The Election Commission has clarified that its ECINet platform is decentralised, with statutory functions performed only by designated officials, not headquarters staff. This comes after concerns were raised about the centralisation of electoral roll databases. The EC also defended the legality of an additional declaration sought from new voters during the Special Intensive Revision, citing unanimous commission approval and a Supreme Court judgment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a 'hero of the entire world' for his bravery in foiling an alleged co-pilot's attempt to crash a flydubai flight, and has extended an invitation to Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day.
The Calcutta High Court has granted interim bail to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan, allowing him to campaign for the upcoming Nandigram bypoll. Pradhan, arrested on September 18 in connection with six criminal cases from 2007, received relief until October 20, with directions to surrender on October 21 and deposit bail bonds. The cases relate to charges including murder and Arms Act violations during the Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement.
Indian stock market investors are closely monitoring crude oil prices, geopolitical developments in West Asia, and the implications of the US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could impose tariffs on countries, including India, that purchase Russian crude.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Captain Smit Machchaar for his exceptional bravery in foiling an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash an Israel-bound flydubai flight. Modi spoke to Machchaar and his family, expressing pride in his heroic actions that saved hundreds of lives. The incident involved a sharp descent and diversion of the flight, with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also acknowledging Machchaar's courage.
Actor Arif Zakaria on directors, actors and movies he has done in a remarkable career spanning 40 years.
By-elections across several Indian states, including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal, concluded peacefully with high voter turnouts. The Nagaon Lok Sabha seat in Assam recorded 76% polling, while Tamil Nadu's Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly Constituencies saw 83.86% and 78.53% respectively. Puducherry's Thattanchavady registered 78.83%, and West Bengal's Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies had nearly 79% turnout.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Chennai conducted simultaneous searches at five premises as part of an expanded probe into a corruption case against former DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The searches, which followed an FIR registered on September 16, 2026, led to the seizure of a laptop and 44 documents related to alleged financial irregularities.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Chennai conducted simultaneous searches at five premises as part of an expanded probe into a corruption case against former DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The searches, which followed an FIR registered on September 16, 2026, led to the seizure of a laptop and 44 documents related to alleged financial irregularities.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero for preventing a Flydubai flight from crashing after being stabbed by his co-pilot. His friend, Dr. Jinit Shah, attributes his ability to avert the tragedy to "muscle memory" and his extensive pilot training. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Captain Machchhar's immense courage.
A Palghar court has sentenced Madhu Dharma Govari to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor boy. The court rejected the defence's claim of improbability in a crowded locality, emphasizing that "bystander apathy" does not undermine a victim's testimony. Forensic evidence and the victim's credible account corroborated the conviction under POCSO Act and IPC.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Chennai conducted simultaneous searches at five premises as part of an expanded probe into a corruption case against former DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The searches, which followed an FIR registered on September 16, 2026, led to the seizure of a laptop and 44 documents related to alleged financial irregularities.
Looking at the best Tom Cruise films outside the Mission: Impossible franchise that proves just how versatile the superstar can be.
Trump has enacted a new law imposing significant sanctions on Russia and Iran, which could lead to tariffs of up to 100% on major energy importers like India and China.
The Bombay High Court's Goa bench has criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for rejecting voter registration forms (Form 8s) during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The court emphasised that the ECI's primary objective is to ensure citizens can cast votes and that rejecting forms, even if incorrectly submitted, goes against this principle. The case arose from a petition by a family whose names were deleted from the voters' list after their Form 8s for address change were rejected.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi voted in favour of a Russia sanctions act in the US House, diverging from his Democratic party and other Indian-American lawmakers. The bill, which passed, imposes tariffs on Russian oil and gas buyers, potentially impacting India and China, and exempts US uranium purchases from Russia.
India is closely monitoring the health of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot who bravely saved a flydubai flight despite being stabbed by his co-pilot. Machchhar, initially treated in Saudi Arabia, has been moved to Abu Dhabi for further medical care, with Indian diplomatic missions providing full support.
'Tax recovery will continue through attachment and sale of assets and other recovery mechanisms, but personal arrest will no longer form part of the prescribed recovery process.'
A 25-basis-point increase would restore some real monetary restraint when expected inflation has risen, liquidity remains easy and growth is strong, points out Amarendu Nandy.
A 19-year-old man was arrested in Chennai for allegedly sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl he befriended on social media. Police acted swiftly on the mother's complaint. The article also mentions a separate arrest of a school principal under the POCSO Act and clarifies another ongoing investigation.
A Delhi Police constable, Amarjeet, died after being shot during alleged celebratory firing at a 'jalwa pujan' ceremony in Hansi, Haryana. Two individuals, including a Haryana Police personnel, are accused of firing shots, one of which fatally struck Amarjeet. An investigation is underway, and a case has been registered.
The Supreme Court has strongly criticised actor Rajpal Yadav for his failure to deposit money as per an undertaking in a long-running cheque-bounce case. The court expressed displeasure over the non-compliance despite previous directives and warned of serious consequences, including potential jail time, if the payment is not made promptly.
Police in Ferozepur, Punjab, have arrested three alleged drug smugglers and seized over 6 kg of heroin. The arrests were made during a CIA operation based on credible inputs, intercepting the accused near Saddu Shah Wala village. Two other individuals, including the main accused who allegedly received drone-dropped consignments, remain absconding.
Police in Ferozepur have arrested three alleged drug smugglers and seized over 6 kg of heroin. The arrests were made by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) based on credible inputs, with the accused reportedly on their way to distribute the contraband. Investigations revealed a larger network involving a main accused and a juvenile, who are still at large and allegedly received consignments via drone drops.
Nearly 200 protesters, including prominent activists, were detained at Jantar Mantar during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police registered cases under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for disobedience and obstruction, following prohibitory orders in the New Delhi district. The protests stem from alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions, prompting significant police deployment and ongoing legal actions.
Five Pakistani nationals have been remanded to police custody by an Ahmedabad court in connection with a Rs 3,000 crore drug haul involving 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin seized from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea. The operation was a joint effort by the Gujarat ATS and Indian Coast Guard.
The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala has ordered a police inquiry into the alleged CMRL bribery case, targeting former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas. This decision follows a report from the Enforcement Directorate and legal advice from the Advocate General.
The Calcutta High Court criticised the Election Commission for reassigning the 'envelope' symbol to the Democratic Trinamool Congress, previously used by the ISF, for the Nandigram by-election. Justice Krishna Rao questioned the EC's fairness, especially when 183 free symbols were available, and adjourned the hearing until Friday.
The Bombay High Court has issued a complete ban on bursting firecrackers on public roads and deemed the use of loudspeakers, DJs, and laser beams during religious processions "unwarranted." The court emphasized that festivals must be celebrated without causing noise and air pollution, highlighting the need for strict enforcement of existing regulations.
Two students from Telangana, Ragalla Bhuvan and Nimma Vijay Srinivas, were arrested in Nagpur with 1.3 kg of ganja. They were apprehended by a Detection Branch team while moving suspiciously in Bada Tajbagh. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered, and a third person, Farhan, is also implicated in the drug peddling network.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been formally charged by a special PMLA court in an alleged 8.86-acre land fraud and money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the illegal acquisition and transfer of land in Ranchi's Bargain area. Soren appeared via video conferencing and denied the allegations, stating they are baseless.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the UPSC centenary, urged a fundamental shift in civil services recruitment and governance. He highlighted the need for services to adapt to an "instant-delivery world" powered by AI, focusing on citizen-centricity and evaluating candidates' motivation beyond academic knowledge. The PM also praised Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery during his address.
'We expect the Indian delegation to flag New Delhi's worries and elaborate on its standpoint on the Russia-linked tariff as well as the Section 301 investigation into overcapacity.'
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that police cannot unlawfully detain innocent family members of an accused to compel surrender, deeming such actions a deprivation of liberty and entitling the detained person to compensation. The court awarded Rs 40,000 to a petitioner illegally held for four days and directed recovery from responsible police personnel.
Jailer 2 looks loaded with Rajinikanth swag, explosive action and a ridiculous roster of cameos. But will Nelson deliver a blockbuster rather than another all-hype spectacle, wonders Sreeju Sudhakaran.
The Bill proposes replacing employment-based Green Card preferences with a points-based immigration framework.
A Mumbai court has granted bail to Rohan Parikh, a 24-year-old student, and his bodyguard, Dilip Kunde, who were arrested for entering Jio World Plaza with a firearm and a fake PMO identity card. The court cited the lack of "overt malicious act" and the potential prejudice to the student's future as reasons for bail, setting a cash bond of Rs 50,000 each.
The Supreme Court has refused to quash proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act against former NSE MD and CEO Chitra Ramkrishna, stating that the trial court will determine whether she can be considered a 'public servant' under the Act.
A report by the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute projects approximately 15,800 additional heat-related deaths in India over the next six months due to the 'super El Nino' phenomenon. Globally, nearly 451,000 additional deaths are anticipated. Experts in India emphasize the need for swift action, including implementing Heat Action Plans and focusing on vulnerable populations, while also urging caution regarding model-based projections.
The Supreme Court is set to hear pleas challenging Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's alleged unilateral decisions without the concurrence of other election commissioners. The petitions seek his suspension and question actions like altering voter registration forms and handling electoral roll revisions in Goa and West Bengal, highlighting concerns over the multi-member character of the Election Commission.
