Overview
- The helicopter flying from Badrinath to Dehradun lost contact near Joshimath on Friday, prompting a multi‑agency search and rescue operation after tracking signals ceased and officials say six people were onboard while Trans Bharat Aviation’s fleet was grounded as a precaution.
- India Meteorological Department warnings link the out‑of‑season rain, gusty winds and hail to Cyclone Arnab’s remnants, and officials say poor visibility and storms are slowing aerial and ground searches and have already damaged standing crops and farm stores.
- The Supreme Court deferred detailed hearings on petitions seeking a full ban on firecrackers until after Diwali and flagged concerns about barium levels and misleading ‘green cracker’ labels, leaving sales and enforcement questions unresolved for now.
- A private Oct 25 meeting between Noel Tata and N. Chandrasekaran failed to settle a Tata Sons governance dispute, with Noel Tata formally challenging decisions from the Sept 17 board meeting and warning he may pursue legal action if differences persist.
- Delhi traders’ group CTI has asked Sonia Gandhi to move the Nov 1 rally because of supply and revenue risks during the Diwali peak, and independent fact‑checking published this week showed a viral video claimed as Chinese troop movement in Arunachal was in fact 2025 footage of local police at an anti‑dam protest.