1. Islamist militants launched a
surprise offensive in northwest Syria, capturing key territories like Aleppo,
marking a resurgence of conflict after a period of calm. Geopolitical factors,
including Russia’s focus on Ukraine and weakened support for Assad, have
contributed to the regime's vulnerabilities.
2.
The 25th edition of Nagaland's Hornbill Festival is underway, sparking a
debate over relaxing the state’s Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP)
Act, 1989, which bans alcohol. While the government permits alcohol use
within festival grounds for tourists and stall owners, church bodies oppose
this, citing long-standing resistance to alcohol consumption. The NLTP Act,
introduced in 1989, was backed by Christian organizations, but there are
discussions about shifting from total
3. DAYS AFTER completing the process of troop
disengagement at two friction points along the Line of Actual Control in
eastern Ladakh, India and China held the first official-level talks in New
Delhi Thursday, "reflected on the lessons" learnt from the military
standoff and agreed on the need for "effective border management" and
"maintenance of peace and tranquillity" as part of bilateral
pacts.
4. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin has hailed 'Make in
India' initiative and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's stable
policies, saying this would encourage Russian companies to set up manufacturing
bases here.