JMM to Contest Bihar Assembly Polls Independently, Straining INDIA Bloc
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a key member of the INDIA bloc, announced it will contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections independently. The party plans to field candidates in six constituencies after its demand for a "respectful number of seats" within the alliance was not met. The JMM also stated it would "review" its alliance with the Congress and RJD in its home state of Jharkhand after the Bihar polls, signalling significant friction within the opposition coalition.
Boat Accident Off Mozambique Coast Kills Three Indians, Five Missing
A launch boat carrying 14 Indian nationals capsized off the coast of Beira, Mozambique, during a crew transfer operation. The Indian High Commission has confirmed that three Indians have died, five have been successfully rescued, and a search operation is underway for five others who remain missing. One survivor is receiving medical treatment in a local hospital. The High Commission is coordinating with local authorities on the search and rescue efforts and is extending all possible assistance to the affected families.
Boat Capsizes Off Mozambique Coast, Killing 3 Indians and Leaving 5 Missing
A boat carrying 14 crew members, including several Indian nationals, capsized off the coast of Beira, Mozambique. At least three Indians have been confirmed dead, five have been rescued, and a search is underway for five who remain missing. The incident occurred during a routine transfer of crew to a tanker. The Indian High Commission in Maputo is in contact with local authorities and the families of the victims, and has dispatched a consular officer to assist survivors.
Gold Prices Reach New All-Time High on Dhanteras Amid Strong Festive Demand
Gold prices surged to a new record high in India, with 24-carat gold briefly touching ₹1,30,874 per 10 grams on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras. The rally is driven by strong festive demand, global economic uncertainties, and increased investment buying. Since last Dhanteras, gold has delivered returns of approximately 63% in rupee terms. Analysts anticipate a 12-15% increase in jewellery sales, with consumers favouring lightweight pieces and investment-grade coins and bonds.
Massive Fire at Dhaka International Airport Halts All Flights
A major fire erupted at the cargo complex of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, forcing a complete suspension of all flight operations. Thick black smoke engulfed the area, with over 30 firefighting units, including those from the Air Force, battling the blaze. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but at least nine incoming flights were diverted to other airports. The presence of stored chemicals in the cargo area posed a significant challenge for firefighters.
Afghanistan Pulls Out of Cricket Series After Airstrikes Kill Three Players
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has withdrawn its team from an upcoming T20 tri-series in Pakistan after three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province. The ACB condemned the assault, which it said targeted a civilian gathering, as a "cowardly attack." The incident, which comes amid escalating border tensions and fragile ceasefire talks, has been condemned by the ICC and BCCI, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on the sporting world.
Record Gold Prices Dampen Dhanteras Sales Volumes by up to 15%
Dhanteras celebrations saw muted physical gold buying as record-high prices deterred consumers. While jewellers expect footfalls over the weekend festival, they anticipate sales volume could drop by up to 15% compared to last year. Gold is trading at nearly ₹1,35,000 per 10 grams, a 65% increase from Dhanteras 2024. Despite the drop in volume, sales are expected to grow by 40-45% in value terms, with many consumers shifting towards lighter-weight jewellery or silver.
Chandrayaan-2 Detects Solar Ejection's Impact on Moon's Atmosphere
In a landmark scientific breakthrough, ISRO announced its Chandrayaan-2 orbiter has directly observed the impact of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the Sun on the Moon's tenuous atmosphere for the first time. During a solar event in May 2024, an instrument on the orbiter detected a tenfold increase in the density of the lunar exosphere. This validates long-held theories about space weather's effect on the Moon and provides crucial data for future lunar missions and potential human habitats.
US Chamber of Commerce Sues Trump Administration Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Donald Trump administration's recent proclamation to impose a $100,000 fee on all new H-1B visa petitions. The business body argues the move is "plainly unlawful" and circumvents Congress's authority. The lawsuit states the exorbitant fee would make the program cost-prohibitive for many US employers, especially smaller businesses, harming American innovation and competitiveness. The H-1B program is particularly crucial for Indian tech professionals, who receive the majority of these visas annually.
Centre Orders Judicial Probe into Deadly Leh Violence
The Union Home Ministry has ordered a judicial inquiry into the September 24 violence in Leh, which resulted in four deaths and nearly 100 injuries during protests for statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Retired Supreme Court Justice B.S. Chauhan will head the probe. The move meets a key demand of Ladakhi leaders from the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, who had suspended talks with the government, potentially paving the way for renewed dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Belgian Court Approves Extradition of Fugitive Diamantaire Mehul Choksi
An Antwerp court has approved India's request to extradite fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. The court deemed his arrest in Belgium, based on India's request, as lawful. This marks a significant legal victory for Indian investigative agencies like the CBI and ED in their efforts to prosecute economic offenders who have fled the country. Choksi, who was arrested in April, still has the option to appeal the decision.
Over 200 Maoists, Including Senior Leaders, Surrender in Chhattisgarh
In a major development for India's internal security, 210 Maoists, including a central committee member and other senior commanders, surrendered to authorities in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. The cadres, from various high-level committees of the banned CPI (Maoist), also turned in 153 weapons, including AK-47s and INSAS rifles. This mass surrender is seen as a significant blow to the insurgency in the Bastar region and a major success for security forces' ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton Surrenders on Espionage Act Charges
John Bolton, who served as National Security Adviser under former President Donald Trump, has surrendered to U.S. authorities on charges of mishandling classified information. He was indicted for allegedly sharing sensitive national defense information with relatives for a book he was writing, in violation of the Espionage Act. Bolton has denied wrongdoing, framing the prosecution as an abuse of power by the Trump administration. He faces up to 10 years in prison for each count if convicted.
India Post to Launch Guaranteed 24 and 48-Hour Delivery Services in January
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that India Post will roll out new guaranteed delivery services starting in January. The plan includes a 24-hour Speed Post service for mail delivery within a day and a 48-hour service, alongside a next-day parcel delivery option. This initiative aims to significantly improve efficiency and reliability, transforming India Post from a "cost centre" to a "profit centre" by 2029 and making it more competitive in the logistics market.
Sabarimala Gold Case: Prime Accused Arrested by Special Investigation Team
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of gold from Kerala's Sabarimala temple has arrested prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti. The case involves gold missing from the temple's Dwarapalaka idols and Sreekovil door frames, which were entrusted to Potti for restoration in 2019. The arrest follows a Kerala High Court order for an SIT probe into the matter, which has also implicated several officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board for violating temple procedures.