Vaishno Devi Board Denies Negligence in Wake of Deadly Landslide
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has refuted allegations that it disregarded weather advisories before a massive landslide on August 26 killed 34 pilgrims. The board called the claims "false and baseless," stating that the yatra had been suspended hours before the disaster, which was triggered by an "unforeseen" and "unpredictable" cloudburst. It maintained that the incident occurred in a location historically not prone to landslides and that all standard operating procedures for pilgrim safety were followed.
US Imposes 50% Tariffs on Indian Goods, Sparking Economic and Diplomatic Fallout
The US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, escalating a trade dispute linked to India's continued purchase of Russian oil. The move impacts over half of Indian exports to its largest market, hitting sectors like textiles and jewellery. In response, India has extended duty-free cotton imports until December 31 to aid its textile industry, which faces losses estimated at ₹3,000 crore in Tamil Nadu alone. While government sources state diplomatic channels are open, officials are also strategizing export diversification to 40 new markets.
US-India Trade Tensions Escalate as Trump Aide Blames India for Ukraine War
Relations between the US and India have soured following Washington's imposition of 50% tariffs on certain Indian goods. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro intensified the friction by labelling the Ukraine conflict "Modi's war," linking it to India's purchase of discounted Russian oil. While Indian officials hope to resume trade talks, they maintain that energy imports are a matter of national interest. The tariffs are projected to significantly impact India's exports and GDP growth.
Death Toll from Vaishno Devi Landslide Rises to 34 Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts
The death toll from a massive landslide on the pilgrimage route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 34, with at least 23 others injured. The disaster, triggered by record-breaking rainfall, occurred near Ardhkuwari. Rescue operations involving the Army, CRPF, and local police are continuing as more pilgrims are feared trapped under the debris. The pilgrimage has been suspended, and rail services to Katra have been disrupted due to widespread flooding and soil erosion in the region.
India and Canada Appoint Envoys, Signaling Thaw in Relations
India and Canada have taken a significant step toward normalizing diplomatic relations by appointing new high commissioners to each other's capitals. Senior diplomat Dinesh K. Patnaik will be India's envoy to Ottawa, while Canada has named Christopher Cooter for New Delhi. This move aims to repair ties that were severely strained following Canadian allegations in 2023 of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist, which India had strongly denied, leading to a diplomatic freeze.
High Alert in Bihar After Intelligence on Entry of Pakistani Terrorists
A statewide high-security alert has been issued in Bihar following intelligence inputs that three suspected terrorists from the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed have entered the state via its porous border with Nepal. The Bihar Police have circulated the names and photographs of the suspects—Hasnain Ali, Adil Hussain, and Mohammad Usman. Security has been heightened across the state, particularly at sensitive installations, religious sites, airports, and railway stations, with intensive search operations underway to thwart any potential threats.
Bihar on High Alert as Three Suspected Pakistani Terrorists Enter from Nepal
Bihar Police have issued a statewide high alert following intelligence that three suspected Pakistani terrorists have entered the state via Nepal. Security agencies have circulated sketches and passport details of the individuals, identified as Hasnain Ali, Adil Hussain, and Mohammad Usman. Security has been intensified in border districts, particularly ahead of upcoming state elections. The alert has raised concerns about potential disruptions and terror funding, prompting an intensive search operation and calls for public vigilance.
India Extends Duty-Free Cotton Imports Until December 31
The Indian government has extended the exemption on import duties for cotton until December 31, 2025, a move designed to support the domestic textile industry. The decision to waive the 11% cumulative duty for three more months comes as a direct countermeasure to the steep 50% tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports. The extension aims to enhance the availability of raw cotton, stabilize domestic prices, and help Indian textile exporters maintain their competitiveness in global markets.
ISRO Begins Construction of Second Spaceport for Small Satellite Launches
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has commenced construction of a new rocket launch pad at its second spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The facility, being built on 2,233 acres, is designed to handle 20-25 launches annually, primarily for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) carrying payloads up to 500 kg. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated the project is expected to be completed by December 2026, boosting India's capacity for commercial and private satellite launches.
Minneapolis School Shooter's Weapon Bore 'Nuke India' Message
A shooter who killed two children and injured 17 people at a Minneapolis Catholic school reportedly had "Nuke India" written on one of his firearms. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, also had other extremist messages on the weapons, including "Kill Donald Trump" and "Israel Must Fall." The chilling anti-India slogan has drawn attention to the shooter's motivations, which the FBI is investigating as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime.
Trump Administration Proposes New Visa Restrictions for Students and Journalists
The Trump administration has proposed new regulations that would impose fixed time limits on visas for international students (F visa), cultural exchange visitors (J visa), and foreign journalists (I visa). Currently, these visas are valid for the duration of a program or employment. The change would require visa holders to apply for extensions, creating new hurdles. The administration stated the move is necessary for better monitoring, while critics argue it is part of a broader crackdown on legal immigration.
Mumbai and Kohima Ranked Safest Cities for Women; Delhi and Patna Least Safe
A new report, the National Annual Report & Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025, has ranked Mumbai and Kohima as India's safest cities for women. The nationwide survey of over 12,000 women across 31 cities found that Patna, Jaipur, Delhi, and Kolkata were among the least safe. The report, which placed the national safety score at 65%, linked safer cities to better gender equity and infrastructure, while lower-ranked cities correlated with weaker institutional responsiveness and patriarchal norms.
Two Terrorists Killed as Security Forces Foil Infiltration Bid in Jammu & Kashmir
Security forces neutralized two terrorists during an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district. The joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched based on specific intelligence inputs. According to the Army, troops detected suspicious movement and challenged the intruders, who opened fire. The forces retaliated effectively, killing both terrorists. The operation in the area is still in progress.
Russian Missile and Drone Attack Kills Three, Injures 24 in Kyiv
A large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv has killed at least three people, including a 14-year-old girl, and injured 24 others. Ukrainian authorities reported that a five-story residential building was directly hit in the Darnytskyi district, causing significant destruction. The attack, which affected over 20 locations across the capital, is the first major assault on Kyiv since US President Trump and Russian President Putin met in Alaska to discuss ending the three-year war.
Rajasthan High Court Cancels 2021 Police Sub-Inspector Exam Over Corruption
The Rajasthan High Court has cancelled the 2021 police sub-inspector recruitment examination due to widespread irregularities, including a paper leak and the alleged involvement of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) members. The court ruled that the entire recruitment process was "polluted" by fraud. The exam, for which 859 posts were advertised, had been under investigation by a Special Operations Group, which had arrested over 50 trainee sub-inspectors in connection with the scandal.