A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar, with police apprehending four suspects, including one adult and three minors. According to police, the girl knew one of the suspects and had gone to meet him on September 10. She was allegedly sexually assaulted before being taken to a field, where she was stabbed multiple times. Her body was discovered under leaves and mud on September 13. Police examined more than 50 CCTV cameras and traced a tempo allegedly linked to the suspects. Two knives and clothing were recovered. Further forensic and technical investigation is underway. (PC: HT)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said West Bengal is set to emerge as one of the world’s major shipbuilding hubs, highlighting the state’s growing role in India’s defence manufacturing sector. Speaking in Kolkata, Singh said India’s defence production has increased four-fold to around ₹1.80 lakh crore, while Indian defence equipment is now exported to more than 100 countries. The Centre is also planning a new shipbuilding facility at Haldia in East Midnapore. The developments are expected to strengthen shipbuilding, defence manufacturing and related industries in West Bengal, while creating employment and opportunities for supporting businesses and MSMEs. (PC: AP)

India’s crude oil import basket climbed to $131.19 per barrel on September 15, its highest level since March 23, 2026, amid growing global supply concerns and geopolitical tensions. The sharp rise has been driven by disruptions in Middle Eastern oil supplies, including the shutdown of a key Saudi pipeline, alongside uncertainty over US tariff measures targeting buyers of Russian energy. India’s crude basket averaged $111.71 per barrel in September, nearly 24% higher than August. The increase is expected to raise India’s oil import bill and add pressure on inflation as fuel demand rises ahead of the festive and marriage season. 

Saudi Aramco has stopped supplying crude to Indian refiners until further notice after attacks forced the shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s critical East-West pipeline. The disruption has cut off both Red Sea and already-limited Strait of Hormuz supplies, with Saudi crude accounting for about 9% of India’s imports since the war began. Indian refiners are expected to secure alternative crude, but at higher costs because global oil prices, tanker freight rates and spot-market premiums have risen. Aramco has sold some spot cargoes to traders for limited deliveries to India. Prolonged disruption could increase India’s crude import bill and pressure refining margins. (PC: IANS)

A woman biker was allegedly chased for nearly 2 km by a car in Gurugram before the vehicle rammed into her motorcycle and fled, according to police sources. The incident took place on Golf Course Road and was captured in videos that later surfaced online. The biker, identified as Shivani Chauhan, known as Sia, said the occupants of the car were drunk and had been following her aggressively. Police have arrested accused Kalyan Singh Bainsla and his cousin Lavneesh Gurjar. A five-member SIT is investigating the case, while the FIR includes charges of attempted murder and stalking. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, positioning the country as a reliable destination for global chip manufacturing. "The world needs new and trusted locations for chip manufacturing and India is preparing itself for this," Modi said. He added that 12 semiconductor projects have been approved so far, with more expected in the next phase. The fifth edition of the event, themed "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem," has drawn over 600 exhibitors and delegates from 40-plus countries. Applied Materials announced a $5 billion investment under its Vision 2035 plan on the sidelines. (PC: The Indian Express)

West Bengal IPS officer Bushra Bano, Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, was transferred on September 14, just two-and-a-half months into her posting. The transfer order cited "public interest" as the reason, and she has now been posted as Deputy Commandant of the 4th Battalion, State Armed Police. The move follows a complaint from a group called Hindu Legal Fund, which objected to Bano's use of "Assalamualaikum," "Inshallah" and "Jazakallah" in a motivational video for civil service aspirants. Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, have questioned the timing and alleged discrimination. The government has not linked the transfer to the controversy. (PC: NDTV)

India on Wednesday rejected the so-called Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, saying there is no recognised boundary between Pakistan and China involving Indian territory. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has never recognised the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement and considers it illegal and invalid. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. Jaiswal said Pakistan has no right to enter into arrangements involving territories that India says are under illegal and forcible occupation. He added that any such boundary cooperation between China and Pakistan would not affect India’s sovereignty and called on Pakistan to vacate the areas. (PC: India Today)

The Centre on Wednesday rejected opposition claims that introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments was driven by foreign influence or intended to appease US President Donald Trump. The opposition had alleged that the move was aimed at benefiting American card companies and followed external pressure. The Finance Ministry said India’s UPI policy decisions were made independently. It also clarified that UPI would continue to remain free for consumers. The government’s response came amid criticism of the MDR framework, with the Centre seeking to counter allegations linking the policy change to foreign influence. The Ministry reiterated that access to UPI payments would remain free under its independently decided policy. (PC: X)

Mumbai’s iconic Cafe Mondegar is among four food establishments whose licences have been suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The action followed inspections that found serious food safety and hygiene violations. At Cafe Mondegar, officials found problems with food storage temperatures, thawing and cooling procedures. The FDA also warned of a possible risk of cross-contamination. The other establishments are Maharashtra Biryani Centre, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm and Mahavir Cashew and Foods. The FDA inspected 38 food businesses in Mumbai and collected 47 samples. Outside Mumbai, officials seized over 4,000 kg of milk products and sweets, worth more than ₹15 lakh.