Shalini Thakur, a 38-year-old Indian-origin woman, was shot dead outside her workplace in Sacramento, California, on September 8, despite having a restraining order against the man accused of stalking her. Investigators said 22-year-old Rohit Rohit had allegedly harassed Thakur for months, including secretly tracking her with an Apple AirTag hidden under her car, tampering with her vehicle and entering her home while she was asleep. Thakur had obtained a restraining order in May and later reported an alleged violation. Police said Rohit chased and shot her at a shopping centre before fleeing. He later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Sunday, a day after paying tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present during the meeting. Anwar is in India to attend the BRICS Summit and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. His discussions with Modi covered key areas including trade, defence, semiconductors and infrastructure. The meeting with Rahul Gandhi came amid efforts to strengthen India-Malaysia relations. Anwar has previously spoken warmly about his association with Manmohan Singh and his contribution to India’s ties with Malaysia and the wider region.

Russia imported a record 172,000 tonnes of oil products in August, more than seven times its previous monthly high, as Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted its domestic refining capacity. India supplied around 70% of Russia’s fuel imports, including about 120,000 tonnes of gasoline worth €78 million. The fuel was refined at the Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, which is partly owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft. The development highlights an unusual trade flow: Russian crude is sent to India, refined into fuel and then shipped back to Russia as attacks reduce Moscow’s domestic fuel production.

The New Delhi BRICS Declaration has made no specific mention of the Russia-Ukraine war, marking a departure from the group’s earlier joint statements issued in 2024 and 2025. The declaration instead stresses the need for dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes. It refers to several other conflicts, including the situation in Palestine, West Asia, Syria and Sudan. The change comes as BRICS members seek consensus amid growing geopolitical tensions. India’s BRICS Sherpa Sudhakar Dalela said the grouping’s position is centred on international law, the UN Charter and diplomatic solutions, while declining to comment on specific conflicts.

Indian-origin woman Shalini Thakur, 38, was shot dead outside her workplace in Sacramento, California, on September 8 after months of alleged stalking by a 22-year-old man identified as Rohit. Investigators said the warning signs included an Apple AirTag found under her car, tampered tyres, being followed to work and an alleged break-in at her home. Thakur had obtained a civil harassment restraining order against Rohit in May. Authorities later said they had probable cause to arrest him after a reported violation in July but could not locate him. Rohit later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali left New Delhi on Sunday after attending the two-day BRICS Summit hosted by India. The summit brought together leaders of the expanded BRICS grouping, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting concluded with discussions on global growth, technology, climate, trade and cooperation among developing nations. BRICS members also adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts in West Asia. Modi said India’s BRICS presidency focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. (PC: HT)

BRICS leaders have strongly condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms. In the New Delhi Declaration 2026, leaders called for a zero-tolerance approach and stressed the importance of international cooperation against terrorism. The declaration also expressed concern over the continuing escalation of tensions in West Asia, urging all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could worsen the situation. The leaders reiterated their support for resolving international disputes through dialogue, consultation and diplomacy during the BRICS Summit under India’s chairship. (PC: X)

Chinese President Xi Jinping recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm welcome during his 2014 visit to Gujarat during bilateral talks in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Xi smilingly mentioned that Modi had received him in his home state on September 17, 2014, which was also Modi’s birthday, prompting a light-hearted reaction from the Indian Prime Minister. Xi noted that the two leaders have met 21 times over the years. Their discussions focused on stabilising India-China relations, addressing border issues and expanding economic and strategic cooperation. Both sides emphasised dialogue, mutual understanding and continued efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. 

Newly declassified CIA presidential intelligence briefs have revealed that India was among several countries Osama bin Laden had considered targeting before the September 11, 2001 attacks. The CIA released more than 70 intelligence documents, covering the period from 1998 to 2001, to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. A 1998 brief said bin Laden wanted to launch attacks against countries including India, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Uganda. The documents also show repeated warnings to U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush about al-Qaeda’s plans to attack American targets. (PC: NDTV)

BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration in New Delhi on Saturday, backing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and calling for stronger international support for Palestine. The declaration supported Palestine’s full UN membership and said a lasting solution should include a sovereign Palestinian state within the internationally recognised 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. BRICS also welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, condemned violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and called on Israel to respect its agreement with the Lebanese government and withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory. The declaration also raised concerns over unilateral tariffs and trade restrictions. (PC: X/Narendramodi)