Odisha Police have arrested 470 individuals and seized over Rs 12.65 lakh in cash during a pre-Kumar Purnima crackdown on gambling dens in Ganjam and Berhampur police districts. The arrests were made on Wednesday night and Thursday, targeting traditional gambling activities associated with the festival.
Ahead of fresh protests scheduled for Saturday, France will deploy around 70,000 police personnel nationwide as authorities prepare to prevent a recurrence of widespread looting, arson and vandalism that erupted alongside demonstrations last week.
Jaipur police arrested a man with counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 3.45 lakh, primarily in Rs 500 denominations, ahead of Diwali. The accused, Shahbaz Khan, allegedly procured the fake notes from Old Delhi for circulation during the festive season. An investigation is underway to uncover the source and other members of the racket.
The Election Commission has directed five states - Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand - to transfer officers involved in election work ahead of the 2027 assembly polls. This move, a standard practice for fair elections, targets officers in their home districts or those completing three years in a district by May 2027, covering various administrative and police roles.
Delhi Police seized approximately 570 kg of illegal firecrackers from a residential premises in Dwarka, southwest Delhi, ahead of Diwali. A 79-year-old man was booked for storing the firecrackers for clandestine sale without a valid licence.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the alleged censorship of her son Raihan Vadra's photography exhibition at Bikaner House. Raihan Vadra stated that the administration removed his pictures documenting recent Delhi protests, citing the current political climate, leading to a row over artistic freedom.
Over a dozen mutual fund houses in India have temporarily suspended fresh subscriptions in their gold fund of funds (FoFs) and gold-silver FoFs, a move believed to be influenced by directions from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) ahead of the festive season.
Security has been intensified at the Noida-Delhi borders ahead of a major protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi on Saturday, demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. Police and BSF personnel are deployed, conducting checks, and placing barriers. Commuters from Noida and Greater Noida are concerned about potential traffic disruptions, though Noida Metro services are confirmed to run as usual. Some activists allege house arrest.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has confirmed that Raphinha is set to return to the starting XI for the Champions League clash against Paris St Germain on Tuesday, as the club grapples with a significant defensive injury crisis.
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes reverse swing will be a crucial factor in the ongoing three-test series against South Africa, attributing its resurgence to the abrasive pitches. He successfully utilised this technique in the first test, which Australia won, and expects similar conditions for the second test in Gqeberha. Hazlewood also reflected on his recent performance and career longevity.
Indian women's cricket team vice-captain Shafali Verma stated the team's goal to play fearless and smart cricket in preparation for the Women's Champions Trophy early next year. The team will face Zimbabwe in a T20 series, part of their preparations, followed by ODIs.
India face a bowling test in the second T20I against New Zealand after conceding 226 in the opener, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi expected to feature.
Six Delhi Metro stations, including key hubs like Rajiv Chowk, will be closed till 4 pm on Monday due to a protest announced by the Congress party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over "vote chori" allegations. Interchange facilities will remain operational.
Erling Haaland urged Manchester City supporters to stick together and stay positive as the club appeals its financial verdict ahead of Sunday's crucial Liverpool clash at Anfield amid off-field turmoil.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a cabinet expansion and reshuffle for early next week, urging party members not to lobby for positions as the list is finalised. He also discussed various issues with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, including the LG's health, the National Dental Commission Act, and the plight of Kashmiri pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations and high airfares. Abdullah also declined to comment on LAC patrolling, stating it's outside J&K's purview post-Ladakh's separation.
Indian Railways has cancelled over 250 trains connecting New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations ahead of a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, a move criticised by experts and passenger bodies as 'unprecedented' and 'anti-passenger'.
Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra congratulated Indian athletes for their Asian Games performance but stressed the critical need to enhance the country's high-performance sports ecosystem. He highlighted the urgency required for preparations, with the Los Angeles Olympics less than two years away, advocating for robust systems that support athletes from early stages to build resilience and ensure timely expert intervention.
Former Indian hockey captain and Olympian Pargat Singh has been appointed the new president of the Punjab Congress, replacing Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. A three-time MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment, Singh's elevation comes amidst internal party wrangling and is seen as a strategic move to unite factions ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. His journey spans from a decorated sports career to a prominent political figure, having previously served as a minister and consistently winning his assembly seat.
Delhi is under stringent security as over 30,000 personnel are deployed for an opposition protest march to the Supreme Court against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A new political outfit, the 'Lal Hit Janata Party', has emerged in Delhi, staging a counter-protest against alleged abuse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attacks on police.
Roston Chase calls Shai Hope underrated after his 45-ball T20I century powered the West Indies to a record chase, strengthening the skipper's case ahead of the IPL mini-auction.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over the closure of 57 Metro stations and cancellation of trains in Delhi ahead of protests, stating the Centre 'cannot use a hammer to kill a fly' and ordered against complete prohibition of transport services.
Kakatiya Knights secured a decisive 6-0 victory over Mighty Marathas in their final round-robin match of the Archery Premier League. This win serves as a strong precursor to their upcoming clash in the first qualifier on Sunday, where both teams will vie for a spot in the final. The Knights' compound archers were particularly impressive, maintaining perfect scores despite challenging conditions.
Artisans across India are putting the finishing touches on towering effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad ahead of the Dussehra festival. From Nagpur, Bhopal and Kanpur to Patna, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Jammu, craftspeople were seen preparing, displaying and selling the effigies in the days leading up to Vijayadashami. The figures will be burnt on the festival's final day, symbolising the victory of good over evil.
Delhi is under an unprecedented security clampdown with 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed, 45 metro stations shut, and mobile internet suspended in parts of the city, as authorities deny permission for a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
'We are ready to help Prime Minister Modi achieve his vision of 100 per cent connectivity throughout India -- a vision all of our company, including Elon, shares,' Lauren Dreyer, vice-president of Starlink business operations at SpaceX, said at the pre-business day of the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi.
Ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) has sent a letter to Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw calling for a nationwide prohibition on billboards, television, online and other advertisements for meat, beginning on October 2.
Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed largely unchanged after a volatile trading session, influenced by persistently high crude oil prices, selling pressure in major bank stocks, and investor caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.
India's vice-captain Tilak Varma emphasised the need for an aggressive, wicket-taking approach against the West Indies' powerful batting lineup in the upcoming fourth T20I. With India leading 2-1, Varma highlighted the visitors' deep hitting prowess and the team's adjusted strategy after a defensive lapse in the second match. He also discussed his adaptable batting role and the team's approach to the re-laid pitch in Hyderabad.
Mumbai Indians have confirmed a significant shake-up in their coaching staff, announcing the departures of iconic former player Lasith Malinga, along with Paras Mhambrey and Carl Hopkinson.
Former India cricket captain Virat Kohli extended his congratulations to England football captain Harry Kane for winning his maiden Men's Ballon d'Or Award, praising Kane's resilience, hard work, and honesty.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant drop in early trade, primarily due to a sell-off in IT stocks, a surge in crude oil prices, and investor caution ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections, conducted using ballot papers, have reignited the debate over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) versus ballot papers ahead of the 2027 UP assembly polls. While the BJP maintained its lead, the Samajwadi Party made significant gains, prompting renewed calls for ballot paper usage in future elections.
Tilak Varma discusses India's changing batting order, his preparation for the finisher's role and the positives from the West Indies T20I series ahead of New Zealand.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has unveiled his current ODI World XI, notably omitting Suryakumar Yadav and Harry Brook, while naming Rohit Sharma as captain. His selection features a mix of players from India, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies, ahead of the India-New Zealand ODI series.
Inter Milan secured a 2-0 victory over Venezia to stay level on points with Serie A leaders Lazio, while AC Milan suffered a surprising 4-2 home defeat against Bologna despite holding a halftime lead.
South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada is in contention to play in the first Test against Australia, starting Friday, despite a recent hamstring injury, with a final decision expected at the last minute.
For the first time on foreign soil, 'Vande Mataram' was played before a cricket match, preceding the national anthem at the India vs Japan T20 International in Sano, Japan.
'Starting late isn't a financial death sentence -- it's just a call to action. You can't change your starting line but you have full control over how hard you run to the finish'
The Union Cabinet has approved a 3 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for over 1.17 crore central government employees and pensioners, effective from July 1, 2026, ahead of Diwali.
