Nobel Prize in literature goes to Hungarian author László KrasznahorkaiThe Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Thursday (October 9, 2025) that it has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Literature for the year 2025 to the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai “for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art”. His ‘Herscht 07769’ published this year, is described as a great contemporary German novel, on account of its accuracy in portraying the country’s social unrest.Israel says Gaza deal to take effect only after receiving Cabinet approvalThe office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that an agreement to secure the release of hostages in Gaza will take effect only after receiving Cabinet approval. Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners in a major breakthrough in the two-year-old war. Uncertainty remains about some of the thornier aspects of the plan, such as whether and how Hamas will disarm, and who will govern Gaza.Supreme Court directs Bihar legal service authority to assist excluded voters in filing appealsThe Supreme Court on Thursday (October 9, 2025) asked the Bihar State Legal Service Authority (BSLSA) to issue directions to its district-level body for assisting voters excluded from the final electoral rolls in filing appeals with the Election Commission of India (ECI). The top court said the question of deciding the appeals by voters, excluded after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, within the stipulated time and with a reasoned order, will be considered on the next date of hearing on pleas challenging the ECI’s exercise. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the district legal service authority will release a list of para-legal volunteers for assisting the excluded voters by filing appeals and ensuring that they have detailed orders of their name’s rejection. The case was listed for further hearing on October 16.U.K. signs $468 million deal to supply India with missilesIndia and the U.K. strengthened defence and trade partnerships over Keir Starmer’s first visit to India after assuming the charge of the top office. On Thursday (October 9, 2025), the Prime Ministers signed agreements furthering the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and a £350 million contract for the U.K. to supply missiles to India. In its statement on the defence deal, the British government said the new contract for Lightweight Multirole Missiles made by Thales in Northern Ireland would secure 700 jobs at a factory which currently makes the same weapons for Ukraine.CDSCO calls for list of all cough syrup manufacturers in India, initiates joint auditThe Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked all State Governments to submit a list of cough syrup manufacturers while initiating a joint audit of these companies, said a senior Health Ministry official on Thursday (October 9, 2025) following the deaths of over 20 children allegedly due to contaminated cough syrup in the past month. CDSCO has also informed the World Health Organization (WHO) that it has identified three contaminated cough syrups – Coldrif, Respifresh and ReLife — linked to the recent child deaths in India — as containing Diethylene Glycol (DEG). It stated that none of the products were exported from India. It added that the products have been recalled and identified manufacturers have been ordered to stop production of all medical products.Cough syrup deaths: Supreme Court agrees to urgent hearing on PIL seeking probeChief Justice B.R. Gavai on Thursday (October 9, 2025) agreed to hear within 24 hours a plea seeking an independent investigation by a judicial commission or an expert committee to probe the cough syrup deaths which have claimed the lives of 14 children in Madhya Pradesh. The CJI agreed to list the case on October 10 after advocate Vishal Tiwari made an oral mentioning, highlighting the need for judicial intervention. Mr. Tiwari has sought a transfer of the FIRs on the children’ deaths to the Central Bureau of Investigation.Kerala Assembly: Three Opposition MLAs suspended on charge of attacking security personnelThe Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a government-sponsored resolution on Thursday (October 9, 2025) barring three Congress legislators, who have been accused of attacking Watch and Ward personnel, from attending the House for the remainder of the current session. The suspended MLAs are Roji M. John, M. Vincent, and Saneesh Kumar. Tabling the resolution, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh said the UDF members had “crossed the point of no return” by seriously injuring Watch and Ward personnel, including women, shielding Speaker A.N. Shamseer from the Opposition members’ “physical trespasses on the Chair.”Lakhimpur Kheri violence: SC told FIR registered against Ashish Mishra, others for allegedly threatening witnessThe Supreme Court on Thursday (October 9, 2025) was informed that an FIR had been registered against former Union Minister and BJP leader Ajay Mishra, his son Ashish Mishra, and two others for allegedly threatening a key witness in the Lakhimpur Kheri killings case. The October 3, 2021, incident claimed eight lives, including those of four farmers who were mowed down during a protest against the now-scrapped farm laws. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Baghchi was apprised by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) police that the allegation made by the witness was found to have “some substance.” Rajnath Singh arrives in Canberra to boost India-Australia defence, strategic tiesIndia and Australia on Thursday (October 9, 2025) explored the possibility of joint production of military hardware as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles held talks in Canberra on further expanding the bilateral strategic ties. Mr. Singh, currently on a two-day visit to Australia, described his meeting with Mr. Marles as “productive”. He said on social media, “We reviewed the full spectrum of India-Australia defence cooperation, including defence industry, cyber defence, maritime security and regional challenges.” Mr. Singh said both sides also reaffirmed the importance of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.China outlines more controls on exports of rare earths, technologyChina outlined new curbs on exports of rare earths and related technologies on Thursday (October 9, 2025), extending controls over the use of the elements critical for many products ahead of a meeting later in October between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The regulations announced by the Ministry of Commerce require foreign companies to get special approval to export items that contain even small traces of rare earths elements sourced from China. Beijing also will impose permitting requirements on exports of technologies related to rare earths mining, smelting, recycling and magnet-making, it said.After Flipkart, Royal Enfield announces availability of 350cc bikes on AmazonRoyal Enfield on Thursday (October 9, 2025) expanded the availability of its 350cc motorcycle range on Amazon, shortly after announcing its availability on Flipkart. With this launch, Royal Enfield buyers can get the 350cc range across 10 cities in India using e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart. This facility is currently available in 5 cities for Amazon users: Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Pune.