India to Launch RBI-Backed Central Bank Digital Currency
Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India will introduce its own digital currency, which will be backed by a Reserve Bank of India guarantee. The move is aimed at simplifying and speeding up transactions, reducing the use of paper currency, and ensuring full traceability. Goyal contrasted this with private cryptocurrencies, stating that while they are not banned, they are heavily taxed to discourage use due to their lack of sovereign backing and inherent risks.
World Bank Raises India's 2025-26 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.5%
The World Bank has revised its GDP growth forecast for India for the 2025-26 fiscal year upward to 6.5% from 6.3%, citing strong domestic consumption and investment. In its latest South Asia Development Update, the bank stated that India is expected to remain the world's fastest-growing major economy. However, it cautioned that US tariffs could impact future growth, downgrading its forecast for the 2026-27 fiscal year to 6.3% from a previous estimate of 6.5%.
UK Prime Minister to Visit Mumbai as City Unveils New Airport and Metro Line
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Mumbai for high-level talks with PM Narendra Modi, focusing on the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit coincides with the inauguration of major infrastructure projects in the city. PM Modi will inaugurate Phase 1 of the ₹19,650 crore Navi Mumbai International Airport, India's largest greenfield airport, and a new 33.5-km underground metro line. These projects are set to significantly enhance Mumbai's transportation network and economic capacity.
Navi Mumbai International Airport's First Phase Inaugurated
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), India's largest greenfield airport project. Built at a cost of approximately ₹19,650 crore, the airport is designed to ease congestion at Mumbai's existing airport and establish the city as a global multi-airport hub. The lotus-inspired design features advanced sustainability and transit systems. The airport is projected to eventually handle 90 million passengers and 3.25 million metric tonnes of cargo annually.
Israel Marks Solemn Two-Year Anniversary of October 7 Hamas Attack
Israel is commemorating the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led attack, the deadliest day in the nation's history, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. The anniversary is marked by memorial events across a divided country, with many bereaved families blaming the government for security failures. The solemn occasion comes as the devastating war in Gaza grinds on and indirect peace talks between Israel and Hamas, centered on a new US proposal, resume in Egypt.
Landslide in Himachal Pradesh Crushes Bus, Killing at Least 15
At least 15 passengers were killed after a massive landslide struck a private bus in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening. The bus, carrying over 30 people, was en route from Marotan to Ghumarwin when it was buried under debris in the Bhalughat area. The incident followed several days of intermittent heavy rains in the region. Police and district administration officials launched immediate rescue operations. The Chief Minister expressed grief over the tragedy and directed officials to expedite relief efforts.
Actor Vijay's Party Appeals to Supreme Court for Independent Karur Stampede Probe
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party founded by actor C. Joseph Vijay, has approached the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe into the Karur stampede that killed 41 people. The party is challenging a Madras High Court order that established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) composed of state police officers. TVK argues that an impartial investigation, potentially led by a former Supreme Court judge, is necessary, citing the High Court's own reservations about the state police's conduct.
Public Health Alert Issued as Contaminated Cough Syrups Linked to Child Deaths
A public health crisis is unfolding as at least 14 children have died in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consuming a contaminated batch of Coldrif cough syrup. An investigation revealed the syrup contained toxic Diethylene Glycol, leading to kidney failure. A doctor has been arrested and an FIR filed against the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer. The events have triggered nationwide alerts, with states like Karnataka and Telangana issuing urgent advisories against the indiscriminate use of cough syrups for children and launching testing drives.
Fire at Jaipur's State-Run Hospital Kills Six ICU Patients
A fire at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur killed at least six critical patients in the Neuro ICU. Officials suspect a short circuit in a storage area caused the blaze. Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings and fled when the fire broke out. The incident caused chaos as thick smoke engulfed the building, destroying medical equipment. The state government has formed a high-level committee to investigate the tragedy.
Bihar Assembly Elections to be Held in Two Phases on November 6 and 11
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections, with polling for the 243 seats to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes is scheduled for November 14. This will be the first election in the state following a controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. With 7.43 crore eligible voters, including 14.01 lakh first-timers, the polls are a major political event for the nation.
Lawyer Attempts to Attack Chief Justice of India in Supreme Court
In an unprecedented security breach, a 71-year-old lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inside his courtroom at the Supreme Court. The lawyer reportedly shouted slogans related to 'Sanatan Dharma' before being apprehended by security. The act drew widespread condemnation from political leaders and legal bodies as an assault on the judiciary's independence. The Bar Council of India immediately suspended the lawyer's license pending disciplinary action. CJI Gavai remained composed and continued with the day's proceedings.
AMD Secures Landmark AI Chip Deal with OpenAI, Challenging Nvidia's Dominance
AMD has announced a multi-year deal to supply artificial intelligence chips to OpenAI, a move poised to generate tens of billions in revenue and disrupt Nvidia's market dominance. The agreement gives the ChatGPT creator the option to acquire up to a 10% stake in AMD. This transformative partnership highlights the immense demand for computing power in the AI industry and provides OpenAI with a crucial hardware supply line as it aims to develop advanced artificial intelligence.
Election Commission to Announce Bihar Assembly Poll Schedule
The Election Commission of India is set to announce the schedule for the Bihar legislative assembly elections today. The term of the 243-member state assembly ends on November 22. The upcoming polls will feature a major contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP and JD(U), and the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan,' which includes the RJD, Congress, and Left parties. Political parties have requested that the polls be held after the Chhath festival in late October.
Supreme Court Issues Notice on Sonam Wangchuk's Detention Under NSA
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the central government and the Ladakh administration on a petition challenging the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk was detained on September 26 following violent protests demanding statehood for Ladakh. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, filed a habeas corpus petition arguing the detention is illegal and unconstitutional. The court will hear the matter again on October 14, bringing national judicial scrutiny to the use of preventive detention laws.
Six Patients Killed in Fire at Jaipur Government Hospital's ICU
A fire in the neuro Intensive Care Unit of Jaipur's state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital has killed six patients who were on critical care support. The blaze, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in a storage area, spread rapidly overnight. The incident has raised serious questions about fire safety standards in public hospitals, leading the state government to remove the hospital superintendent and trauma centre in-charge, announce compensation, and form a high-level committee to investigate the tragedy.