future of human connection. READ MORE

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

Read more

A 70,000-page charge sheet filed in Ram Mandir donation theft case. Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao made prosecution witnesses. Charge sheet filed against eight arrested accused.

The charge sheet did not name office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as accused. Charge sheet filed before the expiry of the 90-day deadline. Trust office-bearers and the bank were given a clean chit due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The eight accused named in the police charge sheet are: Anukalp Mishra — Identified as the mastermind behind the donation theft; recovery of ₹16.82 lakh from his home noted.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the road accident in Greater Noida and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured, provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. 

The CM announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for the injured

Police and rescue teams safely rescued 30 people from the bus accident

US shares fell and benchmark 10-year Treasury yields climbed to their highest level since 2007 on Wednesday, after data showed US business activity racing to a more-than-five-year high in September, fueled by a surge in new orders.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

According to El Mundo, second-largest printed daily newspaper in Spain, Russians plan to use commercial vehicles in international waters, turning civilian ships into mobile launch platforms for the attack to maintain plausible deniability.

Read more

A federal judge in the United States has reinstated CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access to the White House, days after US President Donald Trump banned them from the premises. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly has ordered the Trump administration to restore the media publications' access.

Just days earlier, on Friday (Sep 18), Trump barred them from the presidential mansion as punishment for distributing what he calls "fake news." The POTUS had said on social media that the three outlets “shouldn’t be ⁠able to constantly write or ​report ​FICTION and LIES,” ​and Justice Department lawyers ​had ‌sought to ​justify ​the ban on national security grounds. The DoJ, in a justification for the ban, said that "Access to the White House is a privilege -- not a right".

Read more

CCTV footage from IIT Bombay has emerged showing BTech student Sahil Wakode in the examination hall before he was found dead on the institute campus. The footage shows Wakode seated on the first bench of the examination hall, with other students seated behind him.

At one point, Wakode looks down towards his lap, where he appears to be checking something on his phone while the examination is underway.

Read more

China has been vastly expanding its nuclear arsenal, adding at least seven nuclear test and construction facilities in recent months. A report by the Daily Telegraph, based on an analysis of satellite imagery, shows that the Chinese countryside has been filled with huge networks of infrastructure and testing sites. President Xi Jinping has often claimed that he is in favour of scaling back on the nukes, but the latest report presents a different picture.

Read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued his first statement after landing in United States on Thursday (Sep 24). In a written statement released by state news agency Xinhua, Xi said that China and the United States “should be partners rather than rivals.” Highlighting the people to people ties between the two countries, Xi said that interests are “deeply intertwined.” In a direct message to US President Donald Trump, Xi said that his vision of ‘Make America Great Again’ can be aligned with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and in turn benefit the world. Stating that the differences between both sides are “manageable,” the Chinese premier also added that he is hoping for a stable relationship with the US and a path where two major powers can co-exist.

Read more

Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan on Thursday, including an attack reported in Kandahar, the hometown of Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, as tensions between the two neighbours escalated further. A resident of Kandahar told AFP that they heard a jet followed by a large explosion and later saw a fire in the centre of the city. Pakistan did not specify the locations of the targets in its initial statement.

Read Here. 

INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on 22 Sep 2026 to participate in the 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise ‘VARUNA’ between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.

Exercise VARUNA will witness professional engagements in harbour and at sea, including cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting engagements. These engagements will provide opportunities for both Navies to share experiences and best practices, enhance interoperability and foster greater mutual understanding.

The visit underscores the strong and enduring maritime partnership between India and France and reflects the expanding scope of maritime cooperation and strengthening ties between the two nations.

Oil prices jumped in Asia's afternoon trade, with the international benchmark, Brent crude, surging three percent to $106.24 per barrel, as uncertainty swirled around the seven-month conflict.

Hopes for a deal to get Gulf oil and gas flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz as global leaders gathered in New York had sent oil prices down in recent sessions.

Hong Kong closed 0.3 percent down, with Sydney, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Singapore also in the red. South Korea's Kospi was closed for a holiday.

Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8 percent up on its first day back from a three-day break.

- Key figures at around 0815 GMT -

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 percent at $93.41 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 3 percent at $106.24 per barrel

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,761.13 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.2 percent at 3,888.37 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 65,513.99 (close)

London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 10,710.78

Dollar/yen: UP at 158.34 from 158.29 on Wednesday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1389 from $1.1385

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3244 from $1.3242

Euro/pound: FLAT at 85.97 pence

Asian markets fell on Thursday as jitters around a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hit equities.

Shanghai closed 1.2 percent down, shrugging off US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's announcement that the superpowers had agreed to extend a trade truce by two months.

The simmering trade war between the world's top two economies is a key concern. Both sides have maintained a tariff truce for nearly a year, but they have yet to secure a lasting agreement.

The "economic detente" will now extend beyond its November 10 deadline to January 10, Bessent said.

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race to be part of Germany's bid to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, leaving only Munich and the western Rhine/Ruhr region as potential hosts.

The Berlin Senate confirmed the withdrawal at a press conference in the German capital on Thursday, a day after reports emerged that the city would no longer take part.

"Today is a sad day for Berlin, because the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have been a tremendous opportunity -- for Berlin, for East Germany, and for future generations," Berlin mayor Kai Wegner told reporters.

On Saturday, the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) will make a call on a preferred region as part of a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host one of the 2036, 2040 and 2044 Summer Games.

Berlin was one of the three remaining regions in the race after Hamburg's withdrawal, however, support to host the games in the German capital flatlined after elections last Sunday.

"Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond," said Yahya Rahim Safavi in a video released by Iran's Fars news agency.

The meeting between Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Abbas Araghchi came amid efforts by mediators, including Pakistan, to end hostilities between Tehran and Washington. Both Iran and the U.S. have confirmed holding talks in New York. Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement the two countries had discussed regional and international developments, without elaborating.

Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Thursday that Pakistani airstrikes killed four civilians, vowing to deliver an "appropriate response" to the raids.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has officially dissolved the country's transitional government, paving the way for the nation’s first-ever national elections scheduled for December 22, 2026

Morocco's centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), part of the kingdom's ruling coalition, celebrates its victory after it came out ahead in parliamentary election, winning 97 out of 395 seats, according to provisional results. The election drew a turnout of 38 percent, marking the lowest level in almost two decades as the kingdom struggled with voter apathy amid social crises

Seven people were killed in a Russian strike on a farm in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky said, after a wave of attacks across the country.

"In the morning, a drone struck an agricultural enterprise, killing seven people and injuring 10," he wrote on Telegram.

Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Karthik SG, founder of A1 Sports World, has triggered a heated online debate after announcing that his company will no longer recruit male candidates from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.

The BJP spent Rs 529.38 crore on contesting the last round of Assembly elections held across Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal, with more than half of the expenditure incurred in West Bengal, according to the party’s election expenditure reports submitted to the Election Commission.

Amid the ongoing row over alleged differences within the Election Commission of India, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke took a swipe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, asking on social media, “What if all Gyanesh haters unite?”

Days after a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped at Astha Kunj near Kalkaji Mandir, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has ordered tighter security at its parks across the city, including restricting entry through select gates after sunset, installing more CCTV cameras and lights, and increasing night patrolling. The directions have been issued by the DDA Vice Chairman and are to be implemented immediately, even as a wider safety audit of parks gets underway.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it "would be great" if a functional international system existed to address potential conflicts around the world, including those between India and Pakistan. "We see the utility in the international system. We're here...I think the President has said that the United Nations, for example, has tremendous potential, but it's not living up to it...," Rubio told reporters. The top US diplomat said there's "unanimity and consensus" at the high-level UNGA week that the international system is broken. 

"But it's broken because it broke itself. It needs to be brought back to its proper focus and its proper role. It would be great if we had a functional international system, for example, that could deal with a war between Thailand and Cambodia that occurred, or a potential conflict between India and Pakistan...Right now, we don't seem to have a functional international system that can address it," he said.

Pakistan has appointed retired Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood as the first Secretary-General of the Secretariat that will oversee implementation of the Mecca pact—the trilateral defence agreement between Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan. READ MORE ABOUT HIM HERE 

Another case of molestation has surfaced from Bihar's Samastipur district, days after Jamui incident prompted Bihar Police to take action. Similar to the Jamui incident, this has also been captured on CCTV. In a 56-second video that has now gone viral, four men were seen harassing and molesting a girl. READ MORE

A new CNN/SSRS poll finds just 26% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, down from 33% in March. Even among Republicans, approval has fallen as more Americans question the war’s direction and costs. READ MORE

An overnight airstrike hit the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, home to the Taliban government's supreme leader. The latest strikes come days after a deadly bombardment by Islamabad forces in eastern Afghanistan and nearly a week after a militant attack on a police headquarters in northern Pakistan that killed at least 31 people

A man in California accidentally backed up his Tesla Cybertruck over his six-year-old son, who died at the hospital. Terrick El Guindy is a Mr Olympia judge who remembered his son in an Instagram Story. “We are one. We will always be one. We will be together forever. Preston and Terrick," he wrote. The 48-year-old struck his son outside their home on Saturday around 9 pm. The California Highway Patrol questioned Terrick, but he wasn't arrested. READ MORE

https://www.wionews.com/videos/iit-bombay-student-suicide-case-cctv-from-the-exam-hall-hours-before-suicide-1790234425635

What if your next romantic date was with an AI partner instead of a real person? South Korea’s reality show My AI Partner: Strange Love explores how human beings can become attached to digital companions. The new series has ignited conversations about intimacy, relationships and the future of human connection. READ MORE

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

Read more

A 70,000-page charge sheet filed in Ram Mandir donation theft case. Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao made prosecution witnesses. Charge sheet filed against eight arrested accused.

The charge sheet did not name office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as accused. Charge sheet filed before the expiry of the 90-day deadline. Trust office-bearers and the bank were given a clean chit due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The eight accused named in the police charge sheet are: Anukalp Mishra — Identified as the mastermind behind the donation theft; recovery of ₹16.82 lakh from his home noted.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the road accident in Greater Noida and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured, provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. 

The CM announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for the injured

Police and rescue teams safely rescued 30 people from the bus accident

US shares fell and benchmark 10-year Treasury yields climbed to their highest level since 2007 on Wednesday, after data showed US business activity racing to a more-than-five-year high in September, fueled by a surge in new orders.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

According to El Mundo, second-largest printed daily newspaper in Spain, Russians plan to use commercial vehicles in international waters, turning civilian ships into mobile launch platforms for the attack to maintain plausible deniability.

Read more

A federal judge in the United States has reinstated CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access to the White House, days after US President Donald Trump banned them from the premises. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly has ordered the Trump administration to restore the media publications' access.

Just days earlier, on Friday (Sep 18), Trump barred them from the presidential mansion as punishment for distributing what he calls "fake news." The POTUS had said on social media that the three outlets “shouldn’t be ⁠able to constantly write or ​report ​FICTION and LIES,” ​and Justice Department lawyers ​had ‌sought to ​justify ​the ban on national security grounds. The DoJ, in a justification for the ban, said that "Access to the White House is a privilege -- not a right".

Read more

CCTV footage from IIT Bombay has emerged showing BTech student Sahil Wakode in the examination hall before he was found dead on the institute campus. The footage shows Wakode seated on the first bench of the examination hall, with other students seated behind him.

At one point, Wakode looks down towards his lap, where he appears to be checking something on his phone while the examination is underway.

Read more

China has been vastly expanding its nuclear arsenal, adding at least seven nuclear test and construction facilities in recent months. A report by the Daily Telegraph, based on an analysis of satellite imagery, shows that the Chinese countryside has been filled with huge networks of infrastructure and testing sites. President Xi Jinping has often claimed that he is in favour of scaling back on the nukes, but the latest report presents a different picture.

Read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued his first statement after landing in United States on Thursday (Sep 24). In a written statement released by state news agency Xinhua, Xi said that China and the United States “should be partners rather than rivals.” Highlighting the people to people ties between the two countries, Xi said that interests are “deeply intertwined.” In a direct message to US President Donald Trump, Xi said that his vision of ‘Make America Great Again’ can be aligned with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and in turn benefit the world. Stating that the differences between both sides are “manageable,” the Chinese premier also added that he is hoping for a stable relationship with the US and a path where two major powers can co-exist.

Read more

Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan on Thursday, including an attack reported in Kandahar, the hometown of Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, as tensions between the two neighbours escalated further. A resident of Kandahar told AFP that they heard a jet followed by a large explosion and later saw a fire in the centre of the city. Pakistan did not specify the locations of the targets in its initial statement.

Read Here. 

INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on 22 Sep 2026 to participate in the 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise ‘VARUNA’ between the Indian Navy and the French Navy.

Exercise VARUNA will witness professional engagements in harbour and at sea, including cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting engagements. These engagements will provide opportunities for both Navies to share experiences and best practices, enhance interoperability and foster greater mutual understanding.

The visit underscores the strong and enduring maritime partnership between India and France and reflects the expanding scope of maritime cooperation and strengthening ties between the two nations.

Oil prices jumped in Asia's afternoon trade, with the international benchmark, Brent crude, surging three percent to $106.24 per barrel, as uncertainty swirled around the seven-month conflict.

Hopes for a deal to get Gulf oil and gas flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz as global leaders gathered in New York had sent oil prices down in recent sessions.

Hong Kong closed 0.3 percent down, with Sydney, Taipei, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Singapore also in the red. South Korea's Kospi was closed for a holiday.

Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8 percent up on its first day back from a three-day break.

- Key figures at around 0815 GMT -

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.4 percent at $93.41 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 3 percent at $106.24 per barrel

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 24,761.13 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.2 percent at 3,888.37 (close)

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 65,513.99 (close)

London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 10,710.78

Dollar/yen: UP at 158.34 from 158.29 on Wednesday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1389 from $1.1385

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3244 from $1.3242

Euro/pound: FLAT at 85.97 pence

Asian markets fell on Thursday as jitters around a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping hit equities.

Shanghai closed 1.2 percent down, shrugging off US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's announcement that the superpowers had agreed to extend a trade truce by two months.

The simmering trade war between the world's top two economies is a key concern. Both sides have maintained a tariff truce for nearly a year, but they have yet to secure a lasting agreement.

The "economic detente" will now extend beyond its November 10 deadline to January 10, Bessent said.

Berlin on Thursday confirmed its withdrawal from the race to be part of Germany's bid to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, leaving only Munich and the western Rhine/Ruhr region as potential hosts.

The Berlin Senate confirmed the withdrawal at a press conference in the German capital on Thursday, a day after reports emerged that the city would no longer take part.

"Today is a sad day for Berlin, because the Olympic and Paralympic Games would have been a tremendous opportunity -- for Berlin, for East Germany, and for future generations," Berlin mayor Kai Wegner told reporters.

On Saturday, the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) will make a call on a preferred region as part of a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host one of the 2036, 2040 and 2044 Summer Games.

Berlin was one of the three remaining regions in the race after Hamburg's withdrawal, however, support to host the games in the German capital flatlined after elections last Sunday.

"Since the conflict has spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, it is possible that, in response to more war, the front will expand even further, reaching the Indian Ocean and perhaps beyond," said Yahya Rahim Safavi in a video released by Iran's Fars news agency.

The meeting between Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Abbas Araghchi came amid efforts by mediators, including Pakistan, to end hostilities between Tehran and Washington. Both Iran and the U.S. have confirmed holding talks in New York. Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement the two countries had discussed regional and international developments, without elaborating.

Afghanistan's Taliban government said on Thursday that Pakistani airstrikes killed four civilians, vowing to deliver an "appropriate response" to the raids.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has officially dissolved the country's transitional government, paving the way for the nation’s first-ever national elections scheduled for December 22, 2026

Morocco's centre-right Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), part of the kingdom's ruling coalition, celebrates its victory after it came out ahead in parliamentary election, winning 97 out of 395 seats, according to provisional results. The election drew a turnout of 38 percent, marking the lowest level in almost two decades as the kingdom struggled with voter apathy amid social crises

Seven people were killed in a Russian strike on a farm in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky said, after a wave of attacks across the country.

"In the morning, a drone struck an agricultural enterprise, killing seven people and injuring 10," he wrote on Telegram.

Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Karthik SG, founder of A1 Sports World, has triggered a heated online debate after announcing that his company will no longer recruit male candidates from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.

The BJP spent Rs 529.38 crore on contesting the last round of Assembly elections held across Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal, with more than half of the expenditure incurred in West Bengal, according to the party’s election expenditure reports submitted to the Election Commission.

Amid the ongoing row over alleged differences within the Election Commission of India, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke took a swipe at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, asking on social media, “What if all Gyanesh haters unite?”

Days after a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped at Astha Kunj near Kalkaji Mandir, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has ordered tighter security at its parks across the city, including restricting entry through select gates after sunset, installing more CCTV cameras and lights, and increasing night patrolling. The directions have been issued by the DDA Vice Chairman and are to be implemented immediately, even as a wider safety audit of parks gets underway.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it "would be great" if a functional international system existed to address potential conflicts around the world, including those between India and Pakistan. "We see the utility in the international system. We're here...I think the President has said that the United Nations, for example, has tremendous potential, but it's not living up to it...," Rubio told reporters. The top US diplomat said there's "unanimity and consensus" at the high-level UNGA week that the international system is broken. 

"But it's broken because it broke itself. It needs to be brought back to its proper focus and its proper role. It would be great if we had a functional international system, for example, that could deal with a war between Thailand and Cambodia that occurred, or a potential conflict between India and Pakistan...Right now, we don't seem to have a functional international system that can address it," he said.

Pakistan has appointed retired Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood as the first Secretary-General of the Secretariat that will oversee implementation of the Mecca pact—the trilateral defence agreement between Saudi, Turkey and Pakistan. READ MORE ABOUT HIM HERE 

Another case of molestation has surfaced from Bihar's Samastipur district, days after Jamui incident prompted Bihar Police to take action. Similar to the Jamui incident, this has also been captured on CCTV. In a 56-second video that has now gone viral, four men were seen harassing and molesting a girl. READ MORE

A new CNN/SSRS poll finds just 26% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, down from 33% in March. Even among Republicans, approval has fallen as more Americans question the war’s direction and costs. READ MORE

An overnight airstrike hit the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, home to the Taliban government's supreme leader. The latest strikes come days after a deadly bombardment by Islamabad forces in eastern Afghanistan and nearly a week after a militant attack on a police headquarters in northern Pakistan that killed at least 31 people

A man in California accidentally backed up his Tesla Cybertruck over his six-year-old son, who died at the hospital. Terrick El Guindy is a Mr Olympia judge who remembered his son in an Instagram Story. “We are one. We will always be one. We will be together forever. Preston and Terrick," he wrote. The 48-year-old struck his son outside their home on Saturday around 9 pm. The California Highway Patrol questioned Terrick, but he wasn't arrested. READ MORE

https://www.wionews.com/videos/iit-bombay-student-suicide-case-cctv-from-the-exam-hall-hours-before-suicide-1790234425635

What if your next romantic date was with an AI partner instead of a real person? South Korea’s reality show My AI Partner: Strange Love explores how human beings can become attached to digital companions. The new series has ignited conversations about intimacy, relationships and the future of human connection. READ MORE

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

Read more

A 70,000-page charge sheet filed in Ram Mandir donation theft case. Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao made prosecution witnesses. Charge sheet filed against eight arrested accused.

The charge sheet did not name office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as accused. Charge sheet filed before the expiry of the 90-day deadline. Trust office-bearers and the bank were given a clean chit due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The eight accused named in the police charge sheet are: Anukalp Mishra — Identified as the mastermind behind the donation theft; recovery of ₹16.82 lakh from his home noted.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the road accident in Greater Noida and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured, provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. 

The CM announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for the injured

Police and rescue teams safely rescued 30 people from the bus accident

US shares fell and benchmark 10-year Treasury yields climbed to their highest level since 2007 on Wednesday, after data showed US business activity racing to a more-than-five-year high in September, fueled by a surge in new orders.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US has reportedly warned European governments of Spain, France and Italy of a possible drone attack by Russia. As per the assessment, Moscow could potentially use drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean to launch the attacks.

According to El Mundo, second-largest printed daily newspaper in Spain, Russians plan to use commercial vehicles in international waters, turning civilian ships into mobile launch platforms for the attack to maintain plausible deniability.

Read more

A federal judge in the United States has reinstated CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s access to the White House, days after US President Donald Trump banned them from the premises. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly has ordered the Trump administration to restore the media publications' access.

Just days earlier, on Friday (Sep 18), Trump barred them from the presidential mansion as punishment for distributing what he calls "fake news." The POTUS had said on social media that the three outlets “shouldn’t be ⁠able to constantly write or ​report ​FICTION and LIES,” ​and Justice Department lawyers ​had ‌sought to ​justify ​the ban on national security grounds. The DoJ, in a justification for the ban, said that "Access to the White House is a privilege -- not a right".

Read more

CCTV footage from IIT Bombay has emerged showing BTech student Sahil Wakode in the examination hall before he was found dead on the institute campus. The footage shows Wakode seated on the first bench of the examination hall, with other students seated behind him.

At one point, Wakode looks down towards his lap, where he appears to be checking something on his phone while the examination is underway.

Read more

China has been vastly expanding its nuclear arsenal, adding at least seven nuclear test and construction facilities in recent months. A report by the Daily Telegraph, based on an analysis of satellite imagery, shows that the Chinese countryside has been filled with huge networks of infrastructure and testing sites. President Xi Jinping has often claimed that he is in favour of scaling back on the nukes, but the latest report presents a different picture.

Read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued his first statement after landing in United States on Thursday (Sep 24). In a written statement released by state news agency Xinhua, Xi said that China and the United States “should be partners rather than rivals.” Highlighting the people to people ties between the two countries, Xi said that interests are “deeply intertwined.” In a direct message to US President Donald Trump, Xi said that his vision of ‘Make America Great Again’ can be aligned with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and in turn benefit the world. Stating that the differences between both sides are “manageable,” the Chinese premier also added that he is hoping for a stable relationship with the US and a path where two major powers can co-exist.

Read more