Surendra Koli, who was accused in the 2006 Nithari killings case, was found hanging inside a tea stall in Haridwar on September 18, 2026. Police said Koli had been living in the city for several months and had recently been running the tea stall near Lalmata Temple in the Bhupatwala area. His body was sent for postmortem, and his family in Almora was informed. No suicide note was found, and police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Koli had been acquitted by the Supreme Court in the final remaining Nithari case in November 2025. (PC: PTI)

Four people, including three juveniles, were arrested on September 17 in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar. The girl’s body was found in an open field near Kushak Road on September 13. Police said the accused and the victim were known to each other. Investigators examined footage from more than 50 CCTV cameras and traced a suspected tempo linked to the incident. A 19-year-old, identified as Shivam, was among those arrested. Police said two knives, clothing and the suspected tempo were recovered. The investigation continues to establish each accused’s role. (PC: The Hindu)

Mohammed Jaber Hussain, a 28-year-old civil engineer from Hyderabad, was found dead at his residence in Lowell, Massachusetts, just 17 days after his marriage. Hussain had married in Texas on August 28 and later returned to Massachusetts for work. He last spoke with his family on September 14, and about eight hours later, his roommate reportedly informed them that Hussain had died in his sleep. The exact cause of death remains unclear, with the family awaiting postmortem and medical reports. His family has appealed to the Indian government for assistance in bringing his remains back to Hyderabad. (PC: NDTV)

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has been named one of India’s flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya on Saturday, with shot-putter Tajinder Pal Singh Toor expected to join her. The announcement came amid organisational problems at the Games, as the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony involving India, Yemen, North Korea, Palestine and Timor-Leste was delayed by 20 minutes before being abruptly halted. Organisers cited unspecified “trouble” involving a team but gave no further details. The disruption adds to concerns over accommodation, transportation and other logistical arrangements reported by athletes ahead of the official opening. (PC: X)

India has called for a stronger international framework to keep vital maritime routes open during crises, warning that disruptions at key sea chokepoints can affect global trade, energy and food supplies. Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, India’s Permanent Representative Harish Parvathaneni stressed that commercial vessels should not become targets of geopolitical tensions and that freedom of navigation must comply with international law. India highlighted its maritime security operations in the Indo-Pacific and Gulf of Aden–Red Sea, which have helped ensure the safe transit of 449 merchant vessels carrying nearly 20.3 million tonnes of cargo and oil. (PC: X)

A 15-year-old Palestinian boy, Mohammad Abdul Zinati, was killed in northern Gaza City after approaching a wounded man following an initial Israeli strike, according to witnesses cited by The Guardian. Witnesses said an Israeli drone launched a second strike as civilians gathered to help the injured man, identified as paramedic Sharif Shadi Labad. Weapons experts who reviewed verified footage said the incident appeared consistent with a “double-tap” pattern and suggested the teenager may have been visible to the drone. The Israeli military said Labad was a Hamas militant and acknowledged that an uninvolved person was harmed. It said the incident was under review. 

Scientists have identified Leopardus tilcayo, a small spotted tiger cat from Bolivia’s Yungas forest, marking the first new living cat species scientifically described in more than 100 years. The cat weighs about three pounds and is smaller than an average domestic cat. Researchers used genomic analysis to confirm that it is genetically distinct from other tiger cats and diverged from them around 1.4 million years ago. The species was initially mistaken for another tiger cat after being found as a kitten in 2016. Scientists say much about its behaviour and ecology remains unknown, highlighting the need for further research and conservation. 

The US House of Representatives has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, giving President Donald Trump authority to impose sanctions and tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy or helping Moscow evade sanctions. The legislation particularly affects major Russian oil buyers such as India and China. However, the bill includes exemptions for certain civilian nuclear activities and Russian uranium imports, reflecting US dependence on Russian nuclear fuel supplies. The measure also targets Russian officials, companies and the “shadow fleet” used to transport oil. The bill now awaits Trump’s signature. (PC: X)

Iran has urged caution over Saudi Arabia’s claim that a Houthi drone was intercepted south of Mecca, saying the allegation alone does not establish responsibility. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei condemned any aggression against Islamic holy sites, including Mecca, Medina and Al-Aqsa Mosque, but said unverified claims should not be used to inflame regional tensions or divide Muslim countries. The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca, saying their operations target Saudi military and oil facilities. Baqaei also warned about alleged “false flag” operations, arguing that such incidents could be exploited for political purposes. (PC: X)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on September 18 criticised the Election Commission’s interim decision to bar rival Trinamool Congress factions from using the party’s name and “Flowers & Grass” symbol in upcoming West Bengal Assembly bypolls. Gandhi alleged that the BJP and Election Commission were working together to split political parties, citing previous disputes involving Shiv Sena and NCP. He described the situation as “vote chori, government chori, now party chori” and questioned the EC’s constitutional responsibility to protect electoral mandates. The Commission said both TMC factions must choose separate names and free symbols until it reaches a final decision. (PC: AP)