The developing El Niño has become the strongest on record, scientists said. Sea surface temperatures in a key Pacific region reached 3.05°C above normal on September 19. This broke the previous record of 3.02°C set in 2015. The event is expected to peak later this year. El Niño can cause major weather changes worldwide. India has already seen below-normal monsoon rainfall, with rain 15% below average until September 22. Wildfire and drought risks have also increased in Indonesia, Brazil and Australia. Scientists said the full effects of the unusually strong El Niño are still being assessed.  

A 40-year-old lawyer died after a speeding Thar SUV hit his scooter in Greater Noida West. Neeraj was riding with his wife when the SUV allegedly came from the wrong side and crashed into them. The impact threw the couple onto the road. Neeraj was declared dead at a hospital. His wife is in a coma and has suffered 18 fractures. Doctors have performed several surgeries. Her family said the medical bills have reached around ₹7 lakh. Witnesses alleged that four people in the Thar had been drinking. The driver fled after leaving the vehicle. Police have seized the SUV and launched a search.  

US-based drone company Powerus signed an agreement with India’s Paras Defence in June to manufacture and commercialise its Guardian-1 counter-drone system, months before its deal with the Pakistan Army. Under the agreement, Paras Defence received exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the Guardian-1 system in India. The battery-powered interceptor is designed to detect, track and neutralise aerial threats, including attack drones and drone swarms. In September, Powerus signed an MoU with the Pakistan Army involving unmanned aerial systems, with the order details kept confidential. Powerus is linked financially to Donald Trump’s sons through an investment fund, though they have been described as passive investors. (PC: India Today)

India won their first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games after the women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the T20 final. The victory took India’s medal tally to seven. India posted a strong total before bowling Sri Lanka out for 69. The men’s badminton team also assured India of a medal after beating Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals. Lakshya Sen led the victory with a comeback win over Kodai Naraoka, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and Ayush Shetty won their matches. Roshibina Devi also entered the wushu semi-finals, assuring another medal for India. (PC: X)

The main accused in the Jamui molestation case, Nandan Yadav, was shot in the leg during a police encounter in Bihar on Tuesday, according to police sources. Another absconding accused, Hareram Yadav, was also injured during the operation. The action came days after a video allegedly showing a minor girl and her male companion being harassed and assaulted in Jamui surfaced online. Police had launched a search for those involved after the September 19 incident. Three suspects have been arrested so far, while investigators are identifying others through video footage. The circumstances surrounding the police encounter are also being investigated. (PC: X)

Major Rishabh Singh Sambyal, who recently retired from the Indian Army after 12 years of service, has spoken about the personal demands of serving as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Droupadi Murmu. Sambyal served as the President’s ADC for around three years. In an interview with podcaster Raj Shamani, he said ADCs cannot marry during their tenure and have to remain away from their families. He described giving up the chance to start a family as his “biggest sacrifice”. Sambyal also said the role left him feeling lonely at times. He retired from the Army last month after completing his service. (PC: X)

A video showing a young couple being assaulted and harassed by a group of people in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district has surfaced online. The incident reportedly took place on a road leading to Kapilash, a popular tourist destination. The couple were travelling on a motorcycle when they were stopped by the group. The footage appears to show several people surrounding them, with the man being assaulted and some men behaving inappropriately towards the woman. She can be heard pleading with them to stop. Police said some suspects have been identified and strict action will follow. The incident is being investigated, with the motive behind the confrontation still unclear.

India secured a medal in the men’s badminton team event at the Asian Games after beating Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Lakshya Sen produced a strong comeback against world No. 7 Kodai Naraoka, losing the first game 11-21 before winning the next two 21-5, 21-19. His 66-minute victory gave India the lead. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then defeated Hoki Takuro and Kobayashi Yugo 21-18, 24-22 in doubles. Ayush Shetty sealed the tie with a 21-10, 21-19 win over Koki Watanabe. India will face China or Korea in Wednesday’s semi-final. The result assures India a second consecutive Asian Games men’s team medal. (PC: India Today)

Iran has offered to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday.   The proposal was reportedly conveyed to Washington through mediators as Tehran seeks to restart negotiations and end hostilities. Iranian officials said their delegation attending the UN General Assembly in New York has authority to pursue diplomatic talks. The development also affected global oil markets, with crude prices falling as investors saw the offer as a possible step toward reducing disruption around the key shipping route. However, tensions remain high in the region. (PC: X)

Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have backed India’s call for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The support came during the first India-Visegrad Group meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said the four countries agreed that India should become a permanent member of the UN’s top decision-making body. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the meeting as a “new historic occasion”. India and the Visegrad Group also agreed to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade, technology, defence, education and connectivity. (PC: X)