Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad has achieved its highest-ever international placement offer, with a Maximum Earning Potential (MEP) of US$243,000 (nearly ₹2.31 crore). The offer, made for a business development role in the IT sector in Dubai, surpasses the previous record of US$192,581 set in 2014. Six of 392 participating students accepted international offers, with placements also in Hong Kong and Japan. Domestically, the highest MEP reached ₹81.6 lakh, while the median rose to ₹36.98 lakh, the highest in five years. (PC: X)

The Bihar government has issued a public health advisory after unusual and unidentified fish were reportedly carried into the state by floodwaters from Nepal. The fish have been spotted in the Gandak River basin, particularly in West Champaran and Gopalganj. Authorities have advised residents not to catch, buy, sell or consume these unfamiliar fish until their species and safety are properly verified. Officials are concerned about possible bacterial, viral and fungal contamination, while spoiled fish could also cause foodborne illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhoea. The advisory aims to protect public health as authorities assess the fish brought by the floodwaters. 

Erin Piacenti, 32, a Bank of America vice-president and new mother, was fatally stabbed in a random, unprovoked attack in New York’s Times Square on August 31. The incident occurred shortly after she returned to work following maternity leave. Police said a 49-year-old woman, Pamela Cisneros, attacked Piacenti and a 68-year-old man with knives. Piacenti was taken to hospital but died from her injuries, while the other victim remained in stable condition. Officers shot Cisneros after she allegedly advanced toward them with knives. Authorities said the attacker had a history of mental-health issues. Bank of America expressed deep sorrow over Piacenti’s death. 

At least five people, including a four-year-old child, were killed and more than 50 injured after a reported US airstrike hit a wedding celebration near Sirik in southern Iran, Iranian authorities said. The incident occurred amid renewed military confrontation between the United States and Iran. Tehran condemned the strike and accused Washington of causing civilian casualties. The US military said it had conducted strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets, including air-defence systems, radar facilities, maritime assets and communications sites. Iran also reported attacks on US-linked positions in the region. The latest escalation marks the most serious direct fighting between the two sides in weeks. 

Indian equity markets came under heavy pressure on Wednesday as renewed US-Iran military strikes intensified geopolitical uncertainty and pushed crude oil prices higher. The Sensex fell 0.79% to 76,333.20, while the Nifty 50 declined 0.89% to 23,841.40. All 16 major sectors recorded losses, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks also falling. Brent crude climbed to around $95.40 a barrel, raising concerns over inflation and India’s import bill. Oil-sensitive sectors, including airlines, tyre and paint companies, were particularly affected. Investors remained cautious amid fears that prolonged conflict could disrupt oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: Reuters)

The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 1,127, according to Nepal Police. More than 4,800 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue across several affected districts. Hundreds of bodies have been recovered from areas including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha and Nawalparasi. Only 95 victims have so far been identified and handed over to their families. Rescue teams from Nepal, India and China are assisting operations, particularly around damaged hydropower sites. Authorities are prioritising the search for missing people, rescue of survivors, relief distribution and identification of recovered bodies. (PC: Reuters)

Bihar authorities have warned residents against catching, buying, selling or consuming fish carried into the state by floodwaters following flash floods in Nepal. Water from Nepal’s Trishuli River has entered Bihar through the Gandak and Kosi rivers, bringing unfamiliar fish, debris and other contaminants. Officials said floodwater can expose fish to sewage, dead animals, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, making them unsafe to eat until conditions stabilise. Residents have also been advised to seek medical help if symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or breathing difficulties develop after eating such fish. Contaminated floodwater could also affect drinking water, increasing risks of diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis, while stagnant water may increase mosquito-borne diseases.

Amardeep Kumar, a 29-year-old throwball player from Jharkhand, has won four international gold medals for India but continues to face financial hardship. His victories include the Asian Junior Throwball Championship in Malaysia in 2015, the Indo-Nepal Throwball Championship in Kathmandu in 2017, the South Asian Throwball Championship in Bengaluru in 2019 and another title in Ranchi in 2026. Despite his achievements, Amardeep works as a taxi driver and helps his family sell vegetables at Ranchi’s Argora Chowk. He said he has borrowed money to participate in competitions and has spent years seeking government employment and financial assistance. His journey began after a local athlete trained him at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. (PC: X)

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has unveiled the Bharatiya Habitable Expandable Extraterrestrial Habitat (BHEEM), an academic research concept exploring how future astronauts could live beyond Earth. The project emerged during the Indian phase of Shukla’s astronaut training after his return from Russia. He explained that the training involved learning the systems of India’s launch vehicle and orbital module, extensive physical conditioning and spaceflight preparation. Alongside these activities, astronauts were encouraged to undertake academic research connected to the future of human space exploration. BHEEM focuses on the concept of habitats for human life beyond Earth, reflecting India’s growing interest in long-term human spaceflight and habitation beyond spacecraft, potentially on extraterrestrial surfaces.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla-SpaceX chief Elon Musk stressed the need for more AI data centers and electricity to power them at a G20 technology ministers’ meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Speaking virtually, Zuckerberg said the massive data-center buildout could create hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of skilled-trade jobs, while noting that Meta is struggling to find enough skilled workers. Musk warned of a “crisis of power” in AI development, saying a significant electricity shortfall could emerge next year and give China an advantage. He said Tesla was building power-generation capacity alongside its data centers. Their comments came amid growing US opposition to AI data-center construction and followed President Donald Trump’s criticism of opponents. (PC: CNBC)