Marking a major milestone in India’s maritime and energy sectors, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday received the country’s third Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) – Shivalik – under the Indian flag at Visakhapatnam Port. The event underscores India’s growing maritime self-reliance and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Built in South Korea and named after the Himalayan range, Shivalik is an 82,000 CBM state-of-the-art LPG carrier with advanced safety, temperature control, and operational systems. The vessel completed its maiden voyage carrying over 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – a mix of propane and butane – from Ruwais, UAE, to Visakhapatnam, for discharge operations with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL).

Welcoming the vessel, Sonowal said, “The arrival of Shivalik under our national flag is not just a fleet expansion — it is a statement of confidence in India’s maritime resurgence under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership. It symbolises the resilience, capability, and Atmanirbharta that will power Bharat toward Viksit Bharat 2047.”

In a rare instance, the Delhi High Court has opened the door for spouses to seek damages, in the civil sphere, from third parties who interfered in their marriage with a malafide intention, causing its breakdown.

The court held that a spouse can pursue a claim seeking damages for ‘alienation of affection’ (AoA), which is independent of the marriage dissolution proceedings before family courts and is under the jurisdiction of civil courts.

It was dealing with a petition by a woman who sought damages for ‘alienation of affection’ from her husband’s paramour on the ground that as the lawfully wedded wife, she — the plaintiff — was entitled to the affection and companionship of her husband, and that such affection was allegedly withdrawn on account of the “active and mala fide conduct” of the paramour.

Khaled El-Anany, Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, has been elected as the next Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This historic appointment marks the first time an Arab has led the global organisation since its creation in 1945. El-Anany takes over from Audrey Azoulay, France’s representative, who served for two terms (2017-2025). The Egyptian official triumphed in the election, winning by a landslide with 55 out of 58 votes. His main rival, Firmin Edouard Matoko from the Congo, was defeated, and the United States abstained from voting during the Executive Board session held in Paris.

His candidacy enjoyed widespread support, especially from the Arab League and the African Union, as well as other international stakeholders. El-Anany’s victory is seen as a significant achievement for Arab representation in global institutions. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sissi praised the appointment, emphasizing that it reflects Egypt’s cultural influence and the global community’s faith in the country’s talents and expertise. El Sissi expressed confidence in El-Anany’s ability to foster international cooperation and preserve humanity’s cultural heritage.

Actor and athlete Saiyami Kher has been named the official ambassador for Ironman India, becoming the face of the event after completing the gruelling Ironman 70.3 triathlon twice in less than a year.

Saiyami, known for movies such as "Ghoomer", "Choked", "Jaat" and "8 A.M. Metro", successfully completed her first Ironman 70.3 in September 2024 and her second in July 2025, a feat that makes her the only Indian actor to achieve the milestone, according to a press release.

The Ironman 70.3 — also known as the Half Ironman — is one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world, requiring participants to cover a total distance of 70.3 miles (113 km) comprising a 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycle ride, and 21.1 km run, all in a single day.

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday presented the MY Bharat-National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for the year 2022–23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions of NSS volunteers, programme officers, and units across India for their commitment to social service, community development, and nation-building.

The ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Secretary (Youth Affairs) Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao, and other senior officials of the Ministry.

Instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 1993-94, the MY Bharat-NSS Awards are conferred annually to acknowledge outstanding voluntary community service. For 2022–23, a total of 50 awards were presented – 10 NSS Units, 10 Programme Officers, and 30 NSS Volunteers – for their exemplary service and leadership. Each winning NSS Unit received ₹2 lakh and a trophy, Programme Officers received ₹1.5 lakh, a certificate, and a silver medal, while Volunteers were honoured with ₹1 lakh, a certificate, and a silver medal.

In Jammu & Kashmir, the 69th National School Games (NSG) event commenced with all comprehensive arrangements put in place for the smooth execution of this prestigious national event. The event is being organized by the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports, J&K.

This year’s National School Games has drawn participation from 30 teams representing various States and Union Territories across the country, with matches scheduled to be played at six different venues. The events include competitions in Football, Wushu, Taekwondo, and Table Tennis.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah officially declared open the 69th National School Games at TRC Football Ground in Srinagar, by ceremonially kicking a football, marking the formal commencement of the national-level sporting event. Addressing the players and athletes. J&K Director General of Youth Services & Sports, Anuradha Gupta talked about the features of the event in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Assembly Elections of Bihar will be conducted in two phases on 6th and 11th November this year. The counting of votes will take place on 14th of November. The Election Commission today announced the poll schedule for the 243 members Bihar Assembly elections. With the announcement of poll schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in Bihar. Polling will be held in 121 assembly seats in the first phase while, 122 assembly constituencies will go to polls in the second phase.

Briefing media in New Delhi today, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that over 90 thousand 712 polling booths will be set up for seven crore 43 lakh voters in the state. He informed that the notification for the first phase of voting will be issued on 10th of this month and candidates can make their nominations till 17th of October. For the second phase of polling, the notification will be issued on 13th of this month and the nomination can be filed till 20th of October.

Major CGHS reform: In a relief for both central government employees and pensioners as well as for private hospitals, the central government has made a major revision in the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates after a long time. These new rates will come into effect from October 13. The move is likely to benefit approximately 4.6 million CGHS beneficiaries.

The government says the new rates are based on the hospital’s accreditation, city category, hospital type, and patient ward.

A quarter of a century after it joined NATO and amid rising tension on its eastern frontier, Poland will finally join the alliance's fuel pipeline network, the government said on Friday (October 3, 2025).

The Western allies operate a 10,000-km network of European pipelines, bringing fuel and lubricants for tanks and aircraft to where troops might need them in time of war.

But the system was set up during the Cold War, when Poland was still a member of the opposing Warsaw Pact, and NATO's pipelines still do not reach its bases closer to the borders with Russia and Belarus.

Poland has been considering joining the NATO Pipeline System (NPS) for many years, and on Friday, the Defence Ministry and national pipeline operator PERN unveiled a 4.7-billion-euro plan to do so.

"This is one of the largest investments in the security of the Polish state in the last 30 years," Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk told reporters at the signing ceremony.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is planning to launch the National Camel Sustainability Initiative (NCSI) — a national mission aimed at reversing the steady decline in India’s camel population.

The proposal has been outlined in a draft policy paper prepared in consultation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which was circulated on September 29 for public comments.

“To reverse the rapid decline of India’s camel population and restore its economic and ecological significance, a multi-dimensional strategy is essential,” the draft notes.