The Times of India

Carlos Alcaraz marked his remarkable comeback by successfully defending his Japan Open title against Jiri Lehecka, winning 7-6(4), 6-4. Delighted to hoist the trophy again, Alcaraz shared insights into the mental resilience required during his five-month recovery from injury. With renewed vigour, he eagerly anticipates competing in the Shanghai Masters next.

The United States intends to begin reciprocal visits to nuclear facilities in China, aiming to strengthen trust between the two nations. This proactive initiative seeks to avert a possible arms race amidst escalating worries over China's expanding nuclear arsenal. Currently, officials from both sides are engaging in preliminary talks. A pivotal meeting between US and Chinese leaders is expected later this year to enhance dialogue surrounding nuclear risks and capabilities.

In India, live-in relationships hold a legal status that provides certain rights to each partner, though they are not classified as marriage. The judiciary evaluates these relationships by considering aspects like duration and shared duties. Women can pursue maintenance or domestic violence protection if necessary. Children from such unions have rights to inherit their parents' property under specific conditions, emphasizing the need for clear legal documentation to navigate these complexities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Union Cabinet in approving innovative strategies to bolster small businesses and enhance transport infrastructure. The introduction of a Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund aims to empower small and medium enterprises in their growth and tech advancements. Moreover, the formation of the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority seeks to streamline India's logistics and transport operations.

India has been confirmed as a bidder for the 2036 Olympics along with six other nations. The International Olympic Committee is set to select the host in a vote scheduled for 2029. India's proposal centers around Ahmedabad, which aims to leverage its experience hosting events like the Commonwealth Games. Other bidders include Qatar, South Korea, and Germany among others striving for the prestigious event.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's son-in-law Nico Caprez, a former Swiss ski racer, has become one of the chipmaker's most trusted executives, The Information reports. Caprez, who married Madison Huang in Hawaii last month, handles Nvidia's multibillion-dollar neocloud deals. Madison leads physical AI marketing, while son Spencer works in robotics. Some employees say the world's most valuable company now runs much more like a family business.

The US Air Force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile has commenced its flight-test phase in Australia. This program has faced delays, prompting a reduction in overall testing plans to adhere to schedules. Developed alongside the Royal Australian Air Force, it aims for rapid acquisition decisions by 2027. India's hypersonic ambitions are also advancing, recently highlighted by successful testing of a scramjet vehicle.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev revealed that drones targeted two commercial ships in Bulgaria's Exclusive Economic Zone, leading to alarming consequences. The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank after critical damage, while the Able vessel from Palau caught fire. Remarkably, a Bulgarian ferry was able to rescue all 18 crew members, with two suffering serious injuries.

September saw a stellar performance from Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, both nominated for the ICC Player of the Month. Gill shone with 333 runs in ODIs, featuring a remarkable double-century against the West Indies. Abhishek dazzled in T20Is with 229 runs and set a record for the fastest century. Additionally, Shafali Verma and Shree Charani received praise for their outstanding contributions during a thrilling competition.

Francis Halzen has received the Nobel Prize in Physics 2026 for his groundbreaking research at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. This pivotal work has led to the discovery of high-energy neutrinos from cosmic sources, enhancing our comprehension of the universe. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognizes his efforts with an award of 12 million Swedish kronor.

The Uttarakhand state consumer commission found the bus conductor negligent for losing a passenger's suitcase. The passenger filed a complaint after his suitcase went missing on a Delhi-Dehradun bus journey in 2015. Initially awarded Rs 57,500, the compensation was reduced to Rs 25,000 when the passenger failed to prove actual costs. The transport corporation must pay Rs 43,000 in total compensation and litigation charges.

In a bold move to counteract Houthi insurgents, Saudi-backed Yemeni military forces have initiated Operation Yemen Dawn, bolstered by a coalition of 100 Saudi fighter jets. The offensive reportedly succeeded in reclaiming significant territories, including the strategic Dhubab airport and Mokha. However, the authenticity of these claims is yet to be independently verified, while the Houthis are challenging the narrative, asserting no losses and launching counterattacks on Saudi positions.

At 19, Zain Javaid has raised $11 million to build Ghost, an AI hardware startup developing Core, a $3,499 personal AI computer. After abandoning a career in quantitative finance, Javaid became interested in AI agents that could understand users digital lives and act on their behalf. Core is designed to run AI models locally, bringing together data from computers, apps, wearables and smart-home devices while keeping personal information on the device, according to Ghost.

Delhi Police arrested a 24-year-old man named Nadeem Ahmed for creating a fake poster featuring a police officer. Police said the poster falsely depicted the officer sexually assaulting a woman during a protest, intending to damage police credibility. Investigators said Nadeem claimed to be an independent journalist and used AI tools for his misleading content.

A man-portable air defense missile observed in Russian exercises has drawn attention for its possible origins. Analysts speculate it may be linked to Iranian or Chinese designs rather than Russian ones. The missile, referred to as 'Iva' by Russian personnel, resembles Iranian Misagh-3 and Chinese QW-series systems. Russia's existing arsenal includes advanced MANPADS systems aimed at low-flying threats.

Neal Froneman leads a consortium aiming to construct a $402 million Formula 1 circuit near Cape Town, marking a potential revival of South African motorsport after nearly 40 years. Currently in the pre-feasibility phase, the circuit is designed to accommodate 125,000 fans and will include a media complex and entertainment spots. If the endeavor succeeds, it could generate over 15,000 local jobs, enhancing tourism and the economy.

As schools reopen, many parents engage in the tradition of covering schoolbooks with brown paper. This activity provides a sense of organization and control during periods of uncertainty. Parents often express care through practical actions like preparing schoolbooks. The habit may also create a nostalgic connection between parents and their childhood experiences. Ultimately, this simple task can carry multiple layers of emotional significance for families.

Kumartuli, an iconic neighborhood in Kolkata, showcases the unique tradition of crafting Durga idols from clay. A significant aspect of this practice involves gathering soil from the thresholds of sex workers, which holds sacred meaning in Bengali heritage. This inclusion reflects a profound connection between faith and societal acceptance, stirring dialogue about purity and respect for all communities, particularly those often sidelined during significant cultural events like Durga Puja.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra hit out at Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over the Form 6 controversy, accusing the Opposition of creating confusion and undermining constitutional institutions. Patra also defended the Election Commission amid the ongoing row over voter-list revisions and the Oppositions planned protest.

The 44.5-km Sivok-Rangpo railway line is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 17,124 crore and will provide Sikkim with its first direct railway connection. The Rangpo-Gangtok line would serve as an extension of the railway network once the ongoing Sivok-Rangpo project, connecting Sivok in Darjeeling with Rangpo in East Sikkim, is completed.

'Drishyam 3: The Conclusion' stands on the brink of entering the prestigious Rs 200 crore domestic net club on Day 5, boasting an impressive Rs 199.78 crore cumulative collection so far. Despite experiencing its first standard weekday drop with Rs 21 crore net on Day 4, the Ajay Devgn and Tabu starrer maintains an unbeatable pace. With worldwide gross surpassing Rs 303 crore, the thriller now sets sights on Rs 225 crore and Rs 250 crore milestones.

Tensions are escalating in the Strait of Hormuz after UKMTO reported that two oil tankers and an LPG carrier were struck by unknown projectiles over the weekend, with the latest incident triggering a fire aboard a tanker. The attacks came alongside an IRGC warning that forced another tanker to turn back or face being targeted, intensifying fears over the safety of commercial shipping in the strategic waterway as investigations continue.#StraitOfHormuz #Iran #IRGC #Tanker #MaritimeSecurity #RedSe

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy says he inspected extensive damage at the American embassy in Riyadh from an Iranian drone strike, warning that the attack could have caused a mass casualty event had it occurred during working hours.Murphy also met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of a wider Middle East tour focused on assessing war damage, discussing the Iran conflict with regional partners and meeting officials involved in efforts to end the fighting.

Donald Trump unleashed another round of fake news attacks at reporters, clashing with CNNs Kristen Holmes after she raised a poll showing his approval among Latino voters at 27%. Trump dismissed the numbers and hit back at CNN, before also firing fake news at CBS reporter Nancy Cordes over a question about his sudden push for mail-in voting. The back-to-back clashes put Trumps combative media exchanges back in the spotlight.

Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir was detained by West Bengal Police from his party office in Murshidabad as voting continued in the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll. Kabir, who had cast his vote earlier, accused police of interfering with polling at several booths and alleged that 64 people had been detained over the past two months. He also claimed police were hijacking the voting process. Rejinagar is among two constituencies voting in the bypolls, along with Nandigram. The contest

Karl Deisseroth received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for pioneering optogenetics. Following the announcement, he swiftly returned to his family routine by preparing sandwiches for his children. His wife, Dr. Michelle Monje-Deisseroth, was less surprised by the news due to Karl's work ethic. Their son, Alexander, and teenage children expressed pride in their father's achievement.

DeKalb County has approved an initiative to transform the empty Presidential Hotel into modern market-rate apartments. This $53.3 million project will feature 282 residential units, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts, with expected completion by the end of next year. Local residents have welcomed this development as a major enhancement to the community's housing options.