The Hindu Morning Digest: October 21, 2025

India revel in festival of lights; Delhi’s air quality deteriorates on Deepavali

With people across the national capital celebrating Deepavali with fireworks on Monday (October 20, 2025) night, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated, with most of the monitoring stations marked in the ‘red zone’. Thirty-six out of 38 monitoring stations recorded pollution levels in the ‘red zone’, indicating ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air quality across Delhi. At 10 p.m., the city’s overall air quality index (AQI) was ‘very poor’ at 344, with four stations reporting ‘severe’ air quality (above 400).

Bihar Assembly polls: Filing of nomination papers over; INDIA bloc looks fractured

Filing of nomination papers ended for the second and final phase of Bihar Assembly polls, with the opposition INDIA bloc appearing fractured, as constituents would end up fighting each other in a number of seats. According to the Election Commission of India, altogether 1,314 candidates have been left in the fray for the first phase in which 121 constituencies of the 243-strong Assembly would go to polls on November 6, following the withdrawal of 61 nominees, besides rejection of more than 300 during scrutiny.

PM Modi celebrates Deepavali aboard INS Vikrant, hails armed forces’ unity in Operation Sindoor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the extraordinary coordination among the three services together compelled Pakistan to surrender during Operation Sindoor. Mr. Modi also lauded the valour and determination of security forces and said it was due to that, the nation has achieved a significant milestone by “eliminating Maoist terrorism”. He made the remarks while addressing Navy personnel on board INS Vikrant.

Assam Police team reaches Singapore to probe Zubeen Garg’s death

Two senior officers of the Assam Police reached Singapore to investigate the death of singer Zubeen Garg in the island nation last month, officials said. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Assam Police is at present probing Garg’s death case after more than 60 FIRs were lodged across the State.

European Council approves ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’, efforts to conclude FTA

The European Council approved conclusions on a ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’ announced earlier by the European Commission, welcoming the “strong impetus” it provides to relations between the European Union and India. The Belgium-based council, responsible for the general political direction and priorities of the 27-member economic bloc, highlighted efforts on both sides to conclude an India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of the year.

NC will fight Assembly bypolls in Nagrota, Budgam on public issues: J&K Deputy CM

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the ruling National Conference (NC) will fight the bypolls to Nagrota and Budgam Assembly seats on public issues, the biggest being the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. Mr. Choudhary expressed confidence that the voters in both the constituencies will ensure the win of the NC candidates to strengthen the hands of party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Sabarimala gold ‘theft’: SIT to submit first progress report to Kerala HC

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the loss of gold from Sabarimala is expected to file its first progress report to the Kerala High Court soon, police sources said. The division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar will hear the case again on Tuesday (October 21, 2025).

Low pressure brewing over Bay of Bengal, Odisha to receive rainfall for next three days: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a low pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal within the next 24 hours, which could bring light to moderate rain in parts of Odisha over the next three days. According to the IMD’s evening bulletin, “An upper air cyclonic circulation persists over south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. Under its influence, the low pressure area would be formed over the bay in the next 24 hours.”

Ceasefire with Afghanistan hinges on Taliban’s commitment to rein in terrorists, says Khawaja Asif

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the ceasefire arrangement with Afghanistan hinges on Taliban’s commitment to rein in terrorists attacking his country from across the border. His statement comes a day after both sides agreed on a ceasefire following talks in Doha, which were facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye.

U.S. government shutdown likely to end this week, White House adviser Hassett says

The 20-day U.S. federal government shutdown is likely to end this week, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said. “I think the Schumer shutdown is likely to end sometime this week,” White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said in an interview on CNBC, referring to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

Netanyahu says Israel dropped 153 tonnes of bombs on Gaza on October 19

Israeli forces dropped 153 tonnes (337,307 pounds) of bombs on targets in Gaza in response to what it said was a ceasefire breach by the Palestinian group Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Parliament. “One of our hands holds a weapon, the other hand is stretched out for peace,” Mr. Netanyahu told members of the Knesset. “You make peace with the strong, not the weak. Today Israel is stronger than ever before.”

Women Cricket World Cup, IND-W vs ENG-W: Smriti Mandhana shoulders blame for collapse

From needing 57 runs from as many balls and with four wickets in hand, India shockingly succumbed to a four-run defeat against England at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. A largely comfortable chase went awry despite Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana setting up the foundations for what should have been an easy win in the women’s World Cup. Smriti, who fell in the 42nd over, shouldered the blame for the collapse.