India has not yet decided whether to acquire Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter, Defence Secretary RK Singh said at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026. He said India’s main fifth-generation fighter programme remains the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with its first prototype expected in September 2028. Russia has offered licensed production of the Su-57 in India with technology transfer. Singh also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to improve the performance of existing Tejas fighters by strengthening India’s radar, sensor and air defence networks. India is exploring these technologies as it works to address its stealth fighter capability gap. (PC: NDTV)

India won eight medals on Day 10 of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, taking its total to 45. The country secured four silver and four bronze medals, with athletics contributing six. Yashvir Singh won silver and Rohit Yadav bronze in the men’s javelin throw, giving India a double podium. Gulveer Singh added silver in the 1,500m, while Murali Sreeshankar took silver in the long jump. Vithya Ramraj won bronze in the 400m hurdles, breaking PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record. Parul Chaudhary also claimed bronze in the women’s 5,000m. Shooter Esha Singh won silver, while Pincky Balhara secured bronze in kurash. (PC: X)

The United States has announced zero per cent tariffs on certain speciality medicines and their ingredients from India and 19 other countries and regions. The exemption covers drugs for rare diseases, fertility treatments, cell and gene therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, nuclear medicines and animal health products. The US Commerce Department’s notice said eligible products must meet specific conditions linked to trade and security agreements or urgent US healthcare needs. The move follows President Donald Trump’s April proclamation on pharmaceutical imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. The exemption does not apply to all pharmaceutical products. (PC: HT)

Congress workers protested outside Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s residence in Agra on Monday, spray-painting slogans on the main gate and a wall. They wrote “Gyanesh Gaddar Gyanesh Chor” and put up stickers and pamphlets. The protest came amid growing tensions between the Congress and the Election Commission over its functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Congress has accused the poll panel of favouring the ruling BJP, while the Election Commission has faced criticism from several opposition parties. The protest followed a report alleging disagreements among election commissioners over certain decisions. (PC: The Telegraph)

Vithya Ramraj created history at the Asian Games on Monday by breaking PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record in the women’s 400m hurdles. Ramraj clocked 54.75 seconds in the final to win the bronze medal and better Usha’s 55.42-second mark set in 1984. The 28-year-old had been trying to break the 55-second barrier for three years. Her coach Nehpal Singh Rathore had urged her to target a 54-second timing rather than focus on the medal. UAE’s Mariam Kareem won gold in a Games record 54.31 seconds, while Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems took silver in 54.58 seconds. (PC: India Today)

Bangkok has been declared a disaster-affected zone after heavy rainfall flooded homes, shops and roads across Thailand’s capital. Nearly 320 mm of rain fell within two to three days, almost matching the city’s usual September rainfall. At least 5,901 people have moved to 234 evacuation centres, while more than 80,000 people remain unable to leave their homes. Flooding has disrupted transport, power supplies, drinking water and food deliveries. Authorities are providing emergency assistance, including meals and boats. Floods have affected 41 Thai provinces since September 16, killing at least eight people and disrupting more than 580,000 homes. (PC: X)

US Vice President JD Vance has warned companies against hiring foreign workers through H-1B visas after laying off American employees. Speaking on the All-In podcast, Vance said the programme should bring skilled workers who contribute to the US economy, not replace local employees with lower-paid foreign workers. The warning follows a September 18 executive order by President Donald Trump directing US agencies to consider recent or planned layoffs when reviewing H-1B applications. The administration has also retained a $100,000 payment requirement for certain overseas applicants. The changes could affect Indian technology professionals, who account for a large share of H-1B beneficiaries. (PC: India Today)

Tata Trusts has proposed merging Tata Electronics Systems Solutions (TESS) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) with Tata Sons to help the group’s holding company avoid a stock market listing. The Trusts, which own a 66% stake in Tata Sons, have asked its board to consider the restructuring and seek prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The proposed merger aims to remove Tata Sons’ classification as a non-banking financial company (NBFC) and a core investment company (CIC). The plan requires regulatory clearance. The move comes amid differences between Tata Trusts and the Tata Sons board over the company’s listing. (PC: X)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has claimed that US forces have suffered “painful blows” near the Strait of Hormuz and would eventually leave the region. In a statement carried by Iranian state television on September 28, Khamenei said enemy forces were no longer venturing beyond the Arabian Sea because of attacks by Iranian fighters. His remarks came amid an ongoing standoff between Tehran and Washington over control of the strategic waterway. The US military’s Central Command has rejected Iran’s claims of control over the strait and said Iran’s naval capabilities have been severely weakened by US strikes. (PC: HT)

India’s medal tally crossed 40 at the Asian Games 2026 on Day 9, with strong performances in shooting and athletics. Esha Singh won silver in the women’s 25m pistol event, helping India recover from earlier shooting disappointments. Indian athletes added six medals in athletics, including three silver and three bronze. Pincky Balhara secured bronze in the women’s 78kg Kurash event. Boxers Lovlina Borgohain, Priya and Kapil Pokhariya also assured India of medals. Meanwhile, India’s men’s cricket team advanced to the semi-finals after rain washed out their quarter-final against Afghanistan. India’s tally stood at four gold, 20 silver and 21 bronze medals. (PC: NDTV Sports)