The US Department of State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to launch a public-private partnership aimed at advancing sports diplomacy worldwide. This initiative will leverage UFC's extensive global platform and athletes to engage international audiences, promote cultural exchange, and champion American values such as discipline and perseverance.
The US Department of State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to launch a public-private partnership aimed at advancing sports diplomacy worldwide. This initiative will leverage UFC's extensive global platform and athletes to engage international audiences, promote cultural exchange, and champion American values such as discipline and perseverance.
The Palghar forest department is investigating a man's claim of a leopard attack on October 27. Initial findings at the site revealed electric poles and cut wires, but no leopard pugmarks, raising doubts about the claim. Compensation is contingent on proving a wild animal attack and adherence to wildlife protection laws.
The Uttarakhand Vigilance Department arrested Dr Ankur Thakur, an orthopaedic surgeon at Rudraprayag District Hospital, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 to issue a disability certificate. The arrest followed a complaint and a trap laid by the department.
The Maharashtra government has cancelled leaves for employees across 11 departments involved in drought management to assess widespread crop damage, particularly affecting soybean. This follows the declaration of drought in 265 talukas and the announcement of relief measures. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule is on an assessment tour, facing protests from Congress workers demanding immediate farmer relief.
The United States stands strong with India against terrorism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'has our full support', the State Department said underlining that Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges India and Pakistan to work towards a responsible resolution that maintains long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia.
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.
Two members of Iran's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New York were "kicked out" of the United States on Saturday after allegedly failing to comply with a US State Department order to leave the country, Axios reported, citing a US official, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise amid the West Asia crisis, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.
Mumbai Police have arrested five individuals, including two constables from Jharkhand and Bihar, for their involvement in an inter-state syndicate illegally procuring and supplying Call Detail Records (CDRs), Subscriber Detail Records (SDRs), and live location data. The racket was uncovered after the arrest of a suspect who impersonated a police officer to track lost phones using illegally sourced data.
A revenue department team conducting a raid against illegal mining in Sultanpur was attacked, resulting in injuries to a naib tehsildar and two lekhpals. Two people have been detained, a truck seized, and FIRs registered, with authorities vowing stringent action.
The income-tax department has launched a significant verification drive targeting 394 entities and 36 professionals over suspected irregularities in substantial foreign remittances made over the past three years, aiming to uncover potential tax evasion and fraudulent transactions.
The Maharashtra Excise Department conducted two raids in Latur district, seizing illicit Goa-manufactured liquor and other materials valued at Rs 19.77 lakh. Cases have been registered under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
Bihar's Education Department has mandated a formal dress code for teachers and non-teaching staff in all educational institutes and banned the use of DJs and disco during campus entertainment programmes. Education Minister Mithlesh Tiwary emphasised the need for discipline and dignity, citing concerns over casual attire and inappropriate entertainment undermining the academic environment.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) and two others in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to release a subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) scheme.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant reshuffle of its state in-charges and co-in-charges across all 28 states and eight Union territories, with prominent leaders like Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav assigned to crucial states, as the party gears up for upcoming assembly elections.
A private Learjet 60 carrying nine people crashed into a residential area in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, killing everyone on board. The aircraft, which departed from Austin, Texas, was en route to the Bahamas when it crashed near Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, causing significant damage and prompting a major investigation by the FAA and NTSB.
The Rajasthan government has approved an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation against senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal. He is accused of misusing his official position to benefit a private company, Goyal Fashions Private Limited, and causing financial losses to the state. Preliminary findings suggest Agrawal allegedly acquired properties at undervalued prices and facilitated undue benefits for the company.
Cyclone Murasu unleashed severe destruction across coastal Andhra Pradesh, prompting mass evacuations and leaving a trail of damaged infrastructure and livelihoods as it crossed the coast early on Tuesday.
Senior IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal of the Rajasthan government has been placed on Awaiting Posting Orders, citing administrative reasons. This move follows media reports alleging his involvement, along with his IPS wife, in the purchase of 40 villas from a single company over two and a half years. Agrawal was previously the Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department and held several other key responsibilities.
Severe cyclonic storm Murasu has commenced its landfall process near Ongole in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, bringing heavy rainfall and gale winds of up to 120 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The Union Home Ministry's High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes has requested states and Union Territories to provide detailed data on "visible changes" in religious demography over the last 15 years. This includes information on birth registrations, religious structures, vehicle registrations, property transfers in tribal areas, and educational institutions, aiming to assess demographic shifts and recommend policy measures.
Brazil's defeated right-wing presidential candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro, has declared himself the legitimate head of state from self-imposed exile in the United States, alleging electoral fraud. His move comes days after leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva secured victory, further highlighting political instability in Brazil. Bolsonaro faces corruption inquiries at home and departed Brazil despite instructions to surrender his passports.
Haryana has rolled out UPI-based digital payment systems and expanded online OPD pre-registration facilities across 610 public healthcare institutions. This initiative aims to reduce queues, simplify registration, and enhance patient convenience, while still retaining traditional cash and walk-in options for those not using digital methods.
Two men have been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district for allegedly shooting an Indian-born cheetah, KNG-22, last month. The cheetah was found injured on October 25 and died two days later. A special task force investigated the incident, leading to the recovery of the double-barrel muzzle-loading gun used in the crime and the arrest of the two siblings.
The Income Tax Department in Mumbai has inducted 97 accomplished sportspersons under its sports quota, including cricketer Tejal Hasabnis and para shooter Akash, to strengthen its commitment to recognising sporting excellence and nurturing talent in public service.
A 38-year-old man, arrested for allegedly strangling his wife, committed suicide inside a police station in Maharashtra's Nanded district. Sushil Mahajan Haibate was found hanged in the lock-up hours after his arrest and confession. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over the probe into his death.
Madhya Pradesh has achieved the top rank in India for drug destruction, eliminating over 2.74 lakh kilograms of narcotics in two years. The state is implementing a comprehensive strategy, including forming anti-drug committees in educational institutions, launching a three-year campaign to dismantle drug networks, strengthening intelligence, and expanding de-addiction centres. Authorities have also seized significant quantities of drugs, attached properties, and conducted extensive public awareness programmes.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc held a major protest rally in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and past corruption allegations. Leaders stated the protest was a "stern warning" to the government, vowing to continue until Kumar steps down, citing threats to parliamentary democracy.
The Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department plans to implement solar energy projects across its buildings and land to achieve zero electricity bills and generate revenue by selling surplus power. A MoU was signed with MAHAPREIT to prepare a Detailed Project Report, with pilot projects starting in Pune and Beed.
Police in Latur, Maharashtra, raided an unlicensed moneylender's house in Nilanga on Tuesday, seizing blank cheques, account diaries, and bond papers. The Cooperation Department has urged the public to report illegal moneylending.
Axios has reported that a new US intelligence report has found that Iran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target American diplomats and officials in the Middle East. The intel memo which Axios cited also said that plots against American diplomats were reaching "advanced stages."
Niti Aayog has launched the India Science and Technology (S&T) Scoreboard, highlighting state-wise performance in research publications and patent applications. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra are the top three states in research publications, with Tamil Nadu also leading in patent filings. The interactive platform aims to help states benchmark progress and formulate better S&T policies.
The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) is encouraging pensioners to adopt Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) through face authentication technology. A nationwide campaign is underway to facilitate this process, aiming for digital empowerment and convenience for pensioners, including those in remote areas.
The last absconding resident doctor, Nirali Vasave, has been arrested in connection with the suicide of first-year postgraduate student Harsh Pandya at Government Medical College, Surat. Pandya allegedly faced severe ragging and harassment from four senior resident doctors, leading to his death on August 9. The case is registered under abetment of suicide and the SC/ST Act.
Senior IPS officer Prashakha Mathur has been placed on awaiting posting orders (APO) by the Rajasthan government. This action follows similar measures against her husband, IAS officer Shikhar Agrawal, who is under an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation for alleged irregularities in the purchase of 40 villas and cottages. Mathur also has some of these properties registered in her name. The ACB alleges Agrawal misused his position to benefit a private company from which the properties were bought at undervalued prices.
A parliamentary committee on Monday reviewed the large number of pending sexual offence cases against children under the POCSO Act and the performance of fast-track courts in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Data reveals over 2.45 lakh such cases are pending nationally, with many trials exceeding the one-year deadline.
The CBI has withdrawn approximately 20 petitions from the Supreme Court that sought to transfer cases related to the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence outside the state. The agency cited "changed circumstances" for its decision, which comes after the state's CID initiated fresh inquiries and reopened cases concerning the violence.
India's eastern coastal states are bracing for Cyclone Murasu, the second severe cyclone within a week, leading to flight cancellations, deployment of disaster response teams, and the evacuation of thousands. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Narsapur in south Andhra Pradesh with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph.
The opening day of the WTA 250 Chennai Open was completely washed out on Monday due to persistent heavy rain, exacerbated by an active northeast monsoon and a cyclonic weather system over the Bay of Bengal. Organisers have rescheduled all 16 first-round singles matches for Tuesday, with play set to begin at 11 am, as they grapple with the challenging weather conditions that also affected last year's event.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian government will release a draft consultation paper on Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulations within the next 30 days, focusing on safety, a human-first approach, skilling, inclusivity, and harm restriction.
