The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed a ₹661.5 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited to buy BrahMos fire control systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships. The deal was signed under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. It requires at least 68% indigenous content, with Indian industries, including MSMEs, taking part. The ministry said the project is expected to create jobs over the next three years. The systems will strengthen the maritime strike capability of frontline warships. The contract follows the Defence Acquisition Council's August 2025 approval for the equipment. (PC: X)

Starbucks has launched a limited-edition festive menu inspired by Bengali flavours for Durga Puja, under its "Aamar Pujo, Aamar Starbucks" campaign. The food range includes a Shorshe Chicken Burger, Kosha Mangsho Roll, Bhekti Bhaja Sandwich, Dhakai Chicken Wrap, Aloo Postho Burger and Chingri Turnover. For dessert, the chain is serving Gurer Sandesh Flan and Kalakand Pie. The drinks list adds a Saffron Latte and a Choco Saffron Frappuccino. The unusual mix has become a talking point on social media. Some users praised the idea, while others questioned the price of coffee and said they preferred homegrown cafe brands. (PC: NDTV)

India is among seven countries in the race to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee confirmed on Tuesday. India's plan centres on Ahmedabad, which will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and the country is seeking its first Olympics. Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Turkey are also in talks with the IOC. The IOC will draw up a shortlist in March 2027, with a final decision expected in 2029. Other national Olympic bodies have until October 31 to join the race. Qatar, host of the 2022 football World Cup, is campaigning to become the first Muslim-majority nation to host the Games.

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped foil an apparent attempt to crash a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, suffered a depressed skull fracture when he was attacked in the cockpit with a crash axe, sources told NDTV. The 38-year-old opened the cockpit door despite heavy blood loss, letting crew and passengers overpower the Omani co-pilot. The plane, carrying over 170 people, landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where doctors reconstructed his skull. He was later airlifted to a military hospital in Abu Dhabi and is reported to be responding well. His family has been allowed to meet him. (PC: NDTV)

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi climbed police barricades and waved the Tricolour on Tuesday during the INDIA bloc's march from Parliament to the Election Commission of India. More than 300 MPs took part, Rahul said, and leaders including Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O'Brien were briefly detained. After police stopped the march, MPs sat on the road, then entered the Akashvani complex, about 100 metres from the ECI office. The protest comes amid opposition allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision. Rahul said the opposition was trying to "save democracy." (PC: HT)

Eleven Indian sailors were among 12 crew members injured on Tuesday when a projectile struck the Panama-flagged vessel MT On Peace as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz off Oman's coast, the Ministry of External Affairs said. With help from Omani authorities, the injured were evacuated and are being treated in Khasab, Oman. Of the ship's 19 crew members, 17 are Indians. India condemned the attack, thanked Oman and called for an immediate end to attacks on shipping. The ministry said commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest. Attacks on vessels in the region have risen in recent weeks after Iran-US peace talks collapsed. (PC: India Today)

Bestselling author and former politician Jeffrey Archer has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said. It said he died "suddenly and peacefully at home" on Monday, between writing sessions. Archer sold more than 300 million books over five decades, including Kane and Abel and the Clifton Chronicles. A former Conservative MP and peer, he was jailed in 2001 for perjury and perverting the course of justice, and was released in 2003. His final novel, Adam and Eve, came out on Tuesday. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called his death "devastating news", while Sir John Major said he lived "one of the most remarkable lives of our age". He is survived by his wife Mary and two sons. (PC: BBC)

Denmark tops the Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26 for women's inclusion, justice and security, while India sits 131st among 181 countries with a score of 0.607. The index credits Nordic nations with strong public institutions, social welfare systems and lower levels of violence against women. They also lead in education, workforce participation, financial inclusion, legal protections and political representation. For India, reports flag women's safety, political leadership, jobs and legal outcomes as the gaps. The lesson from the top is clear: women's wellbeing depends on stable institutions and equal opportunity, not on any single law. (PC: X)

Second Lady Usha Vance nearly fell on Monday while stepping off the vice presidential helicopter at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, carrying her infant son Alec strapped to her chest. She caught herself on the railing before reaching the ground. Viewers of the footage said officers nearby did not rush to help, and many asked why no one stepped in. Vice President JD Vance left the aircraft after her, holding one of their daughters. Reports say she told officers she nearly fell. Mother and child appeared unhurt. The family was travelling to Alaska for a Republican rally. 

A delegation of former civil servants and social activists on Monday submitted a chargesheet and impeachment notice against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of "proved misbehaviour" and seeking his removal under Article 324(5) of the Constitution. The group alleged he took decisions in the Election Commission's name without full consideration by the commission. Other charges include unauthorised changes to Form 6, misuse of ECINET, mass disenfranchisement through the Special Intensive Revision, partisan conduct and breach of statutory duty. Signatories include Najeeb Jung, G K Pillai and Yogendra Yadav. The allegations do not by themselves establish any wrongdoing by Kumar. (PC HT)