Evening news wrap: Mumbai man holds 17 kids hostage, shot by police; Pakistan admits it has drone pact with US & more

A man in Mumbai allegedly held 19 people hostage, including 17 children, inside a flat in Mumbai’s Powai area before being arrested and later shot dead by police. PM Modi accused the Congress and RJD of insulting Chhathi Maiyya and using the issue for political gain in Bihar.

On the economic front, the ministry of external affairs said India and the US are continuing discussions to finalize a trade deal. Meanwhile, Pakistan admitted to an agreement with the US permitting drone operations in its territory.

Here are the top 5 news stories of the day:

Mumbai man holds 17 children hostage; all rescued, accused shot dead by policeA man identified as Rohit Arya allegedly held 19 people hostage — including 17 children, a senior citizen, and another man — inside a flat in Mumbai’s Powai area. Police said Arya had released a video threatening to harm himself and the hostages and to “set everything on fire” if anyone tried to intervene.

All the children were rescued safely, while the accused was arrested and later died after being shot by shot by police.

Read full storyBihar polls: PM Modi slams Congress, RJD for 'insulting Chhathi Maiyya'PM Modi accused the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of insulting Chhathi Maiyya and using the issue for political gain in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. He also took aim at Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, referring to both as “yuvrajs.” He said one belonged to the country’s “most corrupt family,” while the other came from the “most corrupt family in Bihar.”

Read full storyIndia, US in talks to finalize trade deal: MEAIndia and the United States are continuing discussions to finalize a trade deal, said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.The US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods — with 25% being reciprocal and the remaining 25% serving as a penalty for India’s crude oil imports from Russia, he added. Read full storyIND W vs AUS Women: Amanjot Kaur strikes! Phoebe Litchfield falls after 119Amanjot Kaur finally ended Phoebe Litchfield’s stunning knock of 119 off 93 balls. The 22-year-old, who had been in sublime form, tried to play a lap sweep but missed, with the ball crashing into the top of middle stump.

The wicket also breaks a 155-run stand off 133 balls between Litchfield and Ellyse Perry, a partnership that had put Australia firmly in control of this semifinal. Follow live updates Pakistan admits to US drone agreement, says deal ‘cannot be broken’Pakistan acknowledged an agreement with the US allowing the use of drones within its territory, TOLOnews reported. The admission reportedly came during the latest round of Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks held in Turkey. The Pakistani delegation stated it “cannot break” the agreement with Washington that authorises US drone operations. Read full story