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)

Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has described Gaza as a future “real estate bonanza,” saying the “demolition phase” is complete and now rebuilding can begin. He claimed a business plan is already with US President Donald Trump, involving dividing Gaza after the war. The idea echoes Trump’s earlier proposal to turn Gaza into a tourism hub, which was condemned internationally. Critics say it would involve forced displacement of Palestinians and violate international law. The UN estimates 92% of Gaza’s housing is destroyed. Smotrich, sanctioned abroad for incitement, also recently proposed annexing most of the West Bank. (PC: Getty Images)

The UK has deported the first migrant to France under the new “one in, one out” deal with Paris. The person, who crossed the Channel illegally, was flown back earlier today. Under the agreement, for every migrant returned, the UK will accept one legal asylum seeker from France. Officials say this is only the start, with more deportations planned as the scheme expands. Over 30,000 migrants have crossed the Channel illegally this year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the move shows Britain’s resolve to secure borders. Some earlier deportations were blocked by courts, prompting a review of current laws. (PC: PA)

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Delhi to probe the authenticity of an advocate’s B.Com (Hons.) degree from Magadh University, after the University declared the certificate and mark sheet “forged and not issued” in 1991. A bench comprising Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan, hearing an appeal against a Bar Council of India Disciplinary Committee decision, ordered submission of a CBI report by November 30, 2025. The petitioner claims missing university records complicated verification. The matter will next be heard on December 12, 2025.

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)

Neeraj Chopra’s medal streak ended in Tokyo as he finished 8th in the World Athletics Championships 2025 javelin final. For the first time in 7 years, the Olympic and world champion missed the podium. His best throw of 84.03m fell short, leaving him visibly frustrated. In contrast, 25-year-old Sachin Yadav impressed with a lifetime best of 86.27m, finishing 4th and missing bronze by just 40cm. Trinidad’s Keshorn Walcott won gold with 88.16m, Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed silver, and USA’s Curtis Thompson took bronze. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem also disappointed, finishing 10th. The night marked major upsets in men’s javelin. (PC: India Today) 

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)

The families of four passengers killed in the June 12 Air India Flight AI-171 crash have filed a lawsuit in Delaware against Boeing and Honeywell, alleging a defective fuel cutoff switch caused the accident. The Dreamliner 787 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad for London, killing 260 people. Plaintiffs claim the switches, installed just behind the thrust levers, could be inadvertently activated; they reference a 2018 FAA advisory warning about disengaged locking mechanisms, which was advisory, not mandatory. According to preliminary reports, Air India had not conducted the recommended inspections before the flight. Boeing declined comment; no comment yet from Honeywell. (PC: PTI)

Kerala is on high alert after 19 people died from infections caused by the brain-eating amoeba this year. Health officials confirmed 72 infections, including 9 deaths in September alone. Last year, the state reported 36 infections and 9 deaths. The rare amoeba, called Naegleria fowleri, enters through the nose from contaminated water and destroys brain tissue. It does not spread from person to person. The fatality rate is above 95%, with symptoms like headache, fever, vomiting, seizures, and coma. Authorities are conducting large-scale testing across the state. Experts warn infections are rare but nearly always fatal. (PC: HT)

Pakistan defeated UAE by 41 runs in the Asia Cup 2025 but faced heavy criticism for another poor batting show. Former fast bowler Wasim Akram admitted Pakistan’s loss to India left him “down and depressed” and said the team again showed technical faults against UAE. Only Fakhar Zaman crossed 30 runs, while Shaheen Afridi’s late unbeaten 29 saved Pakistan from more embarrassment. Captain Salman Ali Agha admitted batting struggles in middle overs remain a concern before the Super Four clash against India on September 21. Pakistan managed 146/9, with bowlers doing well, but batting woes continue to dominate discussions. (PC: NDTV)