Politicians and celebrities lined up at polling stations to cast their votes.
'Now the institutions which have the might of law invested in them think that whatever they do is right.'
The National Conference and BJP held significant protests in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing each other of failing to deliver on promises. The NC demanded the restoration of statehood, while the BJP criticised the NC government's performance on issues like jobs and corruption, marking the first major political unrest since Article 370's abrogation.
Police in Delhi have launched an investigation into alleged ballot tampering during the counting of votes in the Bar Council elections. The irregularities involve the manipulation of second-preference votes to favour a specific candidate.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur believes PM Modi's purchase of 'jhalmuri' in Jhargram will influence the West Bengal Assembly polls, contrasting it with CM Mamata Banerjee's actions. He also criticised the TMC government for blocking central schemes and failing to ensure women's safety.
President Donald Trump has advocated for stricter electoral laws in the US, praising India's election system and its requirement for photo identification. He highlighted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's questioning of the lack of voter ID in American polls and used India's high voter turnout with minimal postal ballots as an example. Trump is pushing for the SAVE America Act, which would mandate proof of citizenship and nationwide voter ID, though the bill faces division in Congress.
Sri Lanka defeated England by 16 runs in the second One-Day International at Headingley, levelling the three-match series 1-1. Captain Kusal Mendis's century and a dramatic return by an injured Jos Buttler highlighted the high-scoring encounter, with Sri Lanka ultimately prevailing despite England's strong start.
Denmark's football association (DBU) has declared it has lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino and will seek a credible alternative for the 2027 election, citing a 'fundamental crisis of confidence' over his aborted proposal to sell commercial stakes in FIFA tournaments.
A political controversy has erupted in Navi Mumbai after thousands of SIR forms, used for voter list revision, were allegedly found at a photocopy shop. This led to a clash between Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP activists, with allegations of voter list manipulation and questions raised about the transparency of the electoral process.
The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer's office has issued notices to over 33 lakh voters, including former deputy prime minister LK Advani, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and former vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar, over discrepancies in their electoral roll details. These notices are part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, primarily due to details not matching with the 2002 SIR. Despite concerns raised by some politicians, officials assure that no names will be deleted without due verification and an opportunity for voters to respond.
There is a strong opinion within the BJP in Punjab that the party must now stand on its own two feet and dump the badly compromised SAD baggage.
The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for timely investigations and conclusions of criminal cases involving illicit money in elections. Observing that black money compromises democracy and the rule of law, the court issued several directives, including reporting seizures to competent authorities within 24 hours, completing investigations within a year, and submitting quarterly status reports to the Election Commission. The ruling also mandates High Courts to designate special courts for expeditious disposal of cases against candidates and requires High Court approval for withdrawing cases.
A special NIA court in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district has sentenced all 10 convicts in the 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack to death. The attack, which occurred on May 25, 2013, resulted in the deaths of 29 people, including prominent Congress leaders.
Four individuals, including an aide to Samajwadi Party MP Laxmikant, alias Pappu Nishad, have been arrested in connection with the abduction of Vishal Kumar. Kumar had previously filed a complaint against the MP under the Prevention of Atrocity Act. Police rescued Vishal Kumar within 24 hours, thwarting a plan to take him to Ayodhya and kill him.
A car belonging to a CPI(M) rebel supporter was partially burnt in Mathamangalam, Kerala, amid post-election violence. The incident follows other attacks, including the burning of a shed owned by a rebel leader and attacks on supporters.
West Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya refutes Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claims of the BJP bringing in outsiders to cause trouble, accusing her of desperation ahead of the assembly elections and highlighting alleged failures of the TMC government.
India, through First Secretary Petal Gahlot, strongly criticised Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, labelling it a "puppet regime" and warning of consequences for its continued support of terrorism. This came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the Kashmir issue and credited Donald Trump for intervening in a hypothetical 2025 conflict. India highlighted Pakistan's internal political issues, its history with Osama Bin Laden, and the human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while also condemning its blasphemy laws and treatment of minorities.
Small parties have the capacity to play both ends against the middle. Puducherry could be heading that way, points out Aditi Phadnis.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent review of the world football body's decision-making framework.
In crowded Mumbai trains, passengers, despite being crushed and unable to breathe, watch the IPL action on their phones. Oxygen may be optional, but the live score is not.
Opposition parties in India are preparing to move a motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging degradation of the office. The move requires significant support from both houses of Parliament and follows concerns raised by opposition leaders.
Indian stock markets are poised for volatility this week, driven primarily by the outcomes of five state assembly elections, ongoing high crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions, and the release of Q4 corporate earnings, according to market analysts.
Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President, following a contested parliamentary election that saw him defeat Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed. Alamgir, a longtime secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will serve a five-year term.
Despite a pre-event declaration by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey that the teams would revert to blue uniforms, both the Indian men's and women's hockey teams played their opening Asian Games matches in saffron kits, reigniting a controversy over kit colour.
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India desires positive, constructive, and forward-looking ties with Bangladesh and is ready to discuss all bilateral issues. This comes amidst queries regarding the state of relations following a change in Bangladesh's government and upcoming international engagements.
Tigmanshu Dhulia's Ghamasaan brings back the dacoit genre with a gritty and realistic portrayal of ruthless bandits, featuring compelling performances from Arshad Warsi as the menacing Maharaj and Pratik Gandhi as the resolute police officer determined to bring him to justice, applauds Deepa Gahlot.
The Sports Ministry has granted an exemption to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), allowing it to maintain a 16-member Executive Council. This decision aligns with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recommendation, overriding the National Sports Governance Act's usual limit of 15 members, to ensure compliance with international statutes ahead of upcoming IOA elections.
The LDF has filed a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that UDF candidate Reji Cheriyan engaged in cash-for-vote practices during the Kuttanad Assembly election campaign.
Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, has been appointed as the new Deputy Chairperson of the International Cricket Council (ICC) until November 2027, succeeding Singapore's Imran Khwaja. This significant appointment is expected to bolster African cricket, especially as Zimbabwe prepares to co-host the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Senior police officials in West Bengal are visiting police stations to ensure free and fair polling for the upcoming Assembly elections, focusing on maintaining law and order and preventing electoral malpractice.
The Election Commission is considering holding the West Bengal assembly elections in two phases to mitigate potential poll-related violence, according to a senior official.
Chinese President Xi Jinping began his second state visit to the US, meeting President Donald Trump at the White House. Both leaders expressed a desire for a better future for their nations, with Xi emphasising cooperation over confrontation and the avoidance of the "Thucydides Trap." Discussions also touched upon artificial intelligence governance and the extension of a trade truce. The visit was notably marked by a media boycott of White House coverage due to a dispute over press access.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced the formation of a 10-member Task Force, chaired by Yugal Kishore Joshi, to explore the revival of Formula 1 in India. The committee will assess challenges, identify policy interventions, and develop a roadmap to potentially host a race by 2028, addressing issues that led to its discontinuation after 2013.
The Belgian football federation (RBFA) will not support Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president unless it receives satisfactory answers regarding the handling of the Folarin Balogun red-card case at the World Cup and other governance concerns.
Josh Inglis scored a century and Nathan Ellis hit an unbeaten 36, including a six off the first ball of the final over, to guide Australia to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, securing a 3-0 series whitewash.
Warren Buffett has stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, a role he held for over 50 years, transitioning to chairman emeritus while his son, Howard Buffett, takes over as the new chairman.
The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has announced its candidates, K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, for the upcoming October 6 bypolls in Maduranthakam and Dharapuram Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. This marks the first electoral challenge for the TVK government since its formation, setting the stage for a direct contest with DMK and anticipated participation from AIADMK.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has rejected a petition by the Enforcement Directorate to add charges of receiving and concealing stolen property in the alleged Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association fund scam. While the court upheld the ED's right to file such an application, it found insufficient merit in the current material to invoke sections 411 and 424 of the Ranbir Penal Code, stating that the alleged acts were part of the principal transaction of conspiracy and breach of trust.
Election affidavits in Assam have unveiled significant financial disparities among key candidates, with some declaring extensive assets, multiple bank accounts, and numerous vehicles, while others report more modest holdings.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of deploying its entire machinery, including Union ministers and NDA-ruled state CMs, to defeat her party in the West Bengal assembly elections. She also criticised the BJP's promises to migrant workers and alleged the misuse of central forces during the polls.
