Prominent US-India Policy Expert Ashley Tellis Arrested for Retaining Classified Documents
The US FBI has arrested Ashley Tellis, a highly influential Indian-American foreign policy scholar, on charges of unlawfully retaining classified national defence information. Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, is accused of taking top-secret documents from a Pentagon office where he was a contractor. While not charged with espionage, the Department of Justice noted the case presents a "grave breach of trust" and has sparked shockwaves in Washington's foreign policy circles and political debate in India.
Probe Into Haryana IPS Officer's Suicide Progresses as Family Consents to Autopsy
The family of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, who died by suicide on October 7, has consented to an autopsy after a week-long standoff. The decision followed action by the state government, which sent DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on leave—one of several senior officers Kumar accused of caste-based harassment in a detailed note. Kumar's wife, IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, stated her consent was based on assurances of a fair and transparent investigation into the grave allegations.
Supreme Court Allows Green Crackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali
The Supreme Court has temporarily relaxed its ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, permitting the sale and use of regulated "green crackers" for the upcoming Diwali festival. Acknowledging that illegal firecrackers are often smuggled into the region anyway, the court stated it was taking a "balanced approach" to allow for moderated celebrations while not compromising the environment. Pollution control boards have been ordered to monitor air quality levels during the festival and submit a report to the court.
Haryana IPS Officer Cremated After 9-Day Standoff Over Suicide Note Alleging Caste Bias
The body of Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar was cremated following a nine-day standoff between his family and the state government. Kumar died by suicide, leaving a note that accused several senior officers of systemic caste-based discrimination and harassment. His family had refused to allow an autopsy until they received assurances of a fair probe and action against those named. The case has cast a national spotlight on allegations of entrenched casteism within India's elite police services.
India Elected to UN Human Rights Council for Seventh Term
India has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026-2028 term, marking its seventh tenure on the 47-member body. The election, held at the UN General Assembly in New York, reinforces India's diplomatic presence on the influential Geneva-based council. The country's new three-year term will commence on January 1, 2026. India has been a member almost continuously since the council's formation in 2006, with mandatory one-year breaks after completing two consecutive terms.
Senior Maoist Leader and 60 Cadres Surrender in Maharashtra
In a major blow to the Naxal insurgency, Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupathi, a central committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist), has surrendered in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli. Bhupathi, who carried a bounty of Rs 6 crore, surrendered along with 60 other suspected Maoists, including several high-ranking members. The group also handed over a large cache of weapons. This mass surrender represents a significant success for security forces in their campaign against left-wing extremism in the region.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Strained as Returned Body Is Not a Hostage
Tensions over the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire have intensified after the Israeli military announced that one of four bodies returned by Hamas was not that of an Israeli hostage. The exchange of hostages, both living and deceased, is a critical component of the truce. The misidentification complicates the delicate negotiations, which have already seen the release of 20 living hostages and around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, and adds further uncertainty to the agreement's stability and the fate of remaining hostages.
Government Doubles Financial Aid Under Welfare Schemes for Ex-Servicemen
The Ministry of Defence has approved a 100% increase in financial assistance for veterans and their dependents under several key welfare schemes managed by the Kendriya Sainik Board. The measure doubles the amounts for the penury grant for non-pensioners, the education grant for children, and the marriage grant for up to two daughters. The revision, funded by the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, aims to significantly improve the social security net for India's 3.2 million ex-servicemen and their families.
Hyundai Announces ₹45,000 Crore Investment in India by 2030
Hyundai Motor India has revealed a major investment plan of ₹45,000 crore by the financial year 2030 to accelerate its growth in the country. The South Korean auto giant aims to make India its second-largest global market, targeting a revenue milestone of ₹1 lakh crore. The strategy includes 26 new product launches, featuring seven new models and a locally designed electric SUV by 2027. The investment will focus on product development, R&D, and expanding manufacturing capacity.
Bihar Election Field Set as Parties Finalise Candidates; Prashant Kishor Opts Out
The political battleground for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections is solidifying as major parties, including the BJP and JD(U), have announced their candidate lists. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has filed his nomination from his family's traditional stronghold of Raghopur. In a notable development, political strategist Prashant Kishor announced his Jan Suraaj party has decided he will not contest the election himself, choosing instead to focus on organisational work. The elections for the 243-member assembly will be held in November.
Delhi High Court Protects Actor's 'Personality Rights' From AI Misuse
The Delhi High Court has passed an order protecting the personality and publicity rights of Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, directing the removal of objectionable social media posts that illegally used his name, image, and AI-generated content. The ruling is part of a growing legal trend in India where public figures are seeking to protect their identity from unauthorized commercial exploitation and digital manipulation, setting a significant precedent for intellectual property law in the age of artificial intelligence.
Ahmedabad Recommended to Host 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games
The executive board of Commonwealth Sport has officially recommended Ahmedabad as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which will mark the event's 100th anniversary. Beating a proposal from Abuja, Nigeria, Ahmedabad's bid now awaits a final decision at the General Assembly in November. If approved, it would be the second time the Games are held in India, following the 2010 edition in New Delhi, and would utilize the city's world-class sporting infrastructure.
WHO Issues Global Alert for 3 Indian Cough Syrups After Child Deaths
The World Health Organization issued a global medical alert for three Indian-made cough syrups—Coldrif, Respifresh TR, and ReLife—linked to the deaths of at least 24 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The syrups were found to contain toxic diethylene glycol (DEG). The WHO urged increased surveillance of unregulated markets worldwide. Indian authorities have halted production at the implicated manufacturing sites and initiated product recalls, while the Tamil Nadu government has cancelled the manufacturing license for one of the firms.
US-China Trade War Escalates as China Vows to 'Fight to the End'
China's Commerce Ministry has declared it will "fight to the end" after the U.S. announced plans to impose an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese goods. The U.S. move is a response to Beijing's new export controls on rare earths. The escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies has rattled global markets. China defended its export controls as a legitimate measure to protect national security, while stating that its door for negotiations remains open despite its readiness for conflict.
Google to Invest $10 Billion in Andhra Pradesh Data Centre and AI Hub
Google announced a $10 billion investment to establish a major data centre and artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This marks the company's largest such investment in India. The project includes a 1-gigawatt data centre campus that will integrate AI infrastructure, large-scale energy sources, and an expanded fibre-optic network. The move reflects the escalating competition among global tech giants to build infrastructure to meet the surging demand for AI services in the South Asian market.