PT Usha celebrated India’s women’s 4x400m relay gold at the Asian Games 2026, saying the victory brought back memories of her own success in the event. Usha was part of India’s gold-winning relay team at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. On Tuesday, Kiran Pahal, M R Poovamma, Prachi Chaudhary and Vithya Ramraj won gold in 3:29.69, beating Bahrain and China. Usha praised the quartet for carrying forward the legacy of Indian women’s athletics. In a post on X, she wrote, “The legacy of Indian athletics is in safe, fierce hands.” (PC: India Today)

The United States is set to withdraw its remaining forces from Iraq by September 30, ending a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The departure, carried out under President Donald Trump, follows an agreement reached in 2024 under former President Joe Biden. Iran and its allied armed groups have welcomed the move, which could increase Tehran’s influence in Iraq. However, Iraqi security experts warn that the withdrawal may create security gaps and allow Islamic State militants to regroup. Around 4,500 American service members died during more than two decades of conflict. Iraqi forces will take greater responsibility for national security. (PC: Reuters)

India’s athletics contingent has won 19 medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, including nine silver and 10 bronze, with no gold medals so far. Athletics ranks second among India’s most successful sports behind shooting. Seema Kumari became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a medal, taking bronze in the women’s 10,000m. Gulveer Singh won silver in both the men’s 10,000m and 1500m, becoming the first Indian to win two Asiad medals in those events. Tajinderpal Singh Toor secured his third consecutive Asian Games medal. Sawan Barwal ended India’s 44-year wait for a men’s marathon medal, while Parul Chaudhary won two bronze medals and set a national record in the 3000m steeplechase.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warned of a “major food crisis” in the coming months, citing fertiliser shortages and disruptions to grain shipments caused by the Ukraine and Iran-Gulf conflicts. Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York, he said the two conflicts have had a “devastating impact” on Global South economies. Jaishankar said disruptions to grain shipments and fertiliser supplies could worsen food insecurity, while the combined pressures from energy, food, fertiliser and financial challenges are proving “very very stressful” for developing economies. His remarks came after the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week. The concerns highlight the wider economic consequences of the ongoing conflicts for countries across the Global South.

A video purportedly showing a man being caught after allegedly harassing women inside a Harbour Line ladies’ compartment at Mumbai’s Kurla station has gone viral. According to a post by Harbour Line Users on X, alert passengers allegedly confronted the man and handed him to the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The video appears to show three to four people, including an RPF official, taking the resisting man down a railway bridge towards the platform, while other passengers follow. He is seen resisting and asking passengers to release him before later being dragged by his legs along the platform. Central Railway’s Mumbai division asked RPF to examine the matter. The allegations could not be independently verified.

US President Donald Trump said the Iran war would end “very soon,” describing it as one of the most important actions of his administration. Speaking in Washington, DC, while unveiling an AI-powered federal platform, he reiterated that Tehran would not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and predicted falling oil prices. Meanwhile, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz averaged 13.2 million barrels daily over the past week, approximately 77% of prewar levels, according to Kpler. Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi predicted US and Israeli withdrawal from the region. Vice President JD Vance said Washington believes Iran’s supreme leader remains alive, while criticising Tehran’s leadership and decision-making.

A CISF personnel allegedly opened fire on colleagues at a camp near the Sewa Power Project in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, killing four, including an officer, following an argument, according to sources. The incident occurred around 6:40 pm in Mashka village, Basohli. The victims were identified as Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Lakshman Singh, Constable Rafiq Ahmed and Constable Sandeep Kumar. The suspected shooter, Head Constable Avdesh Kumar Singh, allegedly used his AK-47 rifle and was carrying 150 rounds, the CISF said. The injured personnel were taken to an NHPC hospital in Himachal Pradesh and later died from injuries. Singh was arrested and handed over to police. Authorities are investigating.

India has strongly rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the comments “unwarranted references” and said the issue concerns India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He asserted that no external party has “locus standi” on the matter. Erdogan has previously raised Kashmir at international forums, while India has consistently opposed external involvement in the issue. The remarks came during the UN General Assembly session in New York. India’s response reiterates that Jammu and Kashmir is a matter involving its sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejects any external role in the matter. (PC: AP)

Indian boxer Parveen Hooda moved within one win of Asian Games gold after defeating China’s Li Shu 4-1 in the women’s 65kg semi-final at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Tuesday. She will face Chinese Taipei’s Chen Nien-chin, a Paris Olympics bronze medallist, in Friday’s final. Parveen’s achievement comes after a difficult period in her career. She was stripped of her 2022 Asian Games bronze medal following a suspension for whereabouts failures, which also prevented her from competing at the Paris Olympics. After returning to boxing, she won gold at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals and has now reached the Asian Games final. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned party colleagues over their support for his “vote theft” campaign during a Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi on September 29, sources said. He reportedly said he had raised the issue for two years but initially received little support from party members. Gandhi also urged leaders to speak more firmly about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to sources, some senior leaders proposed protests and rallies over the SIR process. However, opinions within the Congress remain divided over Gandhi’s allegations and the party’s approach to the issue. (PC: X)