Opposition parties in India are demanding the impeachment and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he is running the poll panel as a 'one-man autocracy' following revelations that two Election Commissioners red-flagged issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a warning against 'malicious' and 'misleading' social media posts concerning the health of world leaders, specifically Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who attended the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The warning comes amidst unverified claims about Xi's health and an official statement from Ramaphosa's office confirming his withdrawal from public engagements due to ill health.
The article details instances where the Narendra Modi government has yielded to public and political pressure since 2014, leading to policy reversals and ministerial resignations. It highlights the recent resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, alongside past events like the withdrawal of land acquisition amendments, M.J. Akbar's resignation, the repeal of farm laws, and other policy retreats.
The BJP has accused the Congress of spreading "fake news" regarding UPI transaction charges, asserting that the government has clarified that consumers will not be levied merchant discount rate (MDR) charges. This comes after the Congress criticised a government notification, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, highlighting that most UPI transactions remain free and the government provides incentives to maintain a charge-free ecosystem for users.
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray has threatened legal action if the "character assassination" campaign targeting his family over the 2020 Disha Salian death case does not cease. His son, Aaditya Thackeray, also denied any connection to Salian, whose death is now under CBI investigation following a Bombay High Court order.
The meeting comes amid the speculation that the Sharad Pawar led NCP may join the ruling alliance.
The Indian men's badminton team secured a medal at the Asian Games by defeating Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals, highlighted by Lakshya Sen's incredible comeback victory. While the men celebrated, the women's team exited the tournament after a 1-3 loss to Japan.
In recent years, China and Russia have pushed for de-dollarisation within BRICS, which India has resisted. One reason is that India does not want to hurt its relationship with the United States, and another is the fear of China controlling trade because the renminbi is considered the strongest currency in the bloc today.
Meta wrote to the government on Wednesday outlining the specifics of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for content posted by the Prime Minister and other prominent accounts, according to sources.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the Congress would not withdraw its candidate Milan Pradhan from the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, despite his recent arrest. Pradhan was apprehended in connection with a 2007 anti-land acquisition movement case, shortly after the Trinamool Congress extended its support to him. Venugopal alleged political pressure and questioned the Election Commission's silence, vowing to elevate the issue to a national level.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating he needs to change his "dil ka angle" (heart's perspective) rather than camera angles to connect with Gen Z, following his Instagram outreach to student protesters. She also condemned the government's handling of student protests and the widespread issue of paper leaks.
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has voiced concerns over the Centre's decision to introduce Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, urging protection for small traders and common people. This move has sparked a political debate, with the BJP defending the charges as beneficial for digital infrastructure and largely not impacting consumers, while the Congress and traders' associations criticise it as an additional burden.
The Nomad Games, a biannual tournament of traditional nomadic sports, has drawn over 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries to Kyrgyzstan, including many from Western nations keen to experience ancient Central Asian traditions like horseback archery and Kok Boru.
'The Chinese military cannot advance much in Ladakh, even if they want to.' 'Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, they can rename a village or two, intrude here or there, but cannot do much more realistically.'
The government on Tuesday summoned a top Meta executive after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent post addressing India's youth and promising stringent measures against paper leaks was briefly restricted by Facebook, and although the US-headquartered social media giant blamed it on a technical glitch and apologised, the IT Ministry found the explanation "inadequate".
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has voiced strong concerns about the divisive role of social media in society, alleging it fuels anger and religious disputes. He also criticised the unbridled use of high-decibel sound systems, questioned the government's economic policies despite GDP growth claims, and objected to political messaging in public offices. Thackeray further addressed linguistic politics and endorsed the "Inquilab Zindabad" slogan.
The Indian government has officially declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This action, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, targets a group involved in cross-border smuggling of arms, explosives, and narcotics, as well as inciting youth into terrorism and spreading hateful digital content. SBN is accused of threatening India's democratic structure, communal harmony, and internal security.
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal has strongly criticised the Central government's crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters, comparing the police brutality to that of the British Raj. He announced the launch of a helpline to provide medical and legal aid to injured protesters and their families.
'Details of accounts such as the name, email id associated with the account, the IP address will now be shared with law enforcement agencies, which will help track down offenders faster.'
The ceremonial torch for the Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, was handed over by FIDE Interim President Viswanathan Anand and AICF president Nitin Narang to Uzbek player Javokhir Sindarov. This event marks the official countdown to the prestigious team competition, continuing a tradition started by FIDE in 2022 to build excitement for the global chess event.
Mumbai Police have arrested Rohan Parikh (24) and Dilip Kunde (49) for allegedly forcing their way into Jio World Plaza with a firearm and a fake PMO identity card. The incident, which occurred on Monday evening, has been clarified by police to have no connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's event in the city.
China has strongly rejected a US bill that would impose tariffs on countries, including India, for purchasing Russian oil and gas. Beijing views the "Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026" as an act of "long-arm jurisdiction" and interference in its sovereign trade relations, asserting that its economic cooperation with other nations is based on equality and mutual benefit.
Salman Khan lost his cool on Bigg Boss 20 while taking a strong stand against trolls, influencers and paparazzi who shame and abuse people based on their age, body and physical appearance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has affirmed strong action against NEET paper leak culprits and urged state governments to collaborate with the Centre to prevent future incidents, emphasising national interest over party politics. He highlighted the successful re-examination and arrests made.
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for zero tolerance towards state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. The declaration also addressed global terror, illegal financial flows, cyber fraud, and emphasised accountability for those involved in terror activities.
'The Bard of the Brahmaputra's voice carried Assam's spirit, stories and dreams far beyond its shores.'
India has opened its Asian Games medal tally with two silvers in shooting, driven by Elavenil Valarivan's performance, and secured an unexpected podium finish in Mixed Martial Arts. The women's cricket team also advanced to the finals, aiming for a second consecutive gold.
The Indian coal ministry announced that 147 commercial coal blocks auctioned since 2020 are expected to attract approximately 55,000 crore in capital investment, generate 490,000 jobs, and contribute significantly to state revenues.
The Congress party has strongly refuted claims by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance Chairperson Bhartruhari Mahtab that opposition MPs supported levying a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions. Congress MP Manish Tewari termed Mahtab's remarks "erroneous and fallacious," clarifying that the committee's recommendation was to "explore" revenue models, not to implement MDR. The party accused Mahtab of misleading due to his recent switch to the BJP.
'If you listen to a rowdy in a class, he will keep on bullying you.' 'India can say do whatever you want. We will not compromise on anything.'
Anant Nag has dedicated the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 to the people and unique cultural environment of Karnataka, crediting the state for his unparalleled success in both art and commercial films.
Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry's statement will be watched closely against the backdrop of the listing battle as well as the Tata leadership contest, with veto votes being cast over the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as chairman of Tata Sons for a third term.
The BRICS grouping has fully endorsed India's demand for zero-tolerance against terrorism and rejected double standards in combating the menace. Their declaration condemned terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirmed commitment to holding terrorists accountable under international law.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Kyiv, reiterating India's readiness to assist in ending the Ukraine-Russia war. He emphasised that solutions would not emerge from the battlefield and highlighted Prime Minister Modi's call for an end to the conflict. Discussions also covered humanitarian aid, the impact on commercial shipping, and bilateral trade, with Jaishankar inviting his Ukrainian counterpart to India for further talks.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced strong support for protesting students, asserting that their demand for the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is non-negotiable. He contrasted the students as India's future with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the past, encouraging the students to continue their agitation at Jantar Mantar.
The Indian government has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of levying fees on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants. The government highlighted that a parliamentary standing committee, which included Congress MPs, had previously backed a tiered Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI. This move aims to ensure the financial sustainability of the UPI ecosystem and reduce its dependence on government subsidies, a concern raised by the committee due to the significant funding gap between allocations and operational costs.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called upon 'Gen Z' and 'Gen Alpha' to assume leadership, prioritise the nation, and contribute to its growth, rather than questioning what the country has done for them.
The BRICS grouping adopted a consensus joint declaration in New Delhi, successfully navigating differences on the West Asia conflict but notably omitting any direct mention of US strikes on Iran or Iranian military attacks on Gulf Arab nations. The declaration also criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and called for a concerted approach against terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a nostalgic moment with former Australia captain Steve Waugh during a visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday, presenting him with a photograph from their first meeting more than two decades ago when Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded young Indian innovators for the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, which made India the third nation with private orbital launch capabilities. While praising the 28-year-old average age of the Skyroot team, Modi made a veiled remark about a "56-year-old young man," widely understood to be a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently turned 56.
