Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his council of ministers on Tuesday, swearing in four new faces from the Kashmir valley: Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous, and Altaf Ahmad Wani. This expansion comes after all ministers submitted their resignations, with the Congress, an ally, distancing itself from joining the cabinet until statehood is restored.
Defence officials confirmed on Thursday that all serving Agniveers will be absorbed as regular soldiers after six years of service, provided they meet specific criteria. This clarification follows the government's announcement of a two-year extension for Agniveers completing their four-year tenure, allowing for subsequent permanent recruitment. The move effectively ensures a pathway for all Agniveers to join the regular cadre, addressing previous concerns about the 75% who were not initially retained.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's Rajya Sabha bypoll affidavit reveals his wife, Laxmi Puri, possesses significantly greater wealth, including higher annual income, movable assets, and bank deposits. The affidavit details their respective financial holdings, income sources, and also mentions Puri's acknowledged past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, while confirming no criminal cases are pending against him.
Billionaire Elon Musk reacted to the Democratic sweep in the 2026 US midterm elections with sarcastic posts on X, lamenting that his 'election-interfering space lasers didn't work' and suggesting 'data centers in space' looked appealing after Republicans suffered major setbacks despite his extensive financial support.
India-born urban planner Nithya Raman, who made history by unseating incumbent Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral election, developed her political philosophy through grassroots activism in Chennai. From 2010 to 2013, she led Transparent Chennai, mapping public sanitation, advocating for waste pickers, and opposing slum evictions, using data-driven approaches that later informed her successful mayoral campaign focused on housing affordability and homelessness. She is set to take office on December 14, 2026, as the first Indian-American and South Asian mayor of Los Angeles.
Social media erupted with memes and witty one-liners featuring Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following Donald Trump's Republican Party's significant losses in the US mid-term polls. These memes humorously suggested Kumar's intervention could have prevented Trump's defeat, drawing parallels to an ongoing "vote chori" controversy in India. The widespread losses for Trump's party were attributed to public anger over his policies.
Indian stock markets extended their rally for the fifth consecutive day, with the Sensex climbing nearly 384 points to close above 77,000, driven by foreign fund inflows, easing crude oil prices, and improved global sentiment following the US midterm election results.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, met party legislators in Mumbai on Tuesday. The meeting, attended by around 50 MLAs and ministers, aimed to discuss party unity, future election strategies for 2029, and organisational strengthening. This gathering followed a meeting of senior NCP leaders with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, which Sunetra Pawar did not attend.
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.
Vance was sceptical about the war against Iran and was the only figure in Trump's circle who refused to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu's bid for re-election as prime minister, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
A Delhi-based man, Ritesh Pandey, has been arrested in connection with an alleged sting operation targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Police are investigating his links to a mobile phone used to upload the controversial videos and are examining the digital trail. Siddaramaiah has called the operation "totally concocted", while his son alleged involvement of Congress members. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has assured a transparent and thorough investigation, promising to expose those behind it.
Sonia Gandhi's poignant new memoir offers an intimate and emotional look into the immediate aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination and Rajiv Gandhi's reluctant ascent to the prime ministership.
The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced new guidelines for state government jobs, barring individuals involved in violent protests aimed at changing the "established social system" and those implicated in serious offences. The rules also clarify that political ideology alone won't disqualify candidates and outline procedures for character verification and provisional appointments. The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties.
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has declared that the results of the US midterm elections and shifts between American political parties will not alter Iran's defensive strategy or soften Washington's long-standing hostility toward the Iranian nation.
Democrats are projected to reclaim control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, paving the way for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to potentially become the first African American Speaker of the House, marking a historic political transformation in the United States.
Following significant midterm election losses, US Vice President J D Vance is reportedly forming a new political alliance targeting disaffected Trump supporters for the 2028 presidential election, while President Donald Trump is considering whether to retain Pete Hegseth as Secretary of War amid scrutiny over the Iran conflict.
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh has been deemed ineligible to contest for a place on World Boxing's Executive Board in its November 20 elections. His candidature was rejected on technical grounds not related to boxing. Meanwhile, Singh has questioned the legitimacy of a meeting held by a rival BFI faction last week, which aimed to move a no-confidence motion against him.
The Indian government has announced a significant overhaul of the Agnipath scheme, offering all Agniveers an additional two-year extension period and a subsequent pathway to permanent recruitment in the armed forces, subject to eligibility and consent.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised the Bikaner House administration's decision to remove certain photographs from Raihan Vadra's exhibition before its opening. Tharoor termed the act as "petty" and "censorship," stating it casts a shadow on India's reputation as a democracy and a land of freedom of expression. He highlighted the removal of protest photographs and those featuring the tricolour, calling the decision "stupid" and counterproductive, as it has inadvertently boosted Raihan Vadra's profile.
Unless the Congress stops seeing a CIA and RSS in everyone who disagrees with it, many well-meaning people will find it difficult to rub shoulders with Rahul Gandhi, notes M R Narayan Swamy.
A panel supported by Congress MLC Satej Patil has won the election for the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (Gokul Dairy), defeating the Mahayuti-backed group led by NCP minister Hasan Mushrif. This victory marks a setback for the ruling Mahayuti alliance in western Maharashtra and gives the Patil-backed panel control of the influential cooperative's board.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Sunday that the BJP had forcibly shut shops in Connaught Place, causing losses to traders. He stated that the INDIA bloc had encouraged rally attendees to shop locally, but the BJP's actions prevented this. Gandhi had previously urged supporters to shop for Diwali, countering BJP's "rumours" about the rally affecting businesses. The INDIA bloc's mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday aims to protest alleged electoral irregularities.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi encouraged attendees of the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi to shop locally for Diwali, countering BJP's "rumours" about business disruption. The rally, scheduled for Sunday at Ramlila Maidan, aims to protest alleged electoral irregularities and demand the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, drawing support from various groups across the country.
Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged sale of illicit liquor in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district, following claims that several villagers died after consuming spurious alcohol. The arrests include managers and salesmen from licensed shops, and a high-level team is investigating the deaths.
The BJP is increasingly integrating its digital outreach with on-ground mobilisation, using social media attacks, political songs, marches, rallies, and public meetings to amplify its political messaging and counter opposition narratives. This evolving strategy, exemplified by the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' campaign, aims to take political contests beyond online platforms to streets and campuses, especially in response to the INDIA bloc's recent rally and accusations against the Election Commission.
Bengaluru Police have arrested Ritesh Pandey, a Delhi-based man, in connection with the uploading of a purported sting operation video targeting former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on social media. This marks the first arrest in the case, which involves allegations of a political conspiracy and an ongoing investigation into the video's origin and circulation.
Thousands gathered at Ramlila Maidan for the INDIA bloc's rally, protesting alleged electoral irregularities. The demonstration also served as a platform for diverse concerns including unemployment, inflation, women's safety, the Manipur crisis, and rights of marginalised communities, drawing participants from across India.
Police in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district arrested 10 people for selling spurious liquor, with one accused reportedly using AI to learn home-brewing methods. The accused mixed fake and real alcohol, selling it in licensed bottles. This comes amidst claims of multiple deaths in the region due to toxic liquor, prompting a state government investigation.
The prime accused in the Guwahati hotel firing incident, Ghanakanta Gogoi, was killed in a police encounter in Assam's Sivasagar district early Wednesday. Gogoi, who allegedly shot five people dead, was reportedly attempting to snatch an officer's weapon while being taken for investigation in a separate bank fraud case. His death has been hailed as "God's justice" by victims' families, while opposition parties question the encounter and suggest a larger land mafia involvement.
Some see in the CJP the potential of weakening the Opposition. Hence the BJP/RSS's 'softly softly catchee monkey' approach, with co-option being the ultimate aim, points out Aditi Phadnis.
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has accused Chief Minister VD Satheesan of "selective secularism" following the arrest of a YouTuber for allegedly making communal remarks about a Fort Kochi cafe. Chandrasekhar questioned the ruling Congress and CPI(M)'s political culture, which he claims disrespects religious sentiments, while other leaders like Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and MP Hibi Eden condemned the communal remarks and defended Kerala's secular fabric and tourism.
A woman who went to lodge a complaint at a police station in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharswan district was allegedly raped by a constable. The accused has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Five other policemen, including the officer-in-charge, have been suspended for dereliction of duty. The incident has drawn criticism from the opposition BJP.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has concluded that former Kerala Health Minister Veena George was not assaulted by KSU activists at Kannur railway station, contrary to earlier claims. The report, submitted to the State Police Chief, could lead to disciplinary action against George's former gunman and the initial police investigation team.
The death of 35-year-old Daljit Singh in Mansa has sparked controversy, with his family claiming he died of a drug overdose and demanding an end to drug supply, while police have registered a murder case against three individuals. The incident has led to protests and strong criticism from opposition leaders against the Punjab Police and the state government.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will utilise sand and silt excavated from Bihar's rivers and water bodies for building the state's national highway network. This initiative, formalised through an MoU between NHAI and the Bihar government, aims to address annual flood losses, improve water flow, reduce construction costs, and conserve agricultural land by repurposing silt as a primary construction material.
Five people were shot dead at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati on Monday night following a dispute between the hotel owner and its leaseholder. The accused, Ghanakanta Gogoi, was apprehended, and a .32-bore licensed pistol was seized. The incident, stemming from a property dispute, has led to concerns about law and order.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot is set to embark on a five-day visit to Punjab starting October 16, where he will meet families of gang violence victims across 11 districts. This visit aims to amplify their voices and is seen as a strategic move by the Congress to make law and order a central issue against the AAP government in the upcoming elections. Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh also criticised the AAP government over deteriorating security and extortion threats faced by traders.
The Bharatiya Janata Party received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters alone during the last five state assembly elections, more than seven times the Rs 207 crore in net receipts reported by the Congress across its central and state units, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission.
Opposition parties in Maharashtra have criticised the state government following a firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai. They allege a deterioration of law and order, citing this and other recent high-profile incidents, and demand a separate home minister.
The ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi are set for a significant political contest in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. Polling for five seats - three Graduates' and two Teachers' constituencies - will be held on Friday, with 182 candidates in the fray. The results, crucial for both alliances, will be declared on October 27.
