AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for his silence regarding a multi-crore international drug racket operating along the state's coastline. Palaniswami questioned if the racket was happening with the ruling TVK's knowledge, citing a recent 137 kg crystal methamphetamine seizure by the DRI and the alleged involvement of a TVK functionary. He demanded a comprehensive explanation from the Chief Minister.
Indian government bond yields have recorded their worst losing streak in three decades, rising for the tenth consecutive week, driven by elevated crude oil prices and increasing global yields. The rupee also weakened, and India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant decline.
India has strongly asserted that human rights should not be weaponised for political pressure or selective targeting of nations, pushing back against attempts to negatively characterise the world's largest democracy based on unverified allegations and incomplete statistics.
Donald Trump criticised France's immigration policies, linking them to ongoing nationwide protests and using the situation to justify his own stance on US border control. His remarks come as France faces widespread demonstrations over the cost of living and educational funding, leading to nearly 1,000 arrests. French President Emmanuel Macron, without naming Trump, condemned foreign leaders for exploiting France's domestic unrest for their political campaigns.
The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and the New Zealand Esports Federation (NZ Esports) have drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and exchange knowledge in the esports sector. This initiative coincides with the 100 Years of Unity Through Sport celebrations, featuring Indian gamers competing in eFootball and Clash Royale in Auckland.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has officially approved the renaming of the Noida International Airport at Jewar to 'Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar', a move Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described as a "major gift" to the state.
'If a student can get a good teacher, quality content and mock tests at no cost, it becomes very hard for a mid-tier coaching centre to keep charging for the same lecture.'
US missions across West Asia have issued a security alert advising American nationals to "exercise heightened vigilance" due to Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and the potential for Iran and its allies to target US interests. The advisory warns of potential travel disruptions and escalating hostilities, linking the Houthi actions to Iran's regional network and the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
Cognizant and Google Cloud have announced an expanded partnership to accelerate the adoption of agentic AI, forming a new 'Gemini Frontier Capability Group'. This initiative combines Google's AI platform with Cognizant's expertise to help enterprises deploy resilient, production-grade AI agents and drive business value. The group will focus on areas like legacy modernisation and cyber defence, with Cognizant also scaling Gemini internally.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is reviewing its internal processes and protocols following lapses in three papers of the UGC-NET June 2026 examination, leading to re-tests for English, Commerce, and Sociology. The agency stated it proactively identified issues and is taking corrective measures to ensure fair and error-free examinations, amidst strong criticism from opposition leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India's Asian Games medal-winners, including the gold-winning cricket teams, on Thursday. He praised their achievements, highlighting India's growing strength in sports and its ambition to become a credible host for major international events, including a bid for the 2036 Olympics. Modi also emphasised the government's support for athletes and urged medallists to mentor the next generation.
The Sports Ministry has revised its Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF), significantly increasing financial support for organising international events in India, with up to Rs 50 crore available. The new guidelines also maintain funding for National Championships, introduce assistance for National Games, and outline plans for Olympic Training Centres, aligning with India's 2036 Olympic bid and 2030 Commonwealth Games aspirations.
Australian umpire Ben Treloar will officiate in two Ranji Trophy matches in India, while India's Parashar Joshi will travel to Australia to stand in two Sheffield Shield matches and one One Day Cup fixture as part of an exchange programme between Cricket Australia and the BCCI.
India has strongly condemned the recent Houthi militant attacks on two Saudi Arabian airports, asserting that the targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable.
The BJP has accused Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut of creating a fake audio clip using AI, alleging a Rs 500 crore payout to Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange. The BJP claims Raut orchestrated the conspiracy to push Rahul Gandhi's agenda and create rifts among ruling allies. Raut, however, claims a BJP MLC leaked the clip due to internal party competition. Maharashtra CM Fadnavis has ordered a forensic probe into the audio clip.
Power, patronage and money fuel politics in drought: And the ruling party controls all of those, points out Aditi Phadnis.
Former national golf champion Amandeep Johl has been elected captain of the Delhi Golf Club. He will lead a new committee featuring accomplished sportspersons and experienced administrators, aiming to combine sporting expertise with sound governance to nurture future golf champions.
The Indian Olympic Association has formed a five-member Games Technical Conduct Committee to oversee the technical aspects and sports programme of the 39th National Games, scheduled for Meghalaya in 2027. The committee, chaired by Sunaina Kumari, will ensure technical compliance and athlete-centred preparation for the event.
India has strongly condemned a major attack on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which resulted in 12 deaths and over 300 injuries. New Delhi called the repeated targeting of civilians and infrastructure "completely unacceptable" and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
India has removed a key regulatory hurdle, allowing exporters to receive payments in Indian currency while retaining incentives under the country's foreign trade policy, a move aimed at promoting wider use of the rupee in international trade.
'... but runs with the rigour and discipline of a large enterprise.'
Trials of the Rafale Marine fighter aircraft are being carried out in Goa by the Indian Navy. The trials are for the modifications to the aircraft required for carrying out operations from the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Defence officials said on Wednesday.
Indonesian tennis star Janice Tjen will return as the top seed to defend her title at the Chennai Open International Women's Tennis Championships 2026, a WTA 250 event. The tournament, India's highest international women's ranking event, will feature players from 22 countries, with Tjen being the first Asian top seed.
Massive nationwide protests in France over the rising cost of living and underfunded public services turned violent, with nearly 1,000 people arrested and key urban centres hit by tear gas and clashes.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced plans to strengthen the state police's Cyberdome to combat cybersecurity threats and deploy indigenously developed robots for traffic management and disaster response. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to address growing cyber challenges and protect critical infrastructure, while also highlighting the role of the CoCoN conference in sharing knowledge.
Pranav Adani's visit to the Singapore Grand Prix has intensified speculation about Formula 1's return to India. The Adani Group, which owns the Buddh International Circuit, is actively pursuing the revival of the Indian Grand Prix, with support from the Indian government. However, significant financial and logistical challenges, including tax clarity and substantial upgrade costs, must be overcome amidst increasing global competition for hosting races.
The INDIA Bloc plans a "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, followed by a "Dilli Chalo march" to Ramlila Maidan on November 1. These events are part of their protest against alleged "vote chori" and "poll irregularities," aiming to pressure the government and demand Kumar's resignation.
Eutelsat OneWeb, a satellite communications company, is awaiting approvals from the Indian central government to launch its services, as confirmed by Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Enterprises, the largest shareholder in the Eutelsat group.
Some lessons about patience are taught not by monks or teachers, but by government offices, one slow afternoon at a time, reveals Binu Alex.
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has publicly welcomed competition from Elon Musk's Starlink in the satellite communications sector, asserting that all players, including Jio, must abide by Indian laws and policies.
India is determined to host the 2036 Olympics as part of a broader strategy to become a global sporting superpower, despite challenges like limited multi-sport event experience and a poor doping record, according to Indian Olympic Association CEO Raghuram Iyer.
Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are among 12 prominent sportspersons vying for a spot on the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission. The elections, scheduled for November 3, will select 10 members for the 2026-2030 term. The article also details the electoral process, eligibility criteria, and mentions the upcoming election for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs).
Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO, and PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl express strong confidence in India's potential to become a global golf powerhouse within the next decade. Kant specifically predicts a woman golfer will achieve a breakthrough moment for the country. They highlight India's demographic advantage, rising youth participation, and the need for university-level talent development and private investment in infrastructure to achieve this goal.
Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) believes satellite broadband services are unlikely to achieve significant scale or compete effectively on price in India's highly connected and affordable market, despite developing its own satellite constellation solutions and flagging it as a potential disruptor.
'Get people young, train them, assimilate them, and grow them adequately.'
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that its much-anticipated elections will take place on December 20. This decision, made at a Special General Body Meeting attended by FIFA and AFC officials, aims to resolve governance uncertainties and elect new office-bearers at a critical time for Indian football. Rajeev Sharma has been appointed as the electoral officer.
Madhya Pradesh has achieved the top rank in India for drug destruction, eliminating over 2.74 lakh kilograms of narcotics in two years. The state is implementing a comprehensive strategy, including forming anti-drug committees in educational institutions, launching a three-year campaign to dismantle drug networks, strengthening intelligence, and expanding de-addiction centres. Authorities have also seized significant quantities of drugs, attached properties, and conducted extensive public awareness programmes.
Formula One will return to Africa after 33 years, with Rwanda securing a 10-year deal to host a Grand Prix from the early 2030s, promising tourism, investment and jobs.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded its first physical protection advisory mission to Pakistan, stating that the country has established a "robust nuclear security regime" for its nuclear material and facilities. The mission, conducted from September 28 to October 9, reviewed Pakistan's legislative framework and assessed measures at a nuclear facility, noting continuous improvements and contributions to nuclear security expertise.
The Noise-Free Nations Index is created annually by an award-winning African tour company, Go2Africa by assessing countries using seven measures, covering population and visitor concentration, rural landscapes, protected areas, road traffic, airports and railways.
