Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

Ladakh Statehood protests: Government defeated peaceful protests by forcing youth to take up violence, says Wangchuk

Amid the violence during protests demanding Statehood for Ladakh, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday (September 24, 2025) said that “nobody had an inkling something like this will happen”. He was addressing a virtual press conference after a group of protesters comprising “school and college students and monks” clashed with the police. Violent protests erupted outside the BJP office in Leh town during a 35-day hunger strike called by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) over the Centre’s delay to hold “result-oriented” talks over several long-pending demands, including Statehood and granting Sixth Schedule status to the region.

Leh protest turns deadly; Centre blames climate activist Sonam Wangchuk

Several people were feared dead and many injured in Leh city in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Wednesday (September 24, 2025) as an ongoing protest seeking the constitutional safeguards of Statehood and tribal status for the region bordering China turned violent. The Union Home Ministry, in a statement, said an unruly mob destroyed public property and attacked the police, injuring around 30 security personnel. The police had to resort to firing, in which “unfortunately some casualties are reported”, it said.

Violent protests break out at BJP office in Ladakh’s Leh amid shutdown seeking Statehood

Violent protests erupted outside the BJP office in Leh town during a shutdown call issued by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh over the Centre’s delay to hold “result-oriented” talks over several long pending demands, which include granting Statehood and Sixth Schedule status to the region. Leh’s District Magistrate has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 -- which bars assembly of more than four people in the region -- citing possible disturbance to public peace and danger to human life.

Israel says conclusion of talks with Syria contingent on demilitarisation, safeguarding Druze

Israel’s Prime Minister’s office said on Wednesday (September 24, 2025) that negotiations were being held with Syria and the conclusions were contingent upon ensuring Israel’s interests, which include the demilitarisation of southwestern Syria and safeguarding the well-being and security of the Druze in Syria. Under U.S. pressure, Syria is accelerating talks with Israel for a security pact that Damascus hopes will reverse Israel’s recent seizures of its land but that would fall far short of a full peace treaty, sources briefed on the talks said.

2030 Commonwealth Games: India presents proposal to host Games in Ahmedabad

A delegation from India has formally presented in London a proposal for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad to the Evaluation Committee of Commonwealth Sport, the Gujarat government said. The Indian team was led by Gujarat’s Minister of Sports, Harsh Sanghavi, and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, P.T. Usha, during the presentation on Tuesday (September 23, 2025).

Kulgam resident, who ‘helped’ Pahalgam attackers, arrested in Kashmir Valley: officials

A local who “provided logistical support” to a group of non-local terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack was arrested in Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday (September 24, 2025). A top police official identified the arrested local as Muhammad Yousuf Katari, 26, a resident of Kulgam. According to the police, Katari worked as an overground worker for the terror outfit behind the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 civilians dead on April 22, 2025. The three Pahalgam attackers were later killed in Operation Mahadev in Srinagar’s Lidwas area in the upper reaches of the Dachigam forest area on July 28, 2025.

Jaishankar hosts FIPIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (September 25, 2025) hosted a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation, reaffirming a “people-centric” agenda emphasising health, technology and capacity building. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. “Delighted to host the FIPIC Foreign Ministers Meeting today in New York. Glad to note that the 12-point action plan announced by PM @narendramodi at the FIPIC-III Summit is progressing well,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Jaishankar calls for stronger Global South solidarity, collective push for United Nations reform

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for greater solidarity among Global South nations, a renewed commitment to multilateralism, and a collective push to reform the United Nations and other global institutions. He made the remarks at a high-level meeting of Like-Minded Global South countries in New York on Tuesday (September 24, 2025) on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Simultaneous polls committee meets Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Arvind Panagariya

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on One Nation One Election reviewing the legislation on simultaneous polls on Wednesday met three economists — Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Arvind Panagariya, and Surjit S. Bhalla — who presented two contrasting views on the issue. Mr. Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, rejected the claim that simultaneous elections would lead to economic growth. Mr. Panagariya and Mr. Bhalla, on the other hand, argued in favour of it.

Adani says SEBI ruling vindicates group, signals resilience in post-Hindenburg era

In a strongly-worded letter to shareholders, Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani on Wednesday described the market regulator SEBI’s dismissal of key allegations from the Hindenburg Research report as a “powerful validation” of the conglomerate’s governance and transparency, and declared that “truth has prevailed”. More than two years after the damning short-seller report triggered a $150 billion selloff in group stocks, Mr. Adani said the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) dismissal of allegations marked the end of a prolonged scrutiny period that tested “every dimension” of the group’s resilience.

U.S. envoy Witkoff confident of ‘some sort of breakthrough’ on Gaza in coming days

U.S. President Donald Trump has presented leaders from several Muslim-majority countries with a 21-point peace plan for the Middle East and Gaza, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), adding that he is confident of “some sort of breakthrough” in the coming days. Mr. Trump on Tuesday (September 23) met leaders and officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan to discuss the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas. The meeting was held at the U.N. on the sidelines of the annual General Assembly.

Former President Mutharika wins Malawi election to oust longtime rival Chakwera

Former President Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of Malawi’s election, ousting incumbent Lazarus Chakera to return as leader of one of Africa’s poorest countries. Mr. Chakwera conceded defeat in a speech on national television hours before the final results were announced on Wednesday. Supporters of Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party had already gathered in the streets of the commercial capital, Blantyre, to celebrate.

Cabinet approves productivity-linked bonus for 78 days for railway staff

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), announced the approved payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of 78 days for ₹1,865.68 crore to 10,91,146 railway employees. Payment of PLB to eligible railway employee is made each year before the Durga Puja/Dasara holidays. Last year, the PLB amounted to ₹2,028.57 crore to 11,72,240 railway employees.

‘India is mostly with us’, says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that India is mostly on the side of Ukraine in its war with Russia, and urged the west to continue engaging with India. His comments were made to Fox News in an interview in New York, where Mr. Zelenskyy is attending the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). “I think India is mostly with us,” he said. “We had this question with energy but I think President Trump can manage it,” he said, adding that Europeans should build a closer relationship with India.

WHO says there is no link between autism and paracetamol use in pregnancy

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday (September 22, 2025) there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and the use of paracetamol during pregnancy. At this time, no consistent association between autism and paracetamol use has been established, the WHO said in a statement.

Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC with warnings of ‘anti-American’ censorship as Trump threatens to sue

Jimmy Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night with a defiant monologue, describing efforts to silence comedians as “anti American” and warning against government intimidation of entertainers. The episode marked his first broadcast since ABC suspended the late-night show last week under pressure from Trump allies. “This show is not important,” Kimmel told viewers. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” Fighting back tears, he said he never intended to make light of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and stressed that his Sept. 15 remarks were “ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both.” He added: “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual.”