Suspected IED Blast Damages Railway Track in Assam, Disrupting Train Services
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on a railway track in Assam's Kokrajhar district, disrupting train services across Lower Assam and parts of north Bengal. The midnight blast damaged about three feet of the track, forcing an overnight suspension of operations and detaining at least eight trains. While there were no casualties, the incident has prompted heightened security measures and an investigation by state police, railway authorities, and intelligence agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of this act of sabotage.
Vedanta Group Pledges ₹1,00,000 Crore Investment in Odisha
Mining conglomerate Vedanta Group has proposed a massive investment of ₹1,00,000 crore in Odisha to develop downstream industries. Following a meeting between Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the company announced plans for a ferro-alloys plant in Keonjhar and two new Aluminium Parks. These projects aim to produce high-grade alloys for aerospace, EV, and defence sectors, significantly boosting the state's economy and MSME sector. The state government has assured full support.
US President Claims India Will 'Almost Stop' Buying Russian Oil by Year-End
US President Donald Trump has claimed that India has communicated its intention to significantly reduce its purchase of Russian crude oil, bringing imports down to "almost nothing" by the end of the year. The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and New Delhi over trade tariffs and India's energy relationship with Moscow. India has not officially confirmed this policy shift. Trump's remarks highlight continued US pressure on its partners to isolate Russia economically over the war in Ukraine.
Trump Warns Israel It Would Lose All US Support if West Bank is Annexed
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Israel, stating it would lose all support from the United States if it proceeds with annexing the occupied West Bank. In an interview, Trump emphasized that such a move would violate commitments made to Arab nations and undermine regional stability efforts. His comments come as top U.S. officials visit the region to reinforce a fragile Gaza ceasefire, and coincide with Israeli lawmakers advancing bills related to West Bank annexation.
Trump Claims India Will Drastically Cut Russian Oil Imports by Year-End
US President Donald Trump claimed that India has assured him it will significantly reduce its oil imports from Russia by the end of the year, bringing them "down to almost nothing." The statement has drawn sharp criticism in India, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stating that the US President should not be announcing India's policy decisions. The claim highlights ongoing diplomatic pressure from Washington on New Delhi regarding its energy and trade ties with Moscow.
Reddit Sues AI Firm Perplexity for Unlawful Data Scraping
Social media platform Reddit has filed a lawsuit in New York against AI startup Perplexity, accusing it of unlawfully scraping vast amounts of user-generated content to train its AI-based search engine. Reddit alleges that Perplexity worked with data-scraping companies to circumvent its protective measures. The lawsuit is one of several recent cases where content owners are taking legal action against AI firms for using their material without permission or licensing, highlighting the growing legal battle over data rights in the AI era.
Navy Receives First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warship, INS Mahe
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has delivered INS Mahe, the first of eight indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), to the Indian Navy. The 78-metre-long warship is equipped for underwater surveillance, mine-laying, and low-intensity maritime operations. The delivery marks a significant step in India's 'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat' initiative, enhancing the country's defence manufacturing capabilities and boosting the Navy's coastal anti-submarine warfare strength with a vessel containing over 90% indigenous content.
Former Administrative Officer Arrested in Sabarimala Gold Theft Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala temple has arrested former administrative officer B Murari Babu. He is accused of being a key conspirator in the theft of gold-plated panels from the temple's sanctum sanctorum between 2019 and 2024. The arrest follows a preliminary inquiry that pointed to serious lapses by Babu and other officials. This is a major development in the high-profile case being monitored by the Kerala High Court.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny 5-Door Exports From India Cross 100,000 Mark
Maruti Suzuki announced that its Jimny 5-door SUV, manufactured exclusively in India, has surpassed 100,000 units in cumulative exports. The model is now shipped to over 100 countries, including quality-conscious markets like Japan and Australia. The milestone highlights India's growing role as a global manufacturing and export hub for the automotive industry. The Jimny 5-door is the second most exported model from Maruti Suzuki, showcasing the international appeal of vehicles designed and built in India.
US President Claims India Pledged to Reduce Russian Oil Imports
US President Donald Trump stated that he spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and received assurances that India is significantly cutting back on oil purchases from Russia. The conversation reportedly occurred during a phone call for Diwali greetings. This claim, repeated multiple times by Trump, suggests a potential shift in India's energy policy amid US pressure on Moscow over the Ukraine war. The development has stirred political debate in India, with the opposition questioning the government's transparency on foreign policy matters.
Belgian Court Paves Way for Mehul Choksi's Extradition to India
A Belgian court has rejected fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s arguments against his extradition to India in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. The Antwerp Court of Appeals dismissed his claims of potential unfair treatment or torture as unsubstantiated, finding the offences extraditable under both Indian and Belgian law. The ruling marks a major breakthrough for Indian investigative agencies, clearing a significant legal hurdle in the effort to bring the high-profile accused back to face trial.
Supreme Court Seeks Centre's View on PIL for Nationwide Online Gambling Ban
The Supreme Court has asked the central government for assistance regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks a nationwide ban on online gambling and betting platforms. The plea argues that many such platforms operate under the guise of e-sports, causing significant social and economic harm. The petition calls for prohibiting monetary transactions to unregistered gaming apps and launching investigations into offshore companies for alleged tax evasion, a move that could reshape the country's multi-crore online gaming industry.
Assam Government to Introduce Bills on 'Love Jihad' and Polygamy
The Assam state government plans to introduce bills targeting 'love jihad' and polygamy in the upcoming Assembly session. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the legislative proposals, which are currently being drafted, will be presented once approved by the state cabinet. The move signals a significant policy push aligned with the government's socially conservative agenda, potentially leading to new laws that would have major social and legal ramifications within the state and fuel national debate on these contentious issues.
Delhi's Air Quality Remains in 'Very Poor' Category Amid Unfavourable Weather
Air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be in the 'very poor' category, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 362 on Thursday morning. Some areas, like Anand Vihar, even slipped into the 'severe' category with an AQI of 428. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) II remains in effect. Meteorological officials have warned that low wind speeds and calm nighttime conditions are preventing the dispersion of pollutants, suggesting that the city's air quality is unlikely to improve in the coming days.
Telangana Abolishes All Transport Department Check Posts
The Telangana government has officially abolished all transport department check posts across the state in a significant administrative reform aimed at enhancing efficiency and curbing corruption. The move follows anti-corruption stings that revealed instances of bribery at several posts. The department will now pivot to technology, using AI and integrated digital platforms like Vahan and Sarathi to monitor vehicular movement and office activities, aiming for a more transparent and citizen-friendly system without physical barriers for commercial vehicles.