The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to invite acclaimed author Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival in 2025. The plea, which had been rejected twice earlier by the Karnataka High Court, claimed that Mushtaq’s participation in the religious event was inappropriate, citing concerns over her past statements and alleging they were “anti-Hindu” and “anti-Kannada.”

The petitioners argued that her involvement, including performing rituals like lighting the ceremonial lamp at the Chamundeshwari temple, violated constitutional provisions related to religious freedom. However, the courts clarified that Mysuru Dasara is a state-sponsored cultural event, not solely a religious ceremony. The choice of the chief guest was made by a committee representing diverse stakeholders, reflecting the secular and inclusive nature of the festival.

Banu Mushtaq, a 77-year-old writer from Hassan, Karnataka, is widely recognized for her powerful storytelling in Kannada literature. She has received the prestigious Booker Prize and other accolades. Her works often explore themes of identity, communal harmony, and social justice, making her a significant voice in contemporary Indian literature.

Mushtaq expressed her deep respect and honor at being invited to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara, a festival that highlights Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage. The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the principle of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution and affirms the state’s authority to include individuals from diverse backgrounds in public celebrations. It also discourages efforts to create religious divides around such cultural events.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 20 presided over the “Samudra se Samriddhi” event in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a cluster of development projects with a combined investment of more than ₹34,200 crore, spanning maritime infrastructure, LNG facilities, renewable energy and related connectivity works. The programme, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office, is intended to strengthen India’s coastal economy while accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources.

A significant slice of the investment is directed to port, cruise and maritime heritage ambitions. Projects in the maritime sector alone total about ₹7,870 crore and include high-profile initiatives such as the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal and upgrades to Bhavnagar and other coastal assets designed to boost passenger cruise capacity, ship-handling and coastal tourism. The government says these moves will expand maritime logistics, stimulate coastal economies and create ancillary employment opportunities.

Energy and clean-technology deployments also form a major part of the announcement. Modi flagged several renewable and hybrid-energy projects — notably a 475 MW PM-KUSUM solar feeder for farmers, the 45 MW Badeli Solar PV project, and the complete solarisation of Dhordo village in Kutch — aiming to leverage Gujarat’s solar potential and deliver distributed benefits to rural households and agrarian consumers. The slate also includes a 600 MW “Green Shoe” initiative and other grid-linked solar schemes intended to feed industrial and agricultural demand.

On the hydrocarbon and LNG front, the Prime Minister inaugurated the HPLNG Regasification Terminal at Chhara Port and greenlit pipeline and terminal modernization works, including projects at Vadinar and IOCL’s Acrylics & Oxo Alcohol complex — steps described as bolstering India’s downstream and energy-security capabilities while creating synergies between port infrastructure and energy supply chains.

Beyond project launches, Modi’s itinerary included an aerial survey of the Dholera region and a review of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, signalling continued emphasis on coastal urbanisation, cultural tourism and integrated logistics planning. Officials frame the whole package as a strategic push to convert coastal potential into manufacturing, services and clean-energy growth, positioning Gujarat as a national hub for maritime and renewable-led investment.

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India’s young wrestling star Antim Panghal delivered a strong and determined performance at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships. She secured a bronze medal in the women’s 53 kg freestyle category. This also opened India’s medal tally at this year’s tournament held at Arena Zagreb, Croatia.

The 21-year-old from Haryana defeated Sweden’s Emma Jonna Denise Malmgren with a commanding 9–1 score in the bronze medal bout. She repeated her 2023 feat, where she also beat Malmgren to claim bronze. This is her second consecutive medal at the senior World Championships. “I was focused and determined not to let the opportunity slip,” Panghal said after the match. “This medal is for my coaches, my family, and the country.”

Panghal’s path to the podium was challenging. She lost in the quarterfinals to Lucía Yépez of Ecuador, who went on to win the silver medal. This defeat pushed Panghal into the repechage rounds. She made the most of this second chance by winning successive bouts to reach the bronze medal match.

The victory is particularly significant for Panghal. She had a disappointing outing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, exiting early. This podium finish marks a strong comeback. It also cements her status as one of India’s most consistent and promising wrestlers on the global stage. With this win, Antim Panghal joins the ranks of Indian greats like Vinesh Phogat. She becomes one of the few Indian women wrestlers to win multiple medals at the World Championships.

The women’s 53 kg category at the 2025 Worlds featured 23 athletes from 21 countries. Japan’s Haruna Murayama won the gold medal. Ecuador’s Lucía Yépez took silver. The other bronze went to North Korea’s Choe Hyo-gyong. Other Indian wrestlers, including Manisha Bhanwala in the 62 kg category, missed out on podium finishes. Still, Panghal’s medal provides a morale boost to the Indian team.

This bronze not only improves India’s standing at the World Championships but also strengthens Panghal’s prospects for major future events. She will aim to build on her success at the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched Passbook Lite, a new feature that allows members to quickly access their Provident Fund details directly on the main portal without the need for additional logins. Alongside this, EPFO has made Annexure K, the important PF transfer certificate, available for direct download online. These initiatives are designed to simplify PF management, speed up processes, and increase transparency for millions of subscribers nationwide.

Passbook Lite: Streamlined Access to PF Details

EPFO’s ‘Passbook Lite’ provides members with a summarized view of their PF contributions, withdrawals, and current balance within the Member Portal itself. This eliminates the need to visit the separate passbook website, thereby reducing delays and improving user convenience. For those needing detailed records, the traditional passbook portal remains available.

Annexure K Now Available Online

To further enhance transparency during job changes, EPFO now allows members to download Annexure K — a transfer certificate generated when PF accounts move from one employer to another — directly from the Member Portal. Previously, this document was only accessible upon request and shared between PF offices.

Decentralized Approval to Speed Up Services

In addition, EPFO has decentralized the approval process for PF claims and transfers. Subordinate offices can now approve transfers, settlements, advances, refunds, and interest adjustments without waiting for higher-level authorization, helping to expedite service delivery.

These digital enhancements are part of EPFO’s ongoing efforts to improve the user experience and make Provident Fund management more efficient and transparent for over 27 million active members.

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Amazfit on Friday unveiled the T-Rex 3 Pro smartwatch in India, targeting trail runners, endurance athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts with a rugged design and high-end features. The smartwatch boasts a titanium alloy body, sapphire glass display, integrated flashlight, upgraded offline mapping, and built-in speaker and microphone.

The T-Rex 3 Pro comes with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display protected by sapphire glass, delivering peak brightness up to 3,000 nits. Its Grade 5 titanium alloy bezel and buttons make it durable enough to withstand extreme temperatures down to -30°C. The dual-colour LED flashlight offers multiple modes, including Boost for maximum brightness, red light for low-interference visibility, SOS flash, and safety alerts.

Designed for precision tracking, the smartwatch supports dual-band GPS and six satellite systems. Users can choose from over 180 sport modes, ranging from trail running, strength training with auto rep detection, recreational scuba diving, to official HYROX training and race modes.

Battery life is rated at up to 25 days for the 48 mm model and 17 days for the upcoming 44 mm variant, which will feature a 1.32-inch display. The T-Rex 3 Pro also supports Amazfit’s Helio Strap and Helio Ring accessories, while the Zepp App lets users monitor their health, fitness, and sleep data. It is compatible with both Android and iOS, with plans for new third-party integrations.

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro 48 mm variant is priced at ₹34,999 and is available via Amazon, the Amazfit India website, and leading retail outlets.

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 Families of victims of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad last year have filed a lawsuit in the United States against aviation giants Boeing and Honeywell, alleging that a defective fuel cutoff switch led to the tragic accident that killed 106 people.

The crash occurred on June 12, 2024, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 737 aircraft, took off from Ahmedabad en route to London. Moments after takeoff, both engines lost power, and the aircraft crashed into a nearby building just 32 seconds later. Only one passenger survived.

The lawsuit, filed in Delaware on behalf of four victims’ families, claims that the Honeywell-manufactured fuel cutoff switches, approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), were poorly placed and easily triggered accidentally. Positioned directly beneath the thrust levers, the switches allegedly allowed for inadvertent contact during routine cockpit procedures.

According to preliminary findings from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), cockpit voice recordings revealed that the pilots were unaware of having moved the switches to the “CUTOFF” position. Although they reset them within 14 seconds, the engines failed to regain sufficient thrust in time.

The families’ legal team argues that both Boeing and Honeywell were aware of the design vulnerability but failed to take corrective action or issue safety modifications. The complaint further alleges that the FAA’s certification does not absolve manufacturers of responsibility for known safety risks.

Maintenance records show that the aircraft had undergone component replacements in 2019 and 2023 and complied with all regulatory safety protocols at the time of the crash.

Neither Boeing nor Honeywell has responded publicly to the lawsuit. Aviation experts say the switches are designed to resist accidental activation but acknowledge that their location may pose a risk under certain conditions.

The case may have wider implications for aviation safety regulations and manufacturer liability, particularly when FAA-approved components are involved in fatal accidents.

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U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is “very close” to India and has a strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the British PM’s countryside residence, Trump noted that he recently spoke to Modi to wish him a happy 75th birthday.

“I’m very close to India. I’m very close to the Prime Minister of India. I spoke to him the other day to wish him a Happy Birthday,” Trump said, adding that Modi had issued a “beautiful” statement in response.

Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. The Trump administration earlier this year doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, including additional duties on India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. Speaking on the matter, Trump defended the sanctions, saying they were intended to influence global oil prices and put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine. “Very simply, if the price of oil comes down, Mr. Putin is going to drop out. He’s going to have no choice. He’s going to drop out of that war,” Trump said.

Trump also reiterated his claim of having intervened in the India-Pakistan face-off earlier this year, saying he helped secure a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. “We did seven [conflicts] and most of them were not thought to be settleable. We did India, and we did Pakistan. That was purely for trade. You [India and Pakistan] want to trade with us, you’re going to have to get along. And they were going at it hot and heavy,” he said. India, however, has consistently denied any third-party intervention, stating that the understanding to cease hostilities was reached through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of the two militaries.

Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, is in the UK on a two-day state visit at the invitation of King Charles III. The couple departed Chequers to board Air Force One for Washington shortly after the press conference.

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The United States once again exercised its veto power at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, blocking a resolution that called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the lifting of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The resolution, which received support from all 14 other Council members, underscored the deepening international division over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The draft resolution, introduced by the Council’s 10 elected members, described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and highlighted the severe famine gripping Gaza City. It demanded that Israel ensure safe and unhindered delivery of aid to the 2.1 million Palestinians in the territory and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups.

In justifying the veto, the United States argued that the resolution failed to adequately condemn Hamas for its role in initiating the conflict and did not sufficiently reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defense. U.S. officials contended that the resolution’s language could embolden Hamas and undermine efforts to secure the release of hostages.

The veto marks the sixth time the United States has blocked a Security Council resolution related to the Gaza conflict since November 2023.

The repeated use of the veto has drawn criticism from various international actors, who argue that it reflects a broader pattern of shielding Israel from meaningful diplomatic pressure.

Palestinian representatives expressed profound disappointment following the veto. Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s observer to the U.N., stated that the resolution represented the “bare minimum that humanity, legality and morality dictate” but was blocked, leaving Palestinians unprotected.

He condemned the veto as an abdication of the international community’s responsibility to prevent genocide and protect civilians.

Algeria’s ambassador to the U.N., Amar Bendjama, also voiced strong criticism, warning that the failure of the resolution reflected a lack of global leadership in ending the suffering in Gaza. Bendjama expressed regret on behalf of the international community, stating, “Forgive us, Palestinian brothers, sisters.”

The veto occurred amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, which have intensified in recent weeks.

The Israeli military has launched a new ground offensive in Gaza City, aiming to destroy Hamas’s military infrastructure. The operation has led to further displacement of civilians and exacerbated the already dire humanitarian conditions in the region.

The United Nations had previously reported that Gaza City is experiencing famine conditions, with widespread food insecurity affecting a significant portion of the population.

Humanitarian organizations have warned that without a ceasefire and the lifting of aid restrictions, the situation could deteriorate further, leading to more deaths and suffering among civilians.

The timing of the veto is particularly significant as it precedes the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, where the situation in Gaza is expected to be a major topic of discussion. Many countries are anticipated to recognize an independent Palestinian state during the Assembly, a move strongly opposed by both Israel and the United States.

This latest development underscores the deepening rift between the United States and much of the international community over how to address the Gaza conflict.

While the U.S. continues to support Israel’s right to self-defense, many other nations are calling for a more balanced approach that includes immediate humanitarian relief and a path toward a lasting peace.

As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the international community remains divided on how best to respond to the ongoing crisis. The U.S. veto has highlighted the complexities of balancing security concerns with humanitarian imperatives, leaving the path forward uncertain and fraught with diplomatic challenges.

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Mohammed Nizamuddin, a 29-year-old Indian man from Mahbubnagar district in Telangana, was fatally shot by Santa Clara Police in California on September 3, 2025, following an altercation with his roommate. Authorities allege that Nizamuddin attacked his roommate with a knife, prompting a 911 call.

When officers arrived, they encountered Nizamuddin allegedly straddling the roommate and threatening further violence, at which point they fired multiple shots. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died. The roommate survived and was treated for serious stab injuries. 

Nizamuddin had moved to the U.S. in 2016 to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science. After completing his degree, he was working professionally in the tech sector. According to his family, he was employed via EPAM Systems and had been living in shared accommodation in Santa Clara.

He had lost his job several months before the incident. Friends and the family say that he had earlier raised complaints about racial harassment, workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage fraud. He made a public post on LinkedIn claiming he had experienced “racial hatred … racial harassment … wage-fraud … wrongful termination and obstruction of justice.”

The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) has released an official statement saying officers responded to a call at around 6:08 a.m. local time regarding a stabbing inside a residence.

Upon arrival, they encountered Nizamuddin allegedly holding a knife and pinning down his roommate, who had suffered injuries. Officers recovered two knives from the scene. In their preliminary description, the SCPD said that the officer-involved shooting occurred because of the perceived threat to human life. The officer responsible has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is jointly investigating with the police department. 

Nizamuddin’s father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, learned of his death on September 18 via a friend of his son based in Santa Clara.

His father has said he does not have full clarity on why the police fired. In a letter addressed to India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, the family has requested the intervention of Indian diplomatic missions in the U.S. to ascertain the facts, ensure a transparent investigation, and facilitate repatriation of his mortal remains. Community organisations such as Majlis Bachao Tehreek have amplified the call for justice and accountability.

On the prosecution side, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is jointly investigating the case with the police department, in keeping with standard procedure for officer-involved shootings. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.

According to local U.S. reporting, the officer fired four shots. The incident took place on Eisenhower Drive in Santa Clara, in a residence shared by several tech workers. The roommate survived the stabbing. The officer involved, identified by authorities in media reports as Robert Allsup, has been placed on paid leave while the matter is under official review. 

The case has sparked broader discussion among Indian diaspora communities and civil rights advocates about treatment of international students and workers, use of force by police in U.S. law enforcement, and racial discrimination.

Nizamuddin’s family claim that he had suffered repeated harassment and discrimination in both workplace and social settings. Authorities have not yet released final findings; the investigation is active and open, and further updates are expected from the police department and district attorney’s office.

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