Ladakh Leaders Suspend Talks With Centre Following Deadly Protests
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has announced it will not participate in scheduled talks with the Union Home Ministry until normalcy is restored in Ladakh. The decision follows violent clashes on September 24 where four protesters were killed. The LAB is demanding a judicial inquiry into the deaths and the creation of a conducive atmosphere before resuming dialogue. The talks were intended to address long-standing demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the Union Territory.
Karur Stampede Death Toll Rises to 41; FIR Blames Overcrowding
The death toll from the stampede at a political rally held by actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has risen to 41. An FIR has been registered against three key party functionaries, citing overcrowding and restlessness after Vijay remained in his vehicle for an extended period. The TVK has moved the Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe into the tragedy, alleging it was a conspiracy by the ruling DMK party.
India Wins Asia Cup Amid Trophy Controversy with Pakistan Official
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to win its ninth Asia Cup title in a thrilling final in Dubai. However, the victory was marked by a significant diplomatic controversy during the presentation ceremony. The Indian team refused to accept the winners' trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister. Following the standoff, the trophy was not awarded on the field. The BCCI has announced it will lodge a formal protest.
India Engaged in Free Trade Agreement Talks with US, EU, New Zealand
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India is actively negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several key economic partners, including the United States, the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, and Chile. The talks aim to significantly boost bilateral trade and strengthen economic ties. Goyal also confirmed that the recently signed trade pact with the four-nation EFTA bloc (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein), which includes a $100 billion investment commitment, will come into effect on October 1.
Home Minister Rejects Maoist Ceasefire, Sets 2026 Deadline for Eradication
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has rejected a ceasefire offer from Maoist insurgents, stating there will be no truce. Instead, he urged extremists to lay down their arms and surrender, promising a "red carpet welcome" and that no bullets would be fired on them if they did so. Speaking at a seminar, Shah dismissed arguments that lack of development fueled the violence and set a firm deadline of March 31, 2026, for making India free from Naxalism.
Over 300 Delhi Schools and Multiple Airports Receive Hoax Bomb Threats
More than 300 schools and educational institutes in Delhi, along with several airports across the country, were targeted by a series of bomb threats sent via email. The threats, sent by a group calling itself 'Terrorizers111', prompted immediate responses from police and bomb disposal squads. After thorough searches at all locations, authorities confirmed that the threats were a hoax and nothing suspicious was found. The incident caused significant disruption and alarm, continuing a recent trend of similar hoax threats.
Election Commission Deploys Observers for Bihar Polls and Nationwide Bypolls
The Election Commission of India announced it will deploy 470 central observers for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and by-elections for eight assembly seats across six states and one union territory. The observers, drawn from services including the IAS and IPS, will oversee the electoral process to ensure it is free and fair. The Bihar elections are scheduled for November, with bypolls to be held in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Mizoram, and Odisha around the same time.
Jharkhand CEO Orders Probe into Allegations of MLA Using Fake Identity
Jharkhand's Chief Electoral Officer has ordered an investigation into allegations that sitting JMM MLA Dashrath Gagrai used a fake identity to contest elections. A formal complaint, supported by an affidavit, claims the three-term Kharsawan MLA is actually Ramkrishna Gagrai, the elder brother of the real Dashrath Gagrai. The Seraikela-Kharsawan Deputy Commissioner will conduct the probe. The MLA has dismissed the allegations as baseless, claiming they are politically motivated by a complainant with a criminal record.
Hyderabad Police Bust Major Movie Piracy Racket Involving Hacking and Crypto
Hyderabad's Cybercrime Police have arrested five key members of a sophisticated, multi-state movie piracy network responsible for leaking major Tollywood films on their release day. The investigation revealed the gang used advanced methods, including hacking into digital media company servers to steal HD copies and using camcorders in theatres. The network, which allegedly earned nearly ₹2 crore in cryptocurrency since 2020, used encrypted channels and foreign servers to conceal its activities, impacting films across multiple Indian languages and Hollywood.
Telangana Village Becomes South India's First to be Fully Solar-Powered
Kondareddypally in Telangana has become the first village in Southern India and the second in the country to be fully powered by solar energy. Under a ₹10.53 crore project supported by central subsidy and corporate funding, 514 houses and 11 government buildings were equipped with rooftop solar panels. The initiative not only provides residents with uninterrupted power and eliminates electricity bills but also generates income for the village, which earned approximately ₹5 lakh in September by selling surplus energy back to the grid.
Russia Affirms Respect for India's Independent Foreign Policy
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia fully respects India's independent foreign policy and national interests, emphasizing that India's ties with the US or other nations are not a benchmark for Moscow-New Delhi relations. Speaking at the UN, Lavrov praised India for prioritizing its own interests, particularly concerning its continued purchase of Russian oil despite Western pressure. He highlighted the strong, multi-faceted strategic partnership between the two countries, describing India's stance as a "very worthy response."
Mumbai on 'Red Alert' as Heavy Rains Lash City
Mumbai has been hit by heavy overnight rains, with a 'red alert' issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for continued heavy to very heavy rainfall. Some parts of the city recorded over 100 mm of rain in a 24-hour period, leading to delays in local train services. The IMD has forecast further intense spells accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, raising concerns about waterlogging, especially during high tide. Similar alerts are in place for the neighbouring districts of Thane, Palghar, and Raigad.
Delhi 'Godman' Accused of Molesting 17 Students Arrested in Agra
Self-styled godman Chaitanyananda Saraswati, accused of sexually harassing 17 female students at a Delhi management institute, has been arrested in Agra. The 62-year-old, a former chairman of the institute, had been a fugitive since an FIR was registered in August. He allegedly forced students to his quarters late at night and sent inappropriate messages. Police traced him to a hotel and apprehended him. Authorities had earlier frozen ₹8 crore linked to Saraswati across multiple bank accounts.
Stampede at Political Rally in Tamil Nadu Kills at Least 39
A stampede at a political rally held by actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people, including women and children, with over 80 injured. The tragedy occurred amid massive overcrowding as thousands gathered to see the popular film star. The state government has announced a judicial inquiry into the incident and sanctioned compensation for the victims' families, with Vijay's party also pledging financial assistance to those affected.
India Calls Pakistan 'Epicentre of Terrorism' at UN General Assembly
At the UN General Assembly, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described a neighbouring country, widely understood to be Pakistan, as an "epicentre of global terrorism" where terror hubs operate on an "industrial scale." Without being named, Pakistan responded, prompting an Indian diplomat to state the reaction was an "admission of their longstanding practice of cross-border terrorism." The exchange highlighted India's firm stance on counter-terrorism and its assertion that it will defend its people against cross-border attacks.