An Indian Army paratrooper from Surya Command carried out a tandem parachute jump with a combat dog and its handler over Behat Drop Zone in central India. The Army said the jump is among the first of its kind involving a dog and handler. The canine carried a full combat load during the exercise. The Army said the jump showed the strong trust and teamwork between soldiers and military dogs. Combat dogs are trained to detect explosives, weapons and people. They also help troops search dangerous areas. The exercise could help the Army use dogs in airborne and hostile-area missions.  

At least 20 people, including five children, were killed when a six-storey residential building in Gaza City collapsed on September 16 after previously being damaged by Israeli strikes, according to Palestinian rescue officials. The building had been sheltering around 100 displaced Palestinian families, and its collapse also brought down nearby tents, trapping people beneath the rubble. At least 25 others were reported injured, while rescue teams continued searching for survivors. Emergency operations were hampered by limited heavy machinery. The incident highlights the dangers faced by displaced civilians living in damaged buildings amid continuing violence and severe housing shortages in Gaza. (PC: AFP)

A Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian frontline warship during a routine surveillance mission in the north Arabian Sea on September 15, according to officials. Hindustan Times reports that former Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma described the incident as “unacceptable” and said ships must maintain prescribed safety distances and follow maritime rules. He warned that such unsafe manoeuvring could quickly escalate into a dangerous situation. India summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires and lodged a strong protest, calling the conduct unprofessional. The Ministry of External Affairs said the collision occurred in international waters and caused no major damage. 

A Maharashtra FDA survey has found major differences between procurement costs and prices charged for commonly used hospital consumables. An IV set purchased for ₹11.05 was reportedly sold for ₹325, representing a 2,841% margin. A 10 ml syringe costing ₹6.75 was sold for ₹57.20, while a nebuliser mask bought for ₹45 was sold for ₹652. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has urged the Centre to review pricing regulations and bring commonly used inpatient surgical consumables under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order. He also suggested trade-margin limits and stronger monitoring to reduce financial burdens on hospital patients. 

The Union Cabinet has approved raising the monthly wage ceiling for mandatory Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. The decision, announced on September 16, 2026, is expected to bring around 51 lakh additional employees into the social-security system. Workers covered under the expanded limit will gain access to provident-fund savings, pension benefits and insurance protection, subject to scheme rules. The revision is the first change in the wage ceiling in 12 years. The government expects the measure to strengthen retirement security while expanding formal-sector social protection. (PC: The Hindu)

A woman was allegedly hit by a car, dragged on its bonnet and then run over by her boyfriend after an argument in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar area on September 16. Police said the incident occurred near Janeshwar Mishra Park after the woman confronted the accused, Shahnawaz, over his presence with another woman. A video of the incident showed the woman on the car’s bonnet as the vehicle moved forward. She was reportedly thrown onto the road and subsequently run over. Police arrested Shahnawaz and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

New Zealand’s Parliament on September 16, 2026, passed legislation implementing its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India by a 93–29 vote. The agreement will eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs on about 95% of New Zealand’s exports to India once fully implemented. Around 57% of exports will receive duty-free access from the start, rising to 82% over time. Key sectors benefiting include forestry, sheep meat, wool, kiwifruit, apples, seafood and wine. India will receive duty-free access for all its goods entering New Zealand. The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. (PC: X)

Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki called the alleged targeting of the holy city a “disgraceful act”. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, with military spokesperson Yahya Sarea saying their attacks were aimed at Saudi military bases and oil facilities. Saudi authorities also issued security alerts over incoming projectiles in western areas, including Mecca and Jeddah. The United States embassy in Saudi Arabia separately advised Americans to reconsider travel, citing risks from missile and drone attacks. The claims could not be independently verified. (PC: BBC)

The Congress has alleged that the Centre introduced the new UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework under pressure from the United States. The party questioned whether the move could help American payment companies compete with UPI. Under the new framework, a 0.4% MDR will apply to specified merchant UPI transactions above ₹2,000 from October 15, with the charge paid within the merchant payment ecosystem. The government says customers will not pay MDR and person-to-person UPI payments will remain free. It also says around 96% of merchant transactions will remain unaffected. The BJP has accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation. (PC: India Today)

India summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires on Wednesday and lodged a strong protest after a Pakistani Navy vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship in international waters in the Arabian Sea. The Ministry of External Affairs said the incident caused no major damage but alleged that the Pakistani vessel’s conduct breached Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement. The provision requires naval ships and submarines of both countries to maintain a distance of at least three nautical miles in international waters to prevent accidents. The agreement also requires advance notice of major military exercises and troop movements through diplomatic channels. (PC: HT)