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Ahead of Bihar's 2025 assembly elections, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) has nominated four Muslim candidates, a move designed to balance caste dynamics and appeal to specific vote banks. These candidates are part of the second list of 44 nominees released by the party on Thursday (October 16). While JDU previously fielded ten Muslim candidates in 2020, the number this time is lower, with the BJP not fielding any Muslim candidates at all.&nbsp;The four JDU candidates, representing key constituencies, are Jama Khan in Chainpur, Saba Zafar in Amaur, Manzar Alam in Jokihat, and Shagupta Azim in Araria. Notably, Chainpur, won by the BSP in 2020, and the other three seats (Jokihat, Amaur, Araria) are located in the Seemanchal region, where Muslims make up a significant portion of the electorate.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/aimim-rally-turns-into-biryani-loot-fest-in-bihar-as-crowd-goes-wild-over-free-food-watch-1760619520121">AIMIM rally turns into Biryani loot fest in Bihar as crowd goes wild over free food | WATCH</a>&nbsp;In the 2020 elections, Chainpur went to the BSP, Araria was clinched by Congress, and both Amaur and Jokihat were claimed by the AIMIM. The JDU's selection of Muslim candidates appears to be a deliberate effort to maintain its hold in these strategically crucial areas. Alongside the Muslim nominees, JDU has focused on a well-calibrated caste strategy in its list of 101 candidates, which includes 37 from the Backward Classes, 22 from the Extremely Backward Classes, and 15 from Scheduled Castes. Additionally, the party has given tickets to 13 women and five current ministers.&nbsp;As part of a seat-sharing agreement with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), JDU is contesting 101 seats, while BJP is contesting an equal number. Smaller allies like Upendra Kushwaha’s Rastriya Lok Morcha and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM will also be in the race with a combined 12 seats, while Chirag Paswan’s LJP is set to contest 29.

Bihar Elections 2025: JDU nominates four Muslim candidates in a tactical move to garner votes

Ahead of Bihar's 2025 assembly elections, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) has nominated four Muslim candidates, a move designed to balance caste dynamics and appeal to specific vote banks. These candidates are part of the second list of 44 nominees released by the party on Thursday (October 16). While JDU previously fielded ten Muslim candidates in 2020, the number this time is lower, with the BJP not fielding any Muslim candidates at all. The four JDU candidates, representing key constituencies, are Jama Khan in Chainpur, Saba Zafar in Amaur, Manzar Alam in Jokihat, and Shagupta Azim in Araria. Notably, Chainpur, won by the BSP in 2020, and the other three seats (Jokihat, Amaur, Araria) are located in the Seemanchal region, where Muslims make up a significant portion of the electorate. Also Read: AIMIM rally turns into Biryani loot fest in Bihar as crowd goes wild over free food | WATCH In the 2020 elections, Chainpur went to the BSP, Araria was clinched by Congress, and both Amaur and Jokihat were claimed by the AIMIM. The JDU's selection of Muslim candidates appears to be a deliberate effort to maintain its hold in these strategically crucial areas. Alongside the Muslim nominees, JDU has focused on a well-calibrated caste strategy in its list of 101 candidates, which includes 37 from the Backward Classes, 22 from the Extremely Backward Classes, and 15 from Scheduled Castes. Additionally, the party has given tickets to 13 women and five current ministers. As part of a seat-sharing agreement with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), JDU is contesting 101 seats, while BJP is contesting an equal number. Smaller allies like Upendra Kushwaha’s Rastriya Lok Morcha and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM will also be in the race with a combined 12 seats, while Chirag Paswan’s LJP is set to contest 29.

JDU fields four Muslim candidates in upcoming Bihar's 2025 elections, focusing on caste balance in sensitive areas, with a strategic plan for Muslim and backward vote banks

In what can be dubbed as a disturbing incident, an Austrian brain surgeon has been arrested for allowing her daughter to drill a hole into a patient's skull post surgery. The incident highlights the careless by the doctor on the alleged charge given that the daughter is 12-year-old. The surgeon in question, however, denies these allegations. The probe was launched into the matter after several people anonymously reported the alleged act by the doctor and the judge in the case has taken the note of the negligence very seriously.&nbsp;<h2>Surgeon allows 12-year-old to drill hole in skull</h2>&nbsp;The incident happened last year in January 2024 at the Graz Regional Hospital in Graz, Austria, according to a Kurier report. A 33-year-old farm worker was admitted to the hospital after suffering a serious brain injury in an accident. There was a doctor, a senior physician and a neurosurgeon still in training present in the operation theatre. According to the indictment, once the operation was nearly completion, the doctor allowed her 12-year-old, who she had brought in the operating room, to drill a hole in the patient's skull for further probe. According to reports, she later boasted about her daughter to the nurses as well.&nbsp;<h2>What is the accused doctor saying?</h2>&nbsp;The doctor in question denies allowing her daughter to drill the hole. As reported by NZ Herald, the doctor told the court that her “biggest mistake was letting her go to the operating table”. Prosecutor in the case, Julia Steiner, however, taken a hard stance on the matter.&nbsp;“What would have happened if the drill had been defective and had not stopped automatically after breaking through the skull bone?” the prosecutor said while adding that the posed “risk cannot be downplayed”.

The probe was launched into the matter after several people anonymously reported the alleged act by the doctor and the judge in the case has taken the note of the negligence very seriously.

In what can be dubbed as a disturbing incident, an Austrian brain surgeon has been arrested for allowing her daughter to drill a hole into a patient's skull post surgery. The incident highlights the careless by the doctor on the alleged charge given that the daughter is 12-year-old. The surgeon in question, however, denies these allegations. The probe was launched into the matter after several people anonymously reported the alleged act by the doctor and the judge in the case has taken the note of the negligence very seriously. Surgeon allows 12-year-old to drill hole in skull The incident happened last year in January 2024 at the Graz Regional Hospital in Graz, Austria, according to a Kurier report. A 33-year-old farm worker was admitted to the hospital after suffering a serious brain injury in an accident. There was a doctor, a senior physician and a neurosurgeon still in training present in the operation theatre. According to the indictment, once the operation was nearly completion, the doctor allowed her 12-year-old, who she had brought in the operating room, to drill a hole in the patient's skull for further probe. According to reports, she later boasted about her daughter to the nurses as well. What is the accused doctor saying? The doctor in question denies allowing her daughter to drill the hole. As reported by NZ Herald, the doctor told the court that her “biggest mistake was letting her go to the operating table”. Prosecutor in the case, Julia Steiner, however, taken a hard stance on the matter. “What would have happened if the drill had been defective and had not stopped automatically after breaking through the skull bone?” the prosecutor said while adding that the posed “risk cannot be downplayed”.

The probe was launched into the matter after several people anonymously reported the alleged act by the doctor and the judge in the case has taken the note of the negligence very seriously.

SHOCKER! Doctor arrested for allowing 12-year-old to drill hole in patient's skull during surgery

With elections approaching in Bihar, the state has become a hotbed of political activity, with parties and candidates pulling out all the stops to win over voters. A major strategy gaining traction is the distribution of freebies, from food to various incentives, to draw in the crowd at rallies. But a recent event turned the spotlight on an unexpected moment of chaos when a video surfaced of a frenzy over biryani at the nomination event of AIMIM candidate Tausif Alam, who’s vying for the Bahadurganj Assembly seat in Kishanganj district.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-16-gujarat-ministers-resign-new-bigger-bhupendra-patel-cabinet-to-take-oath-friday-1760617081476">All 16 Gujarat ministers resign; new, bigger Bhupendra Patel Cabinet to take oath Friday</a>&nbsp;According to reports, pandemonium broke out as crowds scrambled to grab biryani packets. The video, which went viral in no time, sparked mixed reactions online. One user commented, “It’s the politicians who should be working on improving Bihar for its struggling people! Imagine this in a poverty-stricken country, while India dreams of becoming a global leader by 2047.” Another user lamented, “These are the voters who will decide India’s future. The leaders they elect will shape the nation.”&nbsp;A third added with some humour, “No big deal, this happens all the time. A few days ago, it was mangoes, today it’s biryani." While a fourth user sympathetically wrote, “These people are unemployed and desperate. They’ll rush for whatever they can find.”<h2>Watch the viral video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">बिहार– किशनगंज जिले की बहादुरगंज विधानसभा सीट से AIMIM प्रत्याशी तौसीफ आलम के नॉमिनेशन प्रोग्राम में बिरयानी के लिए लूट मची !! <a href="https://t.co/1XUP45Hiyx">pic.twitter.com/1XUP45Hiyx</a>&mdash; Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/SachinGuptaUP/status/1978754760065921283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In the 2020 Bihar state elections, the BJP-JDU alliance narrowly defeated the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. The BJP-JDU coalition secured 125 seats (with BJP winning 74, JDU 42, and others 9), while the RJD took 75, Congress 19, and other parties claimed 16 seats. Despite JDU being the smaller partner with fewer seats, Nitish Kumar of JDU was appointed as Chief Minister, marking his seventh term in office. However, midway through his tenure, Kumar did what many anticipated—he switched sides and rejoined the Mahagathbandhan in 2022, taking oath as Chief Minister for an eighth term. This time, he played a key role in establishing the INDIA alliance, a new anti-BJP coalition. Yet, in 2024, he once again made a dramatic U-turn, re-aligning with the BJP and taking oath as chief minister for his ninth term.

AIMIM rally turns into Biryani loot fest in Bihar as crowd goes wild over free food | WATCH

With elections approaching in Bihar, the state has become a hotbed of political activity, with parties and candidates pulling out all the stops to win over voters. A major strategy gaining traction is the distribution of freebies, from food to various incentives, to draw in the crowd at rallies. But a recent event turned the spotlight on an unexpected moment of chaos when a video surfaced of a frenzy over biryani at the nomination event of AIMIM candidate Tausif Alam, who’s vying for the Bahadurganj Assembly seat in Kishanganj district. Also Read: All 16 Gujarat ministers resign; new, bigger Bhupendra Patel Cabinet to take oath Friday According to reports, pandemonium broke out as crowds scrambled to grab biryani packets. The video, which went viral in no time, sparked mixed reactions online. One user commented, “It’s the politicians who should be working on improving Bihar for its struggling people! Imagine this in a poverty-stricken country, while India dreams of becoming a global leader by 2047.” Another user lamented, “These are the voters who will decide India’s future. The leaders they elect will shape the nation.” A third added with some humour, “No big deal, this happens all the time. A few days ago, it was mangoes, today it’s biryani." While a fourth user sympathetically wrote, “These people are unemployed and desperate. They’ll rush for whatever they can find.” Watch the viral video here

Bihar’s election frenzy hits a new level as a viral video shows crowds fighting over biryani at an AIMIM rally, drawing mixed reactions and political commentary

All 16 ministers in the Gujarat government resigned on Thursday ahead of a major cabinet reshuffle scheduled for Friday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is the only member of the current cabinet to continue in office, and is expected to meet Governor Acharya Devvrat in the evening to formally submit the resignations. The current Gujarat cabinet, which has 16 members, will be expanded and the number of ministers could rise to over 20, said reports, citing sources. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar by Thursday. The new, bigger Gujarat cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda.“Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s cabinet will be expanded on Friday at 12:39 pm,” a government release said.&nbsp;The Gujarat cabinet comprised 17 ministers, including Chief Minister Patel. Eight of them were cabinet-rank ministers, while others were ministers of state (MoS).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gandhinagar, Gujarat: On Gujarat Cabinet Reshuffle, Minister Rushikesh Patel says, &quot;It has also been officially communicated that on the 17th, CM Bhupendra Patel and his council of ministers are going to be sworn in...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/yqECXHLuT5">pic.twitter.com/yqECXHLuT5</a>&mdash; IANS (@ians_india) <a href="https://twitter.com/ians_india/status/1978726906666082374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>Gujarat can have up to 27 ministers</h2>&nbsp;Gujarat, which has a 182-member assembly, can have 27 ministers, or 15 per cent of the total strength of the House.&nbsp;A meeting was held at the chief minister’s residence on Thursday evening, and it was attended by BJP national general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal and CM Patel. Bansal and Patel met each minister individually and informed them about the decision of the party’s central leadership and then collected their resignations.&nbsp;Reports said around seven ministers are likely to be retained, and new faces will be inducted as per the party’s strategy.Party insiders said Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma coordinated the process and conveyed the leadership’s decision to the ministers.&nbsp;<h2>Reshuffle to infuse new energy, balance representation</h2>&nbsp;The resignations are being seen as part of the BJP’s plan to restructure the state cabinet ahead of the upcoming political and organisational challenges. The reshuffle will enable the party to infuse new energy and balance caste and regional representation ahead of upcoming polls.

Earlier this month, MoS in the Gujarat government, Jagdish Vishwakarma, became the new president of the BJP’s state unit, replacing Union minister CR Paatil. Bhupendra Patel took oath as Gujarat chief minister for the second time on December 12, 2022.

Gujarat, which has a 182-member assembly, can have 27 ministers, or 15 per cent of the total strength of the House. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar. A bigger cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. 

All 16 ministers in the Gujarat government resigned on Thursday ahead of a major cabinet reshuffle scheduled for Friday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is the only member of the current cabinet to continue in office, and is expected to meet Governor Acharya Devvrat in the evening to formally submit the resignations. The current Gujarat cabinet, which has 16 members, will be expanded and the number of ministers could rise to over 20, said reports, citing sources. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar by Thursday. The new, bigger Gujarat cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda. “Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s cabinet will be expanded on Friday at 12:39 pm,” a government release said. The Gujarat cabinet comprised 17 ministers, including Chief Minister Patel. Eight of them were cabinet-rank ministers, while others were ministers of state (MoS).

Gujarat, which has a 182-member assembly, can have 27 ministers, or 15 per cent of the total strength of the House. All the BJP MLAs have also been asked to be in Gandhinagar. A bigger cabinet will be sworn in on Friday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.&nbsp;

All 16 Gujarat ministers resign; new, bigger Bhupendra Patel Cabinet to take oath Friday

Speaking at the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave 2025, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted that the United Nations continues to reflect the realities of 1945, rather than those of 2025. The Indian army is hosting senior leaders from 32 troop contributing nations, along with senior United Nations officials, for three days in the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.&nbsp;Elaborating on Indian peacekeeping philosophy, Jaishankar said India's peacekeeping is based on its civilisation ethos. Drawing upon the Indian interpretation of universalism, he said that, “We see the world as one family, a vision enshrined in the timeless phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. This is not just cultural wisdom, but an outlook that anchors our worldview”.He also asserted that there is an urgent need for reform. He said that after eight long decades, the institution is lagging behind on adapting to changes and is at risk of becoming obsolete.&nbsp;"Institutions that fail to adapt risk irrelevance, not just irrelevance, but eroding legitimacy, leaving us without recourse in times of uncertainty," he said.&nbsp;He also urged that the UN's credibility depends on amplifying the voice of the Global South or the developing world. He highlighted that eventhough many nations support the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent members, the historical injustice continues because 'the process of reform is being used to derail the agenda'.“Let me honour today the more than 4,000 UN and 182 Indian peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty” said Jaishankar. He added that peacekeeping forces have become an important instrument of the UN functions, eventhough it was not part of the original UN design.&nbsp;"The primary responsibility for the protection of civilians lies with the host state,” he added, underlining that mandates cannot be imposed without local collaboration and without consultation with the host nation.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlights the urgent need for UN reforms, emphasising inclusivity, Global South representation, and the evolving role of peacekeeping at UNTCC 2025 in New Delhi.

Speaking at the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries’ (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave 2025, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted that the United Nations continues to reflect the realities of 1945, rather than those of 2025. The Indian army is hosting senior leaders from 32 troop contributing nations, along with senior United Nations officials, for three days in the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Elaborating on Indian peacekeeping philosophy, Jaishankar said India's peacekeeping is based on its civilisation ethos. Drawing upon the Indian interpretation of universalism, he said that, “We see the world as one family, a vision enshrined in the timeless phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. This is not just cultural wisdom, but an outlook that anchors our worldview”. He also asserted that there is an urgent need for reform. He said that after eight long decades, the institution is lagging behind on adapting to changes and is at risk of becoming obsolete. "Institutions that fail to adapt risk irrelevance, not just irrelevance, but eroding legitimacy, leaving us without recourse in times of uncertainty," he said. He also urged that the UN's credibility depends on amplifying the voice of the Global South or the developing world. He highlighted that eventhough many nations support the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent members, the historical injustice continues because 'the process of reform is being used to derail the agenda'. “Let me honour today the more than 4,000 UN and 182 Indian peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty” said Jaishankar. He added that peacekeeping forces have become an important instrument of the UN functions, eventhough it was not part of the original UN design. "The primary responsibility for the protection of civilians lies with the host state,” he added, underlining that mandates cannot be imposed without local collaboration and without consultation with the host nation.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlights the urgent need for UN reforms, emphasising inclusivity, Global South representation, and the evolving role of peacekeeping at UNTCC 2025 in New Delhi.

'UN still reflects the realities of 1945, not 2025': Jaishankar calls for urgent reform

In a distressing incident on Wednesday (Oct 15), 24 transgender people attempt mass suicide in Indore - a city in India's Madhya Pradesh state. The community was demanding arrest of two people they accused of raping of the the persons from their community. The local police reached the incident site after being informed about it and intervened. The affected people were swiftly transferred for a city hospital to monitor the health after the suicide attempt. The police said that the statement will be recorded soon and an inquiry will be made in the matter.&nbsp;<h2>Why did 24 transgender people attempt suicide in Indore?</h2>&nbsp;According to one of the community member, Neha Kunwar, as told to reporters: Two people - "Akshay Kumayu and Pankaj Jain (fake journalists) started blackmailing us and raped one individual. It happened three months ago. Even Kinnars are not safe. Are we not humans? They also looted ₹1.5 lakh from the victim," reported Hindustan Times.24 people from the community, on Wednesday night, drank floor cleaning liquid (phenyl), demanding the arrest of above accused. Police reached the site upon getting the information and "Ambulances were immediately called, and twenty-four people were admitted to the nearby hospital. They are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition. Once their health improves, their statements will be recorded and the reason for the incident will be know," DCP Anand Kaladgi said.&nbsp;<h2>What's police doing about rape accused men?</h2>&nbsp;After the police shifted the trans people who fell ill during suicide attempt to hospital, others from community, including Kunwar reached the hospital as well and demanded arrest of accused men. Kunwar, reportedly, also attempted to end life by self-immolation, an attempt thwarted by the police.&nbsp;Additional DCP Crime Branch Rajesh Dandotiya, informing about the rape case, said that the accused have been booked under section 18 of the Transgender Protection Act 2019 and for intimidation. The incident happened on June 12 when the accused visited community area and "Pankaj assaulted the victim, sexually and physically," informed the police officer.

Mass suicide case in Indore come to the fore after demanding the arrest of two people they accused of raping persons from their community. The police said that the statement will be recorded soon and an inquiry will be made in the matter.

In a distressing incident on Wednesday (Oct 15), 24 transgender people attempt mass suicide in Indore - a city in India's Madhya Pradesh state. The community was demanding arrest of two people they accused of raping of the the persons from their community. The local police reached the incident site after being informed about it and intervened. The affected people were swiftly transferred for a city hospital to monitor the health after the suicide attempt. The police said that the statement will be recorded soon and an inquiry will be made in the matter. Why did 24 transgender people attempt suicide in Indore? According to one of the community member, Neha Kunwar, as told to reporters: Two people - "Akshay Kumayu and Pankaj Jain (fake journalists) started blackmailing us and raped one individual. It happened three months ago. Even Kinnars are not safe. Are we not humans? They also looted ₹1.5 lakh from the victim," reported Hindustan Times. 24 people from the community, on Wednesday night, drank floor cleaning liquid (phenyl), demanding the arrest of above accused. Police reached the site upon getting the information and "Ambulances were immediately called, and twenty-four people were admitted to the nearby hospital. They are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition. Once their health improves, their statements will be recorded and the reason for the incident will be know," DCP Anand Kaladgi said. What's police doing about rape accused men? After the police shifted the trans people who fell ill during suicide attempt to hospital, others from community, including Kunwar reached the hospital as well and demanded arrest of accused men. Kunwar, reportedly, also attempted to end life by self-immolation, an attempt thwarted by the police. Additional DCP Crime Branch Rajesh Dandotiya, informing about the rape case, said that the accused have been booked under section 18 of the Transgender Protection Act 2019 and for intimidation. The incident happened on June 12 when the accused visited community area and "Pankaj assaulted the victim, sexually and physically," informed the police officer.

Mass suicide case in Indore come to the fore after demanding the arrest of two people they accused of raping persons from their community. The police said that the statement will be recorded soon and an inquiry will be made into the matter.

24 transgender community people attempt mass suicide in Indore - Here's why

India on Thursday (October 16) has firmly rejected claims made by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him in a recent phone conversation that India would stop purchasing Russian oil. On Thursday, during a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media, saying, “I’m not aware of any conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump yesterday,” in direct response to Trump's comments.&nbsp;Trump had made the assertion during a press conference in the Oval Office, where he claimed that Modi had promised him that India would stop buying oil from Russia, a decision that he described as a ‘big stop’. The US president expressed his dissatisfaction with India's continued oil purchases from Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that Modi had provided assurances to address the issue.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iv-doses-no-cpr-bengaluru-doctor-charged-with-murdering-wife-through-sedatives-investigation-launched-1760610270829">IV doses, no CPR: Bengaluru doctor charged with murdering wife through sedatives; investigation launched</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi | On US President Trump’s statement over purchase of Russian oil by India, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, &quot;... On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any… <a href="https://t.co/CqjfqCEO0p">pic.twitter.com/CqjfqCEO0p</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1978789566816419938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The MEA spokesperson also touched upon the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Jaiswal emphasised three key points: First, Pakistan’s role in harbouring and sponsoring terrorist groups; second, Pakistan’s long-standing tendency to blame its neighboring countries for its internal challenges; and third, Pakistan’s frustration with Afghanistan asserting its sovereignty over its own territories.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-first-ai-hub-coming-to-andhra-pm-modi-hails-google-s-largest-investment-in-india-1760614371642">'First AI hub coming to Andhra': PM Modi hails Google’s largest investment in India</a>&nbsp;Finally, the spokesperson reiterated India’s steadfast support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. He also said that India’s Technical Mission, which has been operating in Kabul since June 2022, will soon transition into a full-fledged Embassy within the coming days. On Prime Minister Modi's meeting with US President Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, the MEA spokesperson said, “Let us await the announcement regarding our participation in the ASEAN summit.”

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday (October 16) during the weekly media briefing said that the MEA is not aware of any conversation between PM Modi and Donald Trump taken place on Wednesday (October 15)

India on Thursday (October 16) has firmly rejected claims made by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him in a recent phone conversation that India would stop purchasing Russian oil. On Thursday, during a weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media, saying, “I’m not aware of any conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump yesterday,” in direct response to Trump's comments. Trump had made the assertion during a press conference in the Oval Office, where he claimed that Modi had promised him that India would stop buying oil from Russia, a decision that he described as a ‘big stop’. The US president expressed his dissatisfaction with India's continued oil purchases from Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that Modi had provided assurances to address the issue. Also Read: IV doses, no CPR: Bengaluru doctor charged with murdering wife through sedatives; investigation launched

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday (October 16) during the weekly media briefing said that the MEA is not aware of any conversation between PM Modi and Donald Trump taken place on Wednesday (October 15)

'Not aware of any conversation between PM Modi and Trump yesterday': MEA clarifies after US president claims India won't buy Russian oil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that Google will establish India's first artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Andhra Pradesh. He said that the tech giant's largest investment outside the US will include advanced AI infrastructure, data center capacity, large-scale energy sources, and an expanded fibre-optic network.&nbsp;While addressing, PM Modi said, "Just two days ago, Google announced a major investment in Andhra Pradesh. Google is going to build India's first artificial intelligence hub here in our Andhra Pradesh. Yesterday, when I was talking to the CEO of Google, he told me that we have investments in many countries around the world outside the US. But now we are going to make the largest investment in Andhra Pradesh. This new AI Hub includes powerful AI infrastructure, data center capacity, large-scale energy sources, and expanded fiber-optic network."&nbsp;The project launched by Google will also feature an international subsea gateway connecting Visakhapatnam to global networks through multiple undersea cables. "This project will establish Visakhapatnam as an AI and connectivity hub. It will serve not only India but the entire world. I extend special congratulations to the people of Andhra Pradesh for this and highly commend Chandrababu Naidu for his vision," he added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, &quot;Just two days ago, Google announced a major investment in Andhra Pradesh. Google is going to build India&#39;s first artificial intelligence hub here in our Andhra Pradesh. Yesterday, when I was talking to the CEO… <a href="https://t.co/qYnPoovams">pic.twitter.com/qYnPoovams</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1978773316081988082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>‘21st Century going to be century of 140 billion Indians’: PM Modi</h3>PM Modi's statement followed after he inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation developmental projects worth Rs 13,430 crore in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The developmental projects include industry, railways, power transmission, roads, defence manufacturing, and petroleum and natural gas.&nbsp;Calling it a milestone for India’s digital future, Modi praised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s vision and added, "As Chandrababu said, looking at this rapid pace, I can say that in 2047, when it will be 100 years of independence, India will be developed. I am confident that the 21st century is going to be the century of India. The 21st century is going to be the century of 1.4 billion Indians."&nbsp;"In the last 16 months, the vehicle of progress has been running at a fast speed. There has been quite a lot of development with the double-engine government. Today, Delhi and Amravati together are going towards fast paced progress. Just like what Chandrababu Naidu said, that seeing the fast paced progress, in 2047, when 100 years of Independence will be completed, Viksit bharat will definitely happen," he said.&nbsp;The Prime Minister offered prayers and performed pooja at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Srisailam. He also performed pooja and participated in Darshan at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam yesterday. Later, he paid his visit to the Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra in Srisailam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the tech giant's largest investment outside the US will include advanced AI infrastructure, data center capacity, large-scale energy sources, and an expanded fibre-optic network.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that Google will establish India's first artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Andhra Pradesh. He said that the tech giant's largest investment outside the US will include advanced AI infrastructure, data center capacity, large-scale energy sources, and an expanded fibre-optic network. While addressing, PM Modi said, "Just two days ago, Google announced a major investment in Andhra Pradesh. Google is going to build India's first artificial intelligence hub here in our Andhra Pradesh. Yesterday, when I was talking to the CEO of Google, he told me that we have investments in many countries around the world outside the US. But now we are going to make the largest investment in Andhra Pradesh. This new AI Hub includes powerful AI infrastructure, data center capacity, large-scale energy sources, and expanded fiber-optic network." The project launched by Google will also feature an international subsea gateway connecting Visakhapatnam to global networks through multiple undersea cables. "This project will establish Visakhapatnam as an AI and connectivity hub. It will serve not only India but the entire world. I extend special congratulations to the people of Andhra Pradesh for this and highly commend Chandrababu Naidu for his vision," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the tech giant's largest investment outside the US will include advanced AI infrastructure, data center capacity, large-scale energy sources, and an expanded fibre-optic network.

'First AI hub coming to Andhra': PM Modi hails Google’s largest investment in India

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, today launched the two-day Veshaw Literary Festival in Kulgam, a vibrant celebration of literature that highlights the dynamic engagement of Jammu &amp; Kashmir’s youth with the nation’s history, values, and aspirations. The festival fosters a deep connection with India’s diverse heritage, promoting a shared cultural identity and contributing to nation-building.&nbsp;This annual event brings together writers, artists, and readers to exchange innovative ideas and showcase a rich variety of creative and literary works. With a special focus on the region’s unique spirituality and cultural significance, the festival provides a dedicated platform for women writers and young authors to share their voices. By fostering an appreciation for literature, the event strengthens community bonds and inspires collective growth, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised.&nbsp;"The lit fest will also explore the region's unique spirituality and cultural significance and provide a platform for women writers and young authors to share their creative works. The event will foster appreciation for literature and strengthen the community bond," the Lieutenant Governor said.&nbsp;The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the profound influence of Jammu and Kashmir's literary figures, whose works have inspired generations. "Kulgam embodies a vibrant tapestry of spirituality, intellect, culture, and literature. This sacred land, enriched by its natural beauty and heritage, holds a significant place in Jammu and Kashmir's legacy," he remarked.&nbsp;The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need to nurture young talent to expand creativity and reflect societal and global changes through literature. "Science, spirituality, and literature are vital for a progressive society. Writers, poets, and thinkers must promote our literary, scientific, and spiritual heritage, enrich folk traditions, foster social harmony, address public issues, and amplify marginalized voices," he said.&nbsp;He urged writers and poets to counter false narratives in Jammu and Kashmir, presenting the youth with truthful perspectives and inspiring new ideas. &nbsp;

This annual event brings together writers, artists, and readers to exchange innovative ideas and showcase a rich variety of creative and literary works. It fosters a deep connection with India’s diverse heritage, promoting a shared cultural identity and contributing to nation-building.

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, today launched the two-day Veshaw Literary Festival in Kulgam, a vibrant celebration of literature that highlights the dynamic engagement of Jammu & Kashmir’s youth with the nation’s history, values, and aspirations. The festival fosters a deep connection with India’s diverse heritage, promoting a shared cultural identity and contributing to nation-building. This annual event brings together writers, artists, and readers to exchange innovative ideas and showcase a rich variety of creative and literary works. With a special focus on the region’s unique spirituality and cultural significance, the festival provides a dedicated platform for women writers and young authors to share their voices. By fostering an appreciation for literature, the event strengthens community bonds and inspires collective growth, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised. "The lit fest will also explore the region's unique spirituality and cultural significance and provide a platform for women writers and young authors to share their creative works. The event will foster appreciation for literature and strengthen the community bond," the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the profound influence of Jammu and Kashmir's literary figures, whose works have inspired generations. "Kulgam embodies a vibrant tapestry of spirituality, intellect, culture, and literature. This sacred land, enriched by its natural beauty and heritage, holds a significant place in Jammu and Kashmir's legacy," he remarked. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need to nurture young talent to expand creativity and reflect societal and global changes through literature. "Science, spirituality, and literature are vital for a progressive society. Writers, poets, and thinkers must promote our literary, scientific, and spiritual heritage, enrich folk traditions, foster social harmony, address public issues, and amplify marginalized voices," he said. He urged writers and poets to counter false narratives in Jammu and Kashmir, presenting the youth with truthful perspectives and inspiring new ideas.

This annual event brings together writers, artists, and readers to exchange innovative ideas and showcase a rich variety of creative and literary works. It fosters a deep connection with India’s diverse heritage, promoting a shared cultural identity and contributing to nation-building.

J&K L-G Manoj Sinha inaugurates two-day Veshaw Literary Festival at Kulgam

What initially seemed like an unexplained death has now escalated into a murder investigation in Bengaluru. Kruthika M Reddy, who passed away six months ago, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Her husband, Mahendra Reddy, a doctor, is now under arrest as investigators delve deeper into the case, suspecting foul play. The police allege that Mahendra, using his medical knowledge and his wife’s health vulnerabilities, carefully orchestrated her death. The couple had been married for just over a year.<h2>Misuse of medical access</h2>Mahendra is accused of using his position as a doctor to administer numerous intravenous (IV) doses to Kruthika, claiming they were for treating her chronic gastric issues. Her long-standing metabolic condition allegedly made her vulnerable, allowing Mahendra to exploit his access to hospital equipment and drugs. The doses, which included anesthetic drugs, were reportedly administered in amounts far exceeding safe limits, causing Kruthika to suffer fatal respiratory depression, ultimately leading to her death.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-frightened-of-trump-rahul-gandhi-launches-fierce-attack-on-pm-modi-after-us-president-s-india-won-t-buy-russian-oil-claims-1760602037274">'Frightened of Trump': Rahul Gandhi launches fierce attack on PM Modi after US president's 'India won't buy Russian oil' claims</a><h2>Suspicious death and forensic discovery</h2>When Kruthika was found lifeless in April, the cause of death was initially unclear. The authorities conducted an unnatural death investigation and gathered medical equipment that could be linked to the crime, including a cannula set and injection tubes. After forensic testing, traces of the sedative Propofol were found in Kruthika’s organs, leading to the conclusion that she had been poisoned. This discovery prompted her father, Muni Reddy, to file a complaint against Mahendra, suspecting him of murder.<h2>No CPR, no help</h2>Kruthika’s condition started to worsen after Mahendra administered the initial IV dose. Despite her complaints of pain and discomfort, he allegedly continued the treatment. On the night of April 23, Mahendra gave Kruthika another injection. The following morning, Kruthika was unresponsive. Although he was a trained medical professional, Mahendra did not attempt CPR or any form of resuscitation before she was declared dead.<h2>Motivation behind the murder</h2>Reports suggest Mahendra had been dissatisfied with Kruthika's medical condition, which was kept hidden from him before their marriage in May the previous year. In addition to his frustration over her health, Muni Reddy claims Mahendra had substantial financial demands, including a request to help him establish a private hospital. Moreover, he accused Mahendra of having an affair with another woman, which he believes may have contributed to the murder.&nbsp;Mahendra allegedly used his medical expertise to slowly administer intravenous sedatives under the guise of treating her gastrointestinal issues. As the investigation continues, shocking details are emerging about Mahendra’s motives, and the case has left many questioning the extent of abuse of power and trust within the medical profession.

IV doses, no CPR: Bengaluru doctor charged with murdering wife through sedatives; investigation launched

What initially seemed like an unexplained death has now escalated into a murder investigation in Bengaluru. Kruthika M Reddy, who passed away six months ago, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Her husband, Mahendra Reddy, a doctor, is now under arrest as investigators delve deeper into the case, suspecting foul play. The police allege that Mahendra, using his medical knowledge and his wife’s health vulnerabilities, carefully orchestrated her death. The couple had been married for just over a year. Misuse of medical access Mahendra is accused of using his position as a doctor to administer numerous intravenous (IV) doses to Kruthika, claiming they were for treating her chronic gastric issues. Her long-standing metabolic condition allegedly made her vulnerable, allowing Mahendra to exploit his access to hospital equipment and drugs. The doses, which included anesthetic drugs, were reportedly administered in amounts far exceeding safe limits, causing Kruthika to suffer fatal respiratory depression, ultimately leading to her death. Also Read: 'Frightened of Trump': Rahul Gandhi launches fierce attack on PM Modi after US president's 'India won't buy Russian oil' claims Suspicious death and forensic discovery When Kruthika was found lifeless in April, the cause of death was initially unclear. The authorities conducted an unnatural death investigation and gathered medical equipment that could be linked to the crime, including a cannula set and injection tubes. After forensic testing, traces of the sedative Propofol were found in Kruthika’s organs, leading to the conclusion that she had been poisoned. This discovery prompted her father, Muni Reddy, to file a complaint against Mahendra, suspecting him of murder. No CPR, no help Kruthika’s condition started to worsen after Mahendra administered the initial IV dose. Despite her complaints of pain and discomfort, he allegedly continued the treatment. On the night of April 23, Mahendra gave Kruthika another injection. The following morning, Kruthika was unresponsive. Although he was a trained medical professional, Mahendra did not attempt CPR or any form of resuscitation before she was declared dead. Motivation behind the murder Reports suggest Mahendra had been dissatisfied with Kruthika's medical condition, which was kept hidden from him before their marriage in May the previous year. In addition to his frustration over her health, Muni Reddy claims Mahendra had substantial financial demands, including a request to help him establish a private hospital. Moreover, he accused Mahendra of having an affair with another woman, which he believes may have contributed to the murder. Mahendra allegedly used his medical expertise to slowly administer intravenous sedatives under the guise of treating her gastrointestinal issues. As the investigation continues, shocking details are emerging about Mahendra’s motives, and the case has left many questioning the extent of abuse of power and trust within the medical profession.

Bengaluru doctor Mahendra Reddy has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife Kruthika with IV sedatives, exploiting her medical conditions for a year

In a heartwarming incident, a Mumbai man stepped forward to help a woman in labour, and safely delivered her baby on a railway platform in India’s financial capital city Mumbai. The woman's family had initially sought help from a nearby hospital earlier that night but was refused assistance. The incident unfolded around 1 am at Ram Mandir station when the woman went into labour on a train.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/met-dept-announces-onset-of-northeast-monsoon-withdrawal-of-southwest-monsoon-1760602512372">Met Dept announces onset of Northeast monsoon, withdrawal of Southwest monsoon</a>&nbsp;The video was shared by Musician Manjeet Dhillon of the incident on social media platform Instagram and quickly went viral after that. Vikas Bendre, who was commuting in the same train, noticed her distress and quickly pulled the emergency chain to stop the train. He immediately called a female doctor &nbsp;and on video call with her help, he safely helped the woman to deliver.<h2>Watch the video here</h2>

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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-s-strategic-move-in-kashmir-fielding-shia-leader-aga-syed-mohsin-in-budgam-to-bolster-regional-presence-1760604649729">BJP’s strategic move in Kashmir: Fielding Shia leader Aga Syed Mohsin in Budgam to bolster regional presence</a>&nbsp;In the clip, the man can be heard saying, "Pehli baar kiya hai jeevan mein maine yeh. Itna darr lag raha tha na par video call pe madam ne help kiya" (It's the first time I've ever done something like this. I was very scared, but a madam helped me over a video call.”). The incident has gone viral, with netizens applauding the man's bravery and quick thinking, hailing him as a ‘real-life hero’.

Mumbai man helps deliver baby at railway platform after hospital refuses admission 

In a heartwarming incident, a Mumbai man stepped forward to help a woman in labour, and safely delivered her baby on a railway platform in India’s financial capital city Mumbai. The woman's family had initially sought help from a nearby hospital earlier that night but was refused assistance. The incident unfolded around 1 am at Ram Mandir station when the woman went into labour on a train. Also Read: Met Dept announces onset of Northeast monsoon, withdrawal of Southwest monsoon The video was shared by Musician Manjeet Dhillon of the incident on social media platform Instagram and quickly went viral after that. Vikas Bendre, who was commuting in the same train, noticed her distress and quickly pulled the emergency chain to stop the train. He immediately called a female doctor and on video call with her help, he safely helped the woman to deliver. Watch the video here

The video was shared by Musician Manjeet Dhillon of the incident on social media platform Instagram and quickly went viral after that

Mumbai man helps deliver baby at railway platform after hospital refuses admission

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Thursday, 16th October, that the Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the entire country. Simultaneously, the Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity has commenced over the Southeastern coastal region, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry &amp; Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Western regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe.&nbsp;Further, the IMD said that an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over the Indian mainland's southern tip, and adjoining regions. It was added that fairly widespread rainfall occurred over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry &amp; Karaikal and the adjoining area of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Kerala over the past 24 hours. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred over Tamil Nadu during the same period.&nbsp;Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of southeastern coast of India, in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.&nbsp;&nbsp;The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the Southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms, or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.&nbsp;

The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. 

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Thursday, 16th October, that the Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the entire country. Simultaneously, the Northeast Monsoon rainfall activity has commenced over the Southeastern coastal region, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, and Western regions such as South Interior Karnataka and Kerala-Mahe. Further, the IMD said that an upper air cyclonic circulation lies over the Indian mainland's southern tip, and adjoining regions. It was added that fairly widespread rainfall occurred over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal and the adjoining area of south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Kerala over the past 24 hours. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred over Tamil Nadu during the same period. Active between June and September, the southwest monsoon brings in the vast majority of India's annual rainfall. Likewise, the Northeast monsoon brings rains across parts of southeastern coast of India, in the final three months of the year. Also known as the retreating monsoon, the Northeast monsoon is the second major rainfall season in India, and is crucial for large parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. The two are related in such a way that the Northeast monsoon occurs when the Southwest monsoon withdrawal, and the wind direction reverses. The Northeast monsoon sets in around mid-October and goes on till mid-December. The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. This season is known for cyclonic storms, or weather systems that form in the Bay of Bengal, which can lead to very heavy rainfall and potential flooding in parts of Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. These rains are also crucial for recharging the water table and the reservoirs.

The Northeast monsoon caters for about 50% or more of the annual rainfall in Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;

Met Dept announces onset of Northeast monsoon, withdrawal of Southwest monsoon

In a calculated effort to expand its footprint in the Kashmir Valley, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Aga Syed Mohsin, a prominent local Shia leader, as its candidate from the Shia-dominated Budgam constituency. This move is widely perceived as part of the party’s broader strategy to penetrate a region where it has historically struggled to gain electoral traction and to open its account in Kashmir’s political landscape.&nbsp;Aga Syed Mohsin, known for his strong grassroots presence and deep connection with voters in Budgam, brings a significant local appeal to the BJP’s campaign. Political analysts view his candidacy as a deliberate attempt by the party to appeal to the Shia community, a key demographic in the constituency, and to challenge the traditional dominance of regional heavyweights like the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).&nbsp;The BJP’s decision to field Mohsin comes at a time when internal fissures within the NC could tilt the scales in its favor. The sitting NC MP, Aga Syed Ruhulla, has publicly expressed differences with his party and refused to campaign for its candidates, creating an opportunity for the BJP to capitalize on the resulting voter discontent. Both the NC and PDP heavily rely on Shia votes in Budgam, and Ruhulla’s disengagement could weaken their hold, providing the BJP with a rare chance to make inroads.&nbsp;“Fielding Aga Syed Mohsin is a strategic masterstroke by the BJP,” said a political analyst. “His local influence, coupled with the Shia community’s significant presence in Budgam, could help the party establish a foothold in a region that has long been a stronghold of regional parties.” he added.&nbsp;The BJP’s outreach in Budgam is part of a larger effort to reshape its image in the Kashmir Valley, where it has faced challenges in building trust among voters. By backing a respected Shia leader like Mohsin, the party aims to project itself as inclusive and sensitive to the region’s diverse socio-cultural fabric.&nbsp;As the election approaches, all eyes are on Budgam to see if the BJP’s gamble pays off. A victory for Mohsin could mark a historic milestone for the party, potentially altering the political equation in Kashmir. Meanwhile, the NC and PDP are expected to intensify their efforts to retain their traditional voter base, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in the constituency.&nbsp;The outcome of this contest will likely have far-reaching implications for the BJP’s ambitions in the Kashmir Valley and its ability to navigate the region’s complex political terrain. Further developments are awaited as campaigning gains momentum. &nbsp;

Aga Syed Mohsin, known for his strong grassroots presence and deep connection with voters in Budgam, brings a significant local appeal to the BJP’s campaign

In a calculated effort to expand its footprint in the Kashmir Valley, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Aga Syed Mohsin, a prominent local Shia leader, as its candidate from the Shia-dominated Budgam constituency. This move is widely perceived as part of the party’s broader strategy to penetrate a region where it has historically struggled to gain electoral traction and to open its account in Kashmir’s political landscape. Aga Syed Mohsin, known for his strong grassroots presence and deep connection with voters in Budgam, brings a significant local appeal to the BJP’s campaign. Political analysts view his candidacy as a deliberate attempt by the party to appeal to the Shia community, a key demographic in the constituency, and to challenge the traditional dominance of regional heavyweights like the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The BJP’s decision to field Mohsin comes at a time when internal fissures within the NC could tilt the scales in its favor. The sitting NC MP, Aga Syed Ruhulla, has publicly expressed differences with his party and refused to campaign for its candidates, creating an opportunity for the BJP to capitalize on the resulting voter discontent. Both the NC and PDP heavily rely on Shia votes in Budgam, and Ruhulla’s disengagement could weaken their hold, providing the BJP with a rare chance to make inroads. “Fielding Aga Syed Mohsin is a strategic masterstroke by the BJP,” said a political analyst. “His local influence, coupled with the Shia community’s significant presence in Budgam, could help the party establish a foothold in a region that has long been a stronghold of regional parties.” he added. The BJP’s outreach in Budgam is part of a larger effort to reshape its image in the Kashmir Valley, where it has faced challenges in building trust among voters. By backing a respected Shia leader like Mohsin, the party aims to project itself as inclusive and sensitive to the region’s diverse socio-cultural fabric. As the election approaches, all eyes are on Budgam to see if the BJP’s gamble pays off. A victory for Mohsin could mark a historic milestone for the party, potentially altering the political equation in Kashmir. Meanwhile, the NC and PDP are expected to intensify their efforts to retain their traditional voter base, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in the constituency. The outcome of this contest will likely have far-reaching implications for the BJP’s ambitions in the Kashmir Valley and its ability to navigate the region’s complex political terrain. Further developments are awaited as campaigning gains momentum.

Aga Syed Mohsin, known for his strong grassroots presence and deep connection with voters in Budgam, brings a significant local appeal to the BJP’s campaign

BJP’s strategic move in Kashmir: Fielding Shia leader Aga Syed Mohsin in Budgam to bolster regional presence

Russia, on Thursday (Oct 16) reacted to US President Donald Trump's claim that India was going to stop buying oil from Russia soon, and said that Moscow's "oil supplies are very beneficial for the Indian economy". However, he noted that the ongoing tiff between India and the United States was their "bilateral business". Speaking to the press, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov insisted that "India and the US are independent in their decisions, and we do not interfere in those issues".<h2>Russian oil benefits Indians, says Alipov</h2>The Russian ambassador noted that discounted Russian oil was beneficial to the Indian economy and the "welfare of Indian people". He said, "India and the US are independent in their decisions, and we do not interfere in those issues. Our oil supplies are very beneficial for the Indian economy and the welfare of the Indian people."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-i-don-t-want-to-destroy-his-political-career-trump-makes-bizarre-remark-about-pm-modi-1760580304027">‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi</a>Alipov added that the Indian government had "in mind the National Interests of this country in the first place, and our cooperation is very much in tune of those interests".

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi: On being asked if India will continue importing Russian oil, Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, says, &quot;This is the question for the Indian govt. The Indian Government is having in mind the national interest of this country in the first place, and our… <a href="https://t.co/73Kx2uDOIl">pic.twitter.com/73Kx2uDOIl</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1978715461811351608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

His statement echoed India's response to Trump's statement. New Delhi, in a statement published on its Ministry of External Affairs website, said, “Energy policy includes broad-basing energy sourcing, diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions,” adding that “It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.” <h2>What did Trump say?</h2>Months after slapping excessive tariffs on India for its purchase of discounted Russian oil, Trump told reporters, "He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia." However, he did not share a timeline for this but said, “You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/has-india-s-modi-promised-us-it-will-no-longer-buy-russian-oil-here-s-what-trump-claims-1760574591627">Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Here's what Trump claims</a>Then, in a moment that quickly drew attention, the controversial leader also claimed he did not want to "destroy" PM Modi's political career. Trump, who often praises Modi as one of his closest international allies, said Modi "is a great man" and claimed that the Indian leader loved him. In what could have been his way of professing love, he added: “I don't want to destroy his political career.”

Russia on Thursday pushed back at Donald Trump’s claim that India would soon stop buying Russian oil, saying the supplies were “very beneficial for the Indian economy.” 

Russia, on Thursday (Oct 16) reacted to US President Donald Trump's claim that India was going to stop buying oil from Russia soon, and said that Moscow's "oil supplies are very beneficial for the Indian economy". However, he noted that the ongoing tiff between India and the United States was their "bilateral business". Speaking to the press, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov insisted that "India and the US are independent in their decisions, and we do not interfere in those issues". Russian oil benefits Indians, says Alipov The Russian ambassador noted that discounted Russian oil was beneficial to the Indian economy and the "welfare of Indian people". He said, "India and the US are independent in their decisions, and we do not interfere in those issues. Our oil supplies are very beneficial for the Indian economy and the welfare of the Indian people." Also read | ‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi Alipov added that the Indian government had "in mind the National Interests of this country in the first place, and our cooperation is very much in tune of those interests".

Russia on Thursday pushed back at Donald Trump’s claim that India would soon stop buying Russian oil, saying the supplies were “very beneficial for the Indian economy.”&nbsp;

Russia defends oil exports to India after Trump’s claim, says supplies ‘benefit Indian economy’. Watch

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has jumped into a controversy started by US President Donald Trump on Oct 15. While commenting on Trump's claims that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ‘assured’ him that he won't buy Russian oil, Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi is ‘afraid’ of the US president. In a five-point charge, Gandhi claimed that Modi has allowed Trump to unilaterally announce that India would stop purchasing Russian oil, without issuing any clarification or denial. He pointed out that Modi continues to send congratulatory messages to Trump despite being repeatedly snubbed.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Lok Sabha MP also noted the recent cancellation of the Indian Finance Minister’s visit to the US and Modi's absence from the Gaza peace summit in Sgypt's Sharm el-Sheikh. Lastly, he criticised the Indian Prime Minister for staying silent on Trump’s controversial claims about Operation Sindoor. Rahul Gandhi was referring to Trump's claiming that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan in May. The remarks by Gandhi came even after teh Indian government including the MEA has refuted Trump's claims categorically several times.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20251016/image-1760603402010.png"></figure><h2>Here's what happened</h2>US President Donald Trump, while talking to reporters on Oct 15, claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "assured" him that New Delhi will soon stop buying oil from Russia. &nbsp;“So I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he [Modi] assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump said, adding, “That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”&nbsp;However, soon after Trump's statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement, saying that its priority is to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.” “Energy policy includes broad-basing energy sourcing, diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.” The MEA did not directly accept or refute Trump's claims, but said, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.” It also said that energy cooperation discussion with the US were “ongoing”. "Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of being "afraid" of Donald Trump after Trump claimed Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil. Gandhi cited Modi’s silence on “Operation Sindoor,” missed global events, and diplomatic retreats, despite MEA issuing a clarification

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has jumped into a controversy started by US President Donald Trump on Oct 15. While commenting on Trump's claims that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ‘assured’ him that he won't buy Russian oil, Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi is ‘afraid’ of the US president. In a five-point charge, Gandhi claimed that Modi has allowed Trump to unilaterally announce that India would stop purchasing Russian oil, without issuing any clarification or denial. He pointed out that Modi continues to send congratulatory messages to Trump despite being repeatedly snubbed. The Lok Sabha MP also noted the recent cancellation of the Indian Finance Minister’s visit to the US and Modi's absence from the Gaza peace summit in Sgypt's Sharm el-Sheikh. Lastly, he criticised the Indian Prime Minister for staying silent on Trump’s controversial claims about Operation Sindoor. Rahul Gandhi was referring to Trump's claiming that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan in May. The remarks by Gandhi came even after teh Indian government including the MEA has refuted Trump's claims categorically several times. Here's what happened US President Donald Trump, while talking to reporters on Oct 15, claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "assured" him that New Delhi will soon stop buying oil from Russia. “So I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he [Modi] assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump said, adding, “That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.” However, soon after Trump's statement, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement, saying that its priority is to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.” “Energy policy includes broad-basing energy sourcing, diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.” The MEA did not directly accept or refute Trump's claims, but said, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.” It also said that energy cooperation discussion with the US were “ongoing”. "Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing."

Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of being "afraid" of Donald Trump after Trump claimed Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil. Gandhi cited Modi’s silence on “Operation Sindoor,” missed global events, and diplomatic retreats, despite MEA issuing a clarification

'Frightened of Trump': Rahul Gandhi launches fierce attack on PM Modi after US president's 'India won't buy Russian oil' claims

In a significant development, Budgam Police detained two individuals during a routine naka (checkpoint) checking operation at Budran Magam in Budgam district, recovering multiple posters linked to the banned terrorist organisation, The Resistance Front (TRF), officials confirmed on Thursday.A senior police officer, speaking to the media, revealed that the operation led to the seizure of over 18 posters associated with the TRF, a proscribed group known for its anti-national activities. The suspects, identified as Muzamil Ahmad Bhat and Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar, both residents of Aripanthan Magam, were taken into custody for questioning."During the naka checking at Budran Magam, our team intercepted the two individuals and recovered the incriminating materials in their possession," the officer stated. "This is a crucial step in curbing the spread of propaganda by banned organisations in the region."The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law, and a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the duo’s involvement with the TRF and their intentions behind possessing the posters. Authorities are also probing whether the suspects have links to other individuals or networks associated with the banned outfit.

Budgam Police detained two men during a naka check in Budran Magam, recovering 18 posters of the banned terror group TRF. The suspects have been arrested for questioning.

In a significant development, Budgam Police detained two individuals during a routine naka (checkpoint) checking operation at Budran Magam in Budgam district, recovering multiple posters linked to the banned terrorist organisation, The Resistance Front (TRF), officials confirmed on Thursday. A senior police officer, speaking to the media, revealed that the operation led to the seizure of over 18 posters associated with the TRF, a proscribed group known for its anti-national activities. The suspects, identified as Muzamil Ahmad Bhat and Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar, both residents of Aripanthan Magam, were taken into custody for questioning. "During the naka checking at Budran Magam, our team intercepted the two individuals and recovered the incriminating materials in their possession," the officer stated. "This is a crucial step in curbing the spread of propaganda by banned organisations in the region." The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law, and a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the duo’s involvement with the TRF and their intentions behind possessing the posters. Authorities are also probing whether the suspects have links to other individuals or networks associated with the banned outfit.

Budgam Police detained two men during a naka check in Budran Magam, recovering 18 posters of the banned terror group TRF. The suspects have been arrested for questioning.

JK police detain two suspects with TRF posters during naka checking in Magam

Attorney General for India, R Venkataramani, has granted consent to launch criminal contempt proceedings against suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore, who reportedly attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai inside the courtroom, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court.&nbsp;In his remarks, the Attorney General said Kishore’s “acts and utterances are not only scandalous but also intended to demean the majesty and authority of the Supreme Court.” While granting consent for criminal contempt, R Venkataramani stated that behaviour “strikes at the very foundation of the justice delivery system".&nbsp;In a letter to senior advocate Vikas Singh, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which had sought contempt action against Kishore, the AG said that the advocate's conduct clearly undermines public confidence in the institution of the judiciary, particularly in the nation's highest court.&nbsp;Advocate Rakesh Kishore was suspended from the Bar Council, and an FIR was launched after reportedly throwing his sports shoe at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, during the morning session at the Supreme Court on October 06, 2025.&nbsp;Security officials immediately intervened, escorted the 71-year-old advocate out of the courtroom and took him into custody. According to a report by news agency ANI, another lawyer present in the courtroom revealed that while being escorted out of the courtroom, the accused uttered “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan”.<h3>Why did the advocate throw his show at CJI Gavai?</h3>Amid the initial probe, it was revealed that the advocate was unhappy with the CJI’s statement during a recent hearing of a plea demanding the restoration of a Lord Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho Temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;“Now, the Delhi Police are coordinating with the registrar general of the Supreme Court, and the New Delhi District is probing the matter before taking any legal action,” the officer said.&nbsp;While heading a two-judge bench alongside Justice K Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, on September 16, dismissed a petition seeking the reconstruction of a damaged seven-foot Lord Vishnu idol at the Javari Temple in the Khajuraho complex.&nbsp;“This purely publicity interest litigation… Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation,” CJI Gavai told the petitioner.

Advocate Rakesh Kishore was suspended from the Bar Council, and an FIR was launched after he reportedly threw his sports shoe at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, during the morning session at the Supreme Court on October 06, 2025.

Attorney General for India, R Venkataramani, has granted consent to launch criminal contempt proceedings against suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore, who reportedly attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai inside the courtroom, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court. In his remarks, the Attorney General said Kishore’s “acts and utterances are not only scandalous but also intended to demean the majesty and authority of the Supreme Court.” While granting consent for criminal contempt, R Venkataramani stated that behaviour “strikes at the very foundation of the justice delivery system". In a letter to senior advocate Vikas Singh, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which had sought contempt action against Kishore, the AG said that the advocate's conduct clearly undermines public confidence in the institution of the judiciary, particularly in the nation's highest court. Advocate Rakesh Kishore was suspended from the Bar Council, and an FIR was launched after reportedly throwing his sports shoe at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, during the morning session at the Supreme Court on October 06, 2025. Security officials immediately intervened, escorted the 71-year-old advocate out of the courtroom and took him into custody. According to a report by news agency ANI, another lawyer present in the courtroom revealed that while being escorted out of the courtroom, the accused uttered “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan”. Why did the advocate throw his show at CJI Gavai? Amid the initial probe, it was revealed that the advocate was unhappy with the CJI’s statement during a recent hearing of a plea demanding the restoration of a Lord Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho Temple complex in Madhya Pradesh. “Now, the Delhi Police are coordinating with the registrar general of the Supreme Court, and the New Delhi District is probing the matter before taking any legal action,” the officer said. While heading a two-judge bench alongside Justice K Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, on September 16, dismissed a petition seeking the reconstruction of a damaged seven-foot Lord Vishnu idol at the Javari Temple in the Khajuraho complex. “This purely publicity interest litigation… Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation,” CJI Gavai told the petitioner.

Advocate Rakesh Kishore was suspended from the Bar Council, and an FIR was launched after he reportedly threw his sports shoe at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, during the morning session at the Supreme Court on October 06, 2025.

Attorney General allows criminal contempt proceedings against advocate who threw shoe at CJI Gavai

The Supreme Court of India has allowed sale and bursting of green firecracker on Diwali this year in Delhi-NCR but the quality in the national capital region is already inching closer to hazardous level. During and post the festival, the air quality is expected to take a sharp dip and the Delhi Government is planning to make it rain artificially through cloud seeding to curb the pollution. Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, while speaking on Wednesday (Oct 16), confirmed the plans of cloud seeding and said the trails have already been done.&nbsp;<h2>What is cloud seeding and how does it work?</h2>&nbsp;Cloud seeding refers to injecting clouds with artificial substances to make them rain. The Delhi government, as informed by Sirsa, is "waiting for IMD’s green signal and the right cloud conditions. If all goes well, the first trial could happen even on the day-after Diwali or the following day, if conditions are suitable."&nbsp;The clouds are injected with substance like silver iodide (AgI) to increase their ability to rain. The clouds, which should be Nimbostratus (between 500m to 6000m in height) - must contain 50 per cent moisture in order for cloud seeding to work.<h2>Delhi government's ambitious plan of cloud seeding</h2>&nbsp;Delhi and the adjacent areas have been affected by pollution for quite some years now and the government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, has already conducted test flights of cloud seeding. The plan was approved in May earlier this year and so far four test flights have carried out the trails in northwest Delhi over the designated area. The trails were a success and the authorities are only waiting for a green light from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).&nbsp;<h2>How will cloud seeding impact air quality?</h2>&nbsp;Once the cloud seeding is done, the rain is expected to washout the pollutants and bring the air quality index down. After the rain, an improvement in air quality has been witnessed and the Delhi government is trying to reach the same goal with cloud seeding. It, however, will take a strong shower to see the effects rather light rain or drizzle.

The Delhi government, as informed by Sirsa, is "waiting for IMD’s green signal and the right cloud conditions.

The Supreme Court of India has allowed sale and bursting of green firecracker on Diwali this year in Delhi-NCR but the quality in the national capital region is already inching closer to hazardous level. During and post the festival, the air quality is expected to take a sharp dip and the Delhi Government is planning to make it rain artificially through cloud seeding to curb the pollution. Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, while speaking on Wednesday (Oct 16), confirmed the plans of cloud seeding and said the trails have already been done. What is cloud seeding and how does it work? Cloud seeding refers to injecting clouds with artificial substances to make them rain. The Delhi government, as informed by Sirsa, is "waiting for IMD’s green signal and the right cloud conditions. If all goes well, the first trial could happen even on the day-after Diwali or the following day, if conditions are suitable." The clouds are injected with substance like silver iodide (AgI) to increase their ability to rain. The clouds, which should be Nimbostratus (between 500m to 6000m in height) - must contain 50 per cent moisture in order for cloud seeding to work. Delhi government's ambitious plan of cloud seeding Delhi and the adjacent areas have been affected by pollution for quite some years now and the government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, has already conducted test flights of cloud seeding. The plan was approved in May earlier this year and so far four test flights have carried out the trails in northwest Delhi over the designated area. The trails were a success and the authorities are only waiting for a green light from Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). How will cloud seeding impact air quality? Once the cloud seeding is done, the rain is expected to washout the pollutants and bring the air quality index down. After the rain, an improvement in air quality has been witnessed and the Delhi government is trying to reach the same goal with cloud seeding. It, however, will take a strong shower to see the effects rather light rain or drizzle.

The Delhi government, as informed by Sirsa, is "waiting for IMD’s green signal and the right cloud conditions.

After SC's verdict, Delhi government plans to tackle post-Diwali pollution with cloud seeding - How does it work

On Thursday (Oct 16), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the country’s defence capabilities as DRDO successfully tested the deployment of the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) from an altitude of 32,000 feet. Singh said it is a “proud moment for the nation!” and “a remarkable milestone towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies.” According to the DRDO, the parachute system was deployed at an altitude of 30,000 feet, making it the only system deployed at this altitude that is in use by the Indian Armed Forces.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Proud moment for nation! The indigenously developed Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) by <a href="https://twitter.com/DRDO_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DRDO_India</a> has achieved combat freefall jump from 32,000 ft. A remarkable milestone towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies. 🇮🇳 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtmanirbharBharat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AtmanirbharBharat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DRDO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DRDO</a>… <a href="https://t.co/0jePmSfBZw">https://t.co/0jePmSfBZw</a>&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1978699975463952648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In multiple speeches delivered by the defence minister, he has mentioned India's ambitions in the defence field.

According to the DRDO, the parachute system was deployed at an altitude of 30,000 feet, making it the only system deployed at this altitude that is in use by the Indian Armed Forces.

On Thursday (Oct 16), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the country’s defence capabilities as DRDO successfully tested the deployment of the Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) from an altitude of 32,000 feet. Singh said it is a “proud moment for the nation!” and “a remarkable milestone towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies.” According to the DRDO, the parachute system was deployed at an altitude of 30,000 feet, making it the only system deployed at this altitude that is in use by the Indian Armed Forces.

According to the DRDO, the parachute system was deployed at an altitude of 30,000 feet, making it the only system deployed at this altitude that is in use by the Indian Armed Forces.

'Proud moment for nation!': DRDO successfully deploys Military Combat Parachute System at 32,000 ft- WATCH

After the incident of child deaths linked to toxic cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh, a government hospital in Gwalior is now under scrutiny over worms allegedly found in a bottle of antibiotic medicine given to a child. A woman whose child was admitted in the hospital and administered the medicine allegedly made the complaint after which the entire stock of Azithromycin oral suspension at the government hospital in Morar town has been sealed.&nbsp;The samples of the Azithromycin medicine - commonly given to children for various infections - was sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for testing. The medicine reportedly generic was manufactured by a Madhya Pradesh-based company.&nbsp;"A woman at the government hospital in Morar complained of worms in a bottle of Azithromycin oral suspension," Drug inspector Anubhuti Sharma was quoted as saying by PTI.&nbsp;Sharma further said that the bottle of medicine that the woman brought was already uncapped, however, authorities immediately investigated the matter and 306 bottles of this medicine, distributed and stored at the hospital have been recalled and seized.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-sig-716-assault-rifle-india-signs-rs-659-crore-defence-deal-to-equip-with-night-sights-1760592219141">What is SIG 716 assault rifle? India signs Rs 659-crore defence deal to equip with night sights</a>&nbsp;Preliminary investigations have so far not revealed any signs of insects, but testing is necessary, said Sharma.<h2>The cough syrup case</h2>&nbsp;This incident comes after three contaminated cough syrups manufactured in India were linked to the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district. The cough syrups in question were Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceutical), Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (Shape Pharma).&nbsp;The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global health advisory after the incident came to light.&nbsp;The WHO in its health advisory said that the three cough syrups contained toxic levels of diethylene glycol — nearly 500 times the permissible limit — and warned that the products posed significant, potentially life-threatening risks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The samples of the Azithromycin medicine - commonly given to children for various infections - was sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for testing. 

After the incident of child deaths linked to toxic cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh, a government hospital in Gwalior is now under scrutiny over worms allegedly found in a bottle of antibiotic medicine given to a child. A woman whose child was admitted in the hospital and administered the medicine allegedly made the complaint after which the entire stock of Azithromycin oral suspension at the government hospital in Morar town has been sealed. The samples of the Azithromycin medicine - commonly given to children for various infections - was sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for testing. The medicine reportedly generic was manufactured by a Madhya Pradesh-based company. "A woman at the government hospital in Morar complained of worms in a bottle of Azithromycin oral suspension," Drug inspector Anubhuti Sharma was quoted as saying by PTI. Sharma further said that the bottle of medicine that the woman brought was already uncapped, however, authorities immediately investigated the matter and 306 bottles of this medicine, distributed and stored at the hospital have been recalled and seized. Also Read: What is SIG 716 assault rifle? India signs Rs 659-crore defence deal to equip with night sights Preliminary investigations have so far not revealed any signs of insects, but testing is necessary, said Sharma. The cough syrup case This incident comes after three contaminated cough syrups manufactured in India were linked to the deaths of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district. The cough syrups in question were Coldrif (Sresan Pharmaceutical), Respifresh TR (Rednex Pharmaceuticals), and ReLife (Shape Pharma). The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global health advisory after the incident came to light. The WHO in its health advisory said that the three cough syrups contained toxic levels of diethylene glycol — nearly 500 times the permissible limit — and warned that the products posed significant, potentially life-threatening risks.

The samples of the Azithromycin medicine - commonly given to children for various infections - was sent to a laboratory in Bhopal for testing.&nbsp;

'Worms' in medicine of Madhya Pradesh government hospital? Investigation launched, 360 Azithromycin bottles for kids recalled

Ukraine's Antonov-124 'Ruslan' cargo plane carrying US firm AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 6 communication satellite landed at the southern Indian city of Chennai on Thursday, 16th October. Chennai Airport Director Raja Kishore told WION that the long-haul cargo plane, the largest operational cargo aircraft in the world, landed at 7am in the city airport. Over the next 24 hours, the satellite is to be trucked to the Indian Space agency ISRO's spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 90kms north of Chennai. Almost all foreign satellites scheduled for launch with ISRO are flown to Chennai, the nearest airport, before being trucked to the spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.&nbsp;&nbsp;ISRO's largest rocket the LVM3 is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit(about 550kms above earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket. This mission is being executed as part of a commercial deal between ISRO's business arm NewSpace India Limited(NSIL) and the Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), ISRO launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis.&nbsp;These commercial space missions are like a taxi ferrying a passenger. In this case, the passenger is the US firm, which will pay the Indian Government for the launch service.&nbsp;Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 45-60 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December or January. In the intervening period, the assembly activities of the rocket and satellite, the testing and fuelling of the satellite, other pre-launch preparations are carried out.&nbsp;&nbsp;Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of an Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October or early November. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in a span of 3-4 months, something that has not been done before.&nbsp;<h2>About AST SpaceMobile and their internet-beaming satellites</h2>AST&nbsp;SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and&nbsp;launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. Typically, only purpose-built satellite phones are capable of communicating with satellites. These traditional satellite phone handsets are bulky and require visible antennas, they offer voice connectivity, and low-bandwidth texting and data services. Such services are offered by firms such as Iridium, Thuraya, among others., and are widely used in the defence and maritime sectors for providing connectivity where no communications infrastructure exists.&nbsp;Firms like AST and Starlink are attempting to change this by ensuring direct connectivity between smartphones and satellites. Therefore, the popular phones Android and Apple devices available in the market can be directly used to communicate with the support of satellites, without any extra or special hardware. Thanks to the global coverage planned using a fleet of satellites, such services would eventually enable cell phone connectivity almost anywhere on Earth. In simple terms, one need not worry about being "not reachable" or "out of coverage area".&nbsp;As per reports, AST presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launching in the coming months. BlueBird 7 has shipped to the Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site this month, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026, the firm announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They expect to have 45-60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites(by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell.&nbsp;The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending our own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum.&nbsp;

Ukraine's Antonov-124 delivered AST SpaceMobile's 6,500kg BlueBird 6 satellite to Chennai for ISRO launch via LVM3 rocket. The heaviest satellite to launch from India, it enables direct-to-smartphone connectivity. Launch expected by Dec-Jan under NSIL-ISRO deal.

Ukraine's Antonov-124 'Ruslan' cargo plane carrying US firm AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 6 communication satellite landed at the southern Indian city of Chennai on Thursday, 16th October. Chennai Airport Director Raja Kishore told WION that the long-haul cargo plane, the largest operational cargo aircraft in the world, landed at 7am in the city airport. Over the next 24 hours, the satellite is to be trucked to the Indian Space agency ISRO's spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 90kms north of Chennai. Almost all foreign satellites scheduled for launch with ISRO are flown to Chennai, the nearest airport, before being trucked to the spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. ISRO's largest rocket the LVM3 is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit(about 550kms above earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket. This mission is being executed as part of a commercial deal between ISRO's business arm NewSpace India Limited(NSIL) and the Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), ISRO launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis. These commercial space missions are like a taxi ferrying a passenger. In this case, the passenger is the US firm, which will pay the Indian Government for the launch service. Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 45-60 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December or January. In the intervening period, the assembly activities of the rocket and satellite, the testing and fuelling of the satellite, other pre-launch preparations are carried out. Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of an Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October or early November. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in a span of 3-4 months, something that has not been done before. About AST SpaceMobile and their internet-beaming satellites AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. Typically, only purpose-built satellite phones are capable of communicating with satellites. These traditional satellite phone handsets are bulky and require visible antennas, they offer voice connectivity, and low-bandwidth texting and data services. Such services are offered by firms such as Iridium, Thuraya, among others., and are widely used in the defence and maritime sectors for providing connectivity where no communications infrastructure exists. Firms like AST and Starlink are attempting to change this by ensuring direct connectivity between smartphones and satellites. Therefore, the popular phones Android and Apple devices available in the market can be directly used to communicate with the support of satellites, without any extra or special hardware. Thanks to the global coverage planned using a fleet of satellites, such services would eventually enable cell phone connectivity almost anywhere on Earth. In simple terms, one need not worry about being "not reachable" or "out of coverage area". As per reports, AST presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said. The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launching in the coming months. BlueBird 7 has shipped to the Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site this month, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026, the firm announced. They expect to have 45-60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites(by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400sq feet phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell. The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending our own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum.

Ukraine's Antonov-124 delivered AST SpaceMobile's 6,500kg BlueBird 6 satellite to Chennai for ISRO launch via LVM3 rocket. The heaviest satellite to launch from India, it enables direct-to-smartphone connectivity. Launch expected by Dec-Jan under NSIL-ISRO deal.

Ukrainian plane with US' Bluebird satellite lands in India; launch by ISRO soon

The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a Rs 659.47 crore deal to procure Night Sights (image intensifiers) for the 7.62x51 mm SIG 716 assault rifle and associated accessories for the Indian Army, the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;The procurement has been categorised as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case, featuring over 51 per cent indigenous content, a key milestone in advancing the government's vision of Aatmanirbharata (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Ministry of Defence signed a contract agreement worth Rs 659.47 crore for the procurement of Night Sight (Image Intensifier) for 7.62 x 51mm Assault Rifle, along with accessories for the Indian Army on October 15, 2025. The Night Sight will enable soldiers to fully exploit… <a href="https://t.co/POJtCRpWaF">pic.twitter.com/POJtCRpWaF</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1978447247214784663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>What is the SIG 716 assault rifle?</h3>The SIG 716 assault rifle is a battle rifle manufactured by the American-Swiss company SIG Sauer. It is technically a battle rifle due to its more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge, which is often labelled an 'assault rifle'. The Night Sight will also enable soldiers to completely exploit the longer effective range of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle.&nbsp;In a press release, the ministry said that the procured Night Sights will enable accurate engagement of targeting a range up to 500 metres, even under starlit conditions. Its feature also shows an improved version of the currently positioned Passive Night Sights (PNS).&nbsp;Unlike many assault rifles that use intermediate cartridges, the SIG 716 is chambered in the larger and more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO round. This provides greater stopping power and accuracy at longer ranges.&nbsp;The SIG 716 utilises a short-stroke gas piston system, which keeps the firing action cleaner and cooler than traditional gas-impingement designs. This enhances the rifle's reliability, particularly in harsh environmental conditions.&nbsp;The ministry said that the initiative will strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem and generate opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in component production and raw material supply.&nbsp;The Rs 659.47 crore contract was signed on October 15, 2025, with a consortium led by M/s MKU Ltd (Lead Member) and M/s Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd. It will enable soldiers to fully exploit the longer effective range of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle, the defence ministry confirmed.

The procurement of Night Sights for the 7.62x51 mm SIG 716 assault rifle has been categorised as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case, featuring over 51 per cent indigenous content, a key milestone in advancing the government's vision of Aatmanirbharata (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing.

The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a Rs 659.47 crore deal to procure Night Sights (image intensifiers) for the 7.62x51 mm SIG 716 assault rifle and associated accessories for the Indian Army, the ministry said in a statement. The procurement has been categorised as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case, featuring over 51 per cent indigenous content, a key milestone in advancing the government's vision of Aatmanirbharata (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing.

The procurement of Night Sights for the 7.62x51 mm SIG 716 assault rifle has been categorised as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case, featuring over 51 per cent indigenous content, a key milestone in advancing the government's vision of Aatmanirbharata (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing.

What is SIG 716 assault rifle? India signs Rs 659-crore defence deal to equip with night sights

Hours after US President Donald Trump claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "assured" him that New Delhi would soon stop buying oil from Russia, New Delhi, in a statement, said it was its “consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-i-don-t-want-to-destroy-his-political-career-trump-makes-bizarre-remark-about-pm-modi-1760580304027">‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi</a>In a statement on its Ministry of External Affairs website, India said, “Energy policy includes broad-basing energy sourcing, diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”While avoiding directly accepting or refuting Trump's claims, the South Asian nation noted, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.”&nbsp;“Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective," it noted, adding that energy cooperation discussion with the US were “ongoing”."Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our response to media queries on comments on India’s energy sourcing⬇️ 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/BTFl2HQUab">https://t.co/BTFl2HQUab</a> <a href="https://t.co/r76rjJuC7A">pic.twitter.com/r76rjJuC7A</a>&mdash; Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1978690629522653592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/has-india-s-modi-promised-us-it-will-no-longer-buy-russian-oil-here-s-what-trump-claims-1760574591627">Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Here's what Trump claims</a><h2>What did Trump say?</h2>Months after slapping excessive tariffs on India for its purchase of discounted Russian oil, Trump told reporters, "He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia." However, he did not share a timeline for this but said, “You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon.”Then, in a moment that quickly drew attention, the controversial leader also claimed he did not want to "destroy" PM Modi's political career. Trump, who often praises Modi as one of his closest international allies, said Modi "is a great man" and claimed that the Indian leader loved him. In what could have been his way of professing love, he added: “I don't want to destroy his political career.”

New Delhi, in a statement, said it was its “consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario'.”

Hours after US President Donald Trump claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "assured" him that New Delhi would soon stop buying oil from Russia, New Delhi, in a statement, said it was its “consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.” Also read | ‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi In a statement on its Ministry of External Affairs website, India said, “Energy policy includes broad-basing energy sourcing, diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.” While avoiding directly accepting or refuting Trump's claims, the South Asian nation noted, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.” “Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective," it noted, adding that energy cooperation discussion with the US were “ongoing”. "Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing."

New Delhi, in a statement, said it was its “consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario'.”

India pushes back after Trump says Modi assured him on Russian oil: ‘Consumer interests are our priority’

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Oct 15) claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India will stop purchasing Russian oil — before adding a questionable comment that is sure to raise eyebrows in both Washington and New Delhi. "He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia," Trump told reporters, describing it as a gradual process. Then, in a moment that quickly drew attention, the controversial leader claimed he did not want to "destroy" PM Modi's political career. Trump, who often praises Modi as one of his closest international allies, said Modi "is a great man" and claimed that the Indian leader loved him. In what could have been his way of professing love, he added: “I don't want to destroy his political career.”&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/has-india-s-modi-promised-us-it-will-no-longer-buy-russian-oil-here-s-what-trump-claims-1760574591627">Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Here's what Trump claims</a>Trump’s comment came just months after his administration slapped steep tariffs — as high as 50 per cent — on Indian exports, accusing New Delhi of helping fund Russia’s war in Ukraine through energy trade.<h2>What did he mean by that?</h2>US President Donald Trump is known for being outspoken and often makes controversial statements that keep him in the headlines. While making the comment purportedly showing his goodwill towards India, its PM Modi, and his political career, Trump did not present any proof to back the claim that he actually could destroy his career. &nbsp;Trump's callous comments come as Washington and New Delhi attempt to mend the ties that have witnessed a decline after the US's shockingly high tariffs. Recently, in what was seen as an effort to smooth ties, Indian PM Modi warmly welcomed Trump’s newly appointed ambassador, Sergio Gor. Trump and Modi also engaged in a phone call, which Gor said made him "optimistic" about the bond between the two nations.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/could-be-a-little-nicer-trump-hails-netanyahu-as-hero-of-gaza-ceasefire-then-roasts-him-over-war-speeches-and-champagne-1760409906854">Could 'be a little nicer': Trump hails Netanyahu as ‘hero’ of Gaza ceasefire — then roasts him about…</a><h2>Trump's obsession with "ending careers"</h2>This was not the first time that Trump claimed to have the power to "destroy" someone's political career. During his first term as the US President, in 2018, he bragged about his prowess in destroying the careers of Republicans who dared defy him. At the time, while talking about party members that defy him, he said, "I only destroy their career because they said bad things about me, and you fight back and they go down the tubes and that’s OK."&nbsp;

Trump claimed Modi promised to stop buying Russian oil — then bizarrely added he “doesn’t want to destroy” the Indian PM’s political career. What did he mean by that? All you need to know.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Oct 15) claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India will stop purchasing Russian oil — before adding a questionable comment that is sure to raise eyebrows in both Washington and New Delhi. "He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia," Trump told reporters, describing it as a gradual process. Then, in a moment that quickly drew attention, the controversial leader claimed he did not want to "destroy" PM Modi's political career. Trump, who often praises Modi as one of his closest international allies, said Modi "is a great man" and claimed that the Indian leader loved him. In what could have been his way of professing love, he added: “I don't want to destroy his political career.” Also read | Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Here's what Trump claims Trump’s comment came just months after his administration slapped steep tariffs — as high as 50 per cent — on Indian exports, accusing New Delhi of helping fund Russia’s war in Ukraine through energy trade. What did he mean by that? US President Donald Trump is known for being outspoken and often makes controversial statements that keep him in the headlines. While making the comment purportedly showing his goodwill towards India, its PM Modi, and his political career, Trump did not present any proof to back the claim that he actually could destroy his career. Trump's callous comments come as Washington and New Delhi attempt to mend the ties that have witnessed a decline after the US's shockingly high tariffs. Recently, in what was seen as an effort to smooth ties, Indian PM Modi warmly welcomed Trump’s newly appointed ambassador, Sergio Gor. Trump and Modi also engaged in a phone call, which Gor said made him "optimistic" about the bond between the two nations. Also read | Could 'be a little nicer': Trump hails Netanyahu as ‘hero’ of Gaza ceasefire — then roasts him about… Trump's obsession with "ending careers" This was not the first time that Trump claimed to have the power to "destroy" someone's political career. During his first term as the US President, in 2018, he bragged about his prowess in destroying the careers of Republicans who dared defy him. At the time, while talking about party members that defy him, he said, "I only destroy their career because they said bad things about me, and you fight back and they go down the tubes and that’s OK."

Trump claimed Modi promised to stop buying Russian oil — then bizarrely added he “doesn’t want to destroy” the Indian PM’s political career. What did he mean by that? All you need to know.

‘I don’t want to destroy his political career’: Trump makes bizarre remark about PM Modi

Ashley J. Tellis, a prominent American scholar of India and former US government advisor, has denied federal charges accusing him of improperly handling classified material and meeting with Chinese officials. His lawyers said Wednesday (Oct 15) that Tellis will “vigorously contest” the allegations, which could carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years if proven.<h2>The case of top-secret documents</h2>The 64-year-old Indian origin scholar was arrested on Saturday (Oct 11) after an FBI investigation found more than 1,000 pages of top-secret and secret documents at his home, according to a criminal affidavit made public this week. Prosecutors also allege that he entered the State Department late at night on September 25 and printed from a classified document detailing US Air Force techniques.The affidavit also claimed Tellis met several times with Chinese officials at a restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia, and once appeared to leave behind a manila envelope. However, the Justice Department said the formal charges relate specifically to mishandling classified documents, not espionage or acting as a foreign agent.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-arrests-indian-origin-scholar-ashley-tellis-for-mishandling-classified-documents-and-dining-with-chinese-officials-1760487783287">US arrests Indian-origin scholar Ashley Tellis for mishandling classified documents — and dining with Chinese officials</a><h2>Tellis denies charges</h2>"Ashley J. Tellis is a widely respected scholar and senior policy advisor," his attorneys, Deborah Curtis and John Nassikas, said in a joint statement. "We will be vigorously contesting the allegations brought against him, specifically any insinuation of his operating on behalf of a foreign adversary."Tellis, a naturalised American originally from India, served in senior roles during the George W. Bush administration and was closely involved in negotiating the landmark US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal. He later became a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, one of Washington’s leading think tanks, which announced Wednesday that Tellis has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-i-just-like-to-watch-her-talk-trump-slammed-for-ogling-female-reporter-s-lips-during-live-presser-1760513952487">‘I just like to watch her talk’: Trump slammed for ogling female reporter's lips during live presser. Watch!</a>In recent years, Tellis has stood out in Washington’s policy circles for his candid takes on India’s strategic autonomy, often warning that New Delhi’s positions on issues like the war in Ukraine do not fully align with US interests.

US scholar Ashley J. Tellis has denied charges of mishandling classified documents and meeting Chinese officials. Here's what he said.

Ashley J. Tellis, a prominent American scholar of India and former US government advisor, has denied federal charges accusing him of improperly handling classified material and meeting with Chinese officials. His lawyers said Wednesday (Oct 15) that Tellis will “vigorously contest” the allegations, which could carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years if proven. The case of top-secret documents The 64-year-old Indian origin scholar was arrested on Saturday (Oct 11) after an FBI investigation found more than 1,000 pages of top-secret and secret documents at his home, according to a criminal affidavit made public this week. Prosecutors also allege that he entered the State Department late at night on September 25 and printed from a classified document detailing US Air Force techniques. The affidavit also claimed Tellis met several times with Chinese officials at a restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia, and once appeared to leave behind a manila envelope. However, the Justice Department said the formal charges relate specifically to mishandling classified documents, not espionage or acting as a foreign agent. Also read | US arrests Indian-origin scholar Ashley Tellis for mishandling classified documents — and dining with Chinese officials Tellis denies charges "Ashley J. Tellis is a widely respected scholar and senior policy advisor," his attorneys, Deborah Curtis and John Nassikas, said in a joint statement. "We will be vigorously contesting the allegations brought against him, specifically any insinuation of his operating on behalf of a foreign adversary." Tellis, a naturalised American originally from India, served in senior roles during the George W. Bush administration and was closely involved in negotiating the landmark US-India civil nuclear cooperation deal. He later became a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, one of Washington’s leading think tanks, which announced Wednesday that Tellis has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. Also read | ‘I just like to watch her talk’: Trump slammed for ogling female reporter's lips during live presser. Watch! In recent years, Tellis has stood out in Washington’s policy circles for his candid takes on India’s strategic autonomy, often warning that New Delhi’s positions on issues like the war in Ukraine do not fully align with US interests.

US scholar Ashley J. Tellis has denied charges of mishandling classified documents and meeting Chinese officials. Here's what he said.

Indian-origin US scholar Ashley Tellis denies charges of mishandling top-secret docs, Chinese links, vows to fight back

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Oct 15) claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "assured" him that New Delhi will soon stop buying oil from Russia. This marks a new twist in the ongoing tensions between Washington and New Delhi over India’s continued energy trade with Moscow amid the Ukraine war. It comes months after Washington imposed heavy tariffs on Indian exports over the purchase of the discounted oil. Talking to the press at the White House, Trump said that Modi assured him "there will be no oil purchased from Russia," adding that "it’ll be over soon". India, as yet, has not made any comments acknowledging or denying the claim.<h2>What did Trump say?</h2>Months after slapping excessive tariffs on India for its purchase of discounted Russian oil, Trump told reporters, "He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia." However, he did not share a timeline for this but said, "You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/sam-altman-okays-ai-porn-on-chatgpt-says-current-version-less-enjoyable-to-users-with-no-mental-health-problems-1760493777871">Sam Altman okays AI porn on ChatGPT, says OpenAI chatbot's current version 'less enjoyable'</a>India has not confirmed Trump’s claim. Modi and his government, over the past few months, have consistently defended India’s oil trade with Moscow, arguing that New Delhi has to safeguard its energy security even as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reshapes global supply chains.<h2>India-US relations back on track?</h2>Trump tariffs have led to a souring of the good ties India and the US have shared for decades. However, Trump, on Wednesday, suggested that he and Modi had mended fences after months of tension. Meanwhile, Modi also seems willing to do so. On Saturday, he met with the newly arrived US ambassador, Sergio Gor — a longtime Trump ally — in what was widely seen as a gesture to ease strains.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-i-just-like-to-watch-her-talk-trump-slammed-for-ogling-female-reporter-s-lips-during-live-presser-1760513952487">‘I just like to watch her talk’: Trump slammed for ogling female reporter's lips during live presser. Watch!</a>Following the meeting, Gor said the Trump administration values the relationship with India deeply and that he was "optimistic" after a phone call between Trump and Modi earlier this week.Trump, known for his unfiltered praise and self-reference, spoke glowingly of the Indian leader. Modi "is a great man. He loves Trump," the president said, speaking in the third person. "I don't want to destroy his political career," he added.He went on to call India “an incredible country” and praised Modi’s political longevity. "I've watched India for years. It's an incredible country, and every single year you'd have a new leader," Trump said. "My friend has been there now for a long time."

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Oct 15) claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "assured" him that New Delhi will soon stop buying oil from Russia. This marks a new twist in the ongoing tensions between Washington and New Delhi over India’s continued energy trade with Moscow amid the Ukraine war. It comes months after Washington imposed heavy tariffs on Indian exports over the purchase of the discounted oil. Talking to the press at the White House, Trump said that Modi assured him "there will be no oil purchased from Russia," adding that "it’ll be over soon". India, as yet, has not made any comments acknowledging or denying the claim. What did Trump say? Months after slapping excessive tariffs on India for its purchase of discounted Russian oil, Trump told reporters, "He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia." However, he did not share a timeline for this but said, "You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon." Also read | Sam Altman okays AI porn on ChatGPT, says OpenAI chatbot's current version 'less enjoyable' India has not confirmed Trump’s claim. Modi and his government, over the past few months, have consistently defended India’s oil trade with Moscow, arguing that New Delhi has to safeguard its energy security even as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reshapes global supply chains. India-US relations back on track? Trump tariffs have led to a souring of the good ties India and the US have shared for decades. However, Trump, on Wednesday, suggested that he and Modi had mended fences after months of tension. Meanwhile, Modi also seems willing to do so. On Saturday, he met with the newly arrived US ambassador, Sergio Gor — a longtime Trump ally — in what was widely seen as a gesture to ease strains. Also read | ‘I just like to watch her talk’: Trump slammed for ogling female reporter's lips during live presser. Watch! Following the meeting, Gor said the Trump administration values the relationship with India deeply and that he was "optimistic" after a phone call between Trump and Modi earlier this week. Trump, known for his unfiltered praise and self-reference, spoke glowingly of the Indian leader. Modi "is a great man. He loves Trump," the president said, speaking in the third person. "I don't want to destroy his political career," he added. He went on to call India “an incredible country” and praised Modi’s political longevity. "I've watched India for years. It's an incredible country, and every single year you'd have a new leader," Trump said. "My friend has been there now for a long time."

US President Donald Trump claims that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India will “soon stop buying oil from Russia.”&nbsp;

Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Here's what Trump claims

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Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Trump claims...