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.
UN 'Snapback' Sanctions on Iran's Nuclear Program Reimposed
United Nations sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program have been reimposed after a 'snapback' mechanism was triggered by the UK, France, and Germany. The move, designed to be veto-proof, comes after they declared Iran non-compliant with the 2015 nuclear deal. The sanctions freeze Iranian assets, halt arms deals, and penalize ballistic missile development. The action follows Iran enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade levels and restricting international inspections, heightening tensions amid the wider conflict in the Middle East.
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.
US to Impose 100% Tariff on All Foreign-Made Films
US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States. In a social media post, Trump stated the move was necessary to combat the "stealing" of the American movie-making business by other countries offering production incentives. The policy is expected to significantly impact global film industries that rely on the lucrative US market, including India's prolific Bollywood and other regional film sectors, which are popular among the Indian diaspora.
Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 66,000 as Israel Works on New Ceasefire Plan
The death toll in Gaza has climbed to over 66,000, according to the territory's Health Ministry, as the conflict with Israel continues. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel is working with the U.S. on a new ceasefire plan ahead of a meeting with President Donald Trump. According to Arab officials, the proposal includes an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas within 48 hours, followed by a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.
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.
Typhoon Bualoi Kills at Least 9 in Vietnam, 17 Fishermen Missing
After hitting the Philippines, former Typhoon Bualoi has ripped through central Vietnam as a tropical storm, causing at least nine deaths and widespread destruction. The storm brought heavy rains and strong winds, leading to severe flooding, damaged infrastructure, and power outages affecting over 347,000 households. Rescue teams are currently searching for 17 fishermen who went missing at sea. The storm has now weakened and moved into Laos, leaving a trail of significant damage across the region.