New Delhi’s air quality plummets post-Deepavali
New Delhi recorded the world’s worst air quality on Oct 21, with IQAir ranking it at a hazardous 442 AQI.
The spike followed the Supreme Court’s limited relaxation of a firecracker ban during Deepavali. Despite restrictions, crackers were set off beyond allowed hours.
PM2.5 levels surged, raising serious health concerns, with the concentration more than 59 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended annual guideline.
India’s Central Pollution Control Board rated the city’s air as “very poor,” with little relief expected soon.
PM Modi likely to skip Asean summit in Malaysia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to travel to Malaysia for the meetings related to the Asean summit beginning on Oct 26 due to scheduling issues, NDTV reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The news outlet said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at the meetings.
However, Mr Modi could participate through virtual mode.
The prime minister has led the Indian delegations at the Asean-India summit and the East Asia summit in the last few years.
Belgium clears way for Choksi’s extradition
A Belgian court ruled there are no legal barriers to extraditing fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi to India, where he faces fraud and corruption charges in the Rs13,850 crore (S$205 million) Punjab National Bank scam.
The court dismissed his claims of political persecution and media bias, finding no credible risk to a fair trial.
Choksi can still appeal to the Belgian Supreme Court within 15 days.
Srinivasan reappointed to Tata Trusts amid internal rift
Tata Trusts has unanimously reappointed TVS Group’s Venu Srinivasan as a lifetime trustee ahead of his Oct 23 term expiry.
The move comes amid reported internal divisions between factions aligned with chairman Noel Tata and former chairman Ratan Tata.
All attention now turns to Mr Mehli Mistry’s reappointment, due by Oct 28. Tata Trusts controls 66 per cent of Tata Sons, overseeing one of India’s largest business empires.
London professor deported from Delhi for visa violations
Ms Francesca Orsini, a renowned Hindi scholar and professor at The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, was deported from Delhi Airport on Oct 21 over alleged tourist visa violations.
Ms Orsini has been blacklisted since March 2025 for breaching visa norms. Her deportation drew criticism from academics, including historian Ramachandra Guha, who hailed her work.
The Ministry of Home Affairs maintained that blacklisting for visa violations is standard practice.
Viral workout video of druglord sparks prison probe
A video of alleged druglord Rashid Ali working out inside Raipur Central Jail has triggered a security review.
The clip, taken between Oct 13 and 15, showed Ali using a smuggled phone, allegedly supplied by another inmate. Two guards were dismissed, and the assistant jail superintendent suspended.
The video also shows selfies with criminals, exposing lax oversight and prisoner privileges, reported NDTV.
Canadian paraglider dies in Himachal crash
Ms Megan Elizabeth Roberts, a 27-year-old Canadian paraglider, was found dead in Himachal Pradesh’s Dhauladhar ranges after crashing during a solo flight from Bir-Billing.
Her satellite phone helped locate her at 3,965 metres. Authorities brought her body down to 3,045m after a chopper failed to land.
A post-mortem and investigation into the cause of the crash are underway.
Kerala SIT submits Sabarimala gold theft report to court
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating gold theft from the Sabarimala temple submitted its first report in a sealed cover to the Kerala High Court.
The probe began after gold-plated copper claddings on idols were removed without court approval. The court directed criminal cases after lapses were exposed.
Ten individuals, including Bengaluru-based Unnikrishnan Potty and Travancore Devaswom Board officials, are accused in two registered cases.
Tamil Nadu toddler rescued after finger stuck in idli tray
A two-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu had her finger trapped in an idli tray, prompting a 90-minute rescue by fire brigade officials.
Using cutters and cold water to avoid burns, five workers carefully freed her while cartoons played to distract her. The child sustained no injury.
A video of the emotional yet delicate operation has gone viral online.
Speeding jeep kills four in Jaipur motorcycle crash
A high-speed jeep crashed into three motorcycles on NH-52 near Jaipur’s Chomu area on Oct 22, killing four people and seriously injuring three.
The victims were returning from a temple visit. One person died instantly.
Locals alerted police after witnessing the violent crash, which completely crushed the bikes. Police are investigating driver negligence and speeding as contributing factors.
Bengaluru to get 80,000-seat international cricket stadium
The Karnataka Cabinet has approved, in principle, a new international cricket stadium near Bengaluru.
Proposed in Anekal’s Indlavadi village, the 80,000-seater will be built on 75 acres in Suryanagar Fourth Stage Extension.
Estimated to cost Rs2,350 crore, the Housing Department will now prepare a detailed project report and conduct a viability study. The stadium aims to boost Karnataka’s global sports profile.
