Around 80 Indian customer-service employees at an unnamed US-based financial firm were reportedly informed of their termination during a five-minute Google Meet, according to a Reddit post. The employee said workers, scheduled for a 6:30 pm shift, were initially asked to work from home for “operational reasons” before receiving a meeting invitation around 9:30 pm. The post claimed the entire Indian customer-service team was dismissed, potentially affecting 80 families. The employee later attributed the decision to the company’s concerns about the Indian team’s output. However, the claims, including the number of employees affected and the reason for the layoffs, have not been independently verified. (PC: News18)

IIT-Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter after three days of student protests following the death by suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode on September 18. The charter includes demands for an independent investigation, with an interim report sought by September 30 and a final report by October 15. Students also demanded action against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who invigilated Wakode’s examination, but the administration said due process would be followed. Other demands cover academic, disciplinary and student-welfare reforms, counselling, faculty sensitisation and greater student participation. The administration is expected to discuss the agreement at an open house, while the police investigation and the institute’s Board of Governors’ further deliberations continue.

India’s women’s table tennis team secured a place in the Asian Games 2026 quarterfinals after sweeping Pakistan 3-0 in their second Group F match on Monday, September 21. Suthirtha Mukherjee opened with a 3-0 victory over Aleena Khan, winning 11-3, 11-3, 11-4. Syndrela Das then defeated Kalsoom Khan 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 to give India a 2-0 lead. Sreeja Akula completed the sweep by beating Fatima Khan 11-4, 11-4, 11-5. India had begun its campaign with a 3-2 comeback win over Singapore on Sunday in Japan. Suthirtha and Syndrela were included against Pakistan, replacing Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade. India topped Group F with three wins and advanced to the quarterfinal stage. (PC: X)

Iran has sealed a French language centre affiliated with the French embassy in Tehran following a judicial order, prompting France to summon Iran’s ambassador and threaten further measures. Iranian authorities said the centre had operated for years without a licence despite repeated warnings and accused it of using language teaching as a cover for activities against Iranian culture and national security, including building networks and facilitating skilled Iranians’ departure. France rejected the allegations and described the closure as an attack on its cultural presence. The dispute followed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s criticism of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot’s remarks marking Mahsa Amini’s death. The two ministers are scheduled to meet Tuesday at the United Nations.

The US issued a fresh security alert urging American citizens not to travel to Iran and advising those already there to leave, amid fears of wider escalation in West Asia. The warning cited a complex security environment, potential flight cancellations and airspace closures, and the possibility of rapid deterioration. Iran has accused Washington of preparing to resume its bombing campaign, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any US attack would trigger sustained retaliation against American interests across the region. President Donald Trump also abruptly ended a weekend visit to Camp David and said “very big things” could happen soon, while keeping military action, economic pressure and a deal among his options.

Nearly two years after Harshita Brella was killed in the UK, her parents and sister returned to England in May 2026 to retrace her days and seek answers. During the 14-day trip, they visited the Corby Boating Club, where CCTV captured Harshita walking with her husband, Pankaj Lamba, in footage that became the last sighting of her alive. The family visited Lamba’s Corby residence and the spot where investigators alleged he parked the car that carried Harshita’s body to Ilford, London. They went door to door seeking witnesses, but neighbours were reluctant to speak. Lamba allegedly travelled to Heathrow and left Britain. The case remains unresolved, with no arrest or conclusion.

Indian shooters added two individual medals at the Asian Games 2026 as Himanshu Dhillon won silver and Rudrankksh Patil claimed bronze in the men’s 10m air rifle event on September 21. Patil led for much of the final while chasing India’s first gold, but a 9.7 score dropped him to third. He finished with 230.9 points, while Dhillon secured silver with 252.4. China’s Sheng Lihao won gold with 252.2 points. The result marked India’s third shooting medal of the day after Patil, Dhillon and Parth Mane won silver in the men’s 10m air rifle team event. India’s women had earlier won two silver medals in the event at the Asian Games.

Suchika Tariyal won India’s first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) medal at the Asian Games, securing bronze in the women’s traditional -60kg event on Monday. The 36-year-old Indian lost her semi-final against Singapore’s Teo Hui Hoon after the bout went into overtime, with judges ruling against her. Tariyal had earlier assured a medal by defeating Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinals. The 2026 Asian Games mark MMA’s debut at the continental event. Tariyal made her MMA debut in 2017 before taking a seven-year break while continuing in judo and jiu-jitsu. She returned to professional MMA in 2024 after signing with BRAVE Combat Federation and competed at BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain.

Indian-origin politician Nila Vikhe Patil has been elected to Sweden's Parliament from the Stockholm City constituency. The 41-year-old Green Party member is the daughter of Maharashtra educationist Ashok Vikhe Patil and the niece of state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Born in Sweden, she spent her early childhood in Ahmednagar. Sweden's left-leaning opposition won a narrow majority in the September 13 election, taking 176 of the 349 seats. Nila said she wants to be a voice for those who cannot vote and to work for a liveable planet and a good future for every child. (PC: India Today)

An Indian man who moved to Australia to study 11 years ago has become an Australian citizen, owning three pizza restaurants, a house and a BMW. His story was shared on X by his brother-in-law, entrepreneur Vineeth K. Unable to find a job in his field after his studies, he took a full-time job at a pizza shop, including deliveries. Three years later, he bought a pizza franchise with a partner and some funds, then added two more. He has also built a house in Hyderabad and flown his parents to Australia. His family received citizenship this week. (PC: HT)