Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

Israeli Cabinet approves ‘outline’ of deal to release hostages held by Hamas

Israel’s Cabinet has approved the “outline” of a deal to release hostages held by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on early Friday. It’s a key step in implementing a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The brief statement released focused on the hostage release and made no mention of the other parts of Mr. Trump’s plan for ending the war.

Nobel Prize in literature goes to Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Thursday (October 9, 2025) that it has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Literature for the year 2025 to the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai “for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art”. His ‘Herscht 07769’ published this year, is described as a great contemporary German novel, on account of its accuracy in portraying the country’s social unrest.

Israel says Gaza deal to take effect only after receiving Cabinet approval

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that an agreement to secure the release of hostages in Gaza will take effect only after receiving Cabinet approval. Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners in a major breakthrough in the two-year-old war. Uncertainty remains about some of the thornier aspects of the plan, such as whether and how Hamas will disarm, and who will govern Gaza.

U.K. signs $468 million deal to supply India with missiles

India and the U.K. strengthened defence and trade partnerships over Keir Starmer’s first visit to India after assuming the charge of the top office. On Thursday (October 9, 2025), the Prime Ministers signed agreements furthering the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and a £350 million contract for the U.K. to supply missiles to India. In its statement on the defence deal, the British government said the new contract for Lightweight Multirole Missiles made by Thales in Northern Ireland would secure 700 jobs at a factory which currently makes the same weapons for Ukraine.

Rajnath Singh arrives in Canberra to boost India-Australia defence, strategic ties

India and Australia on Thursday (October 9, 2025) explored the possibility of joint production of military hardware as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles held talks in Canberra on further expanding the bilateral strategic ties. Mr. Singh, currently on a two-day visit to Australia, described his meeting with Mr. Marles as “productive”. He said on social media, “We reviewed the full spectrum of India-Australia defence cooperation, including defence industry, cyber defence, maritime security and regional challenges.” Mr. Singh said both sides also reaffirmed the importance of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

China outlines more controls on exports of rare earths, technology

China outlined new curbs on exports of rare earths and related technologies on Thursday (October 9, 2025), extending controls over the use of the elements critical for many products ahead of a meeting later in October between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The regulations announced by the Ministry of Commerce require foreign companies to get special approval to export items that contain even small traces of rare earths elements sourced from China. Beijing also will impose permitting requirements on exports of technologies related to rare earths mining, smelting, recycling and magnet-making, it said.

Bihar experience must have made you wiser ahead of pan-India SIR: Supreme Court to ECI

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 9, 2025) said the litigious road traversed in the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise must have made the Election Commission of India (ECI) “wiser”, even as it activated paralegal volunteers and legal aid lawyers in Bihar to help 3.66 lakh people excluded from the final voter list file appeals without delay.

Authorities bulldoze 186 properties after Navratri clash in Gujarat

Officials on Thursday (October 9, 2025) launched a demolition drive targeting 186 illegal structures belonging to individuals accused of participating in a stone-pelting incident in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district during the recent Navratri festival, officials said.

Modi, Starmer call for a ‘two-state solution’ to Israel-Palestine conflict

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his U.K. counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday (October 9, 2025) gave a joint call for a “two-state solution” to end the Israel-Palestine conflict and expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.

Nepal Gen-Z protests: At least 18 arrested for demanding ousted PM Oli’s arrest

Nepal Police on Thursday (October 9, 2025) arrested 18 activists belonging to the ‘Gen-Z’ group, including Dr. Nicholous Bhusal, who were protesting at Maitighar here demanding the arrest of deposed prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli and then home minister Ramesh Lekhak.

India, Australia sign key defence agreements to deepen strategic partnership

Australia and India have taken significant steps to strengthen their defence partnership, with both nations committing to an expanded framework of cooperation across land, air, maritime, and industrial domains.

Supreme Court directs Bihar legal service authority to assist excluded voters in filing appeals

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 9, 2025) asked the Bihar State Legal Service Authority (BSLSA) to issue directions to its district-level body for assisting voters excluded from the final electoral rolls in filing appeals with the Election Commission of India (ECI). The top court said the question of deciding the appeals by voters, excluded after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, within the stipulated time and with a reasoned order, will be considered on the next date of hearing on pleas challenging the ECI’s exercise. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the district legal service authority will release a list of para-legal volunteers for assisting the excluded voters by filing appeals and ensuring that they have detailed orders of their name’s rejection. The case was listed for further hearing on October 16.

Cough syrup deaths: Supreme Court agrees to urgent hearing on PIL seeking probe

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai on Thursday (October 9, 2025) agreed to hear within 24 hours a plea seeking an independent investigation by a judicial commission or an expert committee to probe the cough syrup deaths which have claimed the lives of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh.  The CJI agreed to list the case on October 10 after advocate Vishal Tiwari made an oral mentioning, highlighting the need for judicial intervention. Mr. Tiwari has sought a transfer of the FIRs on the children’ deaths to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Kerala Assembly: Three Opposition MLAs suspended on charge of attacking security personnel

The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a government-sponsored resolution on Thursday (October 9, 2025) barring three Congress legislators, who have been accused of attacking Watch and Ward personnel, from attending the House for the remainder of the current session. The suspended MLAs are Roji M. John, M. Vincent, and Saneesh Kumar. Tabling the resolution, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh said the UDF members had “crossed the point of no return” by seriously injuring Watch and Ward personnel, including women, shielding Speaker A.N. Shamseer from the Opposition members’ “physical trespasses on the Chair.”

After Flipkart, Royal Enfield announces availability of 350cc bikes on Amazon

Royal Enfield on Thursday (October 9, 2025) expanded the availability of its 350cc motorcycle range on Amazon, shortly after announcing its availability on Flipkart. With this launch, Royal Enfield buyers can get the 350cc range across 10 cities in India using e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart. This facility is currently available in 5 cities for Amazon users: Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Pune.