Daily Briefing: 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana’s debrief; Kerala fights back amid drug emergency; Warfare movie review

With that, let’s move on to the top 5 stories from today’s edition:

🚨 Big Story

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and officials of the Intelligence Bureau will confront Tahawwur Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack conspirator extradited to India from the United States this week, with disclosures about his role by Lashkar-e-Taiba scout David Coleman Headley. The officials will also confront Rana with his testimony given to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Northern District Court in Illinois. Rana has been accused of planning and providing logistical support for the 26/11 attacks by opening a branch of his Chicago-based immigration business in Mumbai to provide Headley with a cover for reconnaissance ahead of the attack in November 2008.

The NIA Special Court in Delhi’s Patiala House sent Rana to 18-days NIA custody, upon his arrival in Delhi on Thursday. Rana, who was produced in the court shortly after landing in India, requested the bench that “there should not be any counsel, who may appear to earn name and fame through him”. Additional Sessions Judge (NIA) Chander Jit Singh, in his order, stated that the “accused shall be given a writing instrument with soft tip such as sketch and paper(s) to write instructions for his counsel…”

Down South: Rana is known to have been associated with a key Lashkar commander who handled operations in South India around the time of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, including the Bengaluru serial blasts on July 25, 2008, and a terror recruitment plot in Kerala. Evidence from court filings over the last 17 years points to his links to a Gulf-based Lashkar module headed by a man identified as Wali alias Rehan alias Abdul Aziz alias Rashid Abdullah, a Pakistani national who is on the NIA’s most wanted list and is associated with both the cases in South India. Moreover, Rana is also linked to Lashkar activities in South India through his association with a former Pakistan military operative, Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed alias Pasha, who is linked to Wali. Pasha is also in India’s list of most wanted persons.

⚡ Only in Express

Kerala tops most social indices, from health to education, but finds itself battling a drug emergency – 30,000 cases in 2024, seizures worth crores and several arrests – becoming the biggest talking point in the state. How did Kerala reach here? What is the way ahead? The Indian Express’s team tracks how the state is fighting back with campaigns in schools and panchayats, and crackdowns by the police.

💡 Express Explained

Donald Trump’s Liz Truss moment: The US dollar has begun to lose its value, all thanks to US President Donald Trump’s fascination with tariffs. This whole episode is reminiscent of the fall from grace of Liz Truss, the former PM of the UK. Many of you may recall how, on October 20, 2022, a rebellion within Truss’ Conservative Party forced her to leave office in ignominy, becoming the shortest-serving prime minister in British history with a tenure lasting only 45 days. The Tory rebellion, however, was not for any political reasons. The reason for Truss’ exit was the fall in the value of the UK’s currency: the pound. How is Trump losing trust? Is there a way out? Udit Misra explains.

✍️ Express Opinion

In our Opinion pages today, Surjit S Bhalla tries to make sense of the new global order unleashed by tariffs imposed by US President Trump. Elaborating on how these tariffs would impact India and, in turn, serve the US, Bhalla writes: “The Western world needs India as a counterweight to the Chinese dragon. South Asia is the only region with a labour supply that is expanding, albeit at a decelerating rate. This is the demographic dividend, and it will last at least another decade. Pakistan and Bangladesh will take some time to join.”

🎬 Movie Review

Wondering what to binge-watch this weekend? Well, we’ve got you covered! Warfare (2025) takes you through the story of a Navy SEALS team cooped up inside a house in Ramadi, Iraq, that they have taken over to prepare for a Marines ground operation, told through the memories of war veteran and director of the film Ray Mendoza’s experiences during the time. It’s a war action film “that does not feature grand battles or majestic battlefields,” as Shalini Langer describes. In her review, Langer writes: “Warfare wants us to look past the helmets, the bullet-proof jackets, the gear and the guns, at very young men just trying to survive.”

That’s all for today. Have a lovely weekend!

Until next time,
Ariba

Business As Usual by E P Unny