Thousands of passengers, including Indians travelling between India and the United Kingdom, faced disruption after a major technical failure in the UK's air traffic control system led to more than 2,000 flight cancellations and widespread delays. The disruption was linked to a technical problem in the flight-processing system operated by National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages air traffic control across the UK. Although the immediate fault was resolved, its effects continued to disrupt airline schedules as aircraft and crew were left out of position following the cancellations and diversions.
Major airports, including London Heathrow and Gatwick, were among those affected. Passengers reported long delays, cancelled services, missed connections and problems with baggage and rebooking as airlines attempted to clear the backlog. The disruption also affected flights connecting India with the UK. Air India and IndiGo services were among the India-UK operations hit by the situation, while other international carriers also made changes to their schedules. Some flights were cancelled or delayed, while others were diverted because of the disruption at UK airports.
The impact was not limited to passengers who were travelling on flights cancelled during the initial outage. As aircraft and flight crews were unable to reach their planned destinations, subsequent services were also affected. This created a knock-on effect across airline schedules, making it difficult for carriers to return to normal operations immediately after the technical issue was fixed.
NATS said the incident was caused by a technical failure and not a cyberattack. The UK government has ordered an investigation into the incident, while the country's aviation regulator is also reviewing what happened. The failure has renewed concerns about the resilience of critical air traffic control infrastructure after previous technical problems have caused significant disruption to UK air travel.
For Indian passengers currently travelling to or from the UK, airlines have advised checking flight information before leaving for the airport. Travellers whose services have been cancelled or significantly delayed may need to contact their respective airlines for rebooking and other assistance. While the air traffic control system has returned to operation, the disruption is expected to take time to fully clear because airlines must reposition aircraft and crews and accommodate passengers affected by cancelled services. The incident has demonstrated how a technical failure in a key aviation system can quickly spread across international routes, affecting passengers far beyond the country where the original problem occurred.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
The Union Cabinet has approved eight railway multi-tracking projects worth ₹20,804 crore across nine states, in a major infrastructure push aimed at reducing congestion and improving the movement of passengers and freight. The projects, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday, will add around 1,196 km of railway tracks across 31 districts. The government has targeted completion by the financial year 2029-30.
The projects will be implemented in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. Of the total investment, three projects worth around ₹10,783 crore will add approximately 656 km of tracks across five states. These include the fourth line between Kharagpur and Jharsuguda, the fourth line between Katni and Pendra Road, and a third line between Bilaspur (Uslapur) and Pendra Road.
Another five projects, estimated at about ₹10,021 crore, will add nearly 540 km of tracks across southern states. These include additional lines on the Arakkonam-Renigunta and Whitefield-Bangarapet routes, along with doubling works between Hosur-Omalur and Salem-Karur-Dindigul. Multi-tracking between Secunderabad (Ghatkesar) and Kazipet is also part of the approval.
According to the government, the projects are expected to increase railway capacity and support an additional 74 million tonnes of freight movement every year. Key commodities likely to benefit include coal, cement, iron and steel, petroleum products, fertilisers, automobiles and foodgrains.
The expanded network is also expected to improve connectivity for around 6,911 villages, covering a combined population of nearly 11 million people. Several of the routes pass through or connect important industrial, mining, tourism and religious centres. The projects are being developed under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on coordinated infrastructure development and improving multimodal connectivity. By adding capacity to busy routes, the government expects smoother train operations and more efficient logistics.
The latest approval comes as Indian Railways continues to expand capacity on heavily used corridors. With additional tracks, passenger and freight trains can potentially operate with fewer conflicts on congested sections, improving the reliability of rail transportation. The ₹20,804-crore investment therefore represents a significant expansion of railway capacity, with the projects expected to strengthen connectivity and support economic activity across nine states once completed.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from TOI.
The Indian Army and the United States Army are set to begin the 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, with the annual bilateral drill aimed at strengthening military cooperation, improving operational coordination and enhancing mutual trust between the two countries. This year's exercise brings a notable Arctic dimension, with Arctic-trained troops from the US Army's 11th Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Wainwright in Alaska, taking part in training at India's high-altitude terrain. The exercise will also include personnel from the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF), bringing advanced long-range precision strike capabilities and modern command-and-control technologies into the joint training programme.
The exercise is scheduled to continue until September 28. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Lieutenant General Joel "JB" Vowell, Deputy Commanding General of US Army Pacific, are expected to attend important training activities during the exercise. Their participation highlights the growing depth of defence cooperation between India and the United States.
Gor said Yudh Abhyas reflects the increasingly strong defence relationship between the two nations, with troops from both sides gaining experience by training alongside one another and developing greater operational trust. Vowell similarly highlighted the practical value of the exercise, saying the annual engagement helps the two militaries exchange knowledge, improve preparedness and demonstrate their shared commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The 2026 edition will feature both a command post exercise and a field training exercise, followed by a joint live-fire demonstration. The demonstration is expected to highlight the digital coordination of multiple Indian and US long-range, precision-fire and rocket systems. The exercise is being conducted under the broader strategic framework of Operation Pathways and also marks a significant development in counter-drone cooperation. For the first time, an advanced Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS) is being deployed in India as part of the exercise.
The inclusion of MLIDS will give troops from both countries an opportunity to train against emerging unmanned aerial threats and develop coordinated responses to rapidly evolving battlefield technologies. Yudh Abhyas 2026 is expected to provide both militaries with valuable experience in high-altitude operations, precision fires, counter-drone warfare and integrated command systems, while further strengthening the wider India-US strategic defence partnership.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini unveiled the latest poster of the upcoming Hindi and Chhattisgarhi film ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’ at his office in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Lead actors Anjali Arora and Dev Sharma, along with producer Prakash Mahobiya, attended the poster launch. Dev Sharma will essay the role of Shri Ram, while Anjali Arora is set to make her feature-film debut as Mata Sita. The film also features Rajneish Duggal as King Ravan and Sheel Verma as Lakshman, Shri Ram’s younger brother.
During the meeting, CM Saini extended his blessings and best wishes to the film's cast and crew ahead of its theatrical release. He also encouraged the young artistes involved in the project. For Anjali Arora, the occasion carried special importance as it marked the beginning of her journey into feature films. She and co-star Dev Sharma both come from Faridabad, Haryana, adding a local connection to their meeting with the Chief Minister.
Speaking about the occasion, Arora said she was grateful to receive the Chief Minister's blessings for her debut film. She described the opportunity to present the poster and have it unveiled by him as a memorable moment, adding that the encouragement had given her greater confidence as she begins her new professional journey.
Dev Sharma said taking on the role of Shri Ram comes with both honour and responsibility. He described meeting the Chief Minister and receiving his blessings as a meaningful experience for the entire team. According to Sharma, the film has been created with deep faith and sincerity, and the makers hope audiences respond to it with the same affection. Producer Prakash Mahobiya said the project has been shaped by faith, dedication and the combined efforts of a large team. He thanked CM Saini for meeting the young artistes, unveiling the poster and encouraging the filmmakers ahead of the release.
The film's team also met Haryana Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rajesh Nagar during their Chandigarh visit. Nagar appreciated the efforts behind the project and extended his best wishes to the cast and makers for its theatrical release. Directed by Abhishek Singh, ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’ has been filmed simultaneously in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi, including its songs. The makers have opted for separate productions in the two languages rather than simply dubbing one version into the other.
The film is presented by AJ Film’s Entertainment World and Ajay Kanojiya and produced by Prakash Mahobiya and Sanjay Bundela. Honey Kuldeep Agarwal and Moni Sen are the co-producers, with the project being made under the banner of Mahobiya Films Production. ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’ is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 25, 2026, in both Hindi and Chhattisgarhi.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Film PR team.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered inspections of PG accommodations across the capital to identify illegal constructions and determine when they were built and which officials were responsible. The MCD has been directed to intensify action against unauthorised structures, including demolitions, while senior officials have been asked to monitor enforcement on the ground. The move follows the Satya Niketan building collapse that killed at least seven people. The MCD has since demolished 24 properties and sealed seven illegal structures. Between June 1 and September 8, the civic body demolished 1,007 properties and sealed 471 others. Five MCD engineers, including the South Zone deputy commissioner, have also been suspended following the collapse.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Singapore is set to increase the salaries of its political officeholders by as much as 9 per cent, marking the first adjustment to ministerial pay in 15 years. The move has renewed debate over how Singapore determines compensation for its political leaders, including whether salaries should continue to be linked to earnings among the country’s highest-paid private-sector professionals. Elakeyaa Selvaraji and Hairianto Diman explore the principles behind Singapore’s political pay framework and the broader question of how public service should be valued. They also discuss the issue with Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law at Singapore Management University (SMU).
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Recent discussions between U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have failed to produce a major breakthrough. Daniel Martin speaks with Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, Professor of Security Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, for further analysis of the developments.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Reform UK has suspended two senior party figures following an undercover investigation that allegedly showed them discussing ways to circumvent electoral rules governing overseas donations. The investigation, conducted by Channel 4 News in collaboration with investigative group Verbatim, was released just before Nigel Farage was due to deliver his speech at the party’s conference in Birmingham. The party has launched an internal investigation into James Orr, its head of policy, and Dan Jukes, a senior adviser to Farage, over their alleged conduct in the footage. Lucy Hough is joined by senior political correspondent Peter Walker to discuss the allegations, the party’s response and what the controversy could mean for Reform UK and Farage.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
As artificial intelligence transforms the job market and changes the skills employers are looking for, workers are increasingly faced with a key question: which skills are truly worth investing in? Cheryl Goh speaks with Chandler Morse, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Workday, about whether businesses are prioritising specialists or generalists, how employees can distinguish genuine workplace demand from AI hype, and the steps they can take to stay relevant as the job market evolves.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
