Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has reacted with surprise to BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj’s challenge to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over Vande Mataram. The actor commented, “Huh? Is this real. Wow,” on an Instagram post shared by Congress social media leader Ruchira Chaturvedi. In August, Swaraj challenged Gandhi to sing the complete national song after he urged women to “smash the patriarchy” at an event in Pune. Swaraj questioned the connection between Gandhi’s remarks and the song. She also referred to the Congress Working Committee’s 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas at national gatherings. 

US President Donald Trump hosted leading technology executives at the White House on Tuesday to discuss artificial intelligence and its potential risks. Leaders from OpenAI, Google, Meta, Nvidia, Anthropic and SpaceX signed a voluntary AI safety agreement. Under the pact, companies will be responsible for protecting their systems, fixing problems and working with independent auditors to assess safety. Trump also announced plans to establish a board to oversee AI safety but did not name its members. However, some experts questioned the agreement’s effectiveness, saying it lacks clear accountability measures and penalties for companies that fail to meet safety commitments. (PC: BBC)

The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have seized around 526 kg of drugs worth over ₹3,000 crore from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea. Five Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel were detained during the operation on September 25. The seized consignment included heroin and methamphetamine, according to reports. The boat was intercepted west of Lakshadweep following intelligence inputs and surveillance by sea and air. The vessel, its crew and the seized drugs were later taken to Mumbai for further investigation. Authorities are examining the consignment’s origin, intended destination and possible links to an international smuggling network.

India won two gold medals in archery on Day 11 of the Asian Games 2026 on Wednesday. The women’s compound team defeated China 238-234 in the final to defend its title and match the world record. India’s compound mixed team also won gold after beating South Korea in the final, securing a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Boxer Priya Ghanghas settled for bronze after losing her women’s 60kg semifinal. India’s women’s squash team also assured itself of a medal after beating Singapore 2-0. Lovlina Borgohain qualified for the boxing final, adding to India’s medal hopes.

A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district on Tuesday. The militant was identified by security officials as Mohammad Asif, alias Hashim Moosa, who was wanted in connection with several attacks in the region. The operation, named Operation Korag, was carried out jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) near Yousmarg. According to the Army, militants opened fire after troops challenged their movement. Security forces later recovered Moosa’s body along with weapons and other materials. The operation was ongoing. (PC: X)

Opposition INDIA Bloc To Plan Joint Protest Over SIR, Discuss Move To Remove Chief Election Commissioner   Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc will meet in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss a joint protest over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The meeting will also consider a fresh move in Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and other opposition leaders are expected to attend. The DMK and Aam Aadmi Party will skip the meeting, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will send representatives. The Election Commission has defended its decisions, saying its orders follow established legal procedures. (PC: India Today)

Three relatives from Gujarat were allegedly kidnapped in Ethiopia while attempting to travel to the United States through an illegal migration route. Ritwik Jansari, Mamta Chavda and Mayuri had left Gujarat on September 20 after their families reportedly paid agents between ₹60 lakh and ₹75 lakh per person. After reaching Ethiopia, contact with the trio was lost. Their families later received a ransom demand of ₹1 crore from a person identifying himself as “Khan.” An agent claimed that ₹60 lakh had already been paid but another ₹40 lakh was demanded. Police are investigating the alleged kidnapping and the agents involved. (PC: India Today)

The new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond – Part 2, introduces a chapter titled “Resistance and Resilience” focusing on invasions and resistance in medieval India. It states that several Indian rulers were traditionally believed to have received swords from Hindu goddesses, including Kali, Durga and Bhavani. The chapter discusses resistance against Arab, Turkish, Mughal and European forces and describes some invasions as driven by territorial expansion and religious motives. It also highlights the historical treatment of Sikh gurus under Mughal rule. NCERT says the revised curriculum aims to encourage critical inquiry, analytical thinking and intercultural understanding. (PC: X)

A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, identified by officials as Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district. The operation, named Operation Korag, was jointly conducted by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the Korag area near Yousmarg. According to the Army, security personnel noticed suspicious movement and challenged the militants, who responded with gunfire, leading to an exchange of fire. Officials said Moosa was wanted in connection with several attacks in the Pir Panjal region. (PC: X)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has warned that the world could face a major food crisis in the coming months, citing disruptions to grain shipments, fertiliser shortages and worsening geopolitical tensions. Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York, he said conflicts involving Ukraine and the Iran-Gulf region were placing severe pressure on Global South economies. Jaishankar highlighted concerns that major grain exporters may struggle to ship supplies through the Black Sea, while Russia and West Asia face fertiliser-production disruptions. He also warned that a potential super El Niño could further affect food production. (PC: X)