Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines today.
India and New Zealand are set to deepen economic ties, with their landmark Free Trade Agreement scheduled to come into force on 20 October, coinciding with Dussehra. The deal will provide duty-free access for all Indian exports to New Zealand.
At IIT Bombay, the institute has suspended Dean Professor Suryanarayan Doola following the death of BTech student Sahil Wakode and withdrawn its earlier claims about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The institute said it was inappropriate to draw conclusions before the investigation is complete.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have begun a new chapter by appointing Zaheer Khan as head coach after ending their long association with Stephen Fleming The change follows CSK’s eighth-place finish in IPL 2026.
Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, Italy is preparing tighter rules for schools, including a proposed ban on burqas and niqabs, along with measures targeting foreign-student numbers and requiring Italian-language classes for some parents.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
Today’s Top Headlines
India, NZ finalise trade deal, to take effect on Dussehra
India and New Zealand are set to deepen economic ties this autumn, with the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) scheduled to come into force on 20 October, a date that coincides with the festival of Dussehra.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the timeline on Monday, while New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed that the trade pact has been finalised and is now awaiting implementation after securing parliamentary approval earlier this month.
The agreement moved a step closer to reality on 16 September, when New Zealand’s Parliament approved the legislation by a 93-29 vote. Signed by both countries on 27 April, the FTA will grant duty-free access to 100% of Indian exports entering the New Zealand market, covering all tariff lines and marking a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations. READ MORE
IIT-Bombay suspends professor in student suicide case
IIT Bombay has taken action in the aftermath of the death of BTech student Sahil Wakode, suspending Professor Suryanarayan Doola from his role as Dean and withdrawing its earlier claims about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The institute said it was inappropriate to draw conclusions before the investigation is completed and apologised for statements issued a day after Sahil’s death. Earlier, IIT Bombay had claimed the second-year student was caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and allegedly attempted to upload the question paper to ChatGPT.
Sahil, a student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on the night of 18 September. READ MORE
Zaheer Khan announced as CSK head coach ahead of IPL 2027
Chennai Super Kings have turned to a familiar Indian cricketing name for a fresh start, appointing Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of the next IPL season.
The move comes after the franchise ended its long and successful partnership with Stephen Fleming, who served as CSK head coach from 2009 to 2026 and guided the team to five IPL titles during his tenure.
The coaching change follows a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, in which CSK finished eighth on the points table with six wins from 14 matches. The franchise last lifted the IPL trophy in 2023 and has failed to reach the playoffs in the seasons since. READ MORE
Meloni says Italy will ban burqas and niqabs, limit foreign school student entry
Italy is set to tighten rules in schools, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announcing that burqas and niqabs will be banned. The Cabinet is expected to take up the proposal soon.
Meloni also announced plans to limit the number of foreign students in schools and require parents of children struggling to integrate to attend Italian-language classes.
The measures were announced at the Brothers of Italy youth wing’s national festival in Rome. If approved by the government, the legislation will need Parliament’s approval within 60 days to take effect. READ MORE
India’s Asian Cup medal tally rises to 6; Suchika claims first-ever MMA podium finish
India enjoyed a strong day at the Asian Games 2026, adding four medals on Monday to take its overall tally to six.
Shooters led the charge, with Rudrankksh Patil, Himanshu Dhillon and Parth Mane winning silver in the men’s 10m air rifle team event. Himanshu and Rudrankksh then added individual silver and bronze medals.
There was also a first for India, as Suchika Tariyal won the country’s maiden Asian Games MMA medal. India’s campaign had begun on Sunday with Elavenil Valarivan taking individual silver and joining Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa K Vinod for another silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team event. READ MORE
The Day Ahead
1. India will have scope to add to its medal tally as Asian Games action heads into Day 3 today. The women’s cricket team will take on Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match. The men’s hockey team will face Sri Lanka. The Indian men’s cricket team is set to play its first-ever international match against Japan.
2. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the 3rd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) heads in New Delhi today. The two-day conference, organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau, will bring together ANTF chiefs from all 36 states and Union Territories to discuss targets under the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029).
3. Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the 9th India International Water Week 2026 today. The event will bring together policymakers, state governments, international organisations, researchers, industry bodies and civil society groups to discuss water management and sustainability challenges.
4. The 81st UN General Assembly (UNGA) enters its high-level phase today, with the General Debate beginning at UN Headquarters. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also expected in New York and could meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the gathering.
5. The Congress party will launch a month-long Goa yatra today ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and all four Congress chief ministers are expected to join the launch as the party begins an outreach campaign across all 40 Assembly constituencies in the BJP-ruled state.
Visual Of The Day
Indian and US Army officials during the 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, at Auli in Chamoli.
Today In History
Statement Of The Day
News With A Twist
A parade of dancing and bouncing cars took place on the streets of the US. Meanwhile, a human fought a 6-foot-tall robot in a ring. In China, a woman emerged alive from a coffin.
In Denmark, a man found an 18-kg silver treasure while digging outside his home to lay tiles. In the US, a dog started playing with a toy in front of a burglar instead of barking at him. READ MORE
News In Headlines
Pakistan bombs Afghanistan, claims 28 militants killed; Taliban vows ‘appropriate response’ READ MORE
SC mandates magistrate approval before re-arrest, police must provide reasons READ MORE
Rouse Avenue Court lifts Sonia Gandhi FIR stay; citizenship allegations to be heard READ MORE
‘3 Idiots’ sequel to shoot from April 2027; Aamir, Kareena to return READ MORE
CNN, Politico, MS Now to sue White House over Trump ban READ MORE
