US Federal Register site briefly used Alibaba's Qwen AI search tool
A US government website briefly offered a search tool powered by Alibaba's Qwen AI model, which was removed as scrutiny grew over the use of Chinese AI in federal systems.
Daily Current Affairs — 18 September 2026
National
Tamil Nadu SC/ST Commission Seeks Report on Alleged Humiliation of Adi Dravida Students
Tamil Nadu's SC/ST Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of an alleged incident in Cuddalore where Adi Dravida students were forced to carry footwear on their heads.
Manipur's Fragile Thaw: Kuki-Zo MLAs Return as Naga Tensions Flare
Manipur sees tentative political openings between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities even as a new Naga-Kuki-Zo fault line escalates in the hills.
Maharashtra FDA Flags 2,800% Markup on Hospital Consumables, Urges NPPA Review
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has flagged markups of up to 2,800% on hospital consumables such as IV sets and asked the NPPA to consider price control.
Punjab Drug Menace Sparks Three-Way Political Row Ahead of Assembly Polls
AAP, BJP and Congress trade charges over Punjab's drug crisis after the Centre classified six districts as ultra-sensitive for drug menace.
Disha Salian's father sends ₹500-crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray, Anil Deshmukh
Satish Salian has sent a ₹500-crore defamation notice to Aaditya Thackeray and Anil Deshmukh over remarks about his pursuit of a fresh probe into Disha Salian's death.
NCB busts inter-State cocaine network, arrests seven including two foreign nationals
NCB's Kochi unit has arrested seven people and seized 33.1 grams of suspected cocaine, claiming to have dismantled an inter-State trafficking network.
Pit Bull Mauls Six-Month-Old in Sonipat, Baby Critical; CCTV Captures Attack
A six-month-old girl is in critical condition after a pit bull attacked her in Haryana's Sonipat. CCTV footage shows the dog dragging the baby as bystanders tried to free her.
Badal's 'Gurpreet-Pay' QR Code Salvo Targets Mann's Wife Ahead of Punjab Polls
Sukhbir Singh Badal alleges CM Bhagwant Mann's wife took money to settle cases, displaying QR code posters he dubbed 'Gurpreet-Pay'. AAP denies the charges.
AAP Councillor Booked in MCD Worker's Suicide Over Rs 15 Lakh Loan
Delhi Police have booked AAP councillor Vijay Kumar for alleged abetment of suicide after an MCD sanitation worker's death, following his wife's complaint over a Rs 15 lakh loan and unpaid salary.
Jaishankar Wraps Up Bhutan Visit With Hydropower, UPI and Dairy Deals
S Jaishankar concluded a three-day Bhutan visit that saw new energy, health, connectivity and digital payments initiatives, plus 54 EVs and 43 Jersey cows handed over.
Rajasthan HC Issues Notices on Plea for 9% Sub-Quota for Bhils Within ST Reservation
Rajasthan High Court has sought responses from the state and central authorities on a plea seeking 9% reservation for the Bhil community within the 12% ST quota.
NHAI to build ₹1.8-crore foot overbridge at Poigai on NH 48
NHAI will construct a ₹1.8-crore foot overbridge at Poigai village on NH 48 to improve pedestrian safety at an accident-prone stretch.
ECI bars both Trinamool factions from party name, symbol in Bengal bypolls
The Election Commission has barred both Trinamool Congress factions from using the party's name and 'flowers and grass' symbol in the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls.
Hyderabad auto driver stabbed to death after confronting daughter's alleged harasser
A 55-year-old auto driver was killed and his son injured in Madannapet after confronting a youth over alleged harassment of his daughter.
Bengaluru Police Arrest Assam Man in Partner's Death After Post-Mortem Reveals Smothering
Bengaluru police have arrested a man from Assam after a post-mortem report indicated his 21-year-old partner died of asphyxia by smothering, not suicide.
Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 notified: new validity terms for children, revised fees
The MEA has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, changing validity for children's 36-page passports and aligning fees with the revised rates effective July 1.
Defence panel: future wars will hinge on sensing and decision speed
A strategic roundtable in Delhi concluded that military advantage is shifting from platforms to the speed of sensing, deciding and adapting.
Harish Rao files criminal defamation case against two Congress leaders
BRS leader T. Harish Rao has moved a Hyderabad court seeking action against TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud and Government Whip Addanki Dayakar over remarks about his Kollur temple visit.
Harvard executive education programmes to begin in Hyderabad this December
Harvard will offer executive education programmes in Hyderabad from December, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has said.
Entertainment
DUSU Polls Blend Campus Tradition With Digital Campaigning
Delhi University's DUSU election campaign combines traditional campus hubs and digital outreach ahead of tomorrow's vote.
FITM Opens 2026-27 Research Fellowships in Traditional Medicine Policy
FITM is inviting applications for its 2026-27 research fellowships in Indian traditional medicine policy, offering 20 positions with monthly stipends of up to Rs 75,000. The deadline is October 11.
NPTEL survey on future funding sparks worry over free courses
A survey hinting at charges for NPTEL's free e-learning material and a possible self-sustaining model from 2027 drew concern online before the platform clarified its intent.
Modha Rathri review: A fateful wedding night becomes a warm, funny meditation on destiny
Raja Karuppasamy's debut Modha Rathri, streaming on Netflix, pairs Rishikanth and Anishma in a comic tale of a wedding night shaped by fate.
GTA 6 soundtrack album revealed with 34 tracks; first six singles out now
The 34-track GTA 6 soundtrack album has been unveiled, with six singles out now. The game launches November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Netflix drops trailer for Mike Tyson docuseries, sets October 13 premiere
Netflix has released the trailer for 'Tyson', a four-part docuseries on the boxing legend premiering October 13, alongside a one-man special debuting November 3.
Phoebe Dynevor confirms marriage to Cameron Fuller with Provence wedding
Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor has confirmed her marriage to producer Cameron Fuller, sharing images from their wedding at a chateau in Provence, France.
World
Russia, China Veto US Bid to Extend UN Iran Sanctions Monitoring
Russia and China blocked a US-drafted resolution to extend the mandate of UN experts monitoring sanctions on Iran, which remain in force.
UN Security Council Vote Fails to Extend Iran Sanctions Expert Panel Mandate
A US-drafted resolution to extend the mandate of the expert panel backing the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee failed in the UN Security Council, with Russia and China voting against.
British woman rescued in Malawi after kidnapping; police officer wounded
A British woman kidnapped in Malawi last week has been rescued, police say, but a senior officer was wounded in the operation.
Argentina's economy grows 2% in Q2, beating forecasts
Argentina's GDP rose 2.0% year-on-year in the second quarter, beating analyst expectations, as mining, agriculture and exports supported activity.
US Sanctions Bill Gives Ukraine New Leverage, but Enforcement Is the Test
The US House passed a long-sought sanctions package targeting Russian officials, banks and oil networks, handing Kyiv fresh leverage — but enforcement rests with the White House.
Ex-Connecticut Budget Official Flees to Greece Ahead of Corruption Sentencing
A former Connecticut budget official convicted of corruption has fled to Greece, prompting a new sentencing date and the suspension of his state pension.
Houthi Advance on Red Sea Coast Threatens Saudi Oil and Rattles Global Markets
Houthi forces have expanded along Yemen's Red Sea coast, disrupting shipping and threatening Saudi oil exports, as mediation efforts struggle to gain traction.
Trinidad and Tobago Lifts Long State of Emergency as Anger Over Mass Arrests Grows
Trinidad and Tobago has ended its prolonged state of emergency, drawing criticism over thousands of arrests and detentions without charges.
Wreckage of LA news helicopter removed as crash probe begins
Charred wreckage of a Los Angeles news helicopter was removed from the crash site Thursday as NTSB officials worked the scene.
Unseasonable Heat Strains Power Grids Serving 100 Million Across North America
Power grids serving over 100 million North Americans are under strain as unseasonable heat drives demand while key equipment sits offline for maintenance.
US Slaps Sanctions on 11 Cuban Nickel and Military Entities
The United States sanctioned 11 Cuban entities tied to nickel reserves and military enterprises, drawing on long-standing tensions over Havana's economy and security posture.
Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal Urges Diplomacy Over Military Force in Middle East
Prince Turki Al-Faisal told the Beijing Xiangshan Forum that Saudi Arabia has pushed for negotiations to end Middle East wars and welcomed China's diplomatic approach.