In a monumental decision, UNESCO has officially named India's beloved festival of lights, Deepavali, to its prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage List during a committee meeting at the iconic Red Fort in Delhi. The news was met with joyous celebrations and performances, with Prime Minister Modi expressing his pride and noting the global impact of Deepavali's inclusion. This marks the sixteenth element from India to be inscribed on the Representative List, solidifying the country's rich cultural heritage.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has found a solution to maintain its aging Jaguar fleet by obtaining over 20 retired aircraft from the Oman Air Force. These jets will be dismantled and used as spares, as global production of Jaguar has ceased. With this transfer, India will become one of the few countries to still operate the Anglo-French supersonic attack aircraft. The collaboration between India and Oman in this regard reflects their robust defense partnership.
India's festival of lights, Deepavali, has been added to Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, following in the footsteps of Durga Puja. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight at the nomination, stating that the festival is closely tied to India's culture and ethos. The nomination process for Deepavali involved diverse communities and experts, showcasing the festival's reach beyond the country, as it joins India's 15 elements already on Unesco's list.
The Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025 kicked off at Bharat Future City with an impressive lineup of guests, including Chief Guest Governor Jishnu Dev Verma and film actor Nagarjuna. Attendees were impressed by the interactive robot welcoming guests and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who was accompanied by actor Nagarjuna. The summit also saw the presence of national and international dignitaries, making it a star-studded event. To add to the festive atmosphere, a specially composed song celebrating Telangana Rising was also featured during the opening ceremony.
Despite a ceasefire agreement earlier this year, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have risen as both sides accuse each other of violating the truce. Amid ongoing disputes over the territory along their shared border, Thailand launched airstrikes on Monday, exacerbating the already fragile situation. While mediation efforts are underway, there are concerns that the conflict could escalate further, causing harm to civilians on both sides.
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 has triggered a tsunami warning in Japan, with waves predicted to reach up to three meters in height. The quake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture and has already caused significant shaking, according to eyewitness reports on social media. While some areas have already been hit by the tsunami, officials are warning that more areas could potentially be impacted and are urging residents to evacuate and seek higher ground as a precaution. Power outages and safety checks at nuclear power plants have also been reported in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India for a 27-hour trip to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss a wide range of topics. The two leaders had a private dinner where they set the tone for the official summit talks the following day. During the talks, PM Modi announced a 2030 Economic Cooperation Programme and discussed economic and energy cooperation with Putin. Additionally, they also emphasized the need to jointly combat terrorism and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
In a shocking development, it has been discovered that the bodies of several victims repatriated to the UK following the Air India crash in Ahmedabad were found to contain dangerous levels of formalin, carbon monoxide, and cyanide. This was revealed by Professor Fiona Wilcox, who is leading the investigation into the deaths of 53 British nationals in the crash. The report highlights the lack of awareness about the dangers of formalin exposure in morgues across the UK, putting mortuary staff at risk. Immediate measures have been taken to mitigate the danger, but the report raises concerns about the handling of bodies in such facilities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in India for discussions on strengthening their countries' strategic partnership. This meeting comes at a time when Russia and India are facing increasing pressure from the United States, with the US imposing tariffs on Indian purchases of Russian oil and Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Despite these challenges, Modi and Putin have maintained a strong personal relationship and are seeking to deepen their cooperation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India has garnered significant attention as it takes place amidst strained relations between India and the US. His 27-hour visit included a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, laying a wreath at Rajghat and taking part in a dinner with PM Modi. The highlight of the visit was PM Modi's gift of a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in Russian, emphasising the cultural and philosophical bonds between the two countries.