Commerce Minister to Visit Brussels to Advance India-EU Trade Pact Negotiations
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Brussels on October 27-28 for high-level talks aimed at providing political impetus to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The visit is crucial as both sides work towards a December deadline to conclude the comprehensive pact. Discussions with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will focus on key areas like market access and regulatory cooperation. A successful agreement would significantly impact bilateral trade, which stood at $136.5 billion in 2024-25.
US Escalates Trade Spat, Imposes Additional 10% Tariff on Canada
The US has imposed an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods, escalating a trade dispute triggered by a Canadian anti-tariff advertisement featuring late US President Ronald Reagan. President Donald Trump, who called the ad a "fraud" and a "hostile act," announced the new tariffs just days after terminating trade talks. The move adds to existing high tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos, further straining economic relations between the two major trading partners and North American neighbors.
Direct Flights Between India and China Resume After Four-Year Hiatus
Direct commercial air travel between India and mainland China resumed after a suspension of over four years, with an IndiGo flight departing from Kolkata for Guangzhou. Services were halted in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained suspended amid subsequent border tensions. The resumption of the daily non-stop route is a significant step towards normalizing bilateral ties, expected to boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections between the two nations and re-establish Kolkata as a key aviation hub.
India Deepens Maritime Ties with ASEAN, Declares 2026 as Year of Cooperation
Addressing the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 2026 as the "ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation." The initiative aims to enhance collaboration in maritime security, disaster relief, and the blue economy. Reaffirming that ASEAN is a cornerstone of India's 'Act East Policy,' he highlighted the strategic partnership as a foundation for global stability. Leaders also adopted a joint statement on sustainable tourism, committing to environmental protection and community empowerment in the travel sector.
21 Maoist Cadres, Including Senior Leaders, Surrender in Chhattisgarh
In a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency, 21 cadres, including four divisional committee members and 13 women, surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district. They turned over a cache of 18 weapons, including AK-47s and INSAS rifles. This event is part of a recent trend of mass surrenders in the Bastar region, attributed to the success of the state's 'Poona Margem' rehabilitation initiative. The development marks a major step forward for security forces in weakening the extremist movement in its core territory.
Supreme Court to Hear Bail Pleas of Activists in 2020 Delhi Riots Case
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear bail pleas from activists including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for an alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. The accused are challenging a Delhi High Court order that denied them bail. Having been incarcerated for over five years, their petitions raise crucial questions about prolonged detention under stringent anti-terror laws and personal liberty, making the hearing a significant legal event with national implications.
Andhra Pradesh on High Alert as Cyclone Montha Approaches
The Andhra Pradesh government has placed several districts, including Chittoor and NTR, on high alert as Cyclone Montha intensifies in the Bay of Bengal. An orange alert has been issued, with authorities directed to take all precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property. Command control centers and 24-hour helplines have been established, while disaster response teams are on standby. Officials are identifying dilapidated buildings for evacuation and have warned fishermen against venturing into the sea.
Madras High Court Recognises Cryptocurrency as Legally Protected 'Property'
In a landmark ruling with wide-ranging implications, the Madras High Court has held that cryptocurrency qualifies as "property" under Indian law. The court stated that although intangible, it is an asset capable of being owned, transferred, possessed, and held in trust. This judgment provides significant legal clarity on the status of virtual digital assets in India. The decision aligns with judicial trends in other countries and could influence future regulation, taxation, inheritance, and contractual enforcement involving cryptocurrencies in the country.
New York Times' Daily Puzzle 'Strands' Challenges Word Game Enthusiasts
The New York Times' word puzzle game, Strands, continues to captivate players looking for a challenge beyond Wordle. In the game, players must find themed words within a 6x8 grid of letters, culminating in the discovery of a 'spangram' that describes the puzzle's theme. Today's theme, "Fall-ing," required finding seven autumn-related words like FOLIAGE, HARVEST, and PUMPKINS, with the spangram being AUTUMN. The game offers a fresh daily test of vocabulary and lateral thinking for puzzle aficionados.
US and China Hold High-Stakes Talks to Avert Trade War Escalation
Top economic officials from the U.S. and China are meeting in Kuala Lumpur to prevent an escalation of their trade war. The talks aim to resolve disputes over China's new export controls on rare earth minerals and expanded U.S. technology blacklists. A successful outcome is seen as crucial for salvaging a planned meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea, where they could potentially agree on interim tariff relief and other measures.
India Slams Pakistan at UN Security Council, Demands End to Repression in PoK
At a UN Security Council meeting, India strongly rebuked Pakistan, stating that democracy and constitutionalism are "alien concepts" to Islamabad. India's Permanent Representative, P. Harish, called on Pakistan to end grave human rights violations in the territories it illegally occupies, where he said the population is in open revolt against military repression and exploitation. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and its people exercise their rights within India's democratic framework.
Cyclone Montha Prompts Red Alert Across Coastal Andhra Pradesh
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for at least 12 districts in Andhra Pradesh as a brewing depression in the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into Cyclone Montha. The storm is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam on October 28 with wind speeds of 90-100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph. Authorities are on high alert, establishing control rooms, preparing relief centres, and advising fishermen not to venture into the sea.
IMF Projects Indian Economy to Grow at 6.6% in FY26, Outpacing China
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the Indian economy will grow at 6.6% in the 2025-26 fiscal year, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies. The upward revision is attributed to strong economic performance in the first quarter. This growth rate is set to surpass China's projected 4.8% growth. The IMF noted that strong domestic consumption is a key driver for India, while warning that global growth is expected to slow slightly in 2026.
FATF Warns Pakistan that Greylist Exit Does Not Grant Immunity from Scrutiny
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has cautioned Pakistan that its removal from the 'greylist' in 2022 does not mean it is immune from global scrutiny over terror financing and money laundering. FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo stressed that all jurisdictions, including those delisted, must remain vigilant. The warning comes amid reports of Pakistan-based terror groups using digital wallets to fund their activities, a risk highlighted in recent FATF reports and India's own national risk assessment.
Pakistan Warns of 'Open War' With Afghanistan if Peace Talks Fail
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned of a potential "open war" with Afghanistan if the latest round of peace talks in Istanbul fails to produce an agreement. The talks, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, aim to create a lasting mechanism to enforce a recent ceasefire following deadly border clashes. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering militants who launch attacks into Pakistan, a charge the Taliban denies. The heightened rhetoric signals a dangerous escalation in tensions between the two neighboring countries.