Whats Happening
Reports say Netanyahu went on a secret trip to UAE. Why Israeli prime minister in denial?
Netanyahu’s UAE meeting comes as October 7 warning claims fuel a legal dispute with former security chief Ronen Bar
Assam Rifles havildar killed, four injured in suspected militant attack in Arunachal Pradesh
An Assam Rifles havildar was killed and four personnel injured after suspected militants opened fire on a patrol near
India rejects Erdogan’s Kashmir remarks at UNGA, says ‘no outside party has locus standi’
In the Ministry of External Affairs’ biweekly briefing, India rejected the Turkish president’s Kashmir remarks at the UN and
US grants India tariff relief on select specialty drugs as 100% pharma duty takes effect
India can claim relief on eligible specialty medicines under the new US pharma tariff, while its much larger generic drug trade remains outside the duty for now.
OPINION & COMMENTARY
Army
Assam Rifles havildar killed, four injured in suspected militant attack in Arunachal Pradesh
An Assam Rifles havildar was killed and four personnel injured after suspected militants opened fire on a patrol near
Armed Forces Tribunal orders Army to revise brigadier’s CRs, restore seniority
AFT has directed the Army to revise two confidential reports of Brigadier Ravinder Singh and restore his original seniority.
Indian Army chief and US Army Pacific commander discuss Indo-Pacific security after Yudh
Indian and US Army commanders reviewed Indo-Pacific security and future cooperation after troops completed a joint exercise in Uttarakhand and
Exercise Kazind 2026: Indian contingent heads to Kazakhstan for counterterrorism, drone drills
A 60-member Indian contingent will join Kazakhstan’s forces for counterterrorism training combining mountain operations, helicopter mobility and drone warfare capabilities.
Army chief Gen Dhiraj Seth unveils ‘Samarth’ vision to prepare Indian Army for
General Dhiraj Seth’s Samarth vision prioritizes prolonged-war readiness, faster modernization and technology that strengthens the Indian soldier’s battlefield effectiveness.
India-Mongolia drill brings close-quarters combat, drones and cyber training into one battlefield package
India and Mongolia are combining close-quarters combat, small-arms training and traditional infantry drills with drones, counterdrone systems, cybersecurity and heliborne
The Tankman Arrives: Gen Dhiraj Seth ends Armoured Corps’ 30-year wait for Indian Army’s top
General Dhiraj Seth takes charge as India’s 31st Army chief, becoming only the seventh Armoured Corps officer –
Navy
Rajnath Singh cites warships from South China Sea to Atlantic to underline Navy’s blue-water reach
Rajnath Singh has highlighted the Indian Navy’s expanding blue-water reach, pointing to warship deployments from the South China
Navy commanders to review combat readiness, energy security amid West Asia conflicts
The Indian Navy’s September 29–October 1 conference will examine operational readiness, protection of energy supplies and the integration
INS Sahyadri, Kulish join multinational maritime drills in Philippines
INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish joined multinational maritime drills in the Philippines during the sea phase of the ADMM-Plus maritime
INS Sudarshini returns to Alexandria during 22,000-nautical mile Lokayan 26 voyage
INS Sudarshini has returned to Alexandria during its 10-month Lokayan 26 voyage, combining long-range sail training with professional engagement between
INS Trishul reaches France for Varuna 2026 naval exercise
INS Trishul has arrived in Toulon for Varuna 2026, joining the French Navy for harbour and sea engagements aimed at
Indian Navy ships Sahyadri, Kulish reach Philippines for ADMM-Plus maritime activity
Indian Navy ships Sahyadri and Kulish have reached the Philippines for the ADMM-Plus maritime activity, joining regional navies for exercises
Airforce
US F-35A makes India exercise debut at Tarang Shakti, opens new training window with IAF
The US Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II has made its exercise debut in India at Tarang Shakti 2026,
Embraer joins Mahindra for IAF’s 60-aircraft transport aircraft bid
Embraer has partnered with Mahindra to offer its C-390 Millennium for the IAF’s 60-aircraft MTA programme.
Tarang Shakti 2026 in pictures: F-35s, Rafales and F-16s take to Jodhpur skies
Tarang Shakti 2026 has entered its operational phase in Jodhpur, bringing together the IAF and seven foreign air forces.
Tarang Shakti 2026 opens in Jodhpur with F-35 debut, seven-nation flying contingent
Tarang Shakti 2026 has opened at Jodhpur with the US F-35A making its exercise debut in India alongside French Rafales,
India-Japan defence ties deepen as Veer Guardian 2026 concludes, technology cooperation advances
Veer Guardian 2026 has concluded after 14 days of advanced India-Japan air combat training, as the two countries simultaneously push
Tarang Shakti 2026: IAF kicks off its biggest multinational air exercise at Jodhpur
Tarang Shakti 2026 will bring fighter jets from India, the US, France and other partner nations to Jodhpur for a
Russia Launches Record 479 UAVs On Ukraine, Shows Growing Mettle Of Drone Warfare
Russia launched a record-breaking 479 drones in overnight attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine, including for the first
IAF, USAF Sharpen Joint Special Ops Skills in First-Ever Exercise Tiger Claw
Exercise Tiger Claw 2025 marked the first-ever independent Special Forces exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Air Force
International
Eiffel Tower operator chief to step down after probe into female staff exclusion
The Eiffel Tower operator’s chief, Patrick Branco Ruivo, will step down after an independent inquiry found operational failures linked
Questions mount over RAF Fairford terror probe after five suspects are freed on
Five men arrested near RAF Fairford have been freed on bail, leaving investigators to establish the nature of the
Reports say Netanyahu went on a secret trip to UAE. Why Israeli prime
Netanyahu’s UAE meeting comes as October 7 warning claims fuel a legal dispute with former security chief Ronen Bar ahead
US forces quit Iraq after 23 years, hand Iran and its allies a
The last US troops leave Iraq by September 30, after 23 years, as Iran-backed groups claim victory and officials warn
Nepal’s proposed media law could suspend press passes for up to a year,
Nepal’s draft media council law grades journalistic breaches by severity, but proposed press pass suspensions and government influence over appointments
Tennessee set to execute Christa Pike, first woman to be put to death
Tennessee is preparing to execute Christa Pike for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, a case that could make her
The Tankman Arrives: Gen Dhiraj Seth ends Armoured Corps’ 30-year wait for Indian Army’s top
General Dhiraj Seth takes charge as India’s 31st Army chief, becoming only the seventh Armoured Corps officer –
Coast Guard
Two Chinese survivors reach Paradip after MV Ocean Winner sinking, search continues
Two Chinese survivors of sunken cargo vessel MV Ocean Winner were brought safely to Paradip, while the search
Rajnath Singh announces gender-neutral entry and faster ex gratia rules for Coast Guard
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, has announced gender-neutral officer induction and faster ex gratia payouts for the Indian
Coast Guard Commissions Indigenous Patrol Vessel ICGS Akshay
The Indian Coast Guard commissioned ICGS Akshay, an indigenous fast patrol vessel built by Goa Shipyard Limited, strengthening India's maritime
Indian Coast Guard inducts first indigenous hovercraft H-561 in major maritime Boost
The Indian Coast Guard has inducted H-561, its first indigenous hovercraft, boosting maritime operations and strengthening India's self-reliance in defence
Despite US Sanctions, India Signs Rs 2,182 Cr Missile Deal With Russia; Rs 2,901 Cr
Worth mentioning here is that the major defence procurement decision comes at a time when the United States is tightening
Kalari Leap In Lakshadweep And Minicoy Archipelago: Army’s Southern Command Flexes Air-Maritime-Special Ops
The drills simulated a spectrum of operational scenarios that India could face in its island territories, from hostile maritime threats
Paramilitary
In J&K’s Kathua, CISF head constable shoots dead four colleagues including assistant commandant
Four CISF personnel died after a colleague allegedly opened fire at a Kathua hydroelectric project unit, with the
CRPF women in combat: Four decades, six battalions and a widening frontline
CRPF will honour serving and retired women personnel on September 25, marking four decades of expanding operational roles.
CISF head constable dies after rifle discharges while cleaning in Dantewada
The service rifle reportedly discharged while the CISF personnel was cleaning it at a camp in Bacheli, police are investigating
CRPF set to replace Army at 21 ‘hypersensitive’ posts in Jammu’s Kathua-Udhampur belt, CoBRA units
The CRPF is preparing to take over counterinsurgency duties from the Indian Army at 21 hypersensitive locations in Jammu’s Kathua
NSG launches first ‘Mahila Commando’ course for women police, CAPF personnel
Women serving in state police forces and CAPFs will undergo 12 weeks of training at Manesar in weapons, marksmanship, tactical
In Manipur, 46 members of militant group surrender with arms as state intensifies peace push
Forty-six cadres of the KCP Taibanganba faction have laid down arms in Imphal, adding momentum to a surrender and rehabilitation
Defence r&d
₹50 crore DRDO-CSIR project develops lighter bulletproof glass for armoured vehicles
DRDO and CSIR-CGCRI are developing a new generation of lightweight transparent armour that could cut the weight and
DRDO develops indigenous software-defined radio for IAF fighter aircraft
DRDO is developing an indigenous Software Defined Radio for the IAF to enable secure communication between fighter aircraft
DRDO inks ₹500 crore TDF’s first high value deal for indigenous quantum refrigerator
DRDO has signed its first high-value deep-tech agreement under the Technology Development Fund with Rajasthan-based start-up Zero mK India to
DRDO showcases Astra MkI, Akash-NG and surveillance systems at AAD 2026 in South Africa
India Pavilion in Tshwane features indigenous technologies across airborne surveillance, air defence, maritime reconnaissance and underwater detection
DRDO to build new missile testing range at Junput in Bengal to ease pressure on
DRDO is set to build a new missile and weapons testing range at Junput in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district,
DRDO’s GaN breakthrough strengthens India’s push for self-reliant radar and electronic-warfare technology
DRDO’s indigenous gallium nitride semiconductor programme marks an important step towards reducing India’s dependence on foreign suppliers for critical high-frequency
Defence Industry
India-Germany $8 billion submarine deal nears signing as Berlin’s envoy Jasper Wieck sets out vision
Germany’s $8 billion submarine deal with India nears signing as new envoy Jasper Wieck outlines a broader push
IAF to get 160 indigenous SAT-SAAW weapons as MoD signs ₹811 crore BDL deal
The Indian Air Force is set to receive 160 indigenous SAT-SAAW precision weapons under an ₹810.79 crore contract
DRDO’s 5km drone-killing laser moves towards production, industry partner search next
DRDO plans to seek an industry partner for its 30-kilowatt counterdrone laser, advancing the 5km-range weapon towards production.
Tejas-Mk1A enters final testing phase, induction expected soon: IAF vice-chief
The Indian Air Force is expected to begin inducting the indigenous Tejas-Mk1A fighter within one to two months, with engine
HAL boss says company working to resolve Tejas-Mk1A issues, begins deliveries to IAF
No firm timeline as software, radar and missile-integration work remains before first handover
Cochin Shipyard lays keel for first of six next-generation missile vessels for Indian Navy
Cochin Shipyard has laid the keel of the first of six next-generation missile vessels for the Indian Navy, advancing a
Cyber
OpenAI scraps GPT-6.1 Astra launch after safety tests expose problems with agent behaviour
OpenAI has shelved GPT-6.1 Astra after tests found that the more persistent AI model fell short on respecting
OpenAI pauses advanced AI training again as rogue agents expose gaps in safeguards
OpenAI has paused advanced AI training again after an agent bypassed internet controls, as investigations widen into unauthorized
Meta faces huge penalty after jury finds Facebook misled users over privacy
A New Mexico jury found Facebook misled consumers over privacy and content policies, leaving Meta facing potentially substantial penalties.
OpenAI AI agents accessed dozens of governments and institutional websites
OpenAI has alerted dozens of institutions after its AI agents accessed government and public websites in unexpected ways, including attempts
Anthropic faces Pentagon blacklist as US court upholds defence action
A US appeals court has upheld the Pentagon's decision to blacklist Anthropic over national security concerns linked to its Claude
OpenAI agent breaches Australia’s Medicare portal, Albanese slams delayed disclosure
Australia is investigating an OpenAI agent’s unauthorized access to a Medicare statistics portal, with delayed disclosure drawing criticism from Albanese.
Space
SpaceX Starship reaches orbit for first time despite engine failure, deploys 26 Starlink satellites
SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time and deployed 26 Starlink satellites despite an engine shutdown, before
China’s Shenlong spaceplane appears to recapture satellite twice in orbital tests
China’s Shenlong spaceplane appears to have retrieved a satellite twice, highlighting advances in orbital manoeuvring with civilian and
China warns of space arms race after US confirms weapons in orbit
China warns of an accelerating space arms race after the US confirms orbital weapons but withholds details of their capabilities.
China’s Kinetica-1 places nine satellites in orbit as six launches in six days signal rising
China’s Kinetica-1 carried nine satellites into orbit, completing six successful launches in six days as Beijing accelerates constellation deployment and
China conducts two space launches in four hours, advances internet constellation and radar remote-sensing capabilities
China carried out two space launches within just over two hours on Thursday, deploying another low-orbit internet-satellite group and two
US confirms on-orbit space weapons as Washington signals new phase in space warfare
The United States has acknowledged that it has deployed weapons in orbit for space-control missions, signalling a new phase in