The BJP has announced former IAS officer Debashish Sharma as its candidate for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll in Assam. Sharma, who recently took voluntary retirement as Nagaon District Commissioner, joined the BJP and secured the party ticket within days. The by-election is scheduled for October 6, with counting on October 9. The seat was previously held by Pradyut Bordoloi of Congress, who later joined BJP. A complaint has been filed against Sharma regarding his tenure as DC.
75% of India's 60 million digital-payment merchants have never recorded a transaction above 2,000.
Following an all-vegetarian BRICS Summit dinner, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stirred discussion by stating that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian and celebrating the diversity of Indian non-vegetarian cuisine.
Congress MLA Ramya Haridas was involved in a scuffle with local party workers in Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, leading to injuries and police cases. Both Haridas and the party workers, including district panchayat member Sajith Muttambalam and leader Sajad, have filed complaints, each presenting a different account of the incident which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a WhatsApp post and the role of Haridas' staff member.
The ongoing US conflict with Iran has cost the Trump administration an estimated $45.1 billion, according to a Pentagon estimate provided to the US Congress on Friday, CNN reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The Congress party is set to challenge the Modi government on a range of critical issues, including alleged theft of Ram temple donations, 'systemic corrosion' of the education system, and constitutional amendment bills related to delimitation and dismissal of ministers, during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra was allegedly pelted with eggs by BJP workers during a visit to Nadia district's Tehatta area, despite police presence. Moitra invoked a recent Supreme Court observation regarding her apprehension of such attacks, questioning police inaction and alleging contempt of court. The BJP has condemned the act but denied involvement.
'It is a blunt and dangerous attempt to pressure India to sign BTA on one-sided terms.'
AIMIM national spokesperson Syed Asim Waqar has joined the Congress party, criticising his former party for allegedly fighting opposition parties instead of the BJP. Waqar stated that the AIMIM's actions on the ground contradict its stated goal of removing the BJP, suggesting it inadvertently aids the ruling party.
The Congress party has announced a significant organisational reshuffle, appointing new general secretaries and state in-charges. Sachin Pilot has been made in-charge of Punjab, and Randeep Singh Surjewala for Gujarat, ahead of crucial assembly elections. Other changes include new in-charges for Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, with some outgoing leaders being replaced.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a resolution in the assembly demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood for the union territory. The resolution, which referenced previous autonomy resolutions, led to intense protests and "ugly scenes" from opposition BJP members, resulting in the adjournment of the House. Abdullah highlighted the unfulfilled promise by the Government of India regarding statehood after delimitation and elections.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has articulated India's position on BRICS, advocating for it to be a "non-West, but not anti-West" platform, a stance he believes is crucial for India's national interest. He highlighted the prestige of hosting the BRICS summit, India's responsibility to represent the Global South, and the significance of bilateral meetings, particularly with China and Russia. Tharoor also addressed the strained India-China relations, citing border issues and trade leverage, and discussed the challenges within BRICS, including difficulties in achieving consensus on global issues and trade imbalances, while also considering the need for diversified international relations amidst unpredictable US sanctions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed district presidents at a training camp in Nashik, urging them to uphold party ideology and fight for justice. He also demonstrated martial arts and discussed various state issues with senior leaders, while BJP leaders protested his visit.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing significant scrutiny after an investigation revealed objections from his fellow election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, regarding decisions made during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. The objections, reportedly made at least 14 times, concerned issues like changes to voter registration forms and centralised control over electoral roll databases, intensifying criticism of Kumar's tenure and the EC's impartiality.
Netas are embracing the viral '80s social media trend, sharing AI-generated images and real throwback photos.
Ruling TVK legislators are advocating for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay as their Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, a move dismissed by the Congress party which insists on Rahul Gandhi as their choice. This internal conflict within the alliance highlights a growing divide over national political ambitions.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya's comments recalling the role of non-Bengali communities during the 1946 communal riots and alleging past restrictions on Durga Puja have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, including the TMC, Congress, and CPI(M). Bhattacharya appealed for unity for peaceful Durga Puja celebrations, while opposition leaders accused him of divisive politics and distorting history.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
HarperCollins India has announced the publication of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," in India on November 10. The highly anticipated book will offer insights into her personal life and India's political journey, covering her childhood, marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family, and entry into politics.
The Finance Ministry has dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI and do not favour international cards. The ministry also asserted that the MDR, applicable to person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, is unlikely to increase cash transactions or cause inflation, with measures in place to prevent burdening consumers.
The first phase of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls recorded a 36% voter turnout, with a keen contest between ABVP, NSUI, and the AISA-SFI alliance. Student concerns like accountability, affordable accommodation, and accessible administration were prominent, influenced by past protests. The election also saw allegations between student groups and extensive security arrangements.
The second and final phase of urban local body elections in Rajasthan was marked by EVM-related glitches and voter issues, with a 57.38 per cent turnout recorded by 3 pm. Prominent leaders like Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot cast their votes, while several incidents of disputes and alleged bogus voting were reported across various polling stations.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing reservation is unconstitutional and that the policy would be given up if casteism is eliminated. He highlighted the historical context of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs, and the Modi government's EWS quota. Athawale also criticised the opposition, praised government achievements, and discussed various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh.
The Bombay High Court has dismissed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's petition challenging a 2019 summons issued by a magistrate court in a defamation complaint. The complaint, filed by a BJP member, pertains to Gandhi's alleged defamatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The High Court found no illegality in the magistrate's order but extended the deferment of the lower court hearing by six weeks to allow Gandhi to appeal to the Supreme Court.
A five-storey boys' hostel in Satya Niketan, Delhi, collapsed, killing three students and trapping others, leading to widespread condemnation from opposition parties. Leaders from Congress and AAP criticised both the central and Delhi governments, highlighting inadequate hostel facilities and demanding accountability for student safety.
Opposition MPs have voiced strong criticism against the government's new fee on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants, calling it "anti-people" and expressing widespread "outrage". The issue was raised in a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting, where concerns were also flagged regarding the methodology of GDP growth calculation and the government's stance on Virtual Digital Assets.
Telangana Forest Minister Konda Surekha was dropped from the state cabinet, leading her to accuse Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of "blackmail politics." Surekha claims her removal was due to critical remarks made by her daughter against the CM and other party leaders, despite the Congress high command not favouring her ouster. She has written to top Congress leaders seeking intervention.
'Major unions should be included. If this goes on, decision-making will become heavily one-sided and we will be forced to continue our strikes.'
The Indian women's cricket team secured their eighth Women's Asia Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, a triumph that has garnered widespread congratulations from top Indian leaders.
A Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh has sparked a major controversy by alleging that staff at Rewa's Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital mortuary sexually abused the corpses of "beautiful" women and extorted money for post-mortems. The hospital administration has vehemently denied these claims as baseless, while the MLA insists an investigation will reveal the truth, citing a past incident where employees were sacked for irregularities.
'You can't have a runaway board that takes decisions against the active disagreement of the 66 per cent shareholder.'
'You can't have a runaway board that takes decisions against the active disagreement of the 66 per cent shareholder.'
India has stated its commitment to protecting its economic interests and ensuring energy security after the US House of Representatives passed a bill allowing the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries, including India and China, for purchasing Russian crude oil. The Ministry of External Affairs affirmed India's resolve to maintain diversified energy sourcing and has articulated its concerns to US interlocutors regarding the bill's potential implications.
Harikesh Patel, a former member of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), has been arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for allegedly obtaining a second passport using forged documents. Patel had previously surrendered his original passport in connection with an ED money laundering case. He reportedly used the fraudulently obtained passport for international travel.
An FIR has been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani following a complaint from a Valmiki community member. The complaint alleges Gandhi gave a casteist interpretation to a religious ritual performed after an AICC chief's programme, hurting community sentiments. The case involves provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, stemming from a political row over a 'purification yajna' at a rally venue.
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 later on Friday (local time). A White House official confirmed the development to ANI without revealing further details.
The Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that over 37 lakh appeals concerning deletions or inclusions in West Bengal's electoral rolls remain pending under the Special Intensive Revision. The apex court-appointed tribunals have disposed of only a fraction of the 38.20 lakh appeals filed, prompting the Supreme Court to seek data and a plan for streamlining the adjudication process.
Five southern states are stepping up coordination on delimitation, tax devolution and language issues, reviving calls for a stronger collective South platform.
The Indian government has confirmed there will be no rollback of the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective from October 15. Despite opposition, officials state the decision aims to make the UPI ecosystem self-sustainable and secure, with charges applying only to merchant payments, not person-to-person transactions.
US lawmakers are racing to amend the Russia sanctions bill before recess. One amendment specifically names India, China, and other countries as potential targets for 100% tariffs due to their oil trade with Russia. Another significant amendment proposes to scrap the tariff section entirely, while others address presidential waiver powers and aid to Ukraine.
