India will face Pakistan in both the women's and men's table tennis team events at the Asian Games on Monday, September 21, at 6:30 AM and 3:30 PM respectively. Shooting offers early medal chances, with the men's 10m air rifle team and individual finals, plus the first day of skeet team events. The women's hockey team meets Indonesia, while the men's kabaddi team plays Japan and the badminton team opens against Bangladesh. Suchika Tariyal plays a traditional MMA semifinal, Sumit begins his boxing campaign, and Indian swimmers feature in heats and possible finals. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he is in "deciding mode" over the Iran war and warned that very big things could happen soon if Tehran does not behave. He reportedly outlined three options: wiping Iran out, letting it collapse economically, or making a deal. Trump also said he would probably be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is expected at the UN General Assembly in New York. His remarks came after Iran sent seven conditions to Washington through Qatar, including an end to the war on all fronts, release of frozen funds and lifting of the naval blockade.

Four people, including three children, were killed in an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region, local authorities said. A mother and her two three-year-old children died when a drone hit their home, while a girl later died in hospital. Officials said 31 sites were damaged across five districts. The attacks came as Ukraine launched a mass drone strike on the Moscow region on the final day of Russia's parliamentary election. Moscow's mayor said more than 1,600 drones were intercepted, and at least three people were killed and a major refinery was damaged. Both sides continue long-range strikes as the war enters its fifth year. (PC: X)

The UN human rights office says Russian authorities were behind 89 per cent of verified conflict-related sexual violence cases in Ukraine. Its report documents 1,004 cases between February 2022 and July 2026, involving civilians and prisoners of war. The remaining 11 per cent were attributed to Ukrainian authorities. Most victims were men, while women and children were affected mainly in occupied territory. The UN says the true figure is likely higher because of underreporting and Russia's refusal to grant access. Russia declined to comment, while Ukraine welcomed the report. UN rights chief Volker Türk said the violence must stop immediately. (PC: India Today)

Iran has warned that American warships anywhere in the Indian Ocean would come under attack if the war restarts. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, claimed Iran has raised its hypersonic missile speed from Mach 6 to Mach 10. He said Iran would answer any new US attack with more numerous and more painful strikes. Iran's military also warned that any country supporting a US attack would be seen as complicit. Tehran says it has sent its conditions to Washington through Qatari mediators, including an end to the US naval blockade, while tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz.  (PC: BBC)

Ed Sheeran apologised to fans during his first concert since Macklemore was removed from his tour. Speaking in Philadelphia, Sheeran said he had made “mistakes” while dealing with the controversy. He said the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was horrific and described the situation in Gaza as catastrophic and unjustifiable. Sheeran said he had not wanted to become a political commentator but felt he could not ignore the humanitarian crisis. Macklemore was dropped after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a performance. Several support acts later left the tour, citing concerns about free speech. The concert continued peacefully.  

Karnataka authorities have cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended eight others after uncovering a fake medicine racket in Bidadi, Bengaluru. The FDA raided a farmhouse on August 18 and found an unlicensed unit repacking cheap medicines as costly imported brands. Drugs, expired medicines, machines and fake labels worth around ₹5.05 crore were seized. Authorities said some products were made to look like premium brands, including Pfizer. The licence of a Pfizer C&F depot has also been suspended. Samples have been sent for testing. A Special Investigation Team is probing the supply chain and identifying others linked to the racket.  

US President Donald Trump said Washington is in “deciding mode” over the conflict with Iran and warned that “very big things” could happen. His remarks came after Iran sent seven conditions to the US through Qatar for restarting talks. Iran wants the fighting to stop, frozen Iranian funds returned and the naval blockade lifted. Iranian officials also demanded an end to the war on all fronts. Trump said he was open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly in New York. Iran’s military also warned US allies in the region against supporting any new US operation.  

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. Dipke made the demand during a meeting with MPSC aspirants in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He called for reforms in the commission and urged students to raise their concerns on social media. The demand comes amid protests over an alleged Drug Inspector exam paper leak and other recruitment issues. Bhimanwar has rejected calls for his resignation, saying the paper leak happened before he took charge. Dipke also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over unemployment and urged the government to address the concerns of MPSC aspirants.

Suchika Tariyal made history at the Asian Games by becoming India’s first MMA medallist. The 36-year-old defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the women’s traditional -60kg quarterfinal. The win secured her at least a bronze medal. Tariyal began judo after facing harassment at the age of 12. She later became an eight-time national judo champion and won medals in international events. She also won gold at the 2024 Jiu-Jitsu World Championships. After stepping away from MMA for seven years, she returned in 2024. She now has a chance to reach the Asian Games final with another win.