Dozens of diplomats walked out of the United Nations General Assembly hall as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech on September 24, amid protests and international criticism of Israel’s policies. Netanyahu criticised those leaving, calling them “moral cowards” and accusing them of hypocrisy. Some delegates who remained applauded, while others chanted “Am Yisrael Chai.” Netanyahu also defended Israel’s military strikes against Iran, saying they were necessary to prevent a greater threat from its nuclear programme. His brief New York visit includes meetings with several world leaders, but no scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump. 

India won the silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on September 24. The quartet of Poovamma Raju, Vishal Thennarasu, Manu TS and Vithya Ramraj finished in 3:14.46, successfully defending the silver medal won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. India initially appeared set for bronze, but Vithya produced a strong final leg to overtake Vietnam and secure second place. Bahrain won gold with a Games-record 3:12.87, while Vietnam took bronze in 3:14.54. The relay silver came shortly after Seema Kumari’s bronze in the women’s 10,000m.

Two drivers and a conductor accused in the Greater Noida sleeper bus fire case were sent to 14-day judicial custody by the District and Sessions Court in Surajpur on September 24. The bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Jewar late on September 23, killing nine passengers. Police arrested the three crew members as the investigation continued. The FIR alleges that passengers noticed a burning smell and warned the crew before flames emerged, while the accused drivers have denied allegations that they were smoking inside the bus. Authorities are investigating the exact cause and circumstances of the deadly fire. 

US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on September 24 for high-level talks covering trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and broader security issues. During their meeting, Xi urged Washington to oppose “Taiwan independence,” according to China’s state news agency. Trump and Xi also highlighted the need for stable relations and continued dialogue between their countries. Trade remains a central issue, with both sides considering an extension of their existing truce. The leaders are also expected to discuss Iran, military communication and technology. Xi’s visit is his first to Washington in more than a decade. (PC: X)

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly that the Palestinian delegation was denied US entry visas for the second consecutive year, preventing them from attending in person. Abbas delivered his address through a prerecorded video from Ramallah. He rejected what he described as unlawful punitive measures and disputed US accusations against the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organisation. In his speech, Abbas highlighted the humanitarian situation in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank, while calling for progress on a Gaza peace plan and a political path toward a two-state solution. The US cited Palestinian actions at international courts among its reasons. (PC: X)

The US military has deployed high-energy laser weapons in the Strait of Hormuz and is reportedly using them against drones and incoming cruise missiles in the Middle East. According to NDTV, the systems can be operated using reconfigured Xbox-style controllers, allowing operators to track targets and direct the laser beam precisely. The technology converts electrical energy into concentrated photons that heat and disable targets, potentially reducing reliance on costly interceptor missiles. However, the systems are large and heavy, require significant power and perform less effectively in adverse weather. Their effectiveness against multiple simultaneous drone attacks also remains limited. (PC: X)

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on September 24 reiterated his allegations of “vote chori” and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. His remarks followed a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months concerning decisions related to electoral-roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Gandhi questioned electoral outcomes in Haryana, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh and urged Kumar to become an approver. The Election Commission has rejected allegations of improper functioning, saying differing views are normal and decisions were taken according to legal procedures. (PC: X)

Chinese President Xi Jinping began a three-day visit to the United States, meeting President Donald Trump amid tensions over trade, technology, Taiwan and the Iran war. Xi’s visit comes just two weeks after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, highlighting India’s growing strategic relevance in the US-China relationship. Washington and Beijing have also extended their trade truce by two months. Experts cited by India Today say China’s improving ties with India could influence its wider strategy toward the US, while New Delhi continues balancing relations with both major powers. (PC: Reuters)

Researchers have begun core drilling at Turkey’s Durupinar formation, a boat-shaped geological feature near Mount Ararat that some believe could be linked to Noah’s Ark. The international expedition, led by archaeologist Prof. Cenker Atila of Sivas Cumhuriyet University, is collecting underground core samples and plans to deploy a robot named Gopher to investigate possible internal spaces. Recent surveys reportedly identified unusual structures beneath the formation, but these findings have not established that the site contains an ancient vessel. Geologists have historically regarded Durupinar as a natural formation. Laboratory testing of samples is expected to provide further evidence, with fuller findings anticipated in 2027. (PC: X)

India secured two athletics medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on September 24. The mixed 4x400m relay team of T.S. Manu, M.R. Poovamma, Vishal T.K. and Vithya Ramraj won silver with a time of 3:14.46, finishing behind Bahrain’s Games-record 3:12.87. Earlier, Seema Kumari won bronze in the women’s 10,000m, clocking 32:50.05. Her medal ended India’s 16-year wait for a podium finish in the event and was only the country’s third Asian Games medal in women’s 10,000m. The results strengthened India’s athletics campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. (PC: X)