India

The Indian Coast Guard successfully averted a major crisis after rescuing an unstable, Belize-flagged chemical tanker, the MT Seagull 9, off the Paradip coast in Odisha. The vessel, which was carrying 9,000 tonnes of palm oil and had 23 crew members onboard, was in danger after its engine failed and a ballast tank flooded. Following a distress call, the ICG launched a swift operation, deploying a specialist Damage Control Team. This team boarded the ship, used submersible pumps to remove water from the ballast tanks, and sealed damaged sea-pipelines to stabilize the tilting vessel. The ship was subsequently taken safely in tow.

Major FMCG companies in India, represented by the All India Food Processors Association, have expressed concerns regarding the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) planned red warning labels on food packages. The association argued that the color red is already associated with the mandatory non-vegetarian identification mark among average Indian consumers. They warned that introducing another prominent red warning symbol could create confusion among consumers. While the group objects to the indiscriminate application of proposed warning thresholds, it is not opposed to the idea of warnings. Meanwhile, India is undergoing an unprecedented food safety crackdown, with regulators testing samples and cancelling business licenses.

Students at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata were attacked on Sunday by workers claiming affiliation with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The incident occurred after students confronted an event organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat, a consumer group affiliated with the RSS, which was held in the institute's main theatre. Students stated they were injured after objecting to the event and learning of the organizers' RSS affiliation. Reports indicate that students sustained injuries of varying degrees, with at least eight students seriously injured and some injuries attributed to knives. During the confrontation, students reported having their mobile phones and other possessions forcibly taken.

Qatar has extended force majeure on liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments destined for Asia and Europe for another month. This measure follows ongoing disruptions that are hampering energy flows through the critical Strait of Hormuz. QatarEnergy, the state-owned company, notified Pakistan and Bangladesh that the shipment cancellations would run through November. Additionally, Italy’s Edison was informed that its deliveries would remain suspended until early December. The disruption threatens to keep flows constrained through a waterway that handled about a fifth of global LNG supply last year.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is scheduled to launch the 'Thaai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam,' or Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Scheme, for newborns. The scheme involves providing eligible children with a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring. The launch event is set for a government hospital in Madurai on Monday. This initiative is part of the Vettri Tamilagam long-term vision to celebrate births in state-run hospitals. The state government has allocated an annual outlay of ₹755.83 crore for the scheme, and for the initial rollout, 1.28 lakh gold rings have been procured.

Ahead of the winter season, the Delhi government announced multiple measures aimed at controlling anticipated air pollution levels. These plans include intensifying the 'No PUCC, No Fuel' policy and conducting a strict drive against 'end-of-life' vehicles at all 500 petrol pumps. Furthermore, the government plans to introduce 150 more electric buses and conduct fitness checks for 2.5 lakh vehicles through three Automated Testing Stations. Other announced measures include doubling parking fees and implementing a ban on construction and demolition activities.

A planned three-day nationwide bank strike in India was deferred after the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) reached understandings. The deferment followed a late-night meeting between the two parties, where the IBA agreed to form a high-level committee. This committee will work toward finding a solution regarding the demand for a five-day banking week. While the union body announced the decision, a former banker criticized the leadership, calling the deferment a 'surrender' and questioning the transparency of the decision. The planned disruption was set to occur from September 28 to 30.

A busy medal schedule awaits India on Monday as the men’s cricket team begins its Asian Games 2026 campaign, while Avinash Sable, Lovlina Borgohain, Manu Bhaker and several other leading athletes look to add to the country’s medal tally on Day 9 of the continental event. The defending champions will face the silver medallists from Hangzhou 2023, with India seeking to continue its gold-medal run after defeating Afghanistan in the final three years ago. Athletics will offer several medal opportunities, with nine finals featuring Indian athletes scheduled during the evening session. Avinash Sable will be among the biggest attractions as he returns to the men’s 3,000m steeplechase. The Hangzhou silver medallist is making his comeback after a lengthy injury layoff and will seek a podium finish.

The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance of recent sexual assault cases in Delhi, including a gangrape in a park and allegations of sexual assault of a minor in a moving sleeper bus. A bench comprising Justice J. B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran observed distress regarding recurring sexual offenses in the National Capital Region. The court stressed the need to fix accountability, drawing painful parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya incident. The bench also referenced a case involving a 16-year-old girl found partially eaten by dogs in Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar on September 13. Justice J. B. Pardiwala stated that these incidents highlighted the failure of law enforcement agencies.

Approximately 1,500 pilgrims were successfully evacuated from the Chirbasa area along the Kedarnath trek route on Monday. The evacuation followed a landslide and continuous rockfalls that made movement extremely hazardous. Joint teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), were deployed to the site. The SDRF stated that the Sonprayag police received information that several pilgrims were stranded in Chirbasa, which is located about 3 kilometers from Gaurikund. Teams found debris accumulated on the road near the Chirbasa helipad due to the landslide.

The Supreme Court directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to grant a one-time exemption from its three-language policy to students currently in Class 6. The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant while hearing petitions challenging the policy's rollout. The court stated that the exemption should grant Class 6 students the same comfort available to students in Classes 7, 8, and 9. Following the court's suggestion, CBSE representatives informed the bench that the board had decided to implement the exemption for Class 6 students starting this year.

Indian influencer Nidhi Tiwari, who had a combined following of about 1.6 million on Facebook and Instagram, died by suicide at the age of 30. Tiwari, a resident of Singrauli district in Madhya Pradesh, was found hanging at her home in the Bhusa Mod area on Saturday. Family members rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Tiwari had gained recognition after winning the Miss Pretty India title in 2024 and was pursuing a career in modeling and acting.

A Delhi court issued notices concerning an appeal filed by four wrestlers. The appeal challenges the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case that occurred last month. The notices were issued by special judge Dig Vinay Singh of Rouse Avenue Courts. The petition also challenges the acquittal of former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar on charges of criminal intimidation. The court fixed October 9 as the next date of hearing, when the Delhi Police and the accused parties are scheduled to respond to the petition.

Protests occurred in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, involving clashes between police and demonstrators regarding the proposed demolition of a portion of the Shahi Masjid. The administration plans to demolish the mosque section to widen a road in preparation for the Simhastha gathering, which is scheduled for 2028. During the clashes, police fired tear gas at the Muslim residents, and stones were thrown at police personnel. A sit-in protest against the proposal began at the Shahi Masjid on Sunday, with some demonstrators remaining inside the premises through the night. The police and municipal teams arrived at the area on Sunday night, deploying several companies of police.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited, which operates the ride-hailing platform Rapido. The fine was issued for unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements, and using dark patterns to encourage riders to pay more before their rides were confirmed. This action followed a sector-wide examination of cab and bike-taxi aggregator platforms regarding pre-ride tipping and dynamic pricing. The CCPA found that Rapido displayed prompts like “Higher the price, higher the chance of getting a ride” while bookings were being processed. Furthermore, the authority noted that after quoting an initial fare, Rapido prompted riders to pay additional amounts because captains allegedly would not accept the original price.

Cafe Mondegar, an iconic establishment in Colaba, faced a suspension of its operational license following food safety inspections. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted the regulatory inspection on September 12 at the Metro House location. Inspectors found serious deficiencies that posed a direct risk of cross-contamination. Critical violations included improper methods for thawing food, inadequate rapid cooling for cooked meals, and failure to maintain required temperatures for both hot and cold storage. The FDA also suspended three other businesses in Mumbai during this enforcement drive.

India criticized Pakistan for announcing a seven million rupees bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the announcement as a 'gimmick' and 'hoodwinking.' Speaking during a regular media briefing, Jaiswal stated that such announcements were not new, calling for Pakistan to take concrete action against terrorism instead of making phoney statements. The bounty was announced by Pakistan, which maintains Azhar in its Federal Investigation Agency Red Book as a wanted terrorist. India noted that Azhar is sought in connection with major attacks including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Police have filed multiple charges against gym owner and accused driver Kalyan Bainsla in connection to an incident in Gurugram. Following a two-day search, police arrested Bainsla and a cousin on Tuesday. The charges added to the FIR include attempt to murder and stalking. Additionally, NDTV reports that the police filed an attempt to murder charge against Bainsla after he attempted to escape police custody. These actions follow the initial hit-and-run case.

The rebel TMC faction, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, named candidates for the upcoming bypolls in West Bengal. The contest involves two assembly seats: Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad. According to reports, Mohammad Eteshamul Haque was nominated from Nandigram, while Safiuzzaman Sheikh was selected for Rejinagar. Banerjee's faction asserted that it would contest under the official party name and symbol, escalating the electoral battle with the Mamata Banerjee-led camp.

A woman biker, Shivani Chauhan, was involved in a hit-and-run incident on Golf Course Road in Gurugram, Haryana. The accused driver, Kalyan Bainsla, was arrested after allegedly ramming her motorcycle into his friend's Maruti Ciaz and fleeing the scene. Police subsequently added charges under Section 109 of the BNS for attempt to murder. Chauhan alleged that Bainsla followed her group of bikers while intoxicated and started misbehaving before hitting her bike. However, Bainsla’s lawyer argued that the incident was due to negligence because the bikers were racing and performing stunts.