Two Personal Security Officers Arrested in Zubeen Garg Death Investigation
Two personal security officers (PSOs) assigned to protect popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg have been arrested in connection with his death in Singapore last month. The arrests bring the total number of people detained in the case to seven. Assam Police suspended the officers after questioning revealed suspicious financial transactions amounting to lakhs of rupees through their bank accounts. Garg, a cultural icon in Assam, died on September 19 while participating in a festival in Singapore.
Supreme Court Hints at Relaxing Delhi-NCR Firecracker Ban for Diwali
The Supreme Court has hinted at relaxing the absolute ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region for the festive season, reserving its order on allowing the use of certified green crackers. During the hearing, the bench noted that a complete ban was not practical. The Solicitor General proposed allowing green crackers for a two-hour window on Diwali and for limited periods on other festivals. The decision comes amid the annual debate balancing traditions with severe air pollution concerns.
Rolls-Royce to Collaborate with Indian Navy on First Electric Warship
British engineering firm Rolls-Royce has announced its intention to partner with the Indian Navy to design and develop the country's first all-electric warship. Citing its expertise in integrated hybrid-electric and full-electric propulsion systems, such as the MT30 turbine used in the UK's aircraft carriers, the company aims to support India's naval modernisation and self-reliance goals. This collaboration marks a significant technological step for the Indian Navy, moving towards more sustainable and advanced naval power.
NITI Aayog Proposes Decriminalising Minor Tax Offences for Trust-Based System
Government think-tank NITI Aayog has released a working paper calling for a modern, trust-based tax framework. A key recommendation is to decriminalise minor and procedural tax-related offences, reserving imprisonment for cases involving clear fraud or wilful evasion. The paper suggests removing mandatory minimum imprisonment for most offences and relying more on civil penalties. The proposed reforms aim to reduce litigation, enhance ease of doing business, and foster a fairer relationship between taxpayers and the administration.
Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire Deal; US to Deploy Monitors
Israel’s Cabinet has approved the first phase of a US-brokered peace plan, pausing the two-year war in Gaza. The agreement includes the release of remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops. To support the deal, the United States is deploying approximately 200 troops to establish a civil-military coordination centre in Israel. The centre will facilitate humanitarian aid and monitor the ceasefire, though no US troops will enter Gaza itself.
Israel and Hamas Agree to First Phase of US-Brokered Peace Plan
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a US-brokered peace plan, marking a major breakthrough in the two-year war. The agreement, announced by former US President Donald Trump, involves a pause in fighting, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed-upon line. Hamas stated the deal will also allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. India welcomed the development, expressing hope it will pave the way for lasting peace.
Manufacturer of Toxic 'Coldrif' Cough Syrup Arrested After 20 Child Deaths
G. Ranganathan, owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, has been arrested in Chennai in connection with the deaths of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh. The children died after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, which was found to contain dangerously high levels of the toxic industrial chemical diethylene glycol. The arrest was made by a Madhya Pradesh police team, and Ranganathan faces charges including culpable homicide. The syrup has now been banned in at least eight states and union territories.
Afghan Foreign Minister Arrives in Delhi for First High-Level Visit Since Taliban Takeover
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi for a six-day visit, marking the first high-level trip from Kabul since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Muttaqi, who received a UN Security Council travel ban exemption for the visit, is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. India has not formally recognised the Taliban government but maintains a "technical team" in Kabul, engaging on issues of humanitarian aid and security.
Owner of Pharma Firm Linked to Child Deaths Arrested in Chennai
The owner of Sresan Pharma, the company that manufactured the toxic Coldrif cough syrup, has been arrested in Chennai. The arrest follows the deaths of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, allegedly after consuming the syrup. Laboratory tests confirmed the product contained dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial chemical. The proprietor, Ranganathan Govindan, faces charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and adulteration of drugs.
New York Attorney General Letitia James Indicted on Federal Bank Fraud Charges
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led a high-profile civil fraud case against Donald Trump, has been indicted on federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a lending institution. The U.S. Justice Department's probe relates to allegations of mortgage fraud. The indictment has drawn criticism from Democrats, including New York's governor, who called it a "weaponization of the Justice Department," while the Trump administration maintains it is a matter of criminal acts and breaches of public trust.
Afghanistan's Interim Foreign Minister Arrives in Delhi for High-Level Talks
Afghanistan’s Interim Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has arrived in New Delhi for an eight-day visit, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between India and the Taliban regime. Muttaqi is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Discussions are expected to cover counter-terrorism, trade, and humanitarian aid. The visit, facilitated by a UN travel ban waiver requested by India, signals a pragmatic shift in New Delhi's stance towards Kabul.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Meets PM Modi in Mumbai to Boost Trade
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai during his first official visit to India. Starmer is leading the UK's largest-ever trade mission to the country to strengthen economic partnerships. A key focus is the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in July 2024, which aims to boost annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion. During the visit, Starmer also announced that three major Indian studio films will be shot in the UK.
Sri Lankan Navy Detains 30 Indian Fishermen and Seizes Four Trawlers
The Sri Lankan Navy has detained 30 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu and seized their four trawlers, alleging they were poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters. The fishermen, who had set out from Rameswaram, were apprehended in the Palk Bay. Fishermen's associations have strongly condemned the recurring incidents and urged the Indian central government to intervene immediately to secure the release of the fishermen and their boats. The issue remains a persistent source of diplomatic friction between the two nations.
Hungarian Author László Krasznahorkai Wins 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to Hungarian novelist and screenwriter László Krasznahorkai. The Swedish Academy praised him "for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art." Krasznahorkai, 71, is celebrated for his philosophical and often bleakly humorous novels, such as 'Satantango' and 'The Melancholy of Resistance', which frequently unfold in long, complex sentences and explore themes of chaos, decay, and transcendence.
BRS Leaders Placed Under House Arrest Ahead of Bus Fare Hike Protest
Several senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, including K.T. Rama Rao, were placed under house arrest in Hyderabad on Thursday. The police action was taken to prevent them from participating in the party's 'Chalo Bus Bhavan' protest against a recent hike in state-run RTC bus fares. BRS leaders condemned the move as undemocratic, stating they had only planned to peacefully travel by bus to submit a memorandum demanding a rollback of the fare increase, which they argue burdens common citizens.