Delhi's Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has warned that a proposed Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 could severely disrupt business in 21 major wholesale and retail markets during the peak festive season. The CTI has urged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to postpone the rally until after Bhai Dooj on November 10 or move it to an alternative venue, citing potential losses of up to Rs 10,000 crore due to traffic congestion and road closures.
Assam Police seized drugs worth nearly Rs 5 crore and arrested two suspected traffickers in Cachar district. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the operation, reiterating the state's commitment to combating drug menace.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has appealed to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to postpone the party's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Traders fear the rally, expected to draw 10 lakh people, could cause significant business disruption and traffic congestion in central and old Delhi during the crucial Diwali festive season, potentially leading to losses of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore. The CTI has suggested either rescheduling the rally or moving it to Burari Ground.
Americans are voting in crucial elections widely seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency, marked by a prolonged war in Iran, rising inflation, and deep societal divisions. The polling will determine control of the House and Senate, with significant implications for Trump's remaining term. Indian-American candidates are also in the fray for various posts.
Pope Leo XIV has made history by becoming the first pontiff to vote in a United States election, submitting a mail-in ballot for the upcoming midterm elections. The Vatican confirmed his participation, citing his long-standing belief in civic duty and democratic processes, having voted in previous elections as a US citizen and during his residence in Peru. The US midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, will determine control of Congress and have significant implications for the current administration.
The Pune Municipal Corporation is undertaking extensive road upgrades across 84 kilometres in preparation for the Pune Grand Tour (PGT) 2027, an international Category 2 cycling competition. These works include improving road surfaces, repairing footpaths, standardising signage, and expediting utility-related infrastructure to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the six-stage event scheduled from January 26 to 31.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has requested a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss postponing the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan. Traders fear significant business disruption during the festive Diwali season due to the expected large crowd. CTI proposes a dialogue, offering to withdraw protests if convinced of benefits or seeking postponement if losses are proven.
Assam Police have seized Yaba tablets valued at Rs 57.5 crore and arrested two individuals in Cachar district. The seizure involved 2.3 lakh tablets found in a truck's secret chamber, as announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday.
Shuchita Patel, an Indian-American Democrat, is making a historic bid for Forsyth County Commissioner in Georgia, a region with a dark racial past. Running against a 16-year unopposed incumbent, Patel aims to bring change and stand up to what she calls a "bully" opponent, driven by a desire to create a better community for future generations amidst a deeply divided American political landscape.
India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution urging the US to end its economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. The resolution, adopted on Wednesday, saw 130 countries support the call to lift restrictions that have severely impacted Cuba's economy, healthcare, and food production. The article also details a heated exchange between US and Cuban diplomats during the UNGA session.
Donald Trump criticised France's immigration policies, linking them to ongoing nationwide protests and using the situation to justify his own stance on US border control. His remarks come as France faces widespread demonstrations over the cost of living and educational funding, leading to nearly 1,000 arrests. French President Emmanuel Macron, without naming Trump, condemned foreign leaders for exploiting France's domestic unrest for their political campaigns.
Engagement with neighbours has gathered pace, particularly as the conflict in West Asia has exposed their vulnerability to energy supply disruptions.
Luiz Incio Lula da Silva has clinched a historic fourth term as Brazil's president, navigating a contentious election against Flavio Bolsonaro who refuses to concede.
A simplified GST registration facility for small e-commerce sellers, allowing them to register in other states by declaring the e-commerce platform's warehouse as their principal place of business, will be enabled from November 1. This move aims to encourage small businesses to expand beyond their home states.
'They allow people to enter and exit. And there is transparency. There is market infrastructure. There is technology. There is cyber security. And then there are enough enablers.'
Gandhinagar's in-charge Chief Fire Officer, Rajeshkumar Patel, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe. The bribe was demanded for issuing a Fire Safety Renewal No Objection Certificate (NOC). The ACB successfully trapped Patel after a complaint was lodged.
An assistant executive engineer of the Public Works Department, Mridul Baglari, was arrested in Dibrugarh, Assam, for accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000. He had allegedly demanded Rs 1.3 lakh for releasing pending bills and was caught in a trap laid by the Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption.
US President Donald Trump has defended a controversial diesel deal with Russia, stating it aims to stabilise the global market despite bipartisan criticism from US lawmakers. The deal, which eases sanctions on Russian diesel shipments until April 2027, has been criticised as a "gift to our adversary" that finances Russia's war efforts and offers little relief to Americans.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has praised young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, comparing his aggressive style to his own. Sehwag emphasised that age is not a barrier in top-flight cricket if performance is consistent. He also lauded Shubman Gill for his recent double century and record-breaking performance, and expressed confidence in India's bowling attack for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The Trinamool Congress has lost the chairpersonship of two significant Parliamentary panels following a reconstitution by Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This development comes after a split in the TMC, with rebel MPs joining the Nationalist Citizen Party and supporting the NDA. The TMC has strongly criticised the move, alleging that Parliament is being turned into a 'deep, dark chamber' due to their exclusion from committee leadership.
A doctor at Berhampur circle jail in Odisha has been suspended for allegedly facilitating a murder-accused BJD leader, Bikram Kumar Panda, to threaten a witness over the phone from inside the prison. The incident led to a fresh case against the doctor, the BJD leader, and his aide.
Industry body Assocham has welcomed the new UPI framework for large-value merchant transactions, effective October 15. This framework introduces a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on person-to-merchant UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, with a cap of Rs 300 for transactions over Rs 75,000. The move aims to enhance UPI sustainability, support innovation, and mitigate fraud, while protecting small merchants and ensuring most everyday transactions remain free.
Opposition parties, led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, plan to march to the Supreme Court on Monday to meet the Chief Justice of India. They aim to submit a memorandum regarding alleged 'vote chori' and demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, halting of SIR, and a return to paper ballots. The protest follows widespread detentions during previous demonstrations, which the opposition condemns as an assault on democracy.
Navi Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian origin, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The announcement came as she was in Nuremberg, a symbolic location given her career's focus on international justice. Pillay dedicated the prize to survivors and those working for justice, warning against political attacks on international law and institutions like the ICC. Her extensive career includes roles in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
A curative petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the September 23 split verdict on the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. The petition, filed by Jaya Thakur, alleges a "reasonable apprehension of bias" due to claims that Justice Satish Chandra Sharma's son is a standing counsel for the Election Commission, raising questions about judicial propriety.
New research published in the European Heart Journal indicates that even low levels of night-time light exposure, as little as 3 lux, are associated with detrimental changes in heart structure and function. A study involving over 11,000 participants found that increased light at night led to thickening of the left ventricular walls and reduced myocardial contraction, suggesting early heart dysfunction and increased risk of heart failure. Researchers highlight night-time light as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Apple's latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, have gone on sale across India, drawing massive queues and creating a 'festival' atmosphere among eager buyers at Apple Stores in Noida, Bengaluru, and Maharashtra.
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of serious financial rule breaches over nine seasons, involving "sham" commercial contracts to inflate revenue and understate costs by over 900 million. The club denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal the decision, which could have significant consequences for its past and future achievements in English football.
A 31-year-old woman in Kolkata has been arrested for allegedly extorting money by threatening individuals with false rape and sexual harassment charges. Police state she filed 11 false cases against at least 14 people, often introducing herself as a model. Her modus operandi involved implicating victims, including a dentist and even her own father, in fabricated cases to demand money.
The Indian government is pressing all states and Union Territories (UTs) to publish their rules under the four new labour Codes by October 31, aiming to fully operationalise the new labour law framework. This move is crucial as labour falls under the concurrent list, requiring state-level rule-making for effective implementation.
Hunkkaar: The Roar is a fairly familiar fight for justice that builds far too many flimsy narratives around its core conflict, runs out of ammunition and speaks out of turn in a needlessly cussing tone, notes Sukanya Verma.
A trade body in Jharkhand, FJCCI, has urged the Union Finance Minister to withdraw the proposed 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants. The body argues that this charge will significantly increase operating costs for businesses, especially MSMEs and retailers, who rely on the current zero-MDR regime for digital payments.
Trade and business associations across India are organising a 'No UPI Day' on October 2 to protest the upcoming 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding 2,000, effective from October 15.
'Ashaji has not left the human heart. That is her true mehfil. That is where she resides -- unfading, unending.'
RBI Deputy Governor S C Murmu stated that the introduction of merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions is unlikely to cause a shift back to cash, despite some concerns, emphasising that MDR will help the payments ecosystem recover costs.
Triptii Dimri and AP Dhillon were spotted at the high-profile Apple launch event in California, where the tech giant unveiled its highly anticipated iPhone 18 Pro series and the groundbreaking foldable iPhone Duo.
'Major unions should be included. If this goes on, decision-making will become heavily one-sided and we will be forced to continue our strikes.'
Did love make Bhagat Singh a weaker revolutionary? In a heated argument once, Sukhdev accused him of allowing his fascination with a woman to come in the way of revolutionary duty. Bhagat Singh's answer, in a letter days later, was a defence of love as a revolutionary's strength, not a weakness. On Bhagat Singh's 119th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra looks at the friendship, arguments and ideas that bound him and Sukhdev together.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has clarified that his recent jaw-touching gesture in the State Assembly was unintentional, not meant to mock DMK president MK Stalin. The gesture sparked social media debate and drew criticism from CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam, who linked it to Stalin's jaw fracture during the Emergency. Vijay made the gesture while criticising the DMK over alleged corruption.
Major opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and SP, boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die, while some opposition leaders attended a similar event in the Rajya Sabha.
