School Assembly News Headlines: 25 October 2025

National News

1. Indian Oil Refiners Likely to Cut Russian Crude Imports After US Sanctions, Analysts Warn of Higher Costs

2. Seven-Member EU Trade Delegation to Visit India Next Week to Advance Long-Pending Bilateral Free Trade Agreement

3. RBI Proposes Limits on Banks’ Capital Market and Acquisition Finance Exposure to Strengthen Financial Stability Measures

4. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Warns EU Carbon Tax, CBAM Regulations Could Raise Costs for European Businesses

International News

1. White House Warns Inflation Data Likely Delayed Next Month Due to Ongoing U.S. Government Shutdown

2. South Korea Urges North Korea and United States to Seize Dialogue Opportunities During Upcoming APEC Summit

Sports News 

1. Pakistan Withdraws from Junior Hockey World Cup in India; International Hockey Federation to Announce Replacement Team Soon

2. Sophie Devine Praises WPL Growth, Sees India Leading Women’s Cricket After New Zealand’s World Cup Exit

Business News

1. Billionaire Radhakishan Damani Invests ₹90 Crore in Lenskart Ahead of Retailer’s Maiden IPO Launch Next Week

2. SEBI Bars Mutual Funds from Pre-IPO Placements, Permits Investment Only as Anchor Investors to Resolve Regulatory Ambiguity

1. Indian Oil Refiners May Reduce Russian Crude Imports After US Sanctions, but Shift Could Raise Costs, Analysts Warn
Following US sanctions on Russia’s major oil firms, Indian refiners may cut Russian crude imports. Analysts caution, however, that alternative sourcing could increase costs amid strained US-India trade relations.

2. EU Trade Delegation to Visit India Next Week to Push Long-Pending Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Forward
A seven-member EU trade delegation, led by Cristina Maestre and Brando Benifei, will visit India from October 27–29 to discuss strengthening bilateral trade, economic, and investment ties.

3. RBI Proposes New Limits on Banks’ Capital Market and Acquisition Finance Exposure to Strengthen Financial Stability
The Reserve Bank of India released draft guidelines capping banks’ direct capital market and acquisition finance exposure at 20%, with total capital market exposure limited to 40% of tier 1 capital.

4. EU Regulations Like Carbon Tax and CBAM Could Impact European Businesses, Says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal warned that new EU regulations, including the Carbon Tax and Deforestation rules, could increase costs for European industries. Infrastructure, automobiles, and aviation may face higher expenses.

5. IIT Kharagpur to Introduce Alternative Admission Pathways for BTech and BS Programmes Beyond JEE Advanced Ranks
IIT Kharagpur will launch new admission routes for its BTech and BS programmes next academic year. The initiative aims to attract diverse talent while keeping JEE Advanced qualification mandatory.

1. Delhi to Conduct First Artificial Rain Experiment via Cloud Seeding from October 28–30 to Combat Air Pollution
Delhi will witness its first cloud-seeding experiment to induce artificial rain. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed all preparations, aircraft, and monitoring systems are ready.

2. Bihar Elections Focus on First-Time and Young Voters Using Awareness Campaigns, Selfie Points, and Rap Promotions
For the Bihar Assembly elections, authorities are targeting young and first-time voters. SVEEP initiatives include selfie points, rap song promotions, and polling stations managed by women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

3. Union Minister Promises Road Infrastructure Boost in Mizoram if BJP Wins Dampa By-Election on November 11
At a Reiek rally, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju said BJP’s victory in the Dampa by-election could advance road projects. He emphasized development opportunities for Mizoram regardless of current party representation.

1. White House Warns Inflation Data May Not Be Released Next Month Amid Ongoing U.S. Government Shutdown
The White House announced that inflation data will likely be delayed as the U.S. government shutdown halts economic surveys, warning of potentially severe consequences from the prolonged political standoff.

2. South Korea Urges North Korea and US Not to Miss Dialogue Opportunity at Upcoming APEC Summit
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young called on North Korea and the US to seize dialogue opportunities during the APEC Summit in Gyeongju. Preparations for possible talks appear underway ahead of Trump’s visit.

3. WHO Warns of Rising HIV Cases in Philippines, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea, Citing Regional Security Risks
The WHO Western Pacific flagged sharp HIV increases in the Philippines, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. Rising infections, driven by drug use and gaps in prevention, pose national and regional security concerns.

4. Israel Freezes West Bank Annexation Bills Passed in Preliminary Knesset Vote Amid Vice-President Vance’s Visit
Israel has paused West Bank annexation bills, including Maale Adumim settlement, after preliminary parliamentary approval. The government announced no advancement until further notice, coinciding with US Vice-President J.D. Vance’s visit.

5. Starlink Prepares India Entry with Nine Gateway Stations in Mumbai, Noida, Hyderabad, Paving Way for Satellite Internet Launch
Starlink is setting up nine gateway earth stations in India, including Mumbai, Noida, and Hyderabad, ahead of its satellite broadband launch. The move aims to provide high-speed internet while meeting regulations.

1. Pakistan Withdraws from Junior Hockey World Cup in India. FIH to Announce Replacement Team Soon.
The International Hockey Federation confirmed Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Junior Hockey World Cup, scheduled from November 28 to December 28 in Chennai and Madurai. A replacement team will be announced shortly.

2. Sophie Devine Hails WPL’s Growth, Sees India Leading Women’s Cricket After New Zealand’s World Cup Exit
After New Zealand’s defeat to India, legendary captain Sophie Devine praised the Women’s Premier League, highlighting India’s potential to lead women’s cricket. Devine retires from ODIs following her fifth World Cup.

3. India Secures Kabaddi Double Gold at 2025 Asian Youth Games, Both Under-18 Teams Remain Undefeated
India’s Under-18 kabaddi teams dominated the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. The girls’ team thrashed Iran 75-21, with Neha Patel scoring 28 points and Riya Singh leading the defence.

1. Billionaire Investor Radhakishan Damani Invests ₹90 Crore in Lenskart Ahead of Eyewear Retailer’s Upcoming IPO
Avenue Supermarts founder Radhakishan Damani has invested ₹90 crore in Lenskart Solutions during its pre-IPO round, as the eyewear retailer prepares to launch its maiden public offering next week.

2. SEBI Bars Mutual Funds from Participating in Pre-IPO Placements, Allows Investment Only as Anchor Investors
SEBI clarified that mutual funds cannot take part in pre-IPO placements of equity shares. They may invest in unlisted shares only as anchor investors, resolving previous regulatory ambiguities.

3. Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Reports Flat Q2 Profit at ₹241.3 Crore, Revenue Rises 9 Percent
Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC posted a profit after tax of ₹241.3 crore for Q2 FY26, nearly flat year-on-year. Revenue from operations grew 9% to ₹461.3 crore.

4. EU Says Meta and TikTok Breached Transparency Rules, Potentially Facing Billions in Fines Under Digital Services Act
The European Union found Meta and TikTok violated the Digital Services Act, breaching transparency obligations. The rules aim to protect users online, restrict child-targeted ads, and curb harmful or illegal content.

5. First HTT-40 Series Production Aircraft Takes Flight in Bengaluru, Set to Train India’s Next Generation Air Warriors
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s first HTT-40 Series Production aircraft, TH 4001, successfully flew in Bengaluru. The turboprop trainer will provide basic flight, aerobatics, instrument, and night training for future Air Warriors.