As Israel prepares for parliamentary elections on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a critical test of his leadership amidst the fallout from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, the ongoing Gaza war, and significant domestic challenges.
PCBL Chemical Ltd's subsidiary, Nanovace Technologies Ltd, has formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Nanovace Advanced Materials Ltd, to focus on advanced battery materials and next-generation energy storage technologies for various sectors including electric vehicles and consumer electronics.
The BJP spent Rs 286.99 crore on the West Bengal elections, surpassing the Congress's total expenditure of Rs 248.55 crore across five states and a Union territory. The report details spending by major parties in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, highlighting significant financial disparities and campaign outlays.
The Union Home Ministry has issued a stern advisory to states and Union Territories, highlighting a "dangerous trend" of human trafficking through "overseas recruitment scams." These scams lure victims with promises of high-paying jobs abroad, only to trap them in "CyberFraud Centres." The ministry has called for a "specialised offensive" involving various state agencies to combat this growing menace, emphasising strict enforcement, agency verification, and public awareness.
The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals who engage in or facilitate "birth tourism." This move aims to prevent the exploitation of the US immigration system, which allows foreign nationals to travel to the US to give birth, thereby securing US citizenship for their children. The restrictions apply to facilitators, visa "fixers," and medical providers involved in these networks.
A faction of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), claiming support from 27 state units, met Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse to seek intervention regarding alleged governance lapses by president Ajay Singh. The group submitted a memorandum to the Sports Ministry, IOA, and World Boxing president, detailing accusations of power concentration, sidelining elected members, and lack of grassroots development. This comes after a planned no-confidence motion was put on hold by the Punjab and Haryana High Court until November 13. The BFI later issued a statement claiming unity among its state units.
Microsoft has launched a voluntary exit programme for eligible employees in India, the US, the UK, and Canada. The initiative offers financial support and career planning resources, with eligible employees in India having until December 1 to decide. The package includes severance benefits and health insurance, aiming to provide flexibility for employees and allow the company to adjust its workforce. This comes as Microsoft continues significant investments in India's AI ecosystem.
BJP leaders and devotees across India are performing pujas and havans for the speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed while thwarting an alleged attempt to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath, and Somnath are holding special rituals, honouring his courage in saving 174 lives.
HCLTech has launched 'HCLTech Pulse', a new business unit designed to help enterprises with annual revenues between USD 500 million and USD 5 billion accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence and modernise their technology infrastructure, targeting a USD 400 billion global market opportunity.
Trump has announced an 'Infinite Life' agreement with Denmark and Greenland, claiming it grants the United States permanent control over security and the ability to prevent adversaries from establishing a military presence or making sensitive investments on the strategically vital Arctic island.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to comment on recent protests against India's Election Commission, labelling it an "internal political matter." During his visit to India, Rubio also dismissed UN experts' criticism of the protests, stating that the US would not interfere in India's domestic affairs, despite UN concerns over police response to demonstrations.
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.
US President Donald Trump has issued a waiver from sanctions under the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, citing national interest. This move comes after a deal with Russia for diesel supply and ahead of a US official's visit to India, where concerns about the act's impact on India's oil imports were raised.
Cisco Chairman and CEO Chuck Robbins announced plans to expand the company's silicon design team in India, citing the country's pro-growth strategy, scale, ambition, and engineering focus as key reasons for its strategic importance.
'If the temperature remains very high, which is likely to be the case because of El Nino, it may lead to a shortfall in wheat production.' 'If that happens, we will be in a very, very difficult situation as far as food security is concerned.'
Microsoft has announced a voluntary exit programme for eligible employees in India, the US, the UK, and Canada, providing financial support and career planning resources to those who choose to leave the company. The offer, available to employees at level 70 and below in participating teams, aims to offer flexibility and allow businesses to adjust their workforce.
Jared Kushner, former US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, has vehemently denied "outrageous and categorically false" allegations in a new book, "Princes and Thieves," which claims he accessed secret bank accounts linked to UAE, Saudi, and Israeli funds. Kushner stated on X that the author provided no evidence and that such claims never surfaced during his extensive past investigations.
Over 2,000 pulmonologists and healthcare professionals from India and abroad will gather in Jaipur for NAPCON 2026 to discuss the increasing burden of pulmonary diseases and the critical impact of air pollution on lung health. The conference, organised by the National College of Chest Physicians, India, and the Indian Chest Society, will feature discussions on diagnosis, management, and prevention of conditions like COPD and asthma, alongside advances in interventional pulmonology.
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.
Season 3 of the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) will feature nearly 150 riders from 21 countries, including 30 Indian participants, competing across four racing categories. Reigning champion Matt Moss is set to defend his title amidst a strong international field.
Two Indian nationals have been charged in a US federal court for their alleged involvement in a transnational scheme to distribute counterfeit Ozempic, a popular diabetes drug. The scheme involved obtaining fake drugs from China, deceptive packaging, and continued even after FDA warnings, with the accused facing significant jail time if convicted.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on a three-day visit to India to discuss bilateral ties in energy, trade, investment, defence, and critical technologies, as well as the West Asia crisis. His visit aims to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership amidst existing friction, with a focus on finalising a proposed bilateral trade deal.
During a rally in Michigan, former US President Donald Trump made an unexpected remark about rapper Nicki Minaj's appearance, drawing cheers before apologising for straying from his speech. Minaj later joined him on stage, expressing her support for his administration and discussing her views on the country's direction and children's issues.
A Delhi court has permitted the prosecution to record the testimonies of four foreign-based nodal officers from WhatsApp, Google, and Bumble via video conferencing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case. This decision aims to prevent undue delays and exorbitant expenses associated with securing their physical presence, facilitating an expeditious trial. The testimonies are scheduled to begin in December 2026, with specific protocols for identity verification and secure proceedings.
Israel is set to hold parliamentary elections on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vying to retain power. The election is a critical test of his leadership, influenced by the government's handling of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, subsequent wars, and ongoing legal challenges. Opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, are challenging his right-wing coalition, but opinion polls suggest a fragmented outcome with no clear majority. Key issues include security, accountability for the October 7 attack, military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, and judicial reforms.
European football's governing body, UEFA, announced a moment of silence and a solidarity banner at all Champions League matches this week to support victims of devastating flash floods in Nepal, where the death toll has risen and thousands remain missing.
India's squash prodigy Anahat Singh was defeated by Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in the semi-finals of the Silicon Valley Open, despite winning the first game. This marks her second loss to Subramaniam, who praised Anahat's talent.
New photographic evidence and a Pentagon inspector general's report confirm extensive damage to US military installations across the Middle East due to Iranian missile and drone strikes. The report details billions in financial costs, structural losses to hundreds of buildings, and damage to dozens of aircraft, contradicting previous assertions about US military readiness and ordnance stockpiles. The conflict also led to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, impacting global oil prices.
Gangster Anil Pandit, allegedly operating from the US, has emerged as a key suspect in the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. Police are investigating his links to over a dozen extortion and targeted attack cases across Haryana and Delhi, and his network's use of messaging apps to coordinate shooters. Pandit also allegedly claimed responsibility for the incident and issued threats related to Salman Khan.
A special CBI court in Ahmedabad has granted bail to Ankit Pandey, an accused in a cyber fraud case involving a call centre that allegedly defrauded US residents of over USD 7.21 million. The fraudsters posed as US law enforcement, falsely accusing victims of child pornography access, and coerced them into paying fines or handing over gold. Pandey's defence cited weak evidence, arguing only an IP address linked him to the crime.
The Road Transport Ministry has updated the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 to allow flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on up to E100 (nearly pure ethanol). These amendments include E100 alongside E85 for emission certification and raise the vehicle weight limit for light petrol and diesel vehicles. This move supports India's strategy to reduce crude oil import dependence, with major automakers already developing flex-fuel models for the Indian market.
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.
Twenty individuals were arrested in Lonavala, Maharashtra, for operating an illegal call centre that defrauded foreign nationals. The accused impersonated representatives of companies like Amazon and Google, threatening victims with fake drug cases to extract banking details and money.
Himanshu 'Bhau', a notorious gangster from Haryana with 64 criminal cases, has been detained by US authorities for misrepresentation of facts. The kingpin of a global syndicate involved in murder and extortion, he operated from abroad after fleeing India in 2022. Haryana Police are coordinating with CBI for his deportation.
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.
Indian-origin filmmaker Arafat Sheikh was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Dulles International Airport. Sheikh, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, was taken into custody on September 24 despite having a student visa and a pending immigration application, according to the "Free Arafat Sheikh" campaign. ICE is responsible for detaining non-citizens for suspected immigration violations.
Imagine heading out to get biryani in New York and ending up on one of the world's most prestigious fashion runways. For Bhavitha Mandava, that unlikely detour became the beginning of a career that has taken her from a subway platform to Chanel, British Vogue, and now the coveted Pirelli Calendar.
An anti-poaching unit in Indore recovered 21 protected turtles, including Indian Pond turtles and Star Tortoises, based on information from an arrested member of an interstate wildlife smuggling gang. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, and a total of 54 turtles and a Rose-ringed Parakeet have been recovered as the investigation continues.
Partial results from Israel's general election indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc remains short of a parliamentary majority with 54 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has 48 seats, leading to a potential coalition deadlock.
Kakatiya Knights secured a decisive 6-0 victory over Mighty Marathas in their final round-robin match of the Archery Premier League. This win serves as a strong precursor to their upcoming clash in the first qualifier on Sunday, where both teams will vie for a spot in the final. The Knights' compound archers were particularly impressive, maintaining perfect scores despite challenging conditions.
