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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Marco Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar to discuss energy cooperation as S Jaishankar says India-US trade talks are nearing a landing point, with a few issues unresolved.
A laboratory technician in Siberia died from 'pneumonia of unknown aetiology' at an Anti-Plague Research Institute, sparking fears of pneumonic plague, with the US now monitoring the situation and urging Russia for transparency.
Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar urged college students to avoid drugs, highlighting the growing concern over cannabis use among young people and the high demand for drugs in the Champhai district. Official data reveals a significant number of injecting drug users and drug-related deaths in the state, with a 2022 survey showing cannabis use among children as young as 10-14.
Punjab's Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the unearthing of a Rs 429.30 crore GST fraud, leading to an FIR in Ludhiana. The investigation, initiated after intercepting a vehicle on September 30, revealed a syndicate of 62 interconnected firms across multiple states using non-genuine documents to evade taxes.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has clarified that he has not been transferred, dismissing speculation about his removal. He affirmed that the crackdown on unsafe food and substandard drugs will continue, despite recent appointment to an MPSC inquiry committee.
A special PMLA court in Bengaluru has convicted a retired Karnataka Excise Department guard, M Ramchandra, and his daughter, R Yurekha, on money laundering charges. Ramchandra received five years rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 5 lakh fine, while Yurekha received three years rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 3 lakh fine. Five immovable properties were also confiscated. The case stemmed from a 2009 ED investigation based on a Lokayukta Police complaint regarding disproportionate assets.
Surat Police and the district health department have apprehended 16 alleged fake doctors operating clinics in the Pandesara area. A special drive on Tuesday led to the arrests, with three individuals being repeat offenders. Seizures included medical equipment and medicines worth Rs 1,82,444.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York. India raised its concerns regarding the recently signed "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," which authorises tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas. Both leaders also discussed bilateral relations, regional priorities, and the situations in the Gulf and Ukraine.
The Kerala child rights panel has directed the state government to include rugby in the upcoming annual state school sports meet, following a High Court directive. The panel also ordered the General Education Department to make arrangements for competitions and ensure children can participate in national events, and to amend the state school sports meet manual to include rugby in the 2026-27 National School Games.
Bengaluru police have arrested four individuals for allegedly forcing minor children into begging. The operation led to the rescue of 13 children, who were found begging at traffic signals across the city. The accused admitted to their involvement, and the children have been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee.
A woman Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, was arrested by the Vigilance Department on Saturday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 to settle a dispute. The ASI, identified as Sonia, was caught red-handed after a complaint was verified, and a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A 19-year-old man, Alexandros Paporakis, was arrested in Illinois for allegedly plotting a mass shooting targeting a Hindu place of worship. Authorities recovered a manifesto with white supremacist ideologies and references to violence against people of Indian descent, along with weapons and tactical gear. The plot was uncovered after Paporakis shared concerning electronic communications, leading to swift action by law enforcement.
The US State Department has paused visa appointments worldwide to conduct a 'global training initiative' for consular officers, aiming to ensure applicants are not likely to become a 'public charge' and are comprehensively evaluated, intensifying President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Assam Rifles seized methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 3.55 crore in Mizoram's Champhai district. The seizure, weighing 4.4 kg, occurred near Zokhawthar along the India-Myanmar border on Friday, following a tip-off. The drugs have been handed over to the state's Excise and Narcotics Department for further legal action, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
A police constable, Ajit Kumar, was shot dead by liquor smugglers in Nalanda district of Bihar on Wednesday night during a chase. He was part of an Excise Department team attempting to intercept a liquor-laden truck. Kumar succumbed to his injuries in Patna, and a manhunt has been launched for the culprits.
The US Department of Justice has initiated its largest denaturalisation effort in modern history, targeting 40 individuals for various serious offences, including fraud and espionage. Among those facing citizenship revocation is Balwinder Singh of California, accused of using a fraudulent identity, and Jinchao Wei, a former US Navy sailor convicted of espionage for China.
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen in a cheating case. Sen is accused of commercialising Durga Puja by selling high-priced preview show tickets through an organisation allegedly linked to him and his family, diverting government funds. The court noted "trappings of corruption" and the Enforcement Directorate is also investigating.
Police in Surat have arrested two senior resident doctors, Dikshita Ghewaria and Hina Bhut, in connection with the suicide of first-year PG medical student Harsh Pandya. The doctors are accused of systemic harassment and ragging Pandya and nine other first-year students, leading to Pandya's death by suicide on August 9. Two other accused are still at large.
OpenAI discovered a sophisticated recording device in its office, using its AI models to identify an employee, Abdulrahman Alfozan, who had planted it. The FBI has since arrested the Saudi national, and OpenAI has terminated his employment, stating there's no indication of data exfiltration.
Six professors from Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University (SRTMU) in Nanded have secured a patent for a 'Handheld Script Translation Device'. This innovation aims to overcome language barriers caused by different writing systems, allowing users to understand scripts they are unfamiliar with, even if they know the language. The device is expected to particularly benefit Marathi readers and researchers by making historical and cultural texts more accessible.
Karnataka authorities conducted a three-day statewide crackdown on illegal diversion of subsidised Public Distribution System (PDS) foodgrain, seizing 5.65 lakh kg of rice and 24 transport vehicles worth a total of Rs 4.76 crore. Six criminal cases have been registered against nine individuals, and two officials have been suspended for dereliction of duty.
Police in Surat have arrested a third resident doctor, Anuj Maheshwari, in connection with the alleged ragging and harassment of a first-year postgraduate medical student, Harsh Pandya, who died by suicide in August. Two other doctors, Dikshita Ghewaria and Hina Bhut, were arrested earlier. The accused face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Act, based on an anti-ragging committee report which found evidence of mental harassment and humiliation.
Lokayukta Police in Indore raided a head constable and his associates, uncovering properties worth approximately Rs 29.73 crore. The head constable, Firoz Khan, is accused of using his position to acquire disproportionate assets, significantly exceeding his legitimate income over 24 years of service. The investigation has identified 33 immovable properties, vehicles, bank accounts, and links to private companies.
Authorities in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, raided Sapna Dairy and seized significant quantities of adulterated paneer, desi ghee, cream, and other food ingredients. The raid followed a tip-off, leading to the recovery of 10 quintals of paneer and other items. Samples have been sent for testing, and an FIR is being registered against the dairy operator.
Four faculty members from Nagaland University have been named among the world's top 2 per cent scientists for their significant research contributions, according to an annual database by Elsevier and Stanford University. Three of them also feature in the Career-Long Top 2 per cent Scientists list, highlighting the university's growing global research impact across various scientific disciplines.
Forest officials in Odisha's Kendrapara district successfully rescued a six-foot-long female saltwater crocodile from a village pond on Monday. The reptile, which had caused panic among villagers, was later released into the Bausagada river within Bhitarkanika National Park.
The West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch arrested an RTO official and a middleman in Kolkata for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 90,000 bribe to renew a bus permit. The arrests followed a trap operation based on a bus owner's complaint.
