The Sports Ministry has removed para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from India's Para Asian Games contingent following allegations of kickbacks and protests from athletes. The contingent of 166 athletes and 109 support staff is set to compete in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, starting October 18, with several prominent Paralympians included despite selection controversies.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that its new Executive Council will be elected on December 5, with Sanjay Kumar Srivastava appointed as the returning officer. The electoral process, which includes elections for the Athletes' Commission on November 3 and selection of Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs), will adhere to national sports governance acts and the amended IOA Constitution. The new council will serve a four-year term (2026-2030), with current President PT Usha highlighting the importance of good governance as India eyes hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
Top US lawmakers, leaders, and civil society members have strongly condemned an alleged plot to attack a Hindu temple in Illinois. Alexandros Paporakis, 19, was arrested for attempting a mass shooting at the Aurora temple, which failed when his rifle jammed. Indian-American Congressmen and other officials have called for efforts to combat rising anti-Indian and anti-Hindu prejudice in America, highlighting the need to protect minority houses of worship.
The Supreme Court has questioned the Centre's decision to cap trade margins on anti-cancer drugs at 30 per cent, asking why similar restrictions could not be extended to other medicines and medical consumables, citing glaring disparities between procurement costs and maximum retail prices (MRPs).
Munich has been selected by the German Olympic Committee to be Germany's candidate city for hosting the Summer Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044. This marks Germany's latest effort to bring the multi-sport event back to the country since 1972, with Munich's bid leveraging its existing Olympic park and enjoying strong local support.
The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its ban on the Russian Olympic Committee, which was imposed in 2023. This decision opens the door for Russian athletes to return to international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, though the use of national symbols remains undecided.
Former Bombay High Court judge Justice R C Chavan has resigned from the Maharashtra government's Uniform Civil Code panel, citing profound concerns.
The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi High Court to reconsider a plea by 11 members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenging the Centre's decision to take over 27.3 acres of land leased to the club and subsequent eviction proceedings. The members argue that the government-nominated management cannot effectively challenge the Centre's actions, which they deem a "colourable exercise" of power and a violation of fundamental rights.
The BJP's women's wing announced a protest march against the Congress, alleging that Rahul Gandhi is protecting Inner Manipur MP Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed from JNU over sexual harassment allegations involving 11 students. The BJP Mahila Morcha will organise a 'Nari Shakti Hunkar Andolan' on Monday, demanding Akoijam's expulsion and resignation.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited India, Germany, Qatar, and Turkiye, among others, to present their bids for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games to its Future Host Commission next month. Ahmedabad is India's preferred city for the mega-event, with negotiations led by the Indian Olympic Association in collaboration with the Gujarat government and Union Sports Ministry. The host will be announced in mid-2029, following a streamlined selection process focusing on venue master-plan, funding, public support, and athlete experience.
Nine people have been killed in fresh clashes between two communities in Manipur's hill districts of Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi. Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh has appealed for peace and restraint, and additional security forces have been deployed. The violence began on Friday night with the killing of a woman, leading to further attacks and exchanges of fire. This comes after earlier ethnic violence in the state that killed over 300 people.
'Hydro-seismicity is a phenomenon that typically shows up during and just after the monsoon.' 'Heavy rain causes water to percolate deep into the rock, and where there are fractures, that water fills the pores and builds up what we call pore water pressure.' 'That pressure can widen existing cracks, and eventually the rock gives way -- which surfaces as tremors.'
'If the intention was simply to replicate what's already been done elsewhere, there was no need for a committee at all -- there's already an Act passed there (in Uttarakhand); just copy it, paste it, and you're done. Why waste everyone's time convening a panel for that?'
Nirma University has formed a three-member committee to investigate an incident where a professor allegedly grabbed a student's collar during a stand-up comedy show. The incident, captured in a viral video, led to apologies from both parties and protests from student organisations, prompting the university to launch a formal inquiry.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, despite being written off in 2022, is set to make a national comeback in 2026, showcasing his enduring swing bowling prowess and strong work ethic, particularly after stellar performances in the IPL.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced declines in early trade, ending a two-day rally, driven by a spike in Brent crude oil prices above USD 101 per barrel and investor caution ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy decision. Track Sensex, Nifty on October 7.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, stated that Starlink's services in India must be affordable for widespread adoption and that competition would benefit consumers, despite potentially reducing Reliance Jio's profits. He criticised Reliance Jio as a 'de facto monopoly' in India, alleging that certain business conglomerates were blocking Starlink's entry.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a series of changes to its Playing Conditions, effective from October 1, 2024, aimed at improving game pace, standardising ball specifications, and clarifying fielding rules. These updates include penalties for time-wasting batters, tighter ball tolerances for women's cricket, and a trial for pink balls in daytime Test matches.
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has threatened to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) due to its failure to finalise a new constitution and hold elections as directed by the Delhi High Court. The international body cited breaches of good governance principles and has given EFI until September 28 to provide an explanation before its board considers suspension on October 13. The crisis stems from long-standing governance disputes and divisions within the ad-hoc committee appointed to oversee the federation.
The Indian government has decided to cap trade margins on all non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at 30 per cent of their maximum retail price. This move aims to improve affordability and ensure continued availability of these life-saving medicines, potentially saving cancer patients an estimated Rs 2,500 crore annually. The decision, expected to be implemented later this month, will affect 110 anti-cancer drugs, including 35 patented ones.
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.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Navi Mumbai has arrested an inspector and a security guard from the Grocery Markets and Shops Board for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 43,000 to issue a Mathadi worker registration receipt. The arrest followed a complaint from an autorickshaw driver seeking a worker appointment.
Supreme Court Justice Dipankar Datta has strongly criticised the 2023 law for selecting the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners, arguing that the executive's dominant role in the selection committee creates a 'shadow of doubt' over the Election Commission's independence, even if appointments are meritorious.
The BJP has announced eight candidates, including minister Dharam Pal Singh, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. These elections, scheduled for October 16, will fill 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, one from Uttarakhand, and a bypoll in West Bengal, with several prominent members retiring.
US Olympic sprinter Kenny Bednarek has expressed strong support for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Citing his personal connection through his Indian girlfriend, golfer Sharmila Nicollet, and his admiration for the country's diverse culture, Bednarek believes India would be an ideal host, offering a unique experience for athletes and visitors. India is among seven nations vying for the 2036 Games, also planning bids for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2038 Asian Games.
The process agreed on Tuesday will require MIAL to first build stakeholder agreement on the transition before taking the plan through the regulatory approval process.
'Nearly two-thirds of Maharashtra has been drought-prone on and off, and climate change is making it worse.'
The Punjab government has established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a rape case in Anandpur Sahib involving former SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla. The SIT, headed by Gurbans Singh Bains, aims to answer critical questions surrounding the woman's arrival from Bahrain, her stay at an SGPC lodge, and the circumstances of the alleged incident. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured a transparent and time-bound investigation.
The official Congress Keralam 'X' account posted a controversial message against CJI Surya Kant, which quickly went viral before being deleted. The party subsequently removed the individual responsible, with KPCC president Sunny Joseph stating the post was unauthorised and did not reflect the party's stance on judicial impartiality. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress over the incident.
Anup Bagchi, the incoming MD & CEO of HDFC Bank, is set to become India's highest-paid bank CEO with a proposed target annual compensation package of approximately 35.9 crore, including a significant variable pay component and a one-time joining bonus.
Ganesh mandals in Mumbai have requested the Maharashtra government to clarify the implementation of a recent Bombay High Court order on noise pollution during immersion processions. The order mandates a Rs 1 lakh security deposit and legal action for violations, causing confusion among organisers as the festival concludes.
The Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre's cap on anti-cancer drug trade margins, questioning why similar controls aren't applied to other medicines. The court highlighted significant markups on common drugs and medical devices, urging the government to expand its price regulation efforts and present modalities by October 27.
Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the opposition amidst ongoing protests for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and scrapping of SIR. Shah predicted a "crushing defeat" for the Congress in the 2029 general elections, citing the BJP's and NDA's strong public support and the Congress's dismal performance in recent bypolls and local body elections across several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tripura. He urged the Congress to introspect instead of engaging in "negative politics" and "fabricated media events."
Jantar Mantar, a historic protest site in New Delhi, is facing de-notification by Delhi Police, raising concerns about its future as a space for public dissent. The site has been central to numerous significant movements, from Anna Hazare's anti-corruption fast and the Nirbhaya protests to recent agitations over NEET paper leaks and wrestlers' grievances. Its proximity to power centres made it a crucial platform for citizens to voice concerns and demand accountability, a role now threatened by its potential loss of status.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi reportedly called former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar a "traitor" during a CWC meeting, drawing sharp criticism from JD(U) leaders. Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan" and JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha condemned the remarks, highlighting Kumar's role in the INDIA bloc's formation and his popularity among the people.
Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel have been chosen as flag bearers for the Indian contingent at the upcoming Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from October 18 to 24. Both athletes have significant achievements in their respective sports, and their selection aims to inspire the team.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Chairman of Sadhna Group, in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in IBC processes. He is accused of engineering insolvency to settle significant Income Tax dues for a fraction of the amount, receiving cash via crypto/hawala, and share manipulation. The alleged proceeds of crime total Rs 168 crore, and Gupta has been remanded to five days of ED custody.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced declines in early trade, influenced by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recent repo rate hike and its signal for continued monetary tightening, coupled with rising crude oil prices and foreign fund outflows. Track Sensex, Nifty on October 8.
"Pressure on the current account is a temporary problem. Sooner rather than later, our external sector will improve," said RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
'Nobody can say a quake will strike on a particular day or month. It remains a natural event, governed by factors that are only partly understood, even by researchers working on this across the world.'
