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)

Leh was placed under curfew after violent protests over Ladakh’s demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule. Protesters set fire to the BJP office and vehicles, leaving dozens injured, including police. Authorities said the situation was brought under control, but tensions remain high. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike, ended his fast as clashes broke out. The government accused him of inciting unrest, while Opposition parties blamed the BJP’s broken promises. On Thursday, the Centre cancelled the FCRA license of Wangchuk’s NGO SECMOL, citing rule violations. Leaders have appealed for peace in the region. (PC: PSA)

India successfully launched its intermediate-range Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher, marking a first in its strategic missile tests. With a range up to 2,000 km, the missile was fired from a train-mounted platform that can move freely across the rail network without preparatory infrastructure. Defence officials say this mobility increases survivability and complicates enemy targeting, enhancing India’s second-strike capability. The test places India among a select group of nations with rail-mobile missile launch capability, bolstering its nuclear deterrence posture.   

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a preliminary inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his institute, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL). The probe, initiated on a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), began two months ago, with CBI officials recently visiting HIAL. The inquiry coincides with heightened tensions in Ladakh, where protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule status turned violent. The MHA accused Wangchuk of making provocative statements that fueled unrest, intensifying scrutiny of his activities. 

Israel has deepened its offensive in Gaza City just as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to New York for the UN General Assembly. Air-strikes reportedly killed at least 19 people across Gaza in one day, including entire families, while the Israeli military said it struck 170 targets linked to militant “terror infrastructure.” Israel describes Gaza City as Hamas’s last stronghold, yet hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped. Netanyahu is expected to meet with U.S. officials and address global criticism over the humanitarian toll.