Severe Smog Engulfs North India Following Diwali Celebrations
A thick layer of smog blanketed Delhi and other parts of North India a day after Diwali, plunging air quality into the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories. Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 350, with several areas crossing the 400 mark. In Haryana, cities like Bahadurgarh and Gurugram were among the worst-hit, while Punjab also recorded 'poor' air quality. The sharp deterioration, attributed to firecracker emissions and unfavourable weather, has triggered a major public health crisis across the region.
Delhi's Air Quality Plummets to 'Very Poor' After Diwali
Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply to the 'very poor' category the day after Diwali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) registering over 350 in many areas. The spike in pollution is attributed to a combination of extensive firecracker use, calm winds, and stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab. This has led to a political dispute, with Delhi's government blaming Punjab's administration for failing to curb farm fires, which contributed significantly to the toxic haze enveloping the national capital.
Heavy Rains Trigger Red Alert in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several districts across Tamil Nadu and Kerala due to an intensified northeast monsoon. A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a depression, bringing extremely heavy rainfall. In response, authorities in affected districts, including Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu and Idukki in Kerala, have declared holidays for schools and colleges as a precautionary measure, warning residents to avoid venturing near water bodies.
Government Touts Success in Counter-Terrorism and Naxal Operations
In a Diwali letter to citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the government's successes on the national security front, specifically mentioning 'Operation Sindoor' and progress in eradicating Naxalism. He stated that India had upheld righteousness and avenged injustice through the operation. The message also noted that Diwali lamps would be lit for the first time in many districts now free from Maoist terror, framing a narrative of significant gains in internal security and mainstreaming individuals from violence-affected areas.
Core Sector Growth Slows to Three-Month Low of 3% in September
India's eight core infrastructure sectors' output growth slowed to a three-month low of 3% in September 2025. The deceleration was primarily driven by contractions in the coal, crude oil, natural gas, and refinery products sectors. While steel and electricity output saw increases, the overall slowdown is a key indicator for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), as these sectors constitute over 40% of the index's weight. This points to potential headwinds for the broader industrial economy.
RJD Candidate Arrested in Bihar Immediately After Filing Nomination
In a dramatic turn of events during the Bihar assembly polls, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Satendra Sah was arrested just moments after filing his nomination papers for the Sasaram seat. He was apprehended by Jharkhand Police based on a non-bailable warrant pending in a 2004 bank robbery case. This is the third such incident involving a candidate from the opposition INDIA bloc being arrested post-nomination, prompting allegations from partner parties of political intimidation and misuse of state machinery.
Cash and Liquor Worth Over ₹71 Crore Seized in Poll-Bound Bihar
Enforcement agencies have seized cash, liquor, drugs, and other illicit goods valued at over ₹71.5 crore in Bihar since the Model Code of Conduct for the state assembly elections was implemented. The seizures are part of a coordinated effort to prevent the use of illegal inducements to influence voters in the dry state. The Election Commission of India highlighted that the confiscations include ₹5.7 crore in cash and liquor worth over ₹27 crore, underscoring the scale of attempts to sway the election.
Renowned UK-Based Hindi Scholar Deported from Delhi Airport
Francesca Orsini, a celebrated professor of Hindi literature from SOAS, University of London, was denied entry into India and deported from Delhi airport despite holding a valid visa. Government sources stated she had been blacklisted in March 2025 for allegedly violating visa conditions during a previous visit by participating in academic activities on a tourist visa. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from prominent Indian academics and opposition figures, who condemned it as a blow to academic freedom and international scholarship.
Former Punjab Police Chief Booked for Son's Murder
Former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa and his wife, ex-minister Razia Sultana, have been booked by Haryana Police for the alleged murder of their 35-year-old son, Aqil Akhtar. The FIR was filed after a social media video made by Akhtar before his death surfaced, in which he accused his family of conspiring to kill him and expressed fears for his life. Akhtar was found dead at his Panchkula residence on October 16. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed.
Shaheen Shah Afridi Replaces Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan's ODI Captain
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new captain of the one-day international team, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. The decision has sparked controversy, with reports suggesting new white-ball coach Mike Hesson pushed for the change after working with Rizwan for just one series. The move comes ahead of Pakistan's three-match ODI series against South Africa and has raised questions within the country's cricketing circles regarding the reasons and timing of the leadership change.
Indian Medical Student Airlifted Home From Kazakhstan After Brain Stroke
A 22-year-old Indian MBBS student was successfully evacuated from Kazakhstan and airlifted to Jaipur for advanced medical care. The student, Rahul Ghosalya, had suffered a brain stroke on October 8 and was on ventilator support in a hospital in Astana. Following appeals from his family to the government, a coordinated effort involving an air ambulance brought him to SMS Hospital in Jaipur, where a special team of doctors has begun his treatment, marking a significant humanitarian and diplomatic success.
Global Internet Disrupted as Amazon Web Services Suffers Major Outage
A massive outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world's largest cloud provider, caused widespread internet disruption, affecting thousands of global companies and popular online services. The issue, originating from AWS's US-EAST-1 region, was linked to its Domain Name System (DNS). Platforms like Snapchat, Reddit, Roblox, and numerous business and financial services were impacted for hours. Amazon confirmed the problem was resolved Monday evening, but the event highlighted the global economy's critical dependence on a few cloud infrastructure giants.
European Council Approves New Strategic Agenda to Deepen Ties with India
The European Council has approved a 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda' aimed at significantly strengthening ties between the two powers. The conclusions endorsed efforts to finalize a 'balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial' Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year. The agenda focuses on deepening cooperation in security, defence, technology, and global issues. This move signals a strong political impetus from the 27-member bloc to elevate its partnership with India amid a complex geopolitical landscape.
Assam Police Team Reaches Singapore to Investigate Singer Zubeen Garg's Death
Two senior officers from the Assam Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) have arrived in Singapore to investigate the mysterious death of popular singer Zubeen Garg last month. The team will visit the scene of the incident and collaborate with their Singaporean counterparts, with India having invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to facilitate cooperation. The high-profile case has led to several arrests in Assam, including the singer's cousin and personal security officers, amid ongoing investigations into potential foul play.
Cargo Plane Skids Off Hong Kong Runway Into Sea, Killing Two
A Boeing 747 cargo aircraft operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines skidded off a runway while landing at Hong Kong International Airport and crashed into the sea, killing two people in an airport ground vehicle. The four crew members on the plane were rescued and hospitalized. The aircraft, arriving from Dubai, was partially submerged off the sea wall, leading to the closure of one of the airport's three runways. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.