Renowned Kannada Novelist and Padma Bhushan Awardee S.L. Bhyrappa Dies at 94
Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa, one of Kannada literature's most celebrated and widely read novelists, has passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 94. The Padma Bhushan and Saraswati Samman awardee was known for 25 novels, including classics like 'Parva' and 'Vamshavriksha', which explored complex philosophical and social themes. His works, translated into multiple languages, had a profound impact on Indian literature, leaving a legacy as a towering figure in the nation's cultural landscape.
Assam Government Bans Organiser Following Singer Zubeen Garg's Death
The Assam government has prohibited event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and his associated organisations from holding any functions in the state. The decision follows widespread public anger over the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg, who drowned in Singapore just before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival, organised by Mahanta. The state's Crime Investigation Department is probing the circumstances of the singer's death, and the government has also urged the Centre to withhold assistance to the organiser.
Cabinet Approves 78-Day Productivity Bonus for 1.1 Million Railway Employees
The Union Cabinet has approved a productivity-linked bonus equivalent to 78 days of wages for approximately 1.1 million non-gazetted railway employees. The payout, totalling ₹1,886 crore, is an annual tradition before the Dussehra and Durga Puja festival season and serves as an incentive for staff. The decision recognizes the Railways' strong performance in the past year, during which it achieved record freight loading and passenger numbers, providing a festive financial boost to a vast workforce.
Trump Accuses India and China of Funding Ukraine War at UN General Assembly
US President Donald Trump, addressing the UN General Assembly, accused India and China of being "primary funders" of the Ukraine war through their continued purchases of Russian oil. The statement comes amid strained US-India trade relations, with Washington recently imposing punitive tariffs on New Delhi over the issue. Trump also urged European nations to cease all Russian energy imports and stated that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace, escalating geopolitical tensions.
Torrential Rains Paralyse Kolkata, Claiming at Least Four Lives
Torrential overnight rain has inundated Kolkata, causing at least four deaths due to electrocution and bringing the city to a standstill. Widespread waterlogging submerged arterial roads, crippling traffic and public transport, including the suspension of Metro and Eastern Railway services on several stretches. Some areas received over 300 mm of rain in a few hours. The India Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rainfall as a low-pressure area forms over the Bay of Bengal.
Rupee Hits Record Low Against Dollar; Gold Surges Past ₹1.18 Lakh
The Indian rupee fell 47 paise to an all-time low of 88.75 against the US dollar, driven by foreign fund outflows following a steep hike in US H-1B visa fees expected to impact India's IT exports. This currency depreciation, combined with strong global demand for safe-haven assets, caused gold prices to surge by ₹2,700 to a new peak of ₹1,18,900 per 10 grams in the national capital. Silver prices also skyrocketed to an all-time high.
Supreme Court Allows CBI to Widen Probe into Builder-Bank-Homebuyer Fraud
The Supreme Court has permitted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register six more cases in its expanding probe into an alleged nexus between real estate developers and banks that duped thousands of homebuyers. The investigation, which initially focused on the Delhi-NCR region, will now include projects in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mohali, and Prayagraj. The court's decision follows a CBI preliminary enquiry that revealed cognisable offences, signalling a major crackdown on systemic real estate fraud nationwide.
US Indicates Doctors May Be Exempted From $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
The White House has indicated that doctors and medical residents may be exempted from the new, steep $100,000 H-1B visa application fee. A spokesperson confirmed that the executive order contains provisions for waivers if hiring a foreign worker is deemed to be in the US "national interest." This potential policy shift follows widespread concern from medical organizations that the fee would deter international medical graduates, exacerbating physician shortages in underserved areas and significantly impacting Indian applicants.
Ayodhya Development Authority Rejects Plan for Mosque Construction
The Ayodhya Development Authority has rejected the construction plan for a mosque in Dhannipur village, which was to be built as part of the 2019 Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case. According to a Right to Information (RTI) query, the application was rejected because the mosque trust failed to obtain mandatory no-objection certificates from several government departments, including fire services and public works. The trust secretary stated they had not received any official communication about the rejection.
Super Typhoon Ragasa Barrels Towards Southern China and Hong Kong
Southern China and Hong Kong are on high alert as Super Typhoon Ragasa, one of the region's most powerful storms in years, approaches with sustained winds of 230 kph. The typhoon has already caused at least three deaths and displaced thousands in the Philippines. In anticipation of landfall, authorities in major Chinese cities like Shenzhen have ordered the closure of schools, businesses, and transport systems. Hong Kong has raised storm signals, preparing for significant flooding and disruption.
US-India Tensions Simmer Over Tariffs and Russian Oil Purchases
Tensions between the United States and India continue over trade and foreign policy, particularly New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope that the recently imposed 25% punitive tariffs on India could be "fixed," even as President Trump publicly criticized India's energy policy. Despite the strain, US officials reiterated that the relationship with India is of "critical importance," and both sides continue to engage in trade negotiations to find a resolution.
Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji Win First National Film Awards; Mohanlal Honoured
At the 71st National Film Awards, Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared the Best Actor award for 'Jawan' and '12th Fail' respectively, while Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway'. This marked the first National Award for both Khan and Mukerji. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s '12th Fail' was named Best Feature Film. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Indian cinema's highest honour, for his five-decade career.
Building Collapse in Indore Kills Two, Injures Over a Dozen
A three-storey residential building in Indore's Ranipura area collapsed following heavy rains, killing two people and injuring at least 12 others from a single family. Joint rescue teams, including the SDERF, worked for hours to pull survivors from the debris. Preliminary reports suggest the eight-year-old building may have had a weak foundation, which could have been compromised by water accumulation. An official investigation into the cause of the tragic collapse is now underway.
WhatsApp Launches Real-Time, On-Device Message Translation
Meta is rolling out a real-time translation feature for its WhatsApp messaging service, enabling users to instantly translate messages within chats. To use it, users can long-press a message and select "Translate." The feature, which will initially support a selection of languages on Android and iOS, is designed with privacy in mind, as all translations occur directly on the user's device rather than on Meta's servers. This ensures the content of the translated chats remains private.
Next-Generation GST Reforms Implemented, Slashing Rates on Essentials
The government has rolled out its next-generation GST reforms, consolidating most goods into two main slabs of 5% and 18%. This significant tax overhaul reduces or eliminates taxes on daily essentials like food and medicine, with many items previously taxed at 12% now in the 5% bracket. The government projects the reforms will boost household savings, simplify compliance for businesses, especially MSMEs, and encourage domestic manufacturing as part of a nationwide 'GST Savings Festival'.