Top news headlines of today – 17 Nov 2025

New Delhi: Batting for a long-term solution for air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to impose year-round restrictions on all activities prohibited under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) -- a set of emergency measures to control pollution.

The top court asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to strictly follow the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on the issue of stubble burning in the two states.

"If the CAQM's suggestions to Punjab and Haryana are implemented, then stubble burning can be adequately tackled. Thus, we direct both states to have a combined meeting and ensure that the CAQM's suggestions are scrupulously implemented," a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria said.

Follow this page to track this most crucial development, affecting millions of lives, along with other top headlines for the day.

Nov 17, 2025 15:02 IST
Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death by special tribunal
Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina was on Monday sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal for "crimes against humanity" committed during the wide-spread protests against her government in July last year.
 
Hasina, 78, who has been living in India since her government was toppled on August 5 last year, was sentenced by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD).



Nov 17, 2025 14:41 IST
Sheikh Hasina found guilty of crimes against humanity over 2024 student protests

New Delhi: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) on Monday convicted deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity for masterminding the violent suppression of last year’s student-led protests that led to the fall of her Awami League government.
Read more...



Nov 17, 2025 14:37 IST
Shivakumar downplays meeting with Kharge amid talks of CM change
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday played down the significance of his meeting with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, one that came amidst speculations of a leadership change in the southern state.
 
The meeting on Sunday was held to discuss party matters, Shivakumar, also the Karnataka Congress chief, said.
 
Reluctant to share details of his meeting the party president, Shivakumar said, "we are all there if the party is there." The meeting comes as the Congress government in Karnataka reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being dubbed by some as the "November revolution".



Nov 17, 2025 14:25 IST
Bihar oath-taking likely on Nov 20; PM Modi, top NDA leaders to attend
The swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Bihar is likely to take place in Patna on November 20, official sources said on Monday.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other top leaders of the NDA, including union ministers, are expected to take part in the oath-taking event, they said.
 
Earlier in the day, Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal told reporters that the newly elected legislators will meet on Tuesday to elect their legislature party leader.



Nov 17, 2025 14:19 IST
Indian pilgrims perish in deadly bus accident in Saudi; PM, leaders condole deaths
At least 45 persons, majority of them Umrah pilgrims from Telangana capital Hyderabad, were killed in Saudi Arabia's Medina after their bus collided with an oil tanker, officials said on Monday.
 
Citing preliminary information, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar put the toll at 45, saying a total of 54 persons from the city had left for the pilgrimage recently. Read More



Nov 17, 2025 13:37 IST
SC defers hearing by six weeks on Sahara firm's plea seeking nod to sell properties to Adani
The Supreme Court on Monday deferred by six weeks hearing on Sahara firm's plea seeking its nod to sell properties to the Adani Group as it asked the Centre to also file its response to the note submitted by amicus curiae on the issue.
 
A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and MM Sundresh impleaded the Ministry of Cooperation in the matter after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said a lot of cooperative societies were formed by the Sahara Group, which may be affected.



Nov 17, 2025 13:27 IST
Hyderabad mourns as 45 pilgrims killed in Saudi bus crash
At least 45 people, most of them from Hyderabad, were killed in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia, the city police chief said on Monday, citing preliminary information.
 
Addressing reporters here, Hyderabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar said a total of 54 people travelled to Jeddah from here on November 9. They were scheduled to return on November 23.
 
Of the 54, four people travelled separately by car to Madina on Sunday, while another four stayed back in Mecca.
 
According to the official, 46 people were travelling in the ill-fated bus, which collided with an oil tanker about 25 km from Madina.



Nov 17, 2025 13:21 IST
As rains return to TN, about 5,400 cusecs of surplus water released from three Chennai dams
With the rain reviving in Tamil Nadu, leading to the catchment areas getting copious rainfall, state Water Resources Department on Monday commenced releasing surplus water from three reservoirs, among the sources for drinking water in Chennai.
 
A total of 5,400 cusecs of water was discharged from the three dams today as a precaution, an official said.



Nov 17, 2025 13:12 IST
Deeply saddened: PM Modi on bus accident involving Indian pilgrims in Medina
Deeply saddened by the accident in Medinah involving Indian nationals. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are providing all possible assistance. Our…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2025



Nov 17, 2025 12:47 IST
Pakistan closes Afghan border indefinitely as bilateral ties hit new low
Pakistan today announced the closure of its borders with Afghanistan for an indefinite period.
 
The decision was taken by the Pakistan government amid rising tensions with the Taliban regime, which has directed Afghan traders to reduce their dependence on imports from Pakistan and explore other trade options.
 
Pakistani officials stated that the borders will remain closed for trade and other activities until concrete steps are taken by the Taliban government against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups.



Nov 17, 2025 12:46 IST
Bangladesh Tribunal begins delivering verdict against ousted PM Hasina
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) on Monday began delivering its verdict in the case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is being tried in absentia over alleged crimes against humanity committed during last year’s student-led agitation that led to the fall of her Awami League government.
 
The three-member tribunal will also pronounce its judgement against Hasina's two aides, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, over the same charges. Mamun was produced before the tribunal.
 
Prosecutors have sought the death penalty for the accused.



Nov 17, 2025 12:18 IST
X Corp challenges legality of ‘Sahyog’ portal takedown process before Karnataka HC
Social media giant 'X' Corp has informed the Karnataka High Court that it received 29,118 government requests to remove content between January and June 2025, complying with 26,641 of them, a 91.49 per cent compliance rate.
 
The company argued that these figures contradict a single judge’s September 24 finding that the platform intends to defy Indian law. The data was furnished as part of X’s writ appeal against the order upholding the Union government’s 'Sahyog' portal, the online system used to issue takedown directions to intermediaries. READ MORE



Nov 17, 2025 11:58 IST
Delhi Police summons Al Falah chairman in terror module, fake documents probes
The Delhi Police has issued two summons to Al Falah University chairman in connection with the ongoing probe into the Faridabad terror module case and the two cases registered against the university for forgery and cheating, an official said on Monday.
 
The summons were sent after investigators found that the university's chairman Javed Ahmad Siddiqui's statement was crucial for clarifying several inconsistencies linked to the functioning of the university and the activities of individuals associated with the institution.



Nov 17, 2025 11:41 IST
Several Indians feared dead in bus accident in Medina
Several Indians are feared dead in a bus accident in Saudi Arabia's Medina.
 
The bus was carrying Indian Umrah pilgrims, according to the Indian mission in Jeddah.
 
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, currently on a visit to Russia, expressed deep shock over the accident.
 
"Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are giving fullest support to Indian nationals and families affected by this accident," he said.



Nov 17, 2025 11:40 IST
Supriya Shrinate claims 'vote chori'; top Bihar poll officer hits back
New Delhi: Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared a video in which a journalist has claimed that a person he met in Bihar had voted twice, evoking a sharp response from the state's top poll officer who asked her to provide details and warned of legal action against anyone spreading fake news.
Shrinate shared the video on X in which a journalist stated that he met a BJP worker in the party's office who voted at two places.
Read more...



Nov 17, 2025 11:39 IST
Aaj Tak reporter’s anecdote on ink removal sparks fresh ‘vote chori’ allegations
New Delhi: A brief exchange narrated by an Aaj Tak reporter has triggered a social media storm, after being interpreted by opposition leaders as evidence of widespread voter fraud in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections.
Read more...



Nov 17, 2025 11:36 IST
Nitish Kumar arrives at the Old Secretariat for the Cabinet meeting in Patna
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrives at the Old Secretariat for the Cabinet meeting.
A letter recommending the dissolution of the current government will be submitted to the Governor, following which the process for the formation of a new government will move forward.
The NDA has secured a three-fourths majority, winning 202 of 243 seats in the recently concluded Assembly polls.
VIDEO | Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrives at the Old Secretariat for the Cabinet meeting.

A letter recommending the dissolution of the current government will be submitted to the Governor, following which the process for the formation of a new government will move… pic.twitter.com/zfVYZdeVn8
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 17, 2025



Nov 17, 2025 11:12 IST
Which teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
A record 48 teams will play in the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
 
On Sunday, Portugal and Norway sealed places at the global event. Without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal routed Armenia 9-1 to ensure the soccer great would have the chance to appear at a record sixth World Cup. Norway beat four-time World Cup champion Italy 4-1.
 
A total of 43 teams will earn places through continental qualifying tournaments. Another two will secure places in the intercontinental playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March in Mexico. The three host countries automatically qualify. READ MORE



Nov 17, 2025 10:52 IST
Trump makes U-turn, tells Republicans to vote for Epstein files disclosure
President Donald Trump said House Republicans should vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal as a growing number of those in his own party supported it.
 
“We have nothing to hide, and it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on social media late Sunday after landing at Joint Base Andrews following a weekend in Florida.
 
Trump's statement followed a fierce fight within the GOP over the files, including an increasingly nasty split with Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had long been one of his fiercest supporters.



Nov 17, 2025 10:51 IST
Sabarimala witnesses heavy rush on first day of annual pilgrimage season
Hundreds of devotees thronged the famed Lord Ayyappa Temple here early on Monday, the auspicious first day of the Malayalam month of 'Vrichikam', which marks the beginning of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
 
Dressed in the customary black attire and carrying the 'irumudikkettu' (sacred bundle) on their heads, pilgrims from inside and outside the state queued for hours to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa.
 
As the newly appointed 'melsanthi' (chief priest) E D Prasad Namboothiri, opened the temple portals, devotees chanted the hymns of Lord Ayyappa in unison.
 
The temple was opened in the presence of 'tantri' (head priest) Kantararu Mahesh Mohanaru, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) said in a statement.



Nov 17, 2025 10:50 IST
Sinner beats Alcaraz to retain ATP Finals title before his home fans
The final instalment of the “Sincaraz” rivalry for 2025 went to Jannik Sinner.
 
The second-ranked Sinner beat top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (4), 7-5 for the ATP Finals trophy on Sunday in the sixth meeting this year between the two players who are dominating men's tennis.
 
Sinner defended the title before his home Italian fans for only his second victory over Alcaraz this year after also beating the Spaniard in the Wimbledon final. READ MORE



Nov 17, 2025 10:26 IST
Heavy security, empty streets as Bangladesh awaits Sheikh Hasina verdict
Bangladesh witnessed an unusually subdued Monday as heavy security deployment and deserted streets marked the tense hours ahead of the International Crimes Tribunal–Bangladesh (ICT-BD) verdict against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a case of alleged crimes against humanity.
 
The capital city Dhaka, typically gridlocked on weekday mornings, woke to near-empty roads, with only scattered cars and rickshaws moving through heavily policed intersections.
 
The eerie calm followed a night of sporadic arson and crude bomb attacks. READ MORE



Nov 17, 2025 10:21 IST
Markets rise in early trade on strong quarterly performance by corporates
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened on a positive note on Monday amid buying in blue-chip stocks on the back of healthy earnings performance by corporates in the second quarter.
 
The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 234.42 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 84,797.20 in morning trade. The NSE Nifty advanced 56.10 points, or 0.22 per cent, to 25,966.15.
 
Among the Sensex firms, Kotak Mahindra Bank, State Bank of India, Titan, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Larsen & Toubro, NTPC, Bharti Airtel, Bharat Electronics Ltd, ICICI Bank, Maruti Suzuki India, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Bajaj Finserv were the gainers.



Nov 17, 2025 10:19 IST
Rupee falls 6 paise to 88.72 against US dollar in early trade
The rupee declined 6 paise to 88.72 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday amid a firm American currency and relentless outflow of foreign capital.
 
Positive sentiment in domestic equity markets and lower crude oil prices overseas, however, prevented a sharp fall in the Indian currency, forex analysts said.
 
They said investors are also watching the progress on the proposed India-US trade deal as well as the domestic PMI data to be released later this week.



Nov 17, 2025 09:49 IST
Delhi air quality improves but remains 'very poor' with AQI at 356
Delhi on Monday recorded 'very poor' air quality with an overall AQI of 356, even as the city logged its lowest minimum temperature of the season at 8.7 degrees Celsius, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the IMD said.
Read more...



Nov 17, 2025 09:14 IST
Centre's failed promises made Delhi unsafe: Mehbooba on Red Fort suicide bombing
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of failing to deliver on promises of security in Jammu and Kashmir, which she claimed has now spilled over to make even the national capital unsafe. 
Read more...



Nov 17, 2025 08:25 IST
Bangladesh court set to deliver verdict against deposed PM Hasina
Dhaka: A tribunal in Bangladesh is set to deliver its verdict on Monday in a case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is being tried in absentia, over alleged crimes against humanity committed during last year's student-led agitation that led to the fall of her Awami League government.
Read more...



Nov 17, 2025 07:57 IST
AQI in Abdul Kalam Road area in Delhi at 394
A layer of toxic smog continues to linger over Delhi this morning. Visuals around Abdul Kalam Road area. Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area is 394, categorised as 'Very Poor', as claimed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
#WATCH | A layer of toxic smog continues to linger over Delhi this morning. Visuals around Abdul Kalam Road area. Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area is 394, categorised as 'Very Poor', as claimed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/RTAt3IGHtR
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025



Nov 17, 2025 07:48 IST
Red Fort blast Was a suicide bombing, says NIA; arrest confirms pre-planned attack
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has for the first time formally described the Red Fort car explosion on November 10 as a suicide bombing, marking a sharp departure from the earlier assumption of an accidental blast.
Read more...



Nov 17, 2025 07:36 IST
Asia Cup Rising Stars: India A go down to Pakistan Shaheens by 8 wickets
An inexplicable batting collapse saw fancied India A lose to Pakistan Shaheens by eight wickets in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Doha on Sunday.
Opting to field after winning the toss, Pakistan Shaheens staged a remarkable comeback to bowl out India A for 136 after they were cruising along at 91 for three in the 10th over.
In reply, the Shaheens chased down the target of 137 with as many as 40 balls to spare for their second successive victory in the tournament, even as India suffered their first loss after starting the campaign with a big win against the UAE.