Rishikesh remains India's priciest hotel destination for the second consecutive year, despite a marginal RevPAR decline. The Indian hospitality sector experienced a robust fiscal year, driven by booming domestic leisure travel and record occupancy rates. Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad emerged as key business hubs, with significant expansion planned across 177 new markets.

The ED is investigating OctaFX, an illegal online trading platform, for laundering thousands of crores from India through transcontinental operations involving cryptocurrencies and international payment gateways. This platform alone generated Rs 800 crore in nine months, with funds layered via fake import services. Indians lost over Rs 22,800 crore in similar financial frauds in 2024.

Alarm bells are ringing as 12 children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan died following complications from cough syrup use, prompting a central advisory against prescribing such medications to children under two. While the Union health ministry found no contamination in MP samples, the cause of kidney failure remains a mystery. Rajasthan also reported deaths, banning a specific syrup pending investigation.

IAF Chief Marshal A P Singh confirmed significant Pakistani losses during Operation Sindoor. He stated 9-10 Pakistani fighters and special aircraft were destroyed. This included F-16s and JF-17s. Satellite imagery showed damage to radar sites and airbases. IAF also shot down a special mission aircraft over 300km away. India ended hostilities after meeting its objectives.

India rejected Bangladesh's allegations that it fueled unrest in Khagrachhari, stating Dhaka's interim government failed to maintain law and order and protect minorities. New Delhi urged Bangladesh to investigate local extremists for violence and land grab in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This followed clashes over an alleged gang rape, killing three and injuring dozens.

The season's first cyclonic storm, 'Cyclone Shakti,' has intensified in the Arabian Sea, currently west-southwest of Gujarat. While it will strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm, it is not expected to significantly impact the Indian landmass, though rough sea conditions will persist. Fishermen are advised to avoid venturing into the sea.

Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed Anil Ambani's petition challenging SBI's decision to classify Reliance Communications' loan account as «fraud.» Ambani argued natural justice was flouted and SBI's action was arbitrary, denying him a personal hearing. The court found no merit in his plea, allowing Ambani to potentially approach the Supreme Court.

PM Modi will inaugurate Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University, signaling a strategic outreach to backward communities in poll-bound Bihar. This anchors a series of over Rs 62,000 crore youth empowerment initiatives, including revamped schemes for graduate allowances, women's self-employment, student credit cards, and new bodies like Bihar Yuva Aayog, alongside upgrades to educational institutions.

Bihar's political landscape shifted as JDU MLA Sanjeev Kumar from Parbatta joined RJD, marking the first pre-poll defection this year. Welcomed by Tejashwi Yadav, Kumar had openly criticized the government despite being in the ruling coalition. His move, following past dissent and a caste-based conference, was deemed significant by RJD, while JDU accused him of past conspiracy.

Bombay HC dismissed judges Dhananjay Nikam and Irfan Shaikh for serious misconduct. Nikam faced dismissal after allegedly demanding a Rs 5 lakh bribe for bail, with the HC denying his anticipatory bail due to incriminating evidence. Shaikh was dismissed following a 2022 road accident, though he denies the allegations and plans to challenge the decision.

NCERT has launched classroom modules on ‘swadeshi’, tracing its roots from the 1905 anti-partition agitation to PM Modi’s call for a self-reliant India. These modules connect historical boycotts and Indian alternatives with current initiatives like ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. They emphasize modern ‘swadeshi’ as a framework for economic leadership, integrating research-driven innovation and AI.

Starting November 15, commuters without a valid FASTag will pay 1.25 times the regular toll via UPI, a significant reduction from the current double charge. Furthermore, if electronic toll infrastructure malfunctions, vehicles with functional FASTags can cross without payment. These new measures aim to hold toll collection agencies accountable, ensuring high-quality systems and providing much-needed relief to motorists nationwide.

Akshay Kumar recounted his 13-year-old daughter Nitara's online sexual harassment experience, where a gamer built trust before demanding nude pictures. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis emphasized reporting cybercrime within the Golden Hour and launched awareness resources. He also highlighted the growing threat of deepfakes and AI-driven fraud, urging enhanced capabilities to counter them.

Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital in Leh experienced unprecedented chaos on September 24 when protests led to bullet injuries, a first for many doctors. Initially treating stone-pelting victims, the hospital quickly shifted to emergency mode for the 70 injured, including four fatalities. Police now guard the premises where some accused are still being treated.

Prashant Kishor has ignited a political firestorm in Bihar, levelling explosive corruption allegations against top NDA leaders, including Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Minister Ashok Choudhary. While leaders deny charges, Kishor claims proof. The state BJP has retaliated, accusing Kishor of funding irregularities.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced Haryana's conviction rate doubled to 80% under new criminal laws, targeting three-year case disposal post-2026. In Kurukshetra, he launched development projects, praising the state's BJP government. Later in Rohtak, Shah unveiled plans for 75,000 new dairy cooperatives, crediting the Modi administration for significantly boosting the khadi sector and India's dairy growth.

Congress expressed doubt over «Operation Sindoor,» citing conflicting statements from top defense officials and demanding clarity. Air Force chief Amar Preet Singh dismissed Pakistan's claims of downing Indian jets as «Manohar Kahaniyan,» while India had shown evidence of damage to Pakistani targets. Earlier, CDS General Anil Chauhan had acknowledged initial Indian losses during the conflict.

IAF Chief A P Singh stated terrorist groups are relocating deeper into Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor, but India retains accurate deep-strike capabilities. He revealed Operation Sindoor destroyed 4-5 Pakistani fighter jets, damaged airfields, radars, and command centers, and hit other high-value targets, demonstrating India's effective response to terror.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi criticized Rahul Gandhi, coining «Modi-a-bindu» to describe his alleged blindness to India's development. This came after Gandhi claimed in Colombia that Indian democracy is under attack and the country doesn't manufacture. Trivedi labeled Gandhi a «henchman of anti-India forces» for his foreign remarks against PM Modi, calling him the «biggest symbol of democracy.»

Indian Air Force Chief A P Singh dismissed Elon Musk's assertion that drones will replace manned aircraft, emphasizing the continued relevance of human pilots and collaborative manned-unmanned systems in future warfare. He also refuted Pakistan's «fanciful stories» about shooting down Indian jets during Operation Sindoor, challenging their lack of evidence.

Speaking about India-Russia relations, Putin said, «Our relations with India are of special nature ever since the Soviet Union and since the days where the Indian people fought for their independence. India knows, remembers, appreciates that. And we appreciate the fact that India never forgets that. And so our relations are developing.»

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the treatment of Muslims in India, highlighting objections to «I love Mohammad» slogans amidst Bareilly protests. He condemned the violence but accused authorities of mishandling the situation, urging Muslims to act lawfully. Owaisi also questioned the government's law and order record, citing recent demolitions.

Congress leader Udit Raj ignited a political storm by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “Ravana of Delhi,” predicting his imminent downfall. BJP's Shehzad Poonawala swiftly condemned these remarks, questioning the Congress party's intentions. Raj further commented on India's foreign policy challenges, including a Taliban minister's visit and US tariffs, while dismissing reports of internal party conflict in Karnataka.