A man, Manoj Talekar, was detained in Panaji after he allegedly paid Rs 27 lakh for a fake government job appointment and attempted to occupy the additional excise commissioner's chair. He claimed to have an appointment letter for the Goa Excise Department post, leading to his detention and an FIR for impersonation. Police are now searching for the alleged scammer, Ajit Shankhwalkar.
A recent scientific study by Dr. Dinesh Amalnerkar and Dr. Ravindra Chaudhari in Pune has demonstrated that a silk-based nanocomposite material, particularly one containing silver nanoparticles, can effectively kill Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae and pupae. This research, published in 'Nature Scientific Reports', offers a promising new approach for dengue control, especially as Pune faces a surge in cases. While showing high mortality rates in lab tests and minimal environmental impact, further field research is needed before large-scale deployment.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has claimed that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was detained for three hours at the Delhi airport upon his return from Paris and subsequently fined Rs 50,000. AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu alleged that the incident was due to "tremendous pressure from above" and linked it to the Centre's repeated denial of permission for Mann's foreign visits, accusing the central government of obstructing Punjab's progress.
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.
Four individuals, including three from Kerala, were arrested in Odisha's Ganjam district for allegedly transporting 160 kg of ganja worth Rs 38 lakh. The cannabis was being moved from Kandhamal district to Kerala by road, and cases have been registered under the NDPS Act.
'There should have been more transparency in the process which even today we don't know.'
Beijing published the world's first global framework for vocational standards. If India does not act swiftly, it will be compelled to certify its workers by someone else's rulebook, cautions Abhay Jere, ex-Vice Chairman, AICTE.
Madhya Pradesh's Lokayukta police raided 15 premises linked to head constable Firoz Khan in Indore and Dewas, uncovering assets worth Rs 6.27 crore. This amount is more than three times his legitimate income over 24 years of service. Khan is accused of misusing his position in property dealings, and an FIR has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with a woman associate also named as an accused.
An Indian national has been arrested in the US for allegedly falsely claiming American citizenship to vote in the 2024 general election in Minnesota. He faces charges that could lead to a maximum of five years in prison on each count if convicted.
An assistant executive engineer of the Public Works Department, Mridul Baglari, was arrested in Dibrugarh, Assam, for accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000. He had allegedly demanded Rs 1.3 lakh for releasing pending bills and was caught in a trap laid by the Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption.
The Karnataka Cyber Command Unit has busted an illegal SIM box network operating from two apartments in Bengaluru's Whitefield division, leading to four arrests. The network is suspected of facilitating digital-arrest scams, sextortion, and other financial cyber frauds across India, with potential financial exposure running into hundreds of crores of rupees. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the network and its links to the e-SIM supply chain.
Engagement with neighbours has gathered pace, particularly as the conflict in West Asia has exposed their vulnerability to energy supply disruptions.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have developed an innovative, low-cost device capable of screening for anaemia and sickle cell disease using just a single drop of blood. This point-of-care approach measures blood smear length to detect differences in viscosity, which are indicative of these conditions. The patented device is designed for cost-effective manufacturing and ease of use, making it ideal for areas with limited access to conventional diagnostic laboratories. The technology is currently licensed to an IIT Bombay startup and is moving towards regulatory approval.
A political controversy has erupted after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's "baap" remarks, with the Congress claiming a BJP worker first insulted Kharge's father, prompting his retort. The BJP has strongly condemned Kharge's language, calling it indecent and reflecting the Congress's ideological bankruptcy, while the Congress alleges repeated insults against its chief.
The US government has suspended eight major IT firms, including Microsoft, Tata, Infosys, and Wipro, from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme, which allows companies to apply for green cards for foreign workers. This action, announced by Vice President J D Vance, Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling, and Attorney General Todd Blanche, is part of an effort to prevent American workers from being shut out of the job market. The Department of Labour cited abuse of the system, particularly by Microsoft, and also initiated an investigation into the J-1 visa programme used by several universities.
Telangana's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a Disproportionate Assets case against a Civil Supplies department official in Mahabubabad district. Searches at seven locations revealed assets worth approximately Rs 9.41 crore, including immovable and movable properties. The investigation is ongoing, with further verification of assets and their sources underway.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India this week underscores the complex dynamics of global energy policy, as Washington re-evaluates sanctions on Russian oil buyers amidst India's continued reliance on Russian crude.
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.
The Tamil Nadu government revoked a controversial order exempting its Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act, 2005.
The Government of Karnataka has called for enhanced collaboration with the BFSI and FinTech sectors to bolster its technology ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions. This initiative, discussed at an Industry Meet, aims to foster partnerships between government, industry, and academia, particularly through programmes like 'Government First', in preparation for the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026.
The Congress' Seva Dal organised a candle march in New Delhi, demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022. The protest called for an impartial investigation and accountability, especially regarding allegations against BJP's Dushyant Gautam, whose recent appointment as Sikkim Governor has drawn criticism from the Congress.
The US on Monday announced that it had revoked more than 1.75 lakh visas during President Donald Trump's tenure for a range of crimes from reckless driving to sexual assault.
Microsoft has clarified that 80 per cent of its H1-B visa applications in the last fiscal year were for existing employees, not new hires, following its suspension from a US green card programme.
A 22-year-old woman preparing for competitive exams was severely injured in an acid attack in Balod, Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred as she returned from an e-library, suffering burns to her face and hands. Police are investigating, examining CCTV footage, while the Opposition Congress has condemned the attack, raising concerns about the state's law and order situation.
The US Department of Homeland Security removed a controversial X post featuring a Transformers-themed cartoon targeting an Indian Sikh man, Harjinder Singh, with racially charged language. The post, which linked Singh to vehicular homicide charges and used phrases like "Self deport or find out," drew fierce condemnation from Indian American organisations and Democratic lawmakers for its discriminatory nature. DHS initially dismissed the outcry but later removed the post without explanation, while continuing its campaign against "illegal aliens" involved in fatal traffic accidents.
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.
Torrential rains have caused widespread devastation across several Indian states, leading to at least 11 deaths in Assam and Uttarakhand, pushing rivers above danger levels, and disrupting daily life with landslides, floods, and school closures. States like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, and Jammu & Kashmir are also grappling with the monsoon fury, while Meghalaya faces an unusual rainfall deficit.
A Delhi court has granted bail to eight men accused of smuggling over 6 kg of gold worth Rs 9.9 crore, citing the customs department's failure to provide specific reasons for their continued detention. The court noted the absence of direct evidence linking the accused to the gold recovered from the aircraft after their disembarkation, and the lack of corroboration for alleged activities in Dubai.
US President Donald Trump has defended a controversial diesel deal with Russia, stating it aims to stabilise the global market despite bipartisan criticism from US lawmakers. The deal, which eases sanctions on Russian diesel shipments until April 2027, has been criticised as a "gift to our adversary" that finances Russia's war efforts and offers little relief to Americans.
A police constable was shot dead by suspected liquor smugglers in Nalanda district, Bihar, during a chase on Wednesday night. In a separate incident, five police personnel were injured in Bagaha when locals attacked them during an arrest related to a liquor supply case, freeing one suspect.
Preliminary post-mortem reports indicate that asphyxia due to intense chest pressure was the likely cause of death for most of the 19 victims in a Durga Puja pandal stampede in Kolkata. Reports also noted serious internal injuries, including damage to vital organs and fractures, in some victims.
The Maharashtra government announced a minimum 10 per cent water cut for all urban and rural local bodies starting October 16 due to a deficient monsoon and El Nino impact. The state is prioritising drinking water, planning for water stocks until August 2027, and implementing measures like preventing leakage, reusing treated wastewater, and curbing unauthorised extraction.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a major controversy on Sunday with his remark "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" during an event in Patna, in response to an audience member's comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement drew sharp condemnation from senior leaders of the BJP and other NDA allies, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who criticised the use of "indecent and unparliamentary language" and demanded an apology from the Congress.
The Karnataka cabinet has rejected the clemency plea of Shubha Shankar, who is serving life imprisonment for the 2003 murder of her fiancee, Girish. The cabinet also decided to challenge the High Court's ruling on enhanced reservation quotas for SCs and STs in the Supreme Court.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued directives to various departments to ensure top-tier arrangements for the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, set to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Mann emphasised the need for world-class facilities, robust security, and comprehensive crowd management, while also calling for a statewide trophy tour and student participation to foster public enthusiasm and showcase Punjab's rich sporting heritage. He personally inspected venues and stressed the importance of cleanliness, beautification, and hospitality for international delegations.
Veteran physicist Professor Umesh V Waghmare has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology. Currently a professor at JNCASR, Bengaluru, his appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. He succeeds Professor Abhay Karandikar and brings a distinguished academic background from IIT-Bombay, Yale, and Harvard to the role.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has released an audio clip purportedly claiming a Rs 500 crore payment was delivered to him through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, alleging a conspiracy to silence him. This comes a day after Deputy CM Eknath Shinde challenged him to prove similar allegations. Ruling party leaders have hit back, questioning the clip's veracity and demanding a forensic probe, while Jarange insists on a thorough investigation by top state and central leaders.
NetApp CEO George Kurian announced that India is the company's fastest-growing market in Asia, driven by strong performance in BFSI, manufacturing, IT services, and public sectors. The company's Bengaluru global capability centre is its largest, housing 4,000 engineers and leading global R&D. NetApp also unveiled new AI-focused storage solutions and cloud partnerships at its Insight event.
A first-year postgraduate medical student at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion, Mumbai, allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room on Saturday evening. Preliminary investigations suggest Dr Shivcharan Appa Patil died from an overdose of anaesthesia. Police have registered an accidental death report and are investigating further.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20 for talks aimed at strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Discussions will cover energy, trade, defence, and critical technologies. The visit also includes celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US Independence. This meeting follows earlier confusion regarding Rubio's visit and will also touch upon the India-US bilateral trade agreement, which both sides are close to concluding. The MEA clarified that hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi is a common practice.
