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.   

IRS officer and former NCB Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and Aryan Khan, claiming that the Netflix series The Ba*ds of Bollywood contains “false, malicious, and defamatory content” that tarnishes his reputation. He alleges the show negatively portrays anti‑drug agencies and misrepresents his role amid pending legal proceedings. The suit demands ₹2 crore in damages (to be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital), seeks to restrain further show distribution, and labeling of the series as defamatory.

A car exploded in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday, leaving several people injured, Reuters reported, citing local media. The cause of the blast is still under investigation. The explosion comes months after a February attack when three empty buses near Tel Aviv were targeted with explosive devices. At that time, no casualties were reported, but police confirmed the use of identical bombs with timers, indicating a planned strike. Authorities have not confirmed if the latest car blast is connected to those incidents. Security forces and emergency responders are on high alert as investigations continue. (PC: India Today)

In a bold escalation, Russia conducted daytime drone strikes targeting multiple Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Dnipropetrovsk, according to Ukrainian officials. The attacks involved swarms of Iranian‑origin Shahed drones, many of which were intercepted by Ukraine’s air defence. The strikes inflicted damage on civilian infrastructure and disrupted power supplies. While casualties remain unconfirmed, Kyiv condemned the assaults as deliberate terror tactics. President Zelensky called for stronger international intervention, warning of an accelerating drone war that could destabilize the wider region. 

Indian authorities have imposed a strict curfew in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, after violent clashes between police and protesters left four dead and dozens injured. The unrest, the worst in decades, broke out during long-running protests demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh’s land, jobs, and identity. Protesters torched a BJP office and police vehicle, leading to police firing live rounds and tear gas. The government blamed activist Sonam Wangchuk for inciting violence—a charge he denies. The curfew follows growing frustration among youth over unemployment and delayed talks with the central government. Tensions remain high. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump has accused the United Nations of “triple sabotage” during his speech at the 80th UN General Assembly. He pointed to three incidents: a stalled escalator, a dead teleprompter, and sound system failures. Trump said these events were “sinister” attempts to undermine him. He warned that Melania Trump and he could have been injured on the escalator. Calling the glitches deliberate, he demanded arrests and an investigation, urging UN officials to save security footage. Despite the failures, Trump gave a 57-minute speech, saying it received strong reviews. The UN has not commented yet. (PC: HT)

Ex-narcotics officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and others over the series “Ba***ds of Bollywood.” Wankhede claims the show portrayed him falsely and maliciously, harming his reputation. He seeks a permanent injunction, declaration, and Rs 2 crore in damages, which he plans to donate to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. The series allegedly shows a distorted view of anti-drug agencies and includes a controversial scene with a national slogan. Wankhede says the content violates the IT Act, BNS, and Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. (PC: India Today)