A 29-year-old techie from Telangana, Mohammed Nizamuddin, was shot dead by police in Santa Clara, US, on September 3. Police said he stabbed his roommate and threatened officers with a knife. He was taken to hospital but later died. His roommate is being treated for injuries. Nizamuddin’s family in Mahabubnagar has rejected the police version. His father, Mohammed Hasnuddin, said the fight was over a small issue. He has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, asking for help to bring the body home. Community leader Amjed Ullah Khan also urged the government to act quickly. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump said he is “very close” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi while reaffirming ties with India. Speaking in the UK after talks with British PM Keir Starmer, Trump recalled calling Modi on his birthday and praising his leadership. He said India and the US share a strong relationship and described Modi’s statement on their friendship as “beautiful.” Trump also highlighted trade, noting high tariffs he earlier imposed on India but welcomed the recent resumption of negotiations. India called the talks “positive and forward-looking.” Both leaders stressed strengthening the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership. (PC: HT)

The US Embassy in New Delhi has revoked and denied visas to several Indian corporate heads, executives, and their families for alleged links to drug trafficking. Officials said those involved in trafficking fentanyl precursors will face lifelong bans from entering the US. Chargé d’affaires Jorgan Andrews stated that individuals and families connected to this trade will be under strict watch. He added that stopping fentanyl is a top US priority, with strong cooperation from India. The embassy also flagged companies tied to the trade for extra checks. President Donald Trump has vowed tough action against drugs since his re-election. (PC: Reuters)

Police in Ludhiana have uncovered a murder plot involving UK-based NRI Charanjit Singh Grewal and a local man, Sukhjeet Singh. Grewal met 71-year-old US citizen Rupinder Kaur Pandher on a matrimonial site. He took money from her and later lured her to Punjab. To avoid marrying her, Grewal offered Sukhjeet Rs 50 lakh and help to settle abroad if he killed her. In July, Sukhjeet beat Pandher to death with a baseball bat, burned her body, and dumped it in a drain. Police arrested him after his confession. Grewal, still abroad, has been charged in the case. (PC: NDTV)

India’s Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran said on Thursday that the issue of additional US tariffs on Indian imports could be resolved in the next two months. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, he said, “In 8-10 weeks, we will likely see a solution.” The US had imposed a 25% tariff in August, followed by another 25% penalty linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, raising duties to 50%. Negotiations between the two countries began this week, led by US trade representative Brendan Lynch and India’s commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Talks are ongoing to ease pressure on exporters. (PC: News18)

Air India Express has launched daily non-stop flights between Bengaluru and Bangkok from Thursday. The service aims to offer convenient travel for people from Bengaluru and nearby areas, especially during the festive season. The flight will leave Bengaluru at 11 am IST and reach Bangkok at 4:45 pm. The return flight from Bangkok will take off at 5:45 pm IST and land in Bengaluru at 8:30 pm. To mark the launch, the airline announced special fares starting at ₹16,800 for a round trip. One-way tickets cost ₹9,000 from Bengaluru and ₹8,850 from Bangkok. Bookings are now open. (PC: Reuters)

India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has said the US is likely to withdraw the 25% penal tariffs imposed on Indian goods by November 30, 2025. Alongside, reciprocal tariffs levied by India are expected to drop from 25% to 10–15%. The rollback aims to ease the burden on Indian exporters in sectors like textiles, engineering goods, and food products, which faced duty costs as high as 50%. Recent talks between India’s Commerce Ministry and the US Trade Representative reflect positive momentum, though final confirmation is still awaited.

U.S. President Donald Trump has classified Afghanistan, India, China, and Pakistan among the world’s “major drug transit or major illicit drug-producing countries.” This designation stems from their roles in the cultivation, production, or transit of narcotics and precursor chemicals that feed the global drug trade. Although inclusion on this list doesn’t automatically reflect insufficient government efforts against drugs, it could impact international cooperation and funding. The move has drawn attention to regional drug-control policies and may intensify diplomatic pressure on the listed nations to improve monitoring, enforcement, and cross-border counter-narcotics collaboration. (PC: ETV)    

The European Commission has proposed a new strategic agenda to significantly elevate its bilateral relations with India. The strategy aims to intensify cooperation across trade, investment, green technologies, digital transformation and security. Key components include stronger alignment in supply chains, joint work on climate and clean energy, and increased people-to-people engagement. The agenda promises that both sides will benefit from greater economic growth and mutual stability. It also reflects the EU’s broader ambition to diversify its international relationships and reduce dependencies while consolidating its strategic autonomy. (PC: Bloomberg)

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday, praising his role in strengthening India-Russia ties. Both leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict, with Modi saying India is ready to contribute to peace efforts through dialogue and diplomacy. The call marked their third conversation since August. A day earlier, Modi had spoken with US President Donald Trump on Ukraine, supporting his peace initiatives. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also greeted Modi. India reiterated its commitment to deepening ties with Russia, the EU, and Italy while promoting peaceful solutions. (PC: X)