Muslim Personal Law Board Postpones 'Bharat Bandh' Against Waqf Act
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has postponed its planned nationwide protest, or 'Bharat Bandh', against the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. The protest, scheduled for October 3, was deferred due to an overlap with religious festivals of other communities. The AIMPLB clarified that while the bandh is on hold, its broader protest movement against the controversial legislation will continue, and a new date for the nationwide strike will be announced soon.
Taliban Denies Internet Ban, Blames Outages on Infrastructure Work
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has denied reports that it imposed a nationwide internet ban, which led to a widespread communications blackout affecting aid operations and commerce. A spokesperson claimed the disruptions were caused by the replacement of old and "decaying fibre optic infrastructure." The statement follows reports from internet watchdogs about collapsing connectivity across the country. Humanitarian organizations have expressed concern, as reliable communication is essential for delivering life-saving assistance in the region.
OpenAI Unveils Sora 2, Its Most Advanced AI Video Generator
OpenAI has launched Sora 2, a significantly more powerful version of its text-to-video AI model that can now generate realistic scenes with synchronized dialogue and physically accurate motion. In a parallel move, the company released a TikTok-style social app, currently invite-only, where users can create "cameos" of themselves within AI-generated videos. The release marks a major leap in generative AI capabilities, heralding new possibilities for media creation while also intensifying the debate around AI-generated content.
Primatologist and Conservation Icon Jane Goodall Dies at 91
Dr. Jane Goodall, the pioneering British primatologist whose groundbreaking research transformed the understanding of chimpanzees and their connection to humans, has died at 91. Her work at Gombe Stream in Tanzania revealed that chimps make tools and have complex social lives. She later became a tireless global advocate for environmental conservation through the Jane Goodall Institute. Her extraordinary legacy has inspired generations of scientists, activists, and conservationists worldwide, particularly opening doors for women in science.
Trump Unveils Gaza Peace Plan, Drawing International Welcome
US President Donald Trump has announced a comprehensive 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza. The proposal calls for the release of all hostages within 72 hours, a phased Israeli withdrawal, large-scale humanitarian aid, and international oversight for Gaza's reconstruction. The initiative has been welcomed by Palestine, a coalition of Arab nations, and other world leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the plan as a "viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace" in West Asia.
Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake in Central Philippines Kills at Least 31
A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines, killing at least 31 people and injuring more than 100. The shallow quake, centered near Bogo city in Cebu province, caused houses and buildings to collapse, damaged roads, and triggered landslides. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue in the affected areas. The natural disaster compounds the humanitarian challenge for a region that was still recovering from a deadly storm just days earlier.
Crimes Against Children in India Rose by 9.2% in 2023, NCRB Data Shows
India registered 1,77,335 cases of crime against children in 2023, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. Kidnapping and abduction (45%) and sexual offences under the POCSO Act (38.2%) were the most prevalent crimes. The data shows a crime rate of 39.9 per one lakh children, up from 36.6 in 2022. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest absolute number of cases.
YouTube to Pay $22 Million in Settlement with Donald Trump
YouTube has agreed to a $22 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump over the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The funds will be directed to a non-profit for the construction of a new White House State Ballroom. This is the latest in a series of multi-million dollar settlements Trump has reached with major tech companies, including Meta and X, challenging his deplatforming after the incident.
Mahatma Gandhi Statue Vandalised in London; Indian Mission Condemns Act
A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London's Tavistock Square was vandalised just days before Gandhi Jayanti. The Indian High Commission strongly condemned the desecration as a "shameful act" and a "violent attack on the idea of non-violence." The mission has reported the incident to local authorities and is coordinating efforts to restore the monument, which was unveiled in 1968 near where Gandhi studied law. British police and the local council are investigating the incident.
Nine Migrant Workers Killed in Chennai Construction Accident
Nine migrant workers from Assam died after scaffolding at an under-construction building collapsed at the Ennore Thermal Power Station in Chennai. The workers were reportedly at a height of over 20 feet, building a concrete arch for the power project, when the structure gave way. One other worker was injured. The Tamil Nadu government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each victim's family and ordered an investigation into the incident, which has reignited concerns over construction site safety.
Pakistan and IMF Begin Review Talks for $7 Billion Loan Program
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has arrived in Pakistan to begin a two-week review of the country's $7 billion Extended Financing Facility (EFF). The talks, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, will assess performance against targets set for June 2025, which have been mixed. Notably, revenue collection has fallen short by nearly 1% of GDP. The discussions will focus on agreeing to corrective measures to meet future targets and push for faster implementation of economic reforms.
Election Commission Publishes Final Electoral Roll for Bihar Ahead of Polls
The Election Commission of India has published the final electoral roll for Bihar, a crucial step ahead of the state's upcoming Assembly elections. The list was finalized after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise that resulted in the deletion of approximately 65 lakh names from the draft roll due to reasons like death or relocation. The process has been contentious, with opposition parties alleging it could disenfranchise genuine voters, a claim the EC has denied, stating the revision was essential for accuracy.
US Unveils Gaza Peace Plan; India and Arab Nations Welcome Initiative
The White House has released a comprehensive peace plan to end the Israel-Hamas war, announced by US President Donald Trump alongside Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire and the return of all hostages within 72 hours. It has received broad international support, with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming it as a "viable pathway to long-term peace." A joint statement from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, and Egypt also welcomed the effort.
Death Toll in Karur Stampede Rises to 41; Judicial Probe Begins
The death toll from a stampede at a political rally held by actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has risen to 41, including women and children. Over 100 people are still being treated in hospitals. The incident occurred due to severe overcrowding. In response, the state government has constituted a one-member judicial commission headed by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the tragedy. The TVK party has approached the Madras High Court alleging a conspiracy.
Canada Designates Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a Terrorist Entity
Canada has officially listed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity under its criminal code, citing its engagement in murder, extortion, and creating a climate of fear within diaspora communities. The designation empowers Canadian law enforcement to freeze or seize the transnational crime syndicate's assets and prosecute individuals knowingly providing funds or resources to the group. The move follows growing concerns over the gang's violent activities and comes weeks after talks between the Indian and Canadian National Security Advisers.