The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya will feature 11,000 athletes competing from September 19 to October 4 across disciplines. Beyond cricket, hockey and athletics, Indian competitors will participate in sports including Teqball, Kurash, Soft Tennis, Sepak Takraw and Sport Climbing. Teqball, making its Asian Games debut, combines football with table tennis. Kurash is a standing wrestling discipline that prohibits groundwork. Soft Tennis uses a lighter rubber ball and rackets than tennis. Sepak Takraw blends football and volleyball, while Sport Climbing tests speed, strength, balance and technique across speed, boulder and lead disciplines. India has won medals in Kurash and Sepak Takraw, but remains without medals in Soft Tennis and Sport Climbing.

US President Donald Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, giving him authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue major purchases of Russian oil and gas. India and China, among the largest buyers of Russian energy, could potentially face such measures, though the law does not automatically impose them. The legislation expands sanctions on Russia, targets its energy sector, banks, officials and shadow fleet, and extends existing sanctions on Iran. India has expressed concern over possible effects on bilateral ties, energy security and markets. New Delhi says it will continue sourcing energy based on prices and availability. (PC: NY Times)

Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent as flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya marked the start of the 20th Asian Games. Bhaker, who won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol at Paris 2024 with Sarabjot Singh, became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at Olympics. Sehrawat was part of India’s gold-winning kabaddi team at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. India has sent 503 athletes, including 269 men and 234 women, across 36 disciplines.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 reported major problems at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, September 19, 2026, including flight cancellations and delays. The airport was listed under Flightradar24’s maximum disruption index of 5.0, indicating “major problems with long delays and several cancelled flights.” The disruption followed an overnight air raid alert issued by Saudi authorities. An Aramco fuel tank near the airport was reportedly on fire, according to an AFP journalist, after residents reported hearing explosions in the city. Smoke and flames were seen near the site. The incident caused disruption at Riyadh’s main airport, although the supplied report does not provide details of the number of affected flights.

Iran has conveyed conditions for ending its ongoing war with the United States through Qatari mediators, according to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Rezaei said talks involving Qatari and Pakistani mediators are continuing and Tehran’s terms have already been passed to Washington. Iran is seeking an end to fighting on every front, the release of its frozen financial assets and an end to the ongoing naval blockade. Rezaei said Tehran is now awaiting a response from US President Donald Trump. He also outlined Iran’s broader strategy toward Washington and warned that Iran is prepared for a full-scale, decisive war if diplomatic efforts fail. (PC: X)

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and four family members have received notices from the Delhi Election Commission during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The notices were issued under the “Unmapped with Last SIR” category, according to information available as part of the exercise. Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal, father Gobind Ram Kejriwal, mother Gita Devi and 25-year-old son Pulkit Kejriwal also received notices under the same category. The five family members are among 110 people served notices in a specific part segment of Assembly Constituency 40, which covers the New Delhi constituency. The article provides no further details about the reasons for the notices or subsequent verification process.

Japanese airmen at the India-Japan air exercise "Veer Guardian 2026" have praised Indian Air Force personnel as "approachable" and spoken warmly of Indian curry and yoga.   The drill is being held at the Air Force Station in Jodhpur and will run until September 22. The IAF welcomed Japan's F-2 fighter jets and 110 Japan Air Self-Defense Force members on September 8.   Airmen from Tsuiki Air Base said training with aircraft their force does not have is improving their skills. They called the curry "super delicious" and said yoga left an impression. Rajnath Singh called the visit a "significant milestone" for India-Japan defence ties. (PC:  HT)

More US troops have died in the war with Iran than the Pentagon has publicly disclosed, the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing six US officials familiar with internal casualty data.   Five officials said at least 22 service members have died, four more than the Pentagon's public database shows. A sixth official put the number at 23 since February 28, when the war began. Not all the undisclosed deaths are directly linked to fighting, but involved US personnel in the Middle East during the conflict.   Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth denied the report. Democratic senators have separately demanded a full account of the war's costs. (PC: X)

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has recalled an early mission in Sikkim that he thought had ended his career. Speaking at the IIT Roorkee convocation on Saturday, Doval said he was in his 20s and in charge of intelligence in Sikkim when he sent a team near the China border. They were due back in eight days, but nothing was heard for 15. The team was caught and questioned by the Chinese army before being released.   An inquiry cleared Doval because the maps from headquarters had errors. A Tibetan Sherpa's advice helped him: know where you are, where you want to go, and the route. (PC: India Today)

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has wished the Indian team well at the Asian Games 2026, saying he is sure the athletes will make the country proud. Chopra will miss the Games after an ankle ligament injury in training, which also ends his season.   The Games began on Saturday in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and run until October 4. Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker carried the Tricolour at the opening ceremony. India has sent 503 athletes in 36 sports. Bhaker competes in three pistol events.   India aims to beat its record of 107 medals, including 28 gold. (PC: NDTV)