The death toll in the illegal stone quarry collapse at Nalhati, West Bengal, rose to seven. Tapan Mal, transferred from Bardhaman to Kolkata for treatment, died in a hospital on Thursday.   The accident occurred on September 12 at a quarry in Bahadurpur’s Shaldanga area. Six workers died immediately when soil and stones fell on them. Four others were critically injured. Rescue teams dug through the debris and took survivors to hospitals. The earlier deceased workers were Samaul Molla, Abid Sheikh, Hazrat Ali, Lalbabu Sheikh, Rath Mondal, and Kajal Let, all from poor families. (PC: Ganashakti)

The government has cancelled the FCRA licence of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO, Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). Officials said the group committed repeated violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. The action came a day after violent Ladakh protests over statehood that left four dead. The Home Ministry blamed Wangchuk’s speeches for provoking attacks on a BJP office and the election officer’s office. Investigations flagged “serious financial irregularities,” including misuse of foreign donations. Wangchuk, seen as the face of the Ladakh statehood movement, said he is ready to face arrest. (PC: X)

The House of Lords in London hosted the Indo-European Business Forum’s (IEBF) Viksit Bharat Investment Summit 2025. The event brought together world leaders, policymakers, investors, and business leaders to build stronger economic ties between India, the UK, Europe, and other regions.    Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu received the Leadership and Governance Award for his policies and governance in the state. In his speech, he invited investors to explore Himachal’s clean energy, wellness, IT, horticulture, and tourism sectors. He said Himachal, with 100% literacy, offers growth, trust, and resilience. IEBF founder Vijay Goel said trade agreements between India, the UK, and the EU could open business worth over £40 billion and €200 billion. “This is about opportunities in textiles, renewable energy, defence, education, IT, and retail,” he said. The summit welcomed Lord David Evans of the UK Parliament, UK Shadow Minister Seema Malhotra, UK MP Virender Sharma, High Commissioner of Ghana Samuel Mahama, Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Minister Dr Rohitga, educationist Mrs. Neerja Birla, entrepreneur Niharika Handa, AI innovators Tejesh Kumar Kodali and Janaki Yarlagadda, Media consultant and last year’s British Indian of the Year, Manish Tiwari. Awards were given for achievements in innovation, business, AI, green energy, and social impact. The evening ended with a call for global partnerships. Mr. Goel said, “Together, let us make Bharat truly developed and respected.”

Durga Puja in Tokyo has taken a unique turn with Somdatta Banerjee, a female priest, leading rituals for the India Bengal Cultural Association Japan (IBCAJ). Born in Shantiniketan, she moved to Japan five years ago and stepped up when a male priest was unavailable. Since then, she has challenged traditional taboos, allowing women of all backgrounds to take part in rituals. Somdatta says, “In God’s eye, all are equal.” Her inclusive approach has inspired many and made the festival more welcoming. With growing popularity, people travel long distances in Japan to witness the celebrations and her way of worship. (PC: Times Now)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Bihar’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana on Friday through video conferencing. Under the scheme, ₹10,000 each will be transferred to the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across the state, amounting to ₹7,500 crore. Officials said the goal is to make women aatmanirbhar by supporting self-employment and livelihood opportunities. One woman from each family will receive financial aid to start work of her choice. Later, more support of up to ₹2 lakh may be given. Training will be provided through self-help groups, and rural markets will be developed to help sell their products. (PC: ANI Video Grab/ ANI Garb)

 A monumental 500-foot alpana, conceived using AI by designer Suvranil Nath, now adorns a stretch near New Town’s Sarbojanin in Kolkata, merging tradition and technology. The colorful artwork—executed by artist Anindita Deb and a team of 20 artists over five nights (7 pm to 7 am)—turned the road into a vibrant festival spectacle, compelling commuters to pause and admire. Backed by a multinational sponsor, the project is a bold statement of how cultural expression and AI can coalesce in public art. 

The Indian government is preparing a major project to use its share of Indus waters for northern states, NDTV reported. After suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan earlier this year, ministers reviewed plans to build a 14-km tunnel linking the Indus and Beas rivers. Construction giant L&T is preparing the detailed report, expected by next year. A 113-km canal will also be built to carry water to Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. Officials aim to finish by 2028. The project will boost irrigation and drinking water, while stopping excess water from flowing into Pakistan. (PC: NDTV)

Wipro founder Azim Premji has declined Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s request to open the company’s Sarjapur campus road for public use to ease traffic on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road. Premji said legal, governance, and SEZ rules prevent public access to the private property. He added that such a move would not provide a lasting solution. Instead, Premji offered to work with the state government on data-driven solutions. He proposed a scientific study by urban transport experts and said Wipro would fund much of the cost. Premji stressed that a holistic, long-term plan is needed to solve the city’s traffic issues. (PC: India Today)

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is in trouble after the ICC accepted complaints from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB accused him of making “provocative” and “inappropriate” remarks after India’s win over Pakistan on September 14 in the Asia Cup. Suryakumar had dedicated the victory to the Indian armed forces and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The ICC has asked match referee Richie Richardson to look into the matter. Suryakumar can either accept the charges or face a hearing with PCB and BCCI officials. He is expected to contest the charges, making disciplinary action likely. (PC: AFP)

Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius has warned that Russian satellites are shadowing satellites used by German forces. Speaking at a space conference in Berlin, he said: “Russia and China have expanded their capabilities for warfare in space rapidly over the past years. They can disrupt satellite operations, blind satellites, manipulate or kinetically destroy them.” He pointed to two Russian Luch/Olymp satellites, launched in 2014 and 2023, that have been following Intelsat satellites. French and US firms earlier flagged “unfriendly” moves by these satellites. Pistorius stressed that Germany must build offensive space powers to act as a deterrent. (PC: X)