Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

Cyclone Montha crosses A.P. coast near Narsapur, heavy rain damages 43,000 hectares of crops

Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between 11.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. on October 28-29, after making its landfall south of Kakinada and close to Narsapur, according to the India Meteorological Department. Even after the landfall, many places in the State may continue to receive very heavy rainfall on Wednesday (October 29).

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica as devastating Category-5 storm

Hurricane Melissa intensified on Tuesday before making landfall in Jamaica, where officials and residents braced for catastrophic winds, flash flooding and landslides from the Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history. The streets in the capital, Kingston, remained largely empty as Melissa approached with 185 mph (295 kph) winds, save for the lone stray dog crossing puddles and a handful of people walking briskly under tree branches waving in a stiff wind.

Trade talks with EU reduced ‘outstanding issues’, says Goyal

India and the European Union have “significantly” reduced the gaps in their negotiating positions after three days of trade discussions in Brussels, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday evening. Mr. Goyal and his EU counterpart, Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, held discussions to provide a political push to help get the negotiations for an India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) over the finish line.

Gaza ceasefire tested as Israel, Hamas exchange fire and blame

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he ordered the army to immediately carry out “powerful strikes” in Gaza, and Hamas responded by saying it would delay handing over the body of a hostage, putting new pressure on the tenuous U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

As SIR expands, questions on Election Commission’s power to conduct exercise, verify citizenship still pending in Supreme Court

The Election Commission of India’s authority to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls remains under question in the Supreme Court, even as the poll body announced the SIR’s second phase which will cover 51 crore voters in 12 States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, and Puducherry. The Supreme Court, in a July 10 order, had highlighted the basic questions posed by petitioners challenging the first phase of the SIR exercise in Bihar. These primarily included whether the Election Commission (EC) has the “very powers to undertake the exercise”. Secondly, the court had flagged the petitioners’ objection to the “procedure and the manner in which the SIR exercise is being undertaken”.

Pilots slam move to dilute court order on restricted night flying to combat fatigue

On the day Air India informed its cockpit crew of a diluted version of the rest and duty norms mandated by the Delhi High Court in April, set to take effect three days from now, and documents showed the DGCA had granted exemptions to some airlines, a pilots’ group called the move a “breach of law” and sought its immediate withdrawal.

Relocation of forest dwellers from tiger reserves must be voluntary: Tribal Affairs Ministry

The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has mandated that the relocation of forest-dwelling communities from tiger reserves must be an “exceptional, voluntary, and evidence-based measure”. The Ministry’s new policy framework also spells out the mechanisms that allow communities to continue living in the forests and the procedures to be followed for obtaining their consent for relocation.

No resolution as Afghanistan, Pakistan end peace talks in Istanbul, sources say

Talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul to broker a long-term truce have ended without a resolution, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, a blow for peace in the region after deadly clashes this month. The talks aimed to reach lasting peace between the South Asian neighbours after dozens were killed along their border in the worst such violence since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.

IIP growth dips to three-month low of 4% in September as mining, consumer non-durables slip

Industrial activity dipped marginally to a three-month low of 4% in September 2025. The data also shows that the growth in industrial activity during the first half of the financial year (April-September) was the slowest in at least five years. Growth in the Index of Industrial Production, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, stood at 3.2% in September of last year. However, growth had since accelerated to 4.3% by July 2025, following which it slowed again.

Union Cabinet approves the terms of reference for the 8th Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet has approved the Terms of Reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), the body in charge of deciding the pay structure and retirement benefits of central government employees, the government announced on Tuesday (October 28, 2025). The Government had announced the formation of the 8th CPC in January 2025 to examine and recommend changes in the salaries and other benefits of central government employees.

Noel Tata, two others block Mehli Mistry’s reappointment as trustee, deepening rift at Tata Trusts

Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and two trustees blocked the reappointment of late Ratan Tata’s close associate and businessman Mehli Mistry as trustee of the philanthropic arm that controls the holding company of Tata Group, people familiar with the matter said. Mr. Noel Tata was appointed head of Tata Trusts following the death of Tata Group patriarch Ratan Tata last year.

Trump, Takaichi agree on rare earth, critical minerals supply

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) signed a framework agreement for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths through mining and processing, the White House said in a statement. The agreement was signed during Mr. Trump’s visit to Japan, part of his wider Asia trip, as both countries are looking to strengthen their rare earth supply chains used everywhere from renewable energy to electronics and cars.

Women’s ODI ranking: Smriti Mandhana solidifies No. 1 status with career-best rating

Star India opener Smriti Mandhana on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) strengthened her status as the No.1 batter in women’s ODI cricket after achieving a career-best rating on the back of an outstanding home World Cup campaign. The 29-year-old left-handed batter scored 109 against New Zealand and 34 not out against Bangladesh in her last two matches and moved to a rating of 828, almost 100 points clear of Australia’s Ash Gardner in second (731), who jumped six spots after her unbeaten century against England.