Opposition urges President to sack CEC, suspend SIR and restore '13.30 crore deleted' voters (Lead)

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that President Droupadi Murmu asked the Opposition delegation to submit evidence to substantiate its allegations of vote chori (vote theft), as INDIA bloc leaders met her and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots. A 10-member delegation of INDIA bloc MPs, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and including Rahul Gandhi and Mamata All India Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, met the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum alleging widespread electoral irregularities and an attempt to undermine India's democratic framework. The other members of the delegation were Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby, RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, and VCK President and MP Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan. In the memorandum, the Opposition claimed that elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal had been stolen, alleging large-scale manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral rolls in several Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The delegation, which said it represented Parliamentary parties accounting for more than 60 per cent of the country's population, urged President Murmu to intervene, describing the alleged electoral irregularities as a threat to the constitutional right to vote and the foundations of representative democracy. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said: I sat in quite an unbelievable meeting. First, we took a memorandum to the President of India. In that memorandum, we clearly stated that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar had conspired to destroy Indian democracy. We submitted a memorandum to the President of India, informing her that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are conspiring to destroy Indian democracy, LoP Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also claimed: The President (Droupadi Murmu) in no way denied what we said, questioned what we said, or argued what we said. She accepted our statement and then told us that we needed to provide her with proof of 'election chori'. He added that the President had asked the delegation to furnish evidence backing its claims. She (President Murmu) asked us to provide evidence to substantiate what we have said. We will submit the evidence to her whenever she is available, he said. Rahul Gandhi described the meeting as satisfactory and announced that the Opposition would approach the Supreme Court on October 12 with a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The memorandum placed four major demands before the President: 1. Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and repeal of the 2023 law that, according to the Opposition, provides lifelong immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. 2. Immediate suspension of SIR and restoration of all 13.30 crore voters whom the Opposition alleges were illegally deleted from electoral rolls. 3. A return to paper ballots for all elections, replacing the existing EVM-based voting system. 4. Repeal of Assembly elections held over the preceding two years in which, the Opposition claimed, conclusive evidence of vote theft had been presented. The memorandum said that the right to vote, enshrined in Article 326 of the Constitution, was central to representative democracy. It maintained that the Election Commission was the constitutional custodian of this right and should be accountable for its decisions rather than operate without scrutiny. The Opposition also accused the Chief Election Commissioner of misleading the Supreme Court to cover up alleged electoral wrongdoing. The memorandum called for accountability and urged the President to use her constitutional position to ensure that its demands were addressed without delay. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said President Murmu had listened to the delegation patiently. Kharge said the INDIA bloc leaders had apprised the President Murmu of the agitation launched four days earlier over alleged vote theft and concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. Mamata Banerjee said President Murmu had indicated that she would examine the memorandum and wanted supporting evidence. She (President Murmu) has asked us to send evidence, which we said we (INDIA bloc leaders) will do, Banerjee said, adding that the country was concerned about the state of democracy. The meeting followed several days of Opposition protests against the Election Commission, the SIR exercise and alleged electoral irregularities, with INDIA bloc leaders demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

Centre seeks States help as CJP prepares to go ahead with protest; major curbs in Delhi

Ahead of the October 10 protest demanding CECs resignation, authorities deny permission for Jantar Mantar gathering, put curbs on internet, shut down markets and Metro stations, and cancel dozens of trains bound for capital

Congress MP Akoijam Dismissed By JNU Over Harassment

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has dismissed Professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a Congress MP, following sexual harassment complaints from at least 11 female students. Akoijam, who was a professor at JNU's School of Social Sciences, has denied the allegations, calling his dismissal a witch hunt and questioning the due process. The dismissal has also drawn strong reactions from Manipur politicians, who are demanding his resignation and criticising the Congress party.

President sought evidence of vote chori, says Rahul Gandhi after opposition's meeting on CEC row

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said President Droupadi Murmu had asked the opposition delegation to provide evidence to substantiate its allegations of vote chori (vote theft) following a meeting over the controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. A delegation of INDIA bloc MPs, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, met the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum alleging electoral irregularities and an attempt to undermine Indian democracy. The other members of the delegation were Mamata All India Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, J&K Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, CPI-M General Secretary M. A. Baby, RJD Rajya Sabha member Prof Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI General Secretary D. Raja, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, and VCK President and MP Dr Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan. The meeting took place after several days of protests by Opposition leaders against the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the electoral process. The Opposition has also been demanding Gyanesh Kumars resignation. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Gandhi said the delegation had raised concerns about the alleged role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. We submitted a memorandum to the President of India, informing her that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are conspiring to destroy Indian democracy, he said. Gandhi added that the President asked the delegation to provide evidence supporting its allegations. She asked us to provide evidence to substantiate what we have said. We will submit the evidence to her whenever she is available, Gandhi said. He described the meeting as satisfactory, noting that the President had neither rejected nor questioned the delegations submissions. Gandhi further announced that the opposition would approach the Supreme Court on Monday with a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India. Congress President Kharge said the President had listened to the delegation patiently. Leaders from our alliance met the President and submitted a memorandum. We apprised the President of the agitation we launched four days ago regarding the theft of votes, he said. He said the delegation highlighted what it described as serious concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission and CEC Gyanesh Kumar. We underlined the issue of vote theft and the grave error committed by Gyanesh Kumar. We demanded that EVMs be set aside and elections be conducted using ballot papers, Kharge said. Mamata Banerjee said: We have submitted a memorandum. We have seen from a positive outlook that she said she will investigate; she will go through the details, and she needs evidence. She has asked us to send evidence, which we said we will do. The country is very concerned, and you, as a custodian of the Constitution, should take proper care so the democracy remains, she added.

2nd T20I: There Is Only One Way To Go, Says Samson After Aggressive 82-run Blitz

JSCA International Stadium Complex: Sanju Samson said his responsibility as an India opener was to provide the team with a strong start and insisted there was no room to change his approach despite a string of low scores, after his blistering 82 off 41 balls powered India to 249/5 against the West Indies in the second T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here on Friday. Samson, who struck nine fours and four sixes, said he continued to trust his preparation and training while accepting that results in the shortest format were not always within a player's control. Being a professional cricketer playing for India, you definitely take care of the professional side of it. You do your preparation, you do your practice, you do your training, you do everything possible in your hands. But, to be very honest, we all know in this format the result is not in your hands, but there is only one way to go, Samson said after the innings. You can't say I've had three bad innings, so let's take some time, let's build my innings, and then we will see. No, there is only one way to go. I think the team comes first. My job is to just give a great start for my country, and I try to do that. I take responsibility when I get out also, so that's totally fine, and I'm taking the blame on me. I don't blame anyone else for not scoring runs. That's my job, and I try to do it every time I step out to the ground. Samson's knock set the platform for India's imposing total, with Ishan Kishan contributing 43 off 22 balls before being bowled by Roston Chase. The off-spinner also dismissed Shivam Dube for seven, while Shamar Springer ended Samson's innings when Kamil Pooran took a catch in the deep. Shreyas Iyer then provided the late impetus with a quickfire 40 off 18 deliveries, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 44 off just 18 balls. The pair's aggressive stand helped India recover from a brief middle-order wobble and finish with a daunting total. Reflecting on the conditions, Samson said batting was not straightforward at the start, with the ball skidding through and occasionally staying low. That's the thing about playing at different venues. I got to bat yesterday in the centre, so we could understand a bit that the ball might skid a bit and stay a bit low. It was staying a bit low and skidding through, but we just had one wicket to go. I think we just had to go for it, and things came off nicely today, he said. Asked whether he picked specific targets after getting set, Samson said he preferred to react to the ball rather than plan shots. I just try to look at the ball and have a very positive frame of mind. If the ball is in my area, I definitely go for it. It doesn't matter if it's over cover or over long-on. It depends on where the bowler is bowling. I don't like to get a bit premeditated. I just like to be blunt, watch the ball and back my instincts, he said. Despite India's commanding score, Samson cautioned that the West Indies' powerful batting line-up could make the chase challenging. I just try to look at the ball and have a very positive frame of mind. If the ball is in my area, I definitely go for it. It doesn't matter if it's over cover or over long-on. It depends on where the bowler is bowling. I don't like to get a bit premeditated. I just like to be blunt, watch the ball and back my instincts, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

CDS General N.S. Raja Subramani opens residential block for sailors at Karwar Naval base

Digital Desk | Karwar, Oct 9 (IANS) General N.S. Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff and Department of Military Affairs Secretary, inaugurated the residential accommodation for senior sailors and Defence civilians of Indian Navy, an official said on Friday. The accommodation, critical trunk utility and amenity infrastructure are a part of Project Seabird Phase IIA at Naval Base in Karnataka's Karwar, the official said in a statement. The inauguration was held in the presence of Vice Admiral Vivek Dahiya, Director General Seabird, and other senior officers, it said. The residential accommodation at East of Manzil Creek (EOMC) and Amadalli inaugurated on Thursday consists of one tower of senior sailors married accommodation comprising 60 dwelling units (DUs), one tower of 60 DUs for Naval Defence civilians, in living accommodation for 156 Defence Security Corps personnel, and a KG school, the statement said. The residential accommodations with amenity facilities have been constructed by Hyderabad-based NCC Ltd, and the trunk infrastructure by Cemindia Projects, the statement issued by the Defence Ministry said. These infrastructure developments are part of ongoing Phase IIA of Project Seabird to support basing of ships and submarines at Karwar, the statement said. The scope includes construction of a dual-use Naval Air Station, a full-fledged Naval Dockyard, and logistics facilities for ships and aircraft, it added. The Naval base housing nearly 10,000 uniformed and civilian personnel with families, will significantly boost the local economy, industry and tourism and create numerous direct and indirect job opportunities for the Uttara Kannada region, it said. The project conforms to extant norms of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and upon completion would be IGBC Gold rated. The project aligns with the concept of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', sourcing more than 90 per cent of materials and equipment domestically, the statement said. In a separate development, Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff on Friday in a statement on social media platform X said, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, #WNC, interacted with student officers of #DSTSC09 and other ongoing courses at #MILIT and spoke on 'The Evolving Maritime Battlespace: Operational Perspectives from the Western Seaboard'. He (Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan) shared insights into the strategic relevance of the Indian Ocean Region, Multi-Domain Operations, lessons from #OpSindoor, and Capability Development for future warfare. The Admiral also extended greetings on #AirForceDay, emphasising jointness and integrated operations, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff said.

CPI Leader Urges PM Modi to Reopen Jantar Mantar for Protests

CPI leader Sandosh Kumar calls for reopening Jantar Mantar, demanding restoration of citizens right to protest and questioning government actions. CPI Leader Urges PM Modi to Reopen Jantar Mantar for Protests

PHC medical officer held while taking bribe in Bihars Vaishali district

Digital Desk | Patna, Oct 9 (IANS) A team from the Vigilance Investigation Bureau (VIB), Bihar, on Friday arrested Dr Kamini Prasad, Medical Officer-in-Charge of Patedhi Belsar Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Vaishali district, while she was allegedly accepting a bribe in exchange for releasing pending incentive payments. The officer is accused of demanding a 10% commission to clear the outstanding payments. The vigilance team also took the PHCs Head Assistant, Dhirendra Kumar and Data Operator, Himanshu Kumar, into custody for questioning. The operation triggered a stir within the Health Department. Investigators are examining the allegations and the possible roles of other staff members. According to an official, the action followed a complaint by Jaipal Singh, a Community Health Officer (CHO) posted at the Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Mishrauliya-Afzalpur under the Patedhi Belsar block. Singh alleged that his incentive payments had remained pending for more than three months and that Dr Prasad was demanding a 10% commission to release the amount. He subsequently approached the Vigilance Investigation Bureau. After receiving the complaint, the bureau reportedly verified the allegations and planned an operation. Vigilance personnel in plain clothes were deployed around the PHC on Friday morning. According to the available account, Singh handed over the money provided by the vigilance team to Dr Prasad in her office. The team then intervened and arrested her on the spot. The investigators subsequently took Head Assistant Dhirendra Kumar and Data Operator Himanshu Kumar into custody for questioning to establish whether they had any role in the alleged bribery case. The operation caused commotion on the PHC premises as the vigilance team carried out the arrests. The exact amount allegedly recovered during the operation has not yet been confirmed. The Vigilance Investigation Bureau is continuing its investigation and questioning those taken into custody. Further details, including the findings of the investigation and the alleged roles of the other employees, are expected to emerge as the case progresses. The allegations against the individuals remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.

Delhi Police expects around 7,000 protesters on October 10; 6 big detention centres set up

Delhi Police anticipates around 7,000 protesters will arrive in the national capital on October 10. Measures are in place to prevent any unauthorized gatherings, and detention centers have been established. Police personnel are instructed to handle protests with professionalism while avoiding provocations. The Cockroach Janta Party is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in electoral rolls.

If we continue to push the way we have in last three-four days, I guarantee this government will fall, says Rahul Gandhi

INDIA bloc MPs, including prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee, are set to meet President Droupadi Murmu. They are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amidst allegations of electoral irregularities. Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence that persistent opposition efforts could lead to the government's downfall. The protest against Kumar focuses on issues related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Bengal RTO Official, Middleman Arrested For Bribery

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.

Unprecedented security clampdown in Delhi; 25k personnel deployed, 57 metro stations shut, mobile internet suspended

New Delhi, Oct 9: An unprecedented security clampdown has been enforced in the Capital ahead of Saturday, after Delhi Police denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, with the deployment of 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel, closure of 57 metro stations, suspension of internet services and intensive checks at city's border points, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels and other sensitive locations. According to police, the elaborate security arrangements are aimed at preventing protesters from staging an unauthorised sit-in at Jantar Mantar and to maintain law and order across the city amid the possibility of large-scale mobilisation of people. Internet services will be suspended within a 4-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10, sources said. The Union home ministry has approved the decision, they said. The suspension will apply to all mobile internet services. Internet services in the rest of Delhi will remain unaffected, they said. The New Delhi district has been divided into 20 zones to strengthen security arrangements and maintain law and order. Each of the 20 zones will be monitored by a Joint Commissioner of Police, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police to ensure close supervision of the security arrangements, the sources said. Special Commissioners of Police heading various units will also closely monitor the zones and coordinate with senior officers whenever required to respond to any law-and-order situation, they added. Addressing a press conference, Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad said on Friday that police have denied permission for the proposed October 10 demonstration, citing the short notice given for the event and alleged violations of rules and directions during an earlier protest. She said the application seeking permission for the demonstration was submitted on October 7, just three days before the proposed gathering, adding that according to rules, such applications have to be submitted at least 10 days in advance Police said the application did not meet the stipulated notice period and that the conduct of the July demonstration had raised concerns over compliance with directions issued by authorities. The restrictions have been proposed in view of the Cockroach Janata Party's protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Kumar is facing allegations of voter-list tampering under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and of bypassing his two colleagues to alter Form 6, a key document to register as a voter. As part of the security arrangements, Delhi Police conducted mock drills at several locations. More than 120 companies of Central Armed Police Forces are expected to be involved in the security arrangements. Liquor shops across Delhi have been ordered to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure. Entry and exit gates at 57 Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk and Kashmere Gate, will remain closed from 9 pm on Friday till further notice. According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), restrictions will also continue on October 10, with the interchange facility remaining available at all affected stations except for the New Delhi metro station. Other prominent stations where entry and exit gates will remain closed include Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Hauz Khas and INA. The list also includes Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia, Okhla Vihar, Kalindi Kunj, Lajpat Nagar, Ashram, Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin, Welcome, Shahdara, Rithala, Rohini, Azadpur, Kashmere Gate and Shivaji Stadium, among others. Railway services are also expected to be disrupted, with several trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday reported cancelled. The restrictions are intended to prevent large groups from converging on sensitive locations and moving towards areas where demonstrations are not permitted. The proposed measures could affect office-goers, students, shoppers and other commuters who rely on the metro for daily travel. Passengers have been advised to check official announcements. Meanwhile, police have stepped up monitoring of social media platforms, with more than 200 content creators reportedly under scrutiny in connection with mobilisation for the protest. Borders of the national capital will also face heightened surveillance and additional security cameras have been installed. There is a possibility of restrictions on vehicles entering New Delhi after 6 am on Saturday, depending on the security assessment and the situation on the ground, police sources said. Hotels, lodges, guest houses and dharamshalas are being checked as part of the preventive security exercise. Police are also issuing appeals from various mosques and temples, urging people to maintain peace. Bus terminals across the Capital will witness heightened vigilance, with security personnel monitoring passengers and vehicles arriving from neighbouring states. The airport and its approach roads are expected to remain under heightened security, with additional checks and surveillance to ensure that passenger movement remains orderly. Travellers heading to the airport have been advised to account for possible congestion and security checks while planning their journeys. Police will keep a close watch on people associated with the protest and assess attempts to mobilise supporters through social media platforms. More than 200 content creators have reportedly come under scrutiny as part of the monitoring exercise. Police teams are examining online posts and messages relating to mobilisation, gathering points and the proposed demonstration. Police said security personnel will monitor developments throughout Saturday and respond to any incidents, including crowd build-up, traffic obstructions and attempts to breach barricades.

Gauhati HC grants bail to co-singer in Zubeen Garg death case

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 9 (IANS) The Gauhati High Court on Friday granted bail to Amritprava Mahanta, a co-singer of late Assam music icon Zubeen Garg, in the case related to his death in Singapore in September last year, making her the first accused in the case to secure bail, officials said. However, it remains unclear whether she will be released from jail, as there may be other cases pending against her. Mahanta was granted bail on a bond of Rs 50,000. She was arrested by the Assam Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) on October 2, 2025, after several hours of questioning, and has remained lodged in Haflong Jail since her arrest. Garg, 52, died on September 19, 2025, while swimming in the sea off Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the North East India Festival. His death triggered widespread outrage across Assam, with fans and members of the public demanding a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Following the public outcry, the Assam government constituted an SIT to investigate the case. The probe subsequently led to the arrest of several people who had accompanied the singer during his Singapore visit. Those arrested included festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma, and band members Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta. The SIT later filed a chargesheet accusing Amritprava Mahanta, Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddhartha Sharma and Shekharjyoti Goswami of murder. Garg's cousin, Sandipan Garg, was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. In contrast, his two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, were charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. The investigation has focused on the circumstances surrounding Garg's death during his Singapore trip. The charges against the accused remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the allegations have yet to be established through trial. Mahanta's bail marks a significant development in the high-profile case, which has continued to draw considerable public attention in Assam since the singer's death. Earlier, Garg's two personal security officers had secured bail in a separate case concerning alleged financial transactions. However, they could not be released as other cases against them were also pending before the courts. The investigation and subsequent court proceedings have remained under close public scrutiny, with the circumstances of the singer's death continuing to be a major concern for his fans and the people of Assam.

CJP protest in Delhi: Mobile internet suspended near Janpath-Kartavya Path

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) As part of the beefed-up security ahead of the CJP protest, the Delhi Police announced the temporary suspension of internet and mobile internet services in a 4 km radius from the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing from Friday evening. The 24-hour suspension of mobile internet services would continue till 10 p.m. on Saturday, said a police official. The Delhi Police have maintained that permission for the proposed CJP demonstration has been denied due to the organisers' failure to comply with legal directions and their own undertakings during an earlier protest. After seeking the nod from the Union Home Ministry for the suspension of internet services, Manishi Chandra, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell (HQ), wrote to nodal officers of telecom companies to take steps for implementing the 24-hour curbs. The DCPs letter received by the telecom companies said the curbs are being enforced as the Union Home Secretary has considered and approved the police request for suspending internet services under sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, read with Section 20(2)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, to suspend mobile internet services. The telecom operators were requested to enforce the internet curbs at and around a radius of 4 km from the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing from 10 p.m. on Friday to 10 p.m. on Saturday. The internet curbs were in addition to the closure of 57 Delhi Metro stations that came into force from 9 p.m. on Friday. The police said Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was in force in the New Delhi area, with preventive restrictions imposed to maintain public order and safety. The proposal to shut down stations has been sent to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) officials, said an official. These stations include Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Lok Kalyan Marg, Supreme Court, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, ITO, Delhi Gate, Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin, Lajpat Nagar, Jangpura, Vishwavidyalaya, Civil Lines, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Millia Islamia, Ashram, Rohini West, Welcome, Shalimar Bagh, Adarsh Nagar and Hauz Khas. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Railways, B. Bharat Reddy said that they have deployed 334 Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel and sought 14 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to strengthen security arrangements ahead of the CJP protest scheduled for Saturday at Jantar Mantar. Speaking to IANS, Reddy said special security arrangements had been made at major railway stations to manage the movement of protesters arriving in Delhi by train to participate in the demonstration. CJP has called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. For protesters coming to Delhi by train to participate in the demonstration, we have deployed 334 GRP personnel and sought 14 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). The deployment will be round-the-clock. Delhi has seven major railway stations that receive the highest number of trains and witness the highest footfall, he said. He added that security personnel would remain deployed round-the-clock at these stations. Addressing concerns over travel disruptions, Reddy said passengers whose trains had not been diverted and were scheduled to arrive at their designated stations would face no inconvenience.

Quit if polls were rigged, Kerala BJP tells CM Satheesan

Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) The Kerala BJP has turned the Congress national leaderships allegations of electoral manipulation into a political challenge for the UDF government, demanding that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan resign if the claims imply that the Kerala Assembly election was not legitimate. BJP Legislature Party leader B.B. Gopakumar on Friday wrote to the Chief Minister, asking him to clarify his position on the allegations. With the Assembly session beginning on Monday, the BJP has warned of strong protests inside and outside the House. The partys argument rests on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges recent statement that elections across the country were illegal and that the elected Assemblies and Parliament should be dissolved. Kharge had demanded fresh elections using ballot papers, alleging irregularities involving electronic voting machines and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Gopakumar argued that Keralas Assembly election, held after the SIR exercise, would also fall within the scope of the Congress allegations. If the Congress leadership believes the electoral process was manipulated, the Chief Minister must explain how he can continue in office on the strength of the same election, he said. The BJP leader also pointed out that Rathan U. Kelkar, who was the Chief Electoral Officer in charge of the SIR process in Kerala, is now the Chief Ministers secretary. Satheesan must clarify whether he accepts the Congress allegations and whether they cast doubt on the electoral process and the officials who conducted it, Gopakumar said. He accused the Congress of using SIR to cover up its electoral setbacks and described its allegations as politically motivated. He also criticised Satheesan for joining the opposition protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. The BJPs challenge comes amid an escalating political confrontation over SIR. The Congress has demanded the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revision, while the BJP has defended the poll process and challenged the oppositions claims. The BJP intends to make the issue a major point of confrontation when the Assembly meets on Monday. Gopakumar has demanded a clear answer from the Chief Minister: if he accepts the Congress leaderships allegations, he must resign.

Best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables for iPhone, iPad and Mac for 2026

Macworld USB-C is the modern connection standard shared by most new devices today. It comes in several different formatsUSB-C, USB4 and Thunderboltbut they all have the same reversible connector at the end and are interchangeable and backwards compatible. All of Apples new devices now use USB-C or Thunderbolt for charging and data transfers. Some cables are only really good for charging as their data-transfer (bandwidth) rate is too slow to be practical. In the reviews below we note both charging power (measured in watts) and data-transfer rate measured in either megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). If you are connecting the cable to a monitor, storage device, hub or docking station the minimum data speed should be 5Gbps but go higher if you can. If you just want to use it for charging an iPhone, iPad or MacBook, the data speed matters less. Weve tried and tested the best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables here. If you want to jump straight to our recommendations click the one that meets your requirements: Best USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad Best USB-C cable for Mac Best Thunderbolt 5 cables Best Thunderbolt 4 cables You can find cheaper online but we recommend cables only from trusted brands, such as Anker, Apple, Beats, Belkin, Cable Matters, CalDigit, Native Union, Plugable, and Ugreen. When charging your precious devices, you want to be sure that you arent putting them at risk of overheating and potentially causing a fire in your home. Apples old Lightning connector was also reversiblewhere it doesnt matter which side of the connector faces up or down as you plug it inso no big change there, but USB-C is much more than just a symmetrical design. It can transfer data much fasterpushing Lightnings 0.48Gbps to up to 120Gbps. Apples iPhone 15 and newer have a USB-C port, replacing the old trusty but proprietary Lightning cable that has been a part of iPhones and older iPads since 2012. Apple supplies a USB-C charging cable in the box, but if you want a single cable for fast charging and data transfersor just a spare charging cableweve rounded up some of our favorites to help you get the best one. Some are fast, some are super-powerful, some are both, a few are retractable, and some are just fun. Yes fun! We go into more detail about everything you need to know about USB-C cables after the chart of best cables, but for now you need to know about the cable of your dreams: Which speed (measured in watts) your devices require : an iPhone needs at least 20W to fast-charge, an iPad 30W, a MacBook Air at least 70W, a MacBook Pro 100W and the 16-inch Pro 140W. While the MacBook Neo doesnt officially support fast charging, a 30W charger will speed things up but any higher wont likely do much more for that laptop model. Do you need it to transfer data as well as supply power? Most charging cables are limited to a rather slow 480Mbps data rate. If you want proper bandwidth as well as charging power look for at least 5Gbps or as much as 80Gbps. How long should it be: if the charger is within arms reach of your device a short cable might suffice where a long cable will just be an inconvenience, but if you want to charge your iPhone, Pad or MacBook while sat on the sofa a longer cable will make all the difference. Weve supplied the cable data to these questions in our reviews below. The difference between USB-A, Lightning, USB-C, and Thunderbolt Foundry Thunderbolt looks identical to USB-C and uses the same connector, but is much faster. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 can reach 40Gbps, and Thunderbolt 5 stretches as far as 80Gbps (and even 120Gbps unidirectionally). Note that the cables reviewed here are USB-C to USB-C (or backwards-compatible Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt ). Old iPhone chargers had the non-reversible rectangular USB-A connector to connect to the charger and a Lightning connector that went into the iPhone. Dont stick with legacy USB-A at one end as the old standard is limited in data transfer speed to 10Gbps and pegged back in charging speed to just a rather pathetic 15W. Apple Using a USB-C charger will enable fast charging even for iPhones with a Lightning port. You can still charge an Apple device with a USB-A charger but not at the fastest speed. From the iPhone 15 onwards its USB-C into the charger and USB-C into the iPhone. See our roundup of the best USB-C chargers for iPhone . We have even more tips that show you the fastest ways to charge an iPhone . Best USB-C cables for iPhone and iPad Elsewhere we have rounded up the best Lightning cables weve seen for iPhones older than the iPhone 15. USB-A is the larger, non-reversible connector. USB-C is required for iPhone fast charging. From the iPhone 15 onwardsalso from the AirPods Pro 2 youll need a cable with USB-C on both ends ( USB-C-to-USB-C ) to charge an iPhone or iPad unless you charge wirelessly: check out the best MagSafe wireless iPhone chargers . All iPads on sale today feature a USB-C connector. But even the 10th Gen iPads USB-C is still limited to a 480Mbps data speed. The iPad mini has a USB-C port that supports 5Gbps; the iPad Air 10Gbps; and the iPad Pro has a USB4/Thunderbolt port that can zip data along at 40Gbps. Check your iPads data transfer rate before choosing a new cable. For charging only, any of the USB-C cables reviewed below will be fine as 20W should be enough to charge even an iPad. But if you are connecting to other devices or syncing via cable, we recommend cables that support faster data transfers. A 10Gbps USB-C cable, such as the Cable Matters cord below, is an excellent option if you dont want to spend a bundle on Thunderbolt. Apple 60W USB-C Charge Cable (1m) If it must be Apple Pros Made by Apple 60W Power Delivery Robust woven design Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $19 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $19 View Deal $25.97 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Colors: White Best for: Charging iPhone 15-18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro If you want every iPhone accessory you own to be made by Apple, go with Apples own USB-C Charge Cable as a spare USB-C iPhone charging cableat 60W its powerful enough to charge even a MacBook Air. At $19 / 19 its a fine, if comparatively expensive, solution. Unlike Apples rather feeble plastic USB-C to Lightning cables, this 3.3ft (1m) charging cable has a robust woven design that means it is far less likely to fray or break with frequent winding and tugging. Apple also sells a $29 2m USB-C Charge Cable that is now also wovenits rated at up to 240W, overkill for an iPhone but top-end charging for any Apple USB-C device. Its USB 2.0 data-transfer speed is super slow compared to 5Gbps or faster USB-C cables but its the same as Lightning. That doesnt make a difference when charging your iPhone but if you are syncing an iPad or Mac via cable, transfer speeds will be frustrating. As the iPhone 15/16/17/18 Pro models boast 10Gbps data transfer, this cables low bandwidth is a bit of a disappointment if you use the cable for syncing. Its available in only white. If you fancy a color that matches your new iPhone or your soft furnishings, you need to read on for one of the third-party USB-C cables that we recommendstarting with the poppy Beats cables. Beats USBC to USBC Woven Cable (1.5m) The colors! Pros Made by Apple (sort of) 60W Power Delivery Robust woven design Punchy colors Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $18.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $7.60 View Deal $7.6 View Deal $11.99 View Deal $18.99 View Deal $18.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Charging: 60W Cable length: 5ft (1.5m) Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Colors: Power Pink, Rapid Red, Bolt Black, Surge Stone, Nitro Navy Best for: Charging iPhone 15-18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro Beats is an Apple company so its just as trustworthy, and these tangle-free 60W cables are not only a cent cheaper than Apples white cable, they are half as long again and available in some great colors to make life feel that bit more vibrant. A 3m version ( $29.95 ) supports charging up to 240W, which is aimed more at MacBooks but might suit your needs if the charger is on the other side of your room and you are doomscrolling TikTok videos in bed. Data transfer is slow, so thislike many iPhone cablesis mainly a charging cable. Anker 310 USB-C to USB-C Cable Best budget USB-C charging cable for iPhone and iPad Pros Twin pack 60W Power Delivery Robust braided design Length options Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $9.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $7.99 View Deal $14.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m) Colors: Black, Gray, Red Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro This 60W USB-C charging cable is available three colors, which can be useful if you need to distinguish between cablesor know who in your household borrowed your charging cable Available in two lengths ( 3ft or 6ft ) the Anker 310 is top quality, with a tough braided construction thats super affordableespecially in this twin pack. Its data-transfer speed is slow (480Mbps) but, for charging an iPhone or small MacBook, its just what you need at a price that significantly undercuts Apple. And, as youll read later in this feature, its perfectly good for charging iPads and mid-sized MacBooks, too. Native Union Belt Cable Duo USB-C to Lightning Cable Premium hybrid charge cable for iPhone & iPad Pros Charges USB-C and Lightning devices 60W Power Delivery Robust braided design Color options Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $39.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check on Amazon Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 5ft (1.5m) Colors: Cosmos, Kraft, Slate Green, Zebra Best for: Charging all iPhones, charging all iPads, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro This 60W USB-C charging cable is a great choice for people who own a pre-15 USB-C iPhone or a later phone but still have Apple devices with a Lightning charging portthink older AirPods or pre-USB-C iPad. It has USB-C on one end to plug into your charger but at the other theres a fixed choice between USB-C and Lightning. You cant charge two devices at the same time but you wont need to have two cables near you at all times if you still own some Lightning devices Its available in three unique colors and patterns, which should also make it easier to distinguish in your crowded cable drawer, and its braided for durability. Rolling Square inCharge XL Best hybrid charge cable for iPhone, iPad & MacBook Pros Charges USB-C, Lightning and MicroUSB devices 100W Power Delivery Pouch and cable tidy included Color options Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: From $34.90 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $34.90 View Deal Rolling Square $34.90 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 0.5ft (15cm), 1ft (30cm). 6.6ft (2m), 10ft (3m) Colors: Urban Black, Glacier White, and Summit Yellow Best for: Charging all iPhones, charging all iPads, charging all MacBooks Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, syncing MacBook Pro The inCharge XL a well-built clever cable that charges nearly everything as fast as is possible, is simple to use, and easy to keep protected with its tied cap and travel pouch. Its a boon if you have older Lightning devices as well as USB-C Apple gear and even fiddly MicroUSB gadgets. The older adapters slide from the USB-C connectors, and are protected when not in use by a protective tied cap. The custom nylon cable itself is braided with reinforced. The clever part is that the Lightning connector also works as the MicroUSB adapter. Remarkably, it stays reversible unlike the ultra-fiddly MicroUSB.0 There are six charging options: USB-C to USB-C; USB-C to Lightning; USB-C to MicroUSB; USB-A to USB-C, which I cant see ever being used; USB-A to Lightning; and USB-A to MicroUSB. It can charge to 100W using the base USB-C to USB-C configuration, which is enough to fast-charge all but the 16-inch MacBook Pro. 100W is fine for the 16-inch but you need 140W (PD 3.1) for fast charging that particular model. The Rolling Square inCharge XL might be all you need for charging, but look elsewhere for cables with a decent data-transfer rate. Read our full Rolling Square inCharge XL 6-in-1 charging cable review Anker 140W 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable Dual USB-C charge cable for iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pros Charges USB-C and Lightning devices 140W Power Delivery Robust braided design Cons All ends look the same Price When Reviewed: $17.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $16.99 View Deal $17.99 View Deal $17.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 140W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 4ft (1.2m) or 6ft (1.8m) Colors: Black, White Best for: Charging all iPhones, charging all iPads, charging all MacBooks Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro This cable supports up to 140W power delivery so is good for even the 16-inch MacBook Pro but is just as able with the iPhone or even your AirPods case. But its special feature is the two ends that mean you can attach it to one charger but two USB-C devices. The full 140W is available only when one device is connected unless the other is fully charged. When charging two devices, power is shared out. For example, with a MacBook Pro taking 112W, the second device would take just 18W (just enough for Apples iPhone fast charging), or both could output 50W to the two devices. When two devices are being charged at the same time, the device first plugged in receives the higher power. Its a neat solution but wed have preferred the three ends to be marked in some way as they each look the same, so the one that is plugged into the charger can be confused with one of the others at that moment. Statik PowerStand USB-C cable stand Best charge cable with a kickstand Price When Reviewed: $19.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check on Amazon Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 6.6ft (2m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging all MacBooks Not for: Syncing iPads or MacBooks Most cables are pretty floppy things, even when nicely braided. The Statik PowerStand is a USB-C to USB-C cable with built-in foldable kickstand at one end, supporting both landscape and portrait orientations-so great for passive viewing and video calls. At 240W its powerful enough to fast-charge even the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro at full speed, although its 480Mbps bandwidth is not up to much if you want to transfer data rather than just charge. Cable Matters 10Gbps USB-C to USB-C Cable Best charge and data cable for iPhone and iPad Pros 100W Power Delivery 4K monitor support 10Gbps data transfer Available in Black and White Price When Reviewed: $20.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $12.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 10Gbps Monitor support: 4K Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) and 6ft (1.8m) Colors: Black or White Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging and syncing iPad, charging MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing MacBooks, charging 16-inch MacBook Pro Apple has increased wired data transfer bandwidth to 10Gbps on the iPhone 15/16/17/18 Pro and Pro Max20x faster than the USB-C of the plain iPhone 15/16s 480Mbps (0.48Gbps). If you want to take advantage of this significantly increased wired bandwidth, youll need a cable like this one from Cable Matters that also supports 10Gbps, as the USB-C cable that Apple includes with all the iPhones is really for charging only and rated at 480Mbps. It can also charge at up to 100Wmore than enough for an iPhone but also enough for even the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Its fine for a 16-inch Pro but fast-charging that laptop requires a 240W cable. MacBook and iPad Pro owners may prefer a Thunderbolt cable with 40Gbps data transfer. Its available in black or white and 3ft or 6ft lengths. Anker 515 USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB4) Best charge and data cable for iPad Pro Pros 240W Power Delivery 40Gbps data transfer 6K monitor support for iPad Pro 8K monitor support for Mac Cons Short Price When Reviewed: $29.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $29.99 View Deal Anker $29.99 View Deal $29.99 View Deal $29.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 40Gbps Monitor support: 6K (iPad Pro) 8K (Mac) Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging and syncing iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro For ultimate iPad Pro data transfer bandwidth, choose a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 cable. This USB4 can be used with the iPhone 15/16/17/18 and any MacBookeven the mighty 16-inch MacBook Proas its 240W/40Gbps specs are broadly Thunderbolt 3 compatible. Anker notes that it is not a fully Thunderbolt 4 cable so if you need that, keep reading. This Anker 515 USB4 cable is overpowered from a charging point of view but therefore offers some Apple tablet and laptop future-proofing. Remember, you wont harm your iPad or Mac using a premium higher-wattage cable. Where it wins is its 40Gbps data bandwidth, the maximum youll get from any USB-C cable, and capable of connecting an iPad Pro to a 6K USB-C display at 60Hz. Via a Mac, it could support an 8K display. Anker 333 USB-C Cable (10ft) Best long USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad Pros Long cable 100W Power Delivery Robust braided design Color options Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $13.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $9.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 10ft (3m) Colors: Black, Red, Silver Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air or MacBook Pro Sometimes you just need a very long charging cable. Maybe your wall socket is on the other side of the sofa or deskor even in another roomand you need your iPhone to hand for calls and messaging. This 10-foot (3m) USB-C cable should be long enough for you. Sometimes you need a more colorful charging cable. Ok, you dont really need a more colorful charging cable but its nice to have the option. If you want even more color variations, but at a shorter cable length, keep reading Available in black, red or silver, this USB-C cable can charge at a fast 100Wmore than enough for an iPhone or iPad and plenty for a MacBook. CableCreation Short USB-C to USB-C Cable Best short USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad Pros Short cable 60W Power Delivery Robust braided design Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $8.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $7.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 0.8ft, 9.6in (0.24m, 24cm) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro There are times when you dont want a long cable snaking all over your desk or tabletop. All you need is a short cable to charge your device. While we have seen shorter than this 9.6-inch USB-C to USB-C cable, some that weve tested have been flaky at charging so we prefer to go with a brand that we trust. It is too short to tangle but long enough to dangle from a wall charger, and is also available in a two pack or pack of five . If you need a short cable but faster charging speed look at the 6-inch (15cm) Plugable Cable that offers 240W power but zero data transfer, which it claims as a data-security feature. Also worth considering is the Nimble PowerKnit 3 Cable Travel Kit , available from the Apple Store . This is a three-pack of really short 5-inch 60W recycled USB-C cables with connectors for USB-C and Lightning connector, plus USB-A. Native Union POP Cable Best coiled USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad Pros Short long cables 60W Power Delivery Coiled Color options Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $19.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $19.99 View Deal Native Union $19.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 1ft to 5.9ft (0.3m to 1.8m) Colors: Black, Alarm Red, Pine, Sandstone, Lemon, Candy, Azur, Slate Green Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro If sometime you need a long cable but are mostly happy with a short one, consider a coiled USB-C cable such as the POP Cable from Native Union. Its shortest length is 1ft (0.3m) but can easily be pulled up to 4ft (1.2m) and can stretch to a maximum 5.9ft (1.8m). The POP Cable XL ($34.99) goes from 1.6ft (0.5m) but can easily be pulled up to 7.9ft (2.4m) and can stretch to a maximum 9.8ft (3m). Not only does it stretch to your needs of the moment, it adds a touch of nostalgia for those who remember when landline phones came with a twisty cord, and adds a blast of color to your desk. Cable Matters Retractable USB-C 2.0 Charging Cable Best retractable short 60W USB-C cable Pros Retractable 60W Power Delivery Tangle free Two pack Cons Slow data-transfer speed Short Price When Reviewed: $16.49 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Cable length: 4 inches (0.1m) to 3.5ft (1m) Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro A long trailing cable is just about excusable if hidden behind a desk but is wholly inappropriate in a handbag or stuffed in your pocket. Most of us find it helpful to keep a tangle-free charging cable in a car, briefcase or backpack. This cable takes up only a few inches of space when fully retracted. You pull the cable from both ends to extend it to five set lengths: 1ft, 1.5ft, 2.2ft, 3ft and 3.5ft. Data transfer is slow but at 60W it will charge even a mid-sized laptop if connected to a suitable wall charger. Its not braided by feels strong and will be protected in its winding shell. Look out for the two-pack for extra value. Baseus The Baseus Free2Pull Mini , pictured above, is an alternative 60W retractable USB-C cable. Its not a two-pack like the Cable Matters set but is available in four colors: black, blue, purple and white. Pull the cable from both ends to extend it to five set lengths: 1.1ft, 1.9ft, 2.7ft, 3ft and 3.3ft. We review two 100W retractable USB-C cables in the MacBook cable section further down. If you want to fast-charge your MacBook as well as your iPhone or iPad, investing in the 100W models makes more sense. Wave Bio-Based Charging USB-C to USB-C Cable Best eco-friendly USB-C cable Pros Eco friendly 60W Power Delivery Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: From $13 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price WaveCase $13 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) or 6.6ft (2m) Colors: Speckled recycled white Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro The exterior of this sustainable USB-C to USB-C cable is constructed using plant-based materials, thus reducing a reliance on petroleum-based plastics like thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The packaging is recyclable (the bio-based cables are secured by a recyclable paper sleeve) and even the shipping is carbon neutral, offsetting the CO2 produced. Shipping outside the UK is an extra US$6.30 or 6, but if you value the planet thats not a lot to pay. Nimble PowerKnit USB-C to USB-C Best long recycled USB-C cable Pros Long cable 60W Power Delivery Robust braided design Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $24.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Nimble $24.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W to 240W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 3.3ft (1m), 6.6ft (2m), 10ft (3m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro The cable is made from a BPA and PVC-free flexible knit recycled fabric derived from 100% recycled plastic bottles and recycled aluminum cable heads. It feels lovely as well as robust, and is also available in a higher-charging 240W versionthe equally recycled PowerKnit FLEX USB-C to USB-C Cable , sold in a three-pack of 1m, 2m and 3m lengthsmeaning you can stay fully charged and environmentally conscious at the same time. Also available at the Apple Store for $59.99 / 49.99 and Amazon . Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable Best stylish, crossbody lanyard cable Pros Medium-length 2-in-1 cable lanyard 60W Power Delivery Robust braided design Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $29.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $29.99 View Deal $29.99 View Deal $29.99 View Deal Satechi $29.99 View Deal $29.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 5ft (1.5m) Colors: Black, Sand, Desert Rose Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro Cables can do other things, too. This multitasking braided cable is a chic, durable and comfortable crossbody lanyard for your iPhone or office pass. You dont have to worry about being without a charging cable when youre wearing this 2-in-1 lanyard. Detach the ends to reveal the USB-C connectors that will come in handy when you need to charge your iPhone, iPad or MacBook. The 480Mbps transfer speed isnt super-speedy but will get light work done when you need it. QDOS An alternative is the 1.2m QDOS PowerLoop 2 in-1 Lanyard & USB-C Cable that has a marine blue option (pictured above) if the Satechi colors are not to your liking. Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch Best single MacBook/iPad/Watch/AirPods cable Pros Charges (nearly) everything Apple Premium quality long cable Cons Slow data-transfer speed Takes up second port space on MacBook Price When Reviewed: $85 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Check on Amazon Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 5ft (1.5m) Colors: Black, White Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging and syncing iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing MacBooks, charging 16-inch MacBook Pro This special USB-C cable can not only charge a MacBook Pro at 100W but with a wireless Watch/AirPods charging puck on one end it can at the same time power up your Apple Watch or AirPods case. Note that when connected to a MacBook the wireless pad gets in the way of the adjacent Thunderbolt port. If you can live without one while charging, this need not matter but if you always use every port on your MacBook it could be a proble. We like this a lot as we always leave our Watch chargeing cable in another room when hard at work on the Mac. Read our full Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch review Anker 643 USB-C to USB-C Cable Wide USB-C cable color range Pros Color options Tough but flexible silicone 240W Power Delivery Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $16.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $11.99 View Deal $13.99 View Deal Anker $16.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m) Colors: Misty Blue, Daffodil Yellow, Lilac Purple, Coral Pink, Lavender Grey, Mint Green, Cloud White, and Midnight Black Best for: Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro Were big fans of the colorul Beats USB-C cables reviewed above, but if your preferred color isnt supplied there, Ankers choice of eight mostly pastel colors gives you more options than the monochrome alternatives. Apple delights in offering its iPhones in various shades but religiously sticks to white for its charging cables. The color choice depends on charging speed and cable length plus where in the world you are based. Anker also sells a 100W version in the same range of bold colors in case the 240W versions are unavailable and in the same 3ft or 6ft lengths. Anker claims that its 643 cablewith silicone covering a triple-layered system of copper wireshas a tensile strength of 220 lbs (100kg) and can withstand as many as 25,000 bends. We havent tested this as it would hurt our wrists, but it certainly feels tough enough to withstand more everyday rigors. It supports 240W charging so is as powerful as any cable can get, although its not a data-transfer winner. Casetify PowerThru USB-C to USB-C Cable Prettiest USB-C cable Pros Color options Robust braided design with rounded head 60W Power Delivery Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: From $24 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $22 View Deal Casetify $24 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) or 6.6ft (2m) Colors: Cotton Candy, Light Mint, Lavender, Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro This quality USB-C cable, available in two lengths, is from the people at Casetify who create such fun phone cases. They have carried over some of the fun into the dull world of cables with four color options. The Cotton Candy USB-C cable is a real beauty, graduating from a cyan blue to a cute pink. Even the black version is nicely speckled. Youll pay more than usual but you will get a premium braided cable that will bring joy everything you connect it to your device. Best USB-C cables for Mac Only the MacBook Neo uses standard USB-C. Other Macs since the 2016 MacBook Pro have much faster Thunderbolt ports: either Thunderbolt 3, 4 or 5. Plain M1/M2 Macs (not Pro or Max) are listed as Thunderbolt/USB4 but can be regarded as the same as Thunderbolt 4 except for their one-screen limitation. Some of Apples latest Macs feature Thunderbolt 5, which has a potential data transfer rate of 80Gbps (120Gbps for video) and 240W charging power. If you are buying today, we recommend you go for a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 cable, which are the most capable standards and fully backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C. But theyre pricey, and if speedy data transfer is not a priority or you require the cable for charging only, a slower USB-C cable will suffice for fast charging. Below our list of recommended Mac USB-C cables we list our favorite Thunderbolt cables. MacBooks require cables and chargers that support the USB Power Delivery (PD) standard. PD 3.0 supports up to 100W. PD 3.1 goes up to 240W. Check the maximum charging wattage supported by the cable. Smaller MacBooks require at least 45W, mid-sized 60W, and larger 100W. The 16-inch MacBook Pro can be fast-charged at 140W. Anker 310 USB-C to USB-C Cable Best budget 60W PD USB-C charging cable Pros 60W Power Delivery Twin pack Robust braided design Length options Cons Not suitable for monitor connection Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $9.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $7.99 View Deal $14.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Monitor support: No Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m) Colors: Black, Red, Gray Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro Just as we recommended the Anker 310 USB-C cable for iPhones and iPad charging, its hard to go wrong with this to charge small and mid-sized MacBooks, too. Buy the twin pack and use one for whichever Apple device that takes your fancy. Suitable for all MacBook Air models and the 13-inch MacBook Pro, this 60W USB-C cable is able to supply the charge you need to keep those MacBooks powered up. Its data-transfer speed is pretty feeble but as a charging-only cable, this is all you really need. It is not suitable for connecting a Mac to a USB-C monitorthat would require at least a 5Gbps cable. Its braided design makes it toughAnker claims it can be bent and unbent over 10,000 times. In this twin-pack, the Anker 310 USB-C cable is a very affordable option. Cable Matters 6-foot USB-C cable Best budget long 240W PD, 20Gbps USB-C cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 20Gbps data 8K monitor support Long cable Price When Reviewed: $18.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $16.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 20Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging and syncing iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing MacBooks at very fastest speeds This jack-of-all-trades high-quality USB-C cable can charge at up to 240W, transfer data at 20Gbps, and connect a Mac to a 8K monitor. Its a premium build, but its thicker gauge wires make it tricky to roll up as easily or compactly as other cables. It seems churlish to downplay this cables impressive 20Gbps bandwidth but if you need the fastest data transfer, look to a Thunderbolt 4 or better yet Thunderbolt 5 cable. Another 6ft affordable 240W cable is the $24.99 EcoFlow RAPID Pro USB-C to USB-C Cable , which is all you need if you arent using the cable for data transfer. Its hard to get better than the price on this 240W 20Gbps Cable Matters cable, though, and it is a powerhouse on bandwidth as well as charging speed. Ugreen Nexode Retractable USB-C Cable 100W Best retractable short 100W USB-C cable Pros Retractable 100W Power Delivery Tangle free Cons Not suitable for monitor connection Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $15.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Ugreen $15.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Cable length: 1ft (0.3m) to 3ft (0.9m) Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Colors: Gray Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air or MacBook Pro Ugreen offers a tangle-free retractable USB-C cable that is a compact, carry-in-your-pocket cable that, as soon as you hold it, declares itself a must-have. Who doesnt get annoyed by a drawer full of loose snaking cables? Pull the cable from both ends to extend it to four set lengths: 1ft, 1.8ft, 2.5ft and 3fta touch shorter than Cable Matters. It beats its 60W rivals, reviewed in the iPhone/iPad cable section above, by supporting 100W of charging powerenough for even the largest MacBook, whereas the Cable Matters and Baseus cables max out at 60W. Data speed, as with the Cable Matters alternative, is a slow but usable 480Mbps USB 2.0. It will transfer data but its main function is charging. Again, Baseus has a similar length 100W retractable cable thats available in a more exciting range of colors: Black, White, Blue and Purple. Baseus 100W 6.6ft Retractable USB-C Cable Best retractable long 100W USB-C cable Pros Retractable 100W Power Delivery Long Tangle free Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: $21.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $18.99 View Deal Baseus $21.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Cable length: 1.9ft (0.6m) to 6.6ft (2m) Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Colors: Black, White, Purple, Blue Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air or MacBook Pro If you need a longer cable but still want it in neat transportable/storable shape, this cable takes up hardly any space when fully retracted. You pull the cable from both ends to extend it to seven set lengths: 1.9ft, 3.1ft, 4.1ft, 4.9ft, 5.7ft, 6.2ft and 6.6ft. It can charge at 100W so will power up any MacBook when connected to the right USB-C charger, and it comes in four colors just for the fun of it. OWC USB4 40Gbps Active Optical Cable Longest stable 40Gbps cables Pros Up to 16 feet (5m) at 40Gbps Active cable Price When Reviewed: From $98.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price OWC $98.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 60W (16ft); 240W (10ft) Cable length: 10ft (3m) to 16ft (5m) Data transfer speed: 40Gbps Colors: Black Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, iPhone 15 and later, USB-C iPad To maintain a consistently fast transfer of data cables have to be active, which means they include special chip engineering to push the signal through the long cable at the best speed, compared to standard passive cables. The longest weve seen at 40Gbps are these active USB4 cables from OWC that stretch as far as an incredible 16 feet (5 meters) without losing a beat of bandwidth. The longest 16ft cable is limited to 60W of power, but the 10ft cable can manage the full 240W. Further details on our news story about this longest 40Gbps USB-C cable . Statik MagStack Pro USB-C Cable Neat magnetized 100W cable Pros Magnetized coil 100W Power Delivery Long Tangle free Cons Slow data-transfer speed Price When Reviewed: From $22.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $22.99 View Deal Statik $22.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) to 6.6ft (2m) Data transfer speed: 480Mbps Colors: Black, Blue, Blaze Orange Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air or MacBook Pro The braided Statik MagStack Pro cableavailable in 3.3ft (1m) or 6.6ft (2m) lengthscan carry up to 100W of power, but its special power is that its magnetized so automatically wraps up into a neat coil when youre done with it. You can buy it in a bold Blaze Orange as well as Black and Blue. Plugable Charge-Only USB-C Cable (USBC-CC1M) Best data-blocking cable Pros 240W Power Delivery Data blocking Length options Price When Reviewed: $14.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $14.95 View Deal $14.95 View Deal $14.95 View Deal $14.95 View Deal $14.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: n/a Monitor support: No Cable length: 6in (15cm), 3.3ft (1m) or 6.6ft (2m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Syncing any device This 240W USB-C cable is special because of what it doesnt/cant/wont do, which is transfer any data between your connected devices. This becomes a feature as the impossibility of data transfer ensures security in public spaces. Many charging cables retain minimal 480Mbps (USB 2.0) data lines, which is fairly useless anywayif you want bandwidth go for something actually useful, such as the 20Gbps on the Cable Matters cable reviewed above or 40-80Gbps on a Thunderbolt cable. By removing any data delivery at the hardware level, Plugable eliminates potential data security risks with a design that is simpler than other data-blocking solutions that include bulky adapters. Each cable features a distinctive red connector so you can easily distinguish between other cables. Plugable Handily, its available in three lengths: a standard 3.3ft (1m) , a longer 6.6ft (2m) cable, and a five-pack of very short 6-inch (15cm) cables, pictured above. StarTech.com USB-C Charging Cable Best cables for identification markers Pros Quick Identification markers Up to 240W Power Delivery Up to 40Gbps data transfer Up to 8K monitor support Price When Reviewed: From $17 to $21 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $13.73 View Deal $15.99 View Deal $16.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: From 480Mbps to 40Gbps Monitor support: Up to 8K Cable length: 3ft (0.9m), 6ft (1.8m), 10ft (3m), 13ft (4m) Colors: Black IT professionals are often dealing with tens or even thousands of mystery cables, and trying to identify which are charging cables, which are data transfer only, and which work with what video resolution is nigh on impossible unless the cables are labelled. Startech.coms latest range of cablesUSB-C, USB4, HDMi and DisplayPort all feature Quick Identification markers printed directly onto the cables for at-a-glance asset management. If you only own a few cables this might not be so importantif you have a whole office floor of them, its essential. Thunderbolt cables Macs use the Thunderbolt standard that is faster and more capable than USB-C. If all you require the cable for is charging, then the relevant USB-C charging cable should be fine, but for anything requiring fast data transfers go for higher-bandwidth Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt cables are all certified to both speedy charging and very fast data-transfer speeds, whereas you need to check that the USB-C cables you think will do the job actually willalthough buy from our recommendations above and you should be fine. Standard copper passive Thunderbolt cables are also usually shorter as the data loses speed over longer distances. To get around this requires an active Thunderbolt cable that includes sophisticated chip engineering to push the signal along at the best speed, but youll see the price increase accordingly. Anything over 1m in length usually requires active technology. Best Thunderbolt 5 cables Thunderbolt 5 is superior to Thunderbolt 4 with doubled data/video bandwidth (80/120Gbps vs 40Gbps), improved PCIe 4.0 support (32Gbps vs 64Gbps), and enhanced power delivery (240W vs 100W). Its backwards compatible all the way back to USB-C soif you can afford itits a more future-proof solution than Thunderbolt 3 or 4. Thunderbolt 5 transmits up to 80Gbps bidirectionally and 120Gbps in one direction with Bandwidth Boost enabled to support demanding display configurations. Apple Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable (1m) Apple's own 240W PD Thunderbolt 5 cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 80/120Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Robust braided design Cons Short Price When Reviewed: $69 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $69 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 120Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Apples M4 Macs now boast a Thunderbolt 5 port, which can transfer data at up to 80Gbps (120Gbps for video using Bandwidth Boost that creates a unidirectional but fatter pipe)twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4. While there arent many actual Thunderbolt 5 devices out there to connect to at that speed, Apple is right at the front of the technology race as usual. Thunderbolt 5 is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 4, 3 and USB-C so this Thunderbolt 5 cable will work with any USB-C-type device. All Thunderbolt 5 cables support up to 240W charging. Some Thunderbolt 4 cables do the same but most max out at 100W. Cable Matters Active Thunderbolt 5 Cable (6.6ft / 2m) Long 240W 120Gbps cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 80/120Gbps active data transfer 8K monitor support Robust braided design Price When Reviewed: $95.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 120Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 6.6ft (2m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro To reach its 2m length without throttling data-transfer speeds, this cable is built with integrated active circuitry that is compliant with the latest 80GBps/120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 standard. The active design preserves signal integrity where passive cables may fall short, making it ideal for longer connections to Thunderbolt 5 devices, external GPUs, high-resolution displays, and compatible docks. CalDigit Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable Best budget 240W PD Thunderbolt 5 cables at a choice of lengths Pros 240W Power Delivery 80/120Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Robust braided design White color option Price When Reviewed: $29.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $29.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 120Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 1.7ft (0.5m), 3.3ft (1m), 5ft (1.5m) and 6.6ft (2m) Colors: Black, White Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Why should every Thunderbolt 5 cable be black? CalDigit sells one in White, although only in a 0.5m length. If thats long enough for you, then rejoice as its also the cheapest Thunderbolt 5 cable we trust. CalDigit There is a CalDigit Thunderbolt 5 Pro Braided Cable in black, and that is available in both 0.5m , 1m and 2m lengthsand now 1.5m , with the latter a first for Thunderbolt 5 cable and offering maybe a sweet spot between 1m and 2m lengths. Its the longest passive Thunderbolt cable you can buy that maintains 80Gbps bidirectionally, with all other passive cables maxing at 1m. Apple sells the 2m active Thunderbolt 5 Pro Braided Cable for $139.95 or 119.95 . Anker Thunderbolt 5 Cable Best budget 1m 240W PD Thunderbolt 5 cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 80/120Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Robust braided design Price When Reviewed: $45.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $39.99 View Deal Anker $45.99 View Deal $45.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 120Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 1.7ft (0.5m) and 3.3ft (1m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Looking remarkably like Apples Thunderbolt 5 cable but priced significantly lower, the Anker Thunderbolt 5 cable is a wise choice as the new top-end MacBook comes with three such ports but not one TB5 cable. This cable is available in two lengths but just one color, unlike the CalDigit Thunderbolt 5 Pro Braided Cable, reviewed above, that dares to go white. Also worth checking on pricing are Thunderbolt 5 cables from iVanky , Silkland and Cable Matters . Plugable TBT5-240W80R Best right-angled Thunderbolt 5 cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 80Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Right angled Cons Short North America only Price When Reviewed: $38.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $38.95 View Deal $38.95 View Deal $38.95 View Deal $38.95 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 80/120Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 2.6ft (0.8m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging and syncing iPad, charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Plugable also offers a right-angled Thunderbolt 5 cable. While its Thunderbolt 4 equivalent, reviewed above, offers much including 240W charing and 8K video support, the TB5 version is capable of bidirectional 80Gbps or even unidirectional 120Gbps. If you can afford it, Thunderbolt 5 is the better long-term choice but the 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 version of this cable is cheaper. Best Thunderbolt 4 cables While Thunderbolt 5 is superior to Thunderbolt 4 many Macs are still rated at Thunderbolt 4, and even owners of TB5 Macs can save money buying Thunderbolt 4 cables if the 40Gbps bandwidth is plenty fast enough for them. Thunderbolt 4 cable needs to support only 100W of power delivery but as our chart proves you can buy Thunderbolt 4 (and indeed USB-C) cable at 240W too. CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Cable (0.8m) Best short 100W PD Thunderbolt 4 cable Pros 100W Power Delivery 40Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Cons 100W, not 240W Short Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $22.99 View Deal CalDigit $39.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 40Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 2.6ft (0.8m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro Not for: Charging 16-inch MacBook Pro As a certified Thunderbolt 4 cable, this guarantees 100W charging and super-fast 40Gbps data transfer speeds. If you just want to charge your MacBook, its probably overkill but if you need to use it to connect to a docking station or other device, we recommend you double-up on charging power and data speed. CalDigit sells an active 2m version of this cable for $99.99 . Its so much more expensive because of the circuitry required to get 40Gbps over a longer distance. Belkin sells an equivalent 2m Thunderbolt 4 cable at a more affordable price, see review below. Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, you cant go wrong with a Thunderbolt 4 cable unless you need Thunderbolt 5s 80-120Gbps and 240W strengths. If so, keep reading. Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Cable (2M, 6.6ft) Best long 100W PD Active Thunderbolt 4 cable Pros 100W Power Delivery 40Gbps active data transfer 8K monitor support Long Cons 100W, not 240W Expensive Price When Reviewed: $72.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $75.95 View Deal $75.95 View Deal $98.52 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 40Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 6.6ft (2m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Not for: Charging 16-inch MacBook Pro This certified active Thunderbolt 4 cable supports 100W charging and super-fast 40Gbps data transfer speeds over a greater cable length than normal passive Thunderbolt cables. The active part enables the longer cable but significantly increases the cost. You can get longer from Apple, see its 3m active TB4 cable below, but the cost gets even higher! Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable (3m) Longest 100W PD Active Thunderbolt 4 cable Pros 100W Power Delivery 40Gbps active data transfer 8K monitor support Robust braided design Very long Cons 100W, not 240W Expensive Price When Reviewed: $159 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $159 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 100W Data transfer speed: 40Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 10ft (3m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging and syncing MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro Not for: Charging 16-inch MacBook Pro Its certainly expensive, but this active Apple Thunderbolt 4 cable is as long as you can get while maintaining 100W charging power and 40Gbps data-transfer speed. Its braided for strength and backward compatible with other Type-C connectors and ports. Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable (1m) Best 240W PD Thunderbolt 4 cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 40Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Robust braided design Cons Short Price When Reviewed: $39.99 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Satechi $39.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 40Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro To connect your 16-inch MacBook to a Thunderbolt 4 docking station, you need both top data bandwidth and as much charging power as a cable can supportso you need a cable that supports both 240W and 40Gbps data transfer. This passive Thunderbolt 4 cable offers both 40Gbps bandwidth with 240W charging thats more powerful than standard TB4 cable. Plugable TBT4-240W-80CMR Best right-angled Thunderbolt 4 cable Pros 240W Power Delivery 40Gbps data transfer 8K monitor support Right angled Cons Short Price When Reviewed: $34.95 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $34.95 View Deal $34.95 View Deal $34.95 View Deal $34.95 View Deal $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Charging: 240W Data transfer speed: 40Gbps Monitor support: 8K Cable length: 2.6ft (0.8m) Colors: Black Best for: Charging iPhone 15/16/17/18, charging and syncing iPad, charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Sometimes a cable plays hard to fit in tight spaces, and only a cunningly right-angled connector head will do the job. If thats the case, then this is the most powerful and fastest right-angled Thunderbolt 4 cable that money can buy. It will work at up to 240W, and as a Thunderbolt 4 cable of course offers 40Gbps data-transfer speeds. As mentioned above, Apple demands you use its own MagSafe power cable if you want to utilize PD 3.1 at 140W for its 16-inch MacBook Pro. Know your cables Not all USB-C cables offer the same capabilities, so we explain each factor you need to consider. Fear not, for basic iPhone charging most USB-C cables will be fine. But some are finer than others. Macs use Thunderbolt cables that have the same Type-C connector as USB-C so look the same but have faster data transfer and charging speed options. You can use a Thunderbolt cable to charge USB-C devices, too. Apple ships a USB-C Charge Cable with the newest iPhones but Mac users need to buy a Thunderbolt cable to connect to a docking station or fast storage device. Having a spare cable or two hanging around the house or office is always advisableand there are better, cheaper, and more colorful USB-C and Thunderbolt cables than just those sold by Apple. Weve focused on USB-C charging cables as most people need them just to attach to a USB-C charger, but cables offer both charging and data transfers, although at different capabilities, depending on your requirements. Charging: All USB-C cables can carry a minimum of 60W (3A x 20V). Some support 100W (5A x 20V) charging, and some new Thunderbolt cables can charge at up to 240W. 60W is more than you need for a phone and is fine for the MacBook Neo and Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. Go for at least a 100W cable for the 14-inch MacBook Pro. As Apple states 70W as the minimum for fast-charging the MacBook Air, a 100W cable is also recommended for these users. While 100W is fine for a 16-inch MacBook Pro, that model can be charged at up to 140W, although Apple restricts fast-charging for that model to its own $49/49 USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable , which is included with all MacBooks. iPhone 15-16 series: Apple says that the iPhone 15-16 can be fast-charged from zero to 50% in 30 minutes using at least a 20W USB-C power adapter, which is the same speed the iPhone 14 got via Lightning. Tests have shown that such iPhones can reach charging speeds of up to 30W so we think a 20W charger isnt going to offer iPhone charging as fast as you can get. iPhone 17 series: Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher paired with USBC charging cable, and up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger. iPhone 18 series: Up to a 50% charge in around 15 minutes when using 60Wcapable adapter or higher with Adjustable Voltage Supply paired with USBC charging cable, and up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 35W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger. Check out our reviews of the best iPhone chargers . Length: A long cable can be messy when your device is close to the charger, but a short one could leave your iPhone dangling out of reach. You may need different lengths of USB-C cable for each of your charging spaces. When it comes to transferring data, choose a cable thats as short as you need as the longer the cable, the greater the risk of signal degradationinvest in a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 cable for 2m data-strength confidence. Or look at a coiled cable such as the Native Union POP Cable reviewed above. Data transfer speed: iPhones with Lightning ports are limited to a slow USB 2.0 data transfer rate of just 480Mbps (480 megabits per second). Compare that to your Mac, whose Thunderbolt connection can reach up to 40Gbps on Thunderbolt 4 and 120Gbps on Thunderbolt 5thats 250 times faster! Data transfer speed doesnt matter if all you are doing is charging a device but it is vital when connecting your Apple device to storage drives, docking stations, or monitors. While the entry-level iPad is also limited to 480Mbps, the iPad Pro, like a MacBook, supports Thunderbolts 40Gbps maximum. The iPhone 15/16/17 and 15/16 Plus features USB-C that is limited to 480Mbps as with Lightning, but the iPhone 15/16/17/18 Pro and Pro Maxs USB-C can sync at 10Gbpsuseful for backing up video or photos to a computer. Note that the USB-C cable Apple supplies with the iPhone 15-18 families is a Charge cable and limited to 480Mbps for syncing. If you use the Pro or Pro Max model with a cable for data transfer, youll do better with a 10Gbps or higher bandwidth cable. FAQ 1. Which USB-C cable do I need to connect to a USB-C monitor DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a feature available to USB-C and Thunderbolt that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable. USB-C monitors can therefore connect directly to your laptop or via a USB-C hub or USB-C or Thunderbolt dock . However, not every USB-C cable supports video transfer so you need to choose the right type of cable. If your external display supports a direct USB-C connection, look for a cable that has at least a data-transfer rate of 5Gbps for 4K at 60Hz or 10Gbps for 6K. For 8K we recommend you use at least a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 cable or 80/120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 cable. The higher the bandwidth, the less risk of signal degradation. Consider cable length, too. While compression technologies should kick in, the longer your cable, the more the signal can degrade so opt for as short a cable as you require when connecting from your MacBook or dock to a USB-C monitor. A fully featured C-to-C cable that is 1 meter or shorter will work just fine for 95% of what people need. The Cable Matters 10Gbps/100W 1m USB-C Cable is a recommended solution. If you need a longer cable, a 2m Thunderbolt 4 or 5 cable, such as the Cable Matters 2m Thunderbolt 4 cable . See the reviews above for more options. Some USB-C monitors can provide between 65W to 90W of passthrough power back to the laptop, so ensure your USB-C cable supports at least 100W if you want to use your USB-C monitor to power your laptop. 2. Can you convert a Lightning cable to USB-C? Apple has released a LightningtoUSB-C adapterconfusingly named the Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter ($29 at Apples U.S. store or 29 at Apples UK store ) so you can convert an old Lightning cable into a USB-C cable for your new iPhone 15 or later, but, as you might expect from Apple, its way more expensive than just buying one of the new and superior USB-C cables weve reviewed above. 3. What is the difference between Active and Passive Thunderbolt cables? An active Thunderbolt cable contains built-in electronic chips that boost and repeat the data signal, allowing it to maintain stable, error-free full-speed (40Gbps) signals over longer distances compared to shorter passive cables that lack these chips.

Europe In Chaos! After France, Belgium ROCKED By Violent Protests; Bikes BURNT, Rocks Hurled On Cam

As France continues to face violent protests, another European nation has erupted in chaos. Belgian capital Brussels witnessed protests as masked protesters clashed with riot police against rising living costs and government austerity measures. The violence unfolded when dozens of protesters dressed in black allegedly hurled rocks and firecrackers at police near Brussels' central railway station before setting several fires, including one involving city bikes and electric scooters. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons and baton charges, disrupting traffic and public transport across the Belgian capital. The clashes came as around 30,000 people joined a union-led rally demanding better purchasing power, while Belgium struggles with public debt and prepares its next budget.

BJP to wrest Nagaon bypoll seat from Congress, Himanta Biswa Sarma hails PM Modi's popularity

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 9 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) spectacular performance in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election, describing the result as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity across communities and the people's continued faith in his vision of a developed India. As per the latest trends of Election Commission of India (ECI), BJP candidate Devasish Sharma was leading in the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election with 6,91,804 votes, securing a substantial margin of 1,57,804 votes over the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) candidate Mohammed Badruddin Ajmal, who had received 5,34,000 votes. Congress candidate Sibamoni Bora was trailing in third position with 1,24,081 votes, behind Ajmal by 4,09,919 votes. Sharma's commanding lead put the BJP in a strong position to wrest the Assembly constituency from the Congress, while the Congress faced a distant third-place finish in the political contest. In a post on social media platform X, CM Sarma said the BJP had secured a decisive lead in Nagaon, a seat previously held by the Congress, with party candidate Devasish Sharma emerging victorious. Highlighting the significance of the electoral outcome, the Chief Minister noted that Nagaon was not traditionally considered a BJP stronghold and asserted that the Congress had been pushed to the third position. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, BJP has secured a decisive mandate in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bye-election, a seat previously held by the Congress, CM Sarma said. He said the result demonstrated the growing acceptance of the BJP across communities and the trust reposed by the people of Assam in the Prime Minister's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. The Chief Minister thanked the electorate of Nagaon for what he described as a resounding mandate and pledged to continue the state's development journey with greater vigour. Chief Minister Sarma also expressed gratitude to the BJP's grassroots workers, crediting them for conducting a spirited campaign under the guidance of party President Nitin Nabin. The victory is a political boost for the BJP in Assam, particularly as the party has managed to wrest a seat previously held by the Congress. he result could also influence the political dynamics in the state ahead of future electoral contests. The Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, with its diverse electorate, holds political significance in Assam, where the BJP and the Congress remain key contenders in the state's broader political contest. The bye-election outcome is likely to be closely examined by political parties as they assess voter preferences, campaign strategies and the impact of national leadership on electoral performance. However, the electoral result and the candidates' vote margins could not be independently verified from the statement provided.

'RIOT WAVE' HITS EUROPE: Belgium Rocked By Clashes After France Student Unrest | Watch

After weeks of student protests in France, Belgium is witnessing fresh unrest as demonstrators clash with police during a nationwide strike against government budget cuts.Tear gas filled the streets of Brussels on October 9 as workers and high-school students joined demonstrations opposing Prime Minister Bart De Wever's plans to save 10 billion over the coming years.Belgian students, inspired in part by protests in neighbouring France, are demanding action over rising education costs, overcrowded classrooms and access to study materials.In the eastern city of Lige, earlier demonstrations led to around 200 arrests and injuries to dozens of police officers.The unrest comes as Belgium's government faces an October 13 deadline to reach an agreement on spending cuts.

ISL 2026-27: Punjab FC announce squad, include 10 academy graduates

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 9 (IANS) Punjab FC announced a strong 27-member squad for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season, which includes an established core and ten academy graduates. The team will start its ISL campaign with a home fixture on Wednesday against Odisha FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Fourteen players from last seasons ISL squad, including national team players Bijoy Varghese, Ricky Shabong, Muhammed Uvais, Nikhil Prabhu and Muhammad Suhail F, along with Arshdeep Singh, Khaiminthang Lhungdim and Leon Augustine, have been retained. Patrick Bahanack, Mickael Malsa, Diego Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya and Raphal Messi Bouli are the foreign players in the squad. The squad also includes new domestic signings Mohammad Inam and Gurkirat Singh. The team comprises 10 academy graduates, three more than last season, who were rewarded with a place in the squad for their performances in the age group leagues and the recently concluded IFA Shield, where the Shers reached the semifinals. Goalkeeper Ayush Deshwal, midfielder Manglenthang Kipgen and forwards Muhammad Suhail F and Vishal Yadav, all part of last seasons squad, are joined by defenders Ngarin Shaiza, Sohel Khan and Karish Soram; midfielders Bishu Sharma and Laishram Rishikanta Meitei; and forward Konsam Sanathoi Singh. Speaking ahead of the new campaign, Head Coach Pavlos Dermitzakis expressed his confidence in the squad and its readiness for the season: This is a squad built with a clear idea of how we want to play, and I am very happy with the balance we have. We have experience in every department, players who know this club and the league, and ten young players from our academy who have earned their place through their work every single day. The ISL has a demanding schedule, and every player in this group will have a role to play. The players have prepared well, the hunger in the dressing room is there, and we are ready to begin. The Head Coach will be supported by Assistant Coach Georgios Angelidis and Indian Assistant Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty, along with Christos Vorgiatzidis as the Strength and Conditioning Coach and Vinay Singh as the Goalkeeping Coach. All three goalkeepers from last season have been retained, with the experienced Arshdeep Singh leading the department along with youngsters Muheet Shabir and Ayush Deshwal. Bijoy Varghese, Muhammed Uvais, Suresh Meitei and Khaiminthang Lhungdim will lead the defensive lineup, along with new signing Patrick Bahanack, with academy graduates Ngarin Shaiza, Sohel Khan and Karish Soram completing a defensive unit with plenty of depth. In midfield, Punjab FC possess a dynamic blend of creativity, control, and energy. Mickal Malsa and Manglenthang Kipgen are expected to play a pivotal role in orchestrating attacking moves, with Nikhil Prabhu, Ricky Shabong and Mohammad Inam offering stability in the middle of the pitch. Bishu Sharma and Rishikanta Meitei, who caught the attention with their performances in the IFA Shield, will bring youthful energy and exciting football to the side. The forward line carries both variety and attacking promise. The experienced Raphal Messi Bouli has started his life in Punjab FC with three goals and three assists in the IFA Shield, while the other foreign signings, Diego Raposo and Alfred Planas Moya, have also started the season well. Muhammad Suhail, one of the most exciting talents of the country, will add pace in the wings, while the versatile Leon Augustine can be relied upon in any given situation. Local lad Gurkirat Singh, along with under-20 Indian international Vishal Yadav and Sanathoi Singh, will provide valuable options for the side. Punjab FC squad for Indian Super League 2026-27: Goalkeepers: Arshdeep Singh, Muheet Shabir, Ayush Deshwal Defenders: Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Ngarin Shaiza, Jephthe Patrick Gerard Bahanack, Mohammed Sohel Khan, Bijoy Varghese, Nongmaikapam Suresh Meitei, Muhammed Uvais Moyikkal, Karish Soram Midfielders: Naravi Nikhil Jayantha Prabhu, Mickal Ramon Vincent Malsa, Ricky John Shabong, Bishu Sharma, Laishram Rishikanta Meitei, Manglenthang Kipgen, Mohammad Inam Forwards: Raphael Eric Messi Bouli, Diego Henrique Oliveira Raposo, Alfred Planas Moya, Leon Augustine, Muhammad Suhail F, Bikash Singh Sagolsem, Konsam Sanathoi Singh, Vishal Yadav, Gurkirat Singh

Mamdani Turns Up The Heat On Trump; Delivers Blunt Ice Out Ultimatum

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is demanding the abolition of ICE after a federal agent shot a man in Manhattan, with a five-year-old child reportedly inside the car. The October 8 shooting has triggered a political showdown with President Donald Trump, with Mamdani revealing that he spoke to the president and tried to secure the wounded mans release. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, a federal agent fired seven rounds, striking 28-year-old Oscar Belgal in the neck. The investigation and political fallout continue.

India steps up security ahead of a major protest in New Delhi over voter lists

NEW DELHI, October 9, 2026 (AP) Authorities stepped up security in the Indian capital on Friday and announced transport restrictions ahead of a planned demonstration by Indias Cockroach movement, seeking to limit access to a growing campaign against a contentious revision of voter lists that has led to nationwide protests. Thousands of protesters are expected to gather at New Delhis Jantar Mantar protest venue Saturday as the movement against Prime Minister Narendra Modis government and the countrys election authorities intensifies. The protesters, joined by opposition parties, are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the poll

Protest Erupts in Patna Over Bihar Police Driver Recruitment Vacancies

Candidates protest in Patna demanding filling of over 1,200 vacant police driver positions reserved for women. Protest Erupts in Patna Over Bihar Police Driver Recruitment Vacancies

ISL 2026: Bengaluru FC host SC Delhi as FC Goa takes on Chennaiyin FC in tournament opener

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season gets underway on Saturday with two intriguing fixtures, as Bengaluru FC host Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, before FC Goa welcomes Chennaiyin FC to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on the opening day. Bengaluru FC will look to begin their campaign on a winning note in front of their home supporters when they take on Sporting Club Delhi at 5 pm. The Blues will be keen to build on their previous 2-0 victory over Delhi, in which Sivasakthi Narayanan and Sunil Chhetri found the net, while the visitors will be looking to make an early statement. Head Coach Pep Muoz has stressed the importance of managing player fitness following a demanding pre-season and the recent international window. Key players Ryan Williams, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Ashique Kuruniyan returned from national duty after a demanding run of fixtures, with Muoz highlighting the need to manage workloads carefully. We have to take care of our players, Munoz said, adding that Williams involvement would depend on his recovery. Despite the fitness considerations, the Bengaluru coach remains confident in the depth of his squad, with midfielder Suresh Wangjam entering his eighth season at the club. Muoz has also emphasised the importance of combining results with entertaining football that reflects Bengaluru FCs identity. The hosts have strengthened their squad with several overseas arrivals, including defenders Menno Koch and Sandro Embalo, midfielders Borja Martinez and Manuel de Iriondo, and Montenegrin striker Mihailo Perovic. The new additions will be expected to help fill the gap left by Rahul Bhekes departure to Mohun Bagan SG. Sporting Club Delhi, meanwhile, arrive with match sharpness from the Durand Cup and a young squad averaging 24.3 years. Head Coach Tomasz Tchorz will look to build on the experience gained last season, with continuity, high-tempo pressing and the development of young Indian players central to the clubs approach. Brazilian forward Rodriguinho, who scored seven goals during Delhis Durand Cup semi-final run, will be one to watch. Midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte underlined the team's ambition ahead of the opener, saying, We are very young, but we are hungry for the trophy. On the other hand, FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC renew their rivalry at Fatorda, with both sides looking to start the season strongly under familiar faces in new coaching roles. FC Goa Head Coach Gouramangi Singh and Chennaiyin FC Head Coach Clifford Miranda, former teammates at both the national team and Dempo, will begin their respective campaigns with a competitive encounter. FC Goa have welcomed back Jorge Ortiz, whose previous spell with the club was successful, while Spanish midfielder lex Vallejo and winger Isak Vanlalruatfela add further options to the squad. Singh will look to establish his approach from the outset, with an emphasis on clarity, control and competitiveness on both sides of the ball. As a club, we want to stay true to our identity of being a competitive team. We want to play with a lot more clarity. We want to control games and be comfortable with and without the ball, Singh said ahead of the fixture. Chennaiyin FC, who finished 13th last season, have strengthened their Indian contingent with Ayush Dev Chhetri and Brison Fernandes, while Glan Martins arrives from FC Goa. French attacking midfielder Madih Talal and Brazilian forward Ramon Tanque further bolster the Marina Machans attacking options. Miranda, meanwhile, has stressed that consistency across the campaign will matter more than the result of a single fixture. Beating Goa wont win us the league, and losing to Goa wont lose us the league. Its about being consistent over the 24 games, he said. The teams' previous meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in Chennai, with Sandesh Jhingan scoring a late equaliser after Irfan Yadwad had opened the scoring. While the return fixture carries added intrigue with former teammates now on opposing touchlines, Singh has maintained that the focus remains firmly on the teams rather than the coaches. Saturday isnt about Gouramangi and Clifford. It is about FC Goa and Chennaiyin two very good teams, and were going to get a competitive game, he said. Both opening-day fixtures will be broadcast live on YouTube, Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV. Match schedule: Bengaluru FC vs Sporting Club Delhi Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru Kick-off: 5:00 pm IST FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa Kick-off: 7:30 pm IST

France students plan more protests, UN 'concerned' over violence

Students in France have largely returned to classrooms following days of protests demanding better education. The government has pledged to deploy 3,000 substitute teachers to affected school. While the demonstrations have been largely peaceful, some protesters have started fires and vandalised bus shelters. UN has voiced concerns over the occasional violent clashes.

Helpline set up to fix VAHAN and SARATHI portal problems, says Andhra Transport Minister Ramprasad Reddy

People can report problems on 9281607001 by phone or WhatsApp, says Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy

'My family and I will join the CJP protest,' says Arvind Kejriwal, urges mass turnout

Arvind Kejriwal announced his participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar organized by the Cockroach Janata Party. This protest is set for October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Kejriwal accused the central government of tampering with voter lists and manipulating elections. He urged citizens across the country to join this peaceful demonstration for national integrity.

Jharkhand CM orders probe into alleged police assault on tribal woman

Digital Desk | Ranchi, Oct 9 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has taken cognisance of allegations that a tribal woman was assaulted and tortured by police personnel in Latehar district. He has directed Latehars Superintendent of Police to immediately investigate the matter, take appropriate action, and submit a report. The matter came to the Chief Ministers notice following a post on X. Responding to it, Soren issued instructions to the Latehar SP, saying that such a situation was unacceptable. The alleged incident took place in the Bariyatu police station area of Latehar district. According to the woman and local villagers, Punia Devi had taken goats to graze on the afternoon of October 5 when she got into an altercation with police personnel who were allegedly in plain clothes. It has been alleged that Bariyatu police station in-charge Prabhat Kumar Das and three other police personnel subsequently took her with them. The woman alleged that she was assaulted on the way, subjected to misbehaviour and abused with casteist slurs. Villagers further alleged that she was assaulted at the police station, where she was purportedly tied by her hands, hung upside down, and beaten with sticks. The woman also levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against the police personnel. The complaint further alleged that the police accused the woman of cultivating poppy and forcibly took Rs 80,000 that had been kept at her home for a wedding. She was reportedly released from the police station the following night. The allegations have not been independently verified. Protesting against the alleged incident, villagers approached the office of the Latehar Superintendent of Police and submitted a written complaint demanding action against the police personnel concerned. After the matter came to light, the Chief Minister directed the police administration to investigate. The Latehar police administration has constituted an inquiry team headed by the Balumath Sub-Divisional Police Officer and a woman police officer. Jharkhands local tribal organisations have demanded the suspension of the accused police personnel and registration of an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The allegations are currently under investigation.

Bihar police driver recruitment aspirants protest in Patna, seek filling of vacant women's quota posts

Digital Desk | Patna, Oct 9 (IANS) Candidates of the Bihar Police driver recruitment drive intensified their protest in Patna on Friday, demanding that more than 1,200 posts earmarked for women, which they claim have remained vacant, be filled with eligible male candidates from the respective categories. The candidates had planned to march towards the Chief Ministers residence to press their demands. However, police personnel intervened before the proposed march could begin. Barricades were erected at Gate No. 10, and a large number of security personnel were deployed inside Gandhi Maidan and the surrounding areas. The protesters alleged they had obtained permission to hold a peaceful sit-in, organise a Kalash Yatra and take out a march, but the administration prevented them from proceeding with their planned programme. According to the candidates, the protest was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with a sit-in at Gandhi Maidan, followed by a Kalash Yatra and a march from Gate No. 10 to Dakbungalow Crossing. The candidates said more than 1,200 posts reserved for women in the driver recruitment process had remained vacant. They urged the authorities to consider filling these vacancies with eligible male candidates from the respective categories in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules. They say that this would prevent the posts from remaining unfilled and provide employment opportunities to other qualified applicants. Radhe Shyam Kumar, one of the protesting candidates, said they had been staging a sit-in at Gardanibagh for several days. He described the difficulties of continuing the agitation, adding that his family had questioned why he was spending time protesting instead of studying. He maintained that candidates needed to raise their voices to secure their rights. He reiterated the demand that posts remaining vacant after the allocation of seats to female candidates should be considered eligible for male applicants. He also cited the recruitment process for Sub-Inspectors, arguing that a similar provision should be considered for the driver recruitment drive. Despite the police barricades and the deployment of security personnel, candidates continued to gather near Gate No. 10 of Gandhi Maidan. The protesters maintained that they intended to put forward their demands peacefully.

Delhi Police denies permission for CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday

Delhi Police has denied permission for a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party and some student organisations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10, a senior police officer said on Friday. At a press conference, Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi range, Nupur Prasad, cited late submission of application and violations of rules during a previous protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as reasons for denying the permission. We have received an application from Saurav Das, Co-Convener of Cockroach Janta Party. The application is regarding an intimation for a protest on October 10 at Jantar Mantar, she said. The protest is regarding demanding accountability from the chief election commissioner (CEC). This intimation was considered and it was found that it was given at very short notice, she said. According to the prescribed procedure, the intimation has to be given 10 days prior to a protest, the officer said. Prasad said it i

IIIT Tiruchirappalli Post Graduate Staff Recruitment 2026

Indian Institute of Information Technology Tiruchirappalli (IIIT Tiruchirappalli) has released Notification No. IIITT/IITMandi-iHub/MP/2026/10-01 for the post of Post Graduate Staff. Eligible candidates can apply online at iiitt.ac.in till 09 October 2026.

Delhi Protest UPDATES | CJP Protest Permission Denied, Delhi Polices Braces For Jantar Mantar 2.0

Delhi is bracing for a series of restrictions ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police have denied permission for the demonstration, while restrictions on metro services and the cancellation of several trains are expected to affect commuters across the Capital. Delhi will also see unprecedented security blanket with over 23,000 personnel on duty. Permission Denied The Delhi Police said permission for the protest had been rejected because the mandatory 10-day advance intimation had not been received. Officials also cited alleged violations of guidelines during the previous protest and said the decision was taken in the interest of public safety. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force in parts of central Delhi. The police have warned that any violation of the restrictions will invite legal action.

CJP protest: Trains cancelled; 57 metro stations to be shut

The Railway Board cancelled certain Mail and Express trains arriving at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations on October 10 due to expected road traffic from a planned protest. The Cockroach Janata Party announced a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Delhi police requested the closure of 57 metro stations to prevent protesters from reaching the site.

'Prepare for the storm': Delhi top cop urges restraint ahead of CJP protest

With the national capital bracing for a massive protest on October 10, Delhi Police's Joint Commissioner Madhur Verma on Friday urged personnel to exercise restraint, stressing that the force's strength lies in handling crowds with discipline, dignity and minimum force. Prepare for the storm. Practise restraint. Protect the peace. Because the true strength of the police is not merely in controlling a crowd, but in doing so with discipline, dignity and minimum force, Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range), said in a post on X. The appeal comes amid heightened security arrangements ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with the Ministry of Home Affairs making available around 23,000 personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to the Delhi Police for deployment between October 8 and 12, officials said. The protest comes amid escalating demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the special

Fadnavis criticises Congress on SIR; releases parliamentary footage of Kapil Sibal defending process

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, on Friday delivered a scathing rebuttal to the Congress party as high-octane protests led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi against the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process brought central Delhi to a standstill. Taking to social media, CM Fadnavis released archival parliamentary footage of former Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal speaking in official support of the SIR framework during the Congress-led UPA tenure. The clipwhich has rapidly gone viraldirectly counters the Oppositions current claims that the voter roll revision is a conspiracy or an unconstitutional procedure. The Opposition parties have alleged that over 13 crore names have allegedly been left out in the draft poll rolls and has been protesting against it. In his direct hit at the Congress leadership, CM Fadnavis highlighted the stark contrast between the party's historic stance and its current street demonstrations. Congress is busy shouting against SIR from every possible stage, only to have its own former Law Minister Kapil Sibal's words come back to expose the drama. The Parliament record doesnt change with political convenience. Perhaps Congress should first check their own history before manufacturing new conspiracy theories. Sometimes, the best rebuttal comes from your own partys past! CM Fadnavis captioned the video as 'Congress' double standards', urging citizens to listen to official parliamentary proceedings from the UPA era and judge who is telling the truth. The video shared by the Chief Minister shows then-Law Minister Kapil Sibal explaining the three precise categories under which the SIR process removes or updates names on the voter list. Deletion of duplicate entries take place when a voter shifts from one constituency to another, followed by seamless re-registration at the new address. Also during updating old electoral rolls during boundary reorganisations. There will be routine deletion of names of deceased individuals upon verification, said the former law minister in the video. In the footage, Sibal emphasised that no legitimate voter could be barred by registration officers, noting that millions of citizens routinely applied for inclusion under established statutory provisions. The video comes at a sensitive moment as Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lead sustained street demonstrations demanding the halting of the SIR process and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what they claim is the disenfranchisement of 13 crore people during the recent SIR process. The protests near Jantar Mantar and Election Commission headquarters have seen tense scuffles with law enforcement, leading to police complaints and political trade-offs. BJP leaders have rallied around CM Fadnavis's statement, asserting that the Opposition is attempting to manufacture a non-existent controversy over a standard voter roll hygiene drive that their own government previously endorsed and defended on the floor of Parliament. The CM's comments come a day after the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Maharashtra, in a major push to ensure maximum voter participation and clean electoral rolls, has launched targeted registration drives and door-to-door verification campaigns across the state. Operating under the guidelines of the ECI, election authorities have committed to ensuring that no eligible citizen is left off the electoral roll and no ineligible entries remain. The extensive outreach forms a crucial leg of the ongoing SIR process. Special voter registration camps have been conducted across all colleges and universities in Maharashtra from October 5 to October 9. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are deployed at campus sites to assist eligible students with completing application forms and to resolve queries regarding the SIR workflow, said the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Maharashtra release. BLOs are conducting home visits to identify eligible citizens missing from the Draft Electoral Roll and collect Form 6 following verification. For residents unavailable during home visits, special voter registration camps will be held at all designated polling stations on October 10 and October 11, 2026. Citizens whose names appear on the list of absent or migrated voters (compiled during house-to-house enumeration) can apply for re-enrolment or correction. The official list of absent/shifted voters has been published online at ceoelection.maharashtra.gov.in for public verification.

Fifty Years Old, The F-16 Still Isn't Done Evolving As Latest Variant Takes To The Air

More than 50 years after its first flight, the F-16 Fighting Falcon's newest variant, the Block 72, completed its maiden flight on October 6, built for Morocco's air force. Born from hard lessons of the Vietnam War, where Colonel John Boyd developed a theory demanding smaller, lighter, more agile fighters, the F-16's specifications were famously written in blood, shaped directly by America's air-to-air losses. That design philosophy has endured remarkably well. Procured by 26 nations beyond the US, the F-16 remains the world's most common fixed-wing military aircraft in 2026, with roughly 2,102 jets active worldwide, about 15 percent of all combat aircraft globally. Still receiving new radars and avionics decades later, the F-16 proves Boyd's original vision, lightweight and adaptable, remains as relevant as ever.#F16FightingFalcon #F16Block72 #F16Viper #MoroccanAirForce #IndianDefence #MilitaryAviation #FighterJets #AirPower

This Is Emergency: CJP Says At Least 10,000 Detained Across India Ahead Of Jantar Mantar Protest

Delhi is on high alert ahead of the Cockroach Janata Partys (CJP) planned October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP leaders allege that thousands of supporters have been detained across India, while also warning of possible violence by fringe groups. Meanwhile, police have reportedly deployed nearly 26,000 personnel and tightened security around the protest zone. As allegations of intimidation clash with official claims of maintaining public order, the protest raises questions about policing, political dissent and democratic space.

CMRL-Exalogic case: BJP demands Vijayans resignation; Chennithala seeks time to study HC order

Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (IANS) The Kerala High Courts directive to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic financial dealings case has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Kerala, with the Congress-led government promising to examine the order, the CPI(M) questioning the procedure, and the BJP demanding the resignation of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The court also put its foot down, and cancelled the SIT formed by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police in this case and asked the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register the FIR. Vijayan is the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Soon after the verdict came on Friday, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would study the court order before deciding on further action. He rejected suggestions that the ruling amounted to a setback for the government. I have not seen the High Court order. Once it comes, we will look into it and do the needful. Is it not essential to examine the details of the order? he asked. Chennithala said that when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) first sent its communication seeking action, he had forwarded it to the State Police Chief, who obtained legal opinions before deciding to proceed with a preliminary inquiry. The opinion we received was to commence a preliminary probe, and we went ahead with it. Now the court says otherwise. Let the order come, and we will do the needful, he said. This is no setback for the government. We acted after seeking legal opinions, and we will continue to do so, he added. Senior CPI(M) leader and close aide of Vijayan, M.V. Jayarajan, questioned the courts decision to issue the directive without hearing the former Chief Minister or the other persons concerned. We all know how the ED functions. The court has given an order, but neither Vijayan nor anyone else was heard before it was issued. The question of denial of natural justice, therefore, arises, Jayarajan said. He said the CPI(M) would continue to fight the case both legally and politically. Senior BJP legislator and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, however, said the CPI(M) would resort to what he described as baseless narratives following the courts directive. If the CPI(M) feels Vijayan was not heard, why did he not implead himself in the case, when he could have done so if he wanted? Muraleedharan asked. BJP state vice-president Shone George, who had pursued the case from the beginning, said Vijayan had no moral right to continue as Leader of Opposition after the court ordered registration of an FIR against him. He alleged that the case involved corrupt practices during the previous governments tenure and dealings involving black money. Vijayan should step down if he had any moral responsibility, George said. The High Courts directive has opened the way for the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureaus special investigation team to register an FIR and investigate the allegations involving CMRL, Exalogic, Vijayan, his daughter Veena, her husband and CPI(M) legislator P.A. Mohammed Riyas, and others. The order is expected to intensify the political debate over the allegations and the state governments next course of action. All eyes are on the nine-day sitting of the Assembly opening on Monday, as this is going to be good ammunition for the treasury benches to attack Vijayan and the Left.

Youth Rally in Delhi Against Opposition Protests, Supporting Government

Young supporters rally in New Delhi against opposition protests, demanding respect for the Prime Minister and government. Youth Rally in Delhi Against Opposition Protests, Supporting Government

INDIA bloc leaders to meet President Murmu at 8 pm amid row over SIR

INDIA bloc leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu at 8 pm Friday in connection with their demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. According to sources, the President's office confirmed the appointment on Friday morning. A ten-member delegation, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and TMC Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, would be among the leaders expected to meet the President. The opposition MPs have been staging protests in the national capital demanding Kumar's resignation for the last three days.

Mandira Bedis Madh Island villa has direct access to beach and village. Inside her Mediterranean-style retreat with repurposed Benarasi fabrics, outdoor shower and a pool

Mandira Bedi's charming getaway, Bougainvilla, is nestled in the scenic Madh Island. This exquisite retreat offers four glamorous bedrooms and five luxurious bathrooms, accommodating eight guests comfortably. Visitors can bask in breathtaking sea views, take a dip in the swimming pool, or stroll through the vibrant bougainvillea-laden garden. The interior boasts eco-conscious furnishings crafted from upcycled materials, highlighting sustainability.

'Where is Gyanesh hiding?':Priyank Kharge targets CEC over electoral roll row, alleges manipulation of Form 6 & 7

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has launched a strong critique of the Election Commission of India. Allegations include voter list manipulation and mass deletions targeting specific communities. Protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation continue, representing various political outfits and citizens. Congress leaders have highlighted issues in West Bengal's electoral rolls and procedural deficiencies within the Election Commission.

Delhi Police denies permission to CJP for October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, cites 'short notice'

Delhi Police has denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday (October 10), citing the short notice given by the organisers, alleged non-compliance with directions during an earlier demonstration and concerns over public safety, law and order and traffic management. The proposed protest was aimed at demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of vote theft. The decision comes as the national capital prepares for multiple planned demonstrations, prompting police to seek precautionary measures at 57 metro stations across Delhi. Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the New Delhi district received an application on October 7 from Saurabh Das, co-convener of CJP, regarding the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar.

'Suffered But Survived': USS Abraham Lincoln Returns Home After 260 Days Without Port Call

After nearly 10 months at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to its home port in San Diego, California, bringing an extended and demanding deployment to an end. The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and its strike group spent more than 260 consecutive days without a port call, according to the Pentagon, while supporting military operations against Iran. The deployment involved sustained combat missions, long periods away from families and significant logistical challenges. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined the scale of the carriers operations, including thousands of combat sorties and hundreds of Tomahawk missile launches. The Navy also reported eight suicide attempts among sailors in the carrier strike group during the deployment, underscoring concerns about the strain of prolonged operations at sea. Now back in San Diego, the sailors are reuniting with their loved ones as the wider U.S.-Iran conflict continues to affect regional security and global energy markets.

India deserves answers to two pressing questions, says Telangana Deputy CM

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 9 (IANS) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, said on Friday that India deserves answers to two pressing questions: Who safeguards the integrity of citizens' vote and who stands up for Indian professionals abroad. He said in a post on X that while at home, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are raising serious questions over alleged 'Vote Chori', the Trump administration has suspended TCS, Infosys, Wipro and other IT giants from a key Green Card certification programme. At home, Shri Rahul Gandhi ji and Smt Priyanka Gandhi ji are raising serious questions over alleged 'vote chori' and electoral integrity, facing detention as they demand the Chief Election Commissioners resignation. Meanwhile, in the US, the Trump administration has suspended TCS, Infosys, Wipro and other IT giants from a key Green Card certification programme, he said. Two different crises of confidence. Two pressing questions for the Centre. Who safeguards the integrity of our vote? Who stands up for Indian professionals abroad? India deserves answers on both, said the Congress leader. The Deputy Chief Minister along with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had joined Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and other Congress and INDIA Bloc leaders in Thursdays protest at Raj Ghat in Delhi, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation over alleged irregularities in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Standing at Raj Ghat, on the sacred ground of the Father of the Nation, I reaffirm my solemn pledge to protect and preserve our democracy. My conviction remains unwavering, and my courage unyielding, as I dedicate myself to upholding constitutional values, championing justice, and serving the people with complete integrity, he said in a post on Thursday. At Raj Ghat, where Bapu rests, we gathered to reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and the democratic rights of every Indian. Standing alongside Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, Smt Priyanka Gandhi ji, and fellow leaders in the fight for electoral transparency and accountability. The Constitution is our guiding light. The peoples vote is its strength. And protecting both is our solemn duty. Our resolve remains unwavering, the Deputy Chief Minister said in another post.

Delhi Police proposes closure of entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations ahead of Oct 10 protest

Delhi Police has proposed closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations across the national capital and reducing train frequency at these stations in view of proposed protests scheduled for Saturday (October 10), according to an official communication. In a letter dated Thursday, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Transport Range, requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to take necessary measures at the identified metro stations in view of proposed protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations in New Delhi district, citing the likelihood of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations. The CJP has announced a youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over alleged vote theft. The proposed restrictions are scheduled to begin at 9 pm on Friday and continue on October 10 until the situation normalises. The 57 stations identified in the communication include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, New Delhi, Mandi House, ITO, Supreme Court, Indrapr...

Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra Launched for High-End Nvidia AI Workloads: Check Price

Microsoft has opened pre-orders for the Surface Laptop Ultra, positioning it as a high-end Windows machine built for demanding local AI workloads. The company says the laptop combines NVIDIA

Democracy is being murdered: Udit Raj backs INDIA bloc protests against CEC

The Opposition leaders held the third day of protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday. Earlier on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were released by the Delhi Police, hours after their detention during an Opposition protest demanding action against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Air Chief Designate Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit reviews Tarang Shakti multinational exercise

Air Chief-designate Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit reviewed operations at the ongoing multinational air combat exercise 'Tarang Shakti'. He witnessed the aerial drills of various indigenously built and global aircraft taking part in the complex joint manoeuvres of the Indian Air Force. The Air Chief-designate visited the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise held in Jodhpur on Thursday. The skies over the Jodhpur desert sector witnessed striking formations as the 'Tarang Shakti' exercise showcased global airpower on full display, as Dixit witnessed high-octane manoeuvres at the multinational air combat drill. Meanwhile, 'Tarang Shakti 2026', the Indian Air Force's multinational air combat exercise, is underway at Air Force Station Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12, with the theme 'Power in Partnership'. Earlier, IAF Group Captain Abhijit Kumar, commanding officer and team leader of the Sarang display team, said the team acts as the rand ambassadors of the Indian Air Force by showcasing its pro...

Delhi dry days today & tomorrow: No alcohol on October 9-10 amid ECI protests; here's what residents need to know

Delhi Dry Days October 910: Delhi has declared dry days on October 9 and 10, with liquor shops ordered to remain closed amid the prevailing situation in the capital. The decision comes ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation over allegations linked to the SIR of electoral rolls. More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the city, PTI reported.

'For saving democracy': Cong leader on INDIA bloc protests against CEC

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Backing ongoing protests by the INDIA Bloc, led by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Udit Raj said that it is the oppositions role to save democracy. Speaking to IANS, Raj said, When the Election Commission acts wrongly, resulting in the deletion of crores of votes or changes Form, the opposition will raise its voice; that is precisely the opposition's role. And why just the opposition? Every citizen, whether from civil society, an NGO, the student community, the youth, or the media, ought to speak up, because democracy is being murdered. That is why the opposition, under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, is waging this fight... Saving democracy, the Constitution, and the vote is crucial, he added. The Opposition leaders held the third day of protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday. Earlier on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were released by the Delhi Police, hours after their detention during an Opposition protest demanding action against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The two leaders were among the protesters who gathered near Akashvani Bhawan after being stopped from marching towards the Election Commission's office. Meanwhile, commenting on the order to close liquor shops in Delhi for two days, Raj said, I fail to see any logic behind shutting them for two days or how that relates to the agitation. However, it might be a diversionary tactic on their part. While the government is certainly free to make such decisions, the rationale escapes me... In a preventive measure for maintaining public order ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, the Delhi government has ordered all city liquor vends to remain closed for two days, starting from Friday, an official said. The Delhi Excise Department, in a circular issued on Thursday, said, The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. The order applies to liquor vends operating under specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14. The news about the circular, issued by Deputy Commissioner (Excise)/Licensing Authority Tanvir Ahmad, spread fast in the national capital on Thursday, with regular customers lining up outside government vends to stock up for the two-day closure.

BRS to protest in Hyderabad on 10 October demanding CEC

The News Mill

Telangana SIR: BRS to protest outside CEO office in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is gearing up to hold a protest outside the office of the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Hyderabad on Saturday, October 10, over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. The party is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. BRS concerned over SIR in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Provided elections are fair...: BJP veteran on anti-CEC protest

BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi emphasized the importance of fair elections, transparent bureaucracy, and constitutional adherence for a functioning democracy. His comments come amidst opposition protests led by the INDIA bloc, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.

'Will not stand by while ICE agents terrorize our communities': Mamdani as anti-ICE protests erupt

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdon called for an immediate end to ICE operations following a shooting incident. An ICE agent shot a man in the Bronx while he was in a car with a five-year-old child. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the hospital, demanding that ICE leave their neighborhoods and streets. The man is recovering, and the incident is under investigation by multiple agencies.

Delhi-NCR likely to witness light rain, strong winds; AQI remains moderate to poor

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) The plains of North India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, may experience light rain, overcast skies, and strong winds over the next few days as weather conditions change amid the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon. Cyclonic activity associated with the retreating monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over the next three days, particularly across Uttarakhand, Bihar and Jharkhand. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for 14 states, warning of heavy showers in several regions. The effects of the retreating monsoon are likely to be felt across West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days. Meanwhile, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to receive heavy rainfall between October 9 and 11. Delhi, Punjab and Haryana are likely to witness cloudy skies and light rain till October 14. Western and eastern Uttar Pradesh may receive rainfall from October 9 to 11. Light rain is expected in eastern Rajasthan on October 12, while Delhi-NCR may experience light showers accompanied by strong winds on October 10 and 11. Western Rajasthan is also likely to witness strong winds on October 11. According to the IMD, Uttarakhand is likely to receive heavy rainfall till October 14, while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may experience heavy showers on Friday and Saturday and again on October 13 and 14. In Uttarakhand, districts including Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Rudraprayag have been placed under a heavy rain alert. The department has advised pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, particularly those visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath, to remain vigilant. In Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kullu, Manali and Shimla are likely to receive rainfall on October 13 and 14. Jammu and Kashmir may also witness significant weather changes, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds forecast in areas including Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Poonch, Udhampur and Srinagar. Bihar and Jharkhand are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in some areas till October 11. Patna, Ranchi and Dhanbad are among the places where thunderstorms and lightning are possible. The IMD has also warned of heavy rainfall in Bihar and the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Rainfall is expected to continue in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura until October 14. Eastern Madhya Pradesh may receive rain till October 11, while Chhattisgarh is likely to witness showers on October 14. Rewa, Satna and Shahdol in eastern Madhya Pradesh may experience rainfall accompanied by winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the moderate to poor categories, with monitoring stations recording varying levels of pollution. Dwarka Sector 8 recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 231, followed by R.K. Puram at 219, Punjabi Bagh at 211, Narela at 210, and Pusa and NSUT Jaffarpur at 203 each. Other stations, including Burari, Badarpur, Mandir Marg, Aya Nagar, CRRI Mathura Road, Chandni Chowk, JNU, Burari Crossing, Ashok Vihar, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Jahangirpuri and Rohini, recorded AQI readings ranging from 115 to 198.

Video: Congress Leaders Slap Each Other During INDIA Bloc Protest Rally In Faridabad

The INDIA bloc march was planned in Old Faridabad from Chandi Wali Dharamshala to Pathwari Mandir under the leadership of Haryana Mahila Congress president.

Meghalaya HC cracks whip on lawyers

Shillong, Oct 8: The Meghalaya High Court has initiated criminal contempt proceedings against office-bearers of the Shillong Bar Association and High Court Bar Association for calling abstention from judicial work demanding removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar. A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew on Thursday registered a [] The post Meghalaya HC cracks whip on lawyers abstention, initiates contempt proceedings first appeared on Highland Post .

'This is emergency': 10,000 detained ahead of Delhi's Jantar Mantar stir, says CJP

The Cockroach Janta Party's planned protest in Delhi has faced significant opposition, leading to numerous detentions across the country. Over 10,000 individuals, including students, were detained ahead of the October 10 demonstration. CJP leaders have criticized the government's restrictions on public gatherings while demanding accountability for alleged electoral irregularities. As civil society groups rally in support, the party persists in organizing the protest.

Raaj Kumar at 100: Remembering the legendary Hindi film actor

From his commanding screen presence and unmistakable delivery of dialogue to his memorable performances in Waqt, Heer Raanjha and Pakeezah, Raaj Kumars centenary offers an occasion to revisit the brilliance, idiosyncrasies and limitations of a singular Hindi film star.

JKAACL hosts discussion on Dara Shukohs life, intellectual legacy

Srinagar, Oct 8: The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) on organised a literary programme featuring the release of Dara Shukoh: The Faqir and the Throne of Thorns, authored by noted academic, poet and writer Dr Amit Ranjan, followed by an extensive discussion on the book at the Academys Seminar Hall, Lal Mandi, Srinagar. The programme, as per a statement, brought together eminent academicians, historians, scholars, writers, students and literary enthusiasts, providing a platform for an engaging discussion on the life, intellectual legacy and cultural significance of Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Prof M H Zaffar, eminent academic and writer, was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Harvinder Kour, (JKAS), Dr Sameer Hamdani, Dr Amit Ranjan and Dr Abid Ahmad were also in the Presedium. The book was formally released by the dignitaries in the presence of the author and the gathering of scholars and literary enthusiasts. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Secretary JKAACL, Harvinder Kour (JKAS), who outlined the Academys vision of nurturing a vibrant literary and cultural ecosystem through sustained engagement with writers, artists, scholars, students and young people. She highlighted the Academys continuing efforts to promote literature and cultural expression in the diverse languages of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated its commitment to providing meaningful platforms for literary discourse, creative expression and intellectual exchange. She emphasised that programmes of this nature are integral to preserving, promoting and interpreting the regions rich multilingual and multicultural heritage, while also encouraging wider engagement with significant literary and historical works. Speaking on the occasion, Prof M. H. Zaffar described the book as an important addition to the literature on Dara Shukoh, a historical figure whose intellectual and cultural legacy, he said, deserves to be revisited, documented and disseminated among wider audiences. He underlined Dara Shukohs valuable contribution to literature, culture, comparative thought and translation, particularly his efforts towards exploring the affinities found in the intellectual and spiritual traditions of Islam and Hinduism. Prof Zaffar also appreciated the Academy for taking up significant literary works for discussion and promotion. Author Dr Amit Ranjan spoke about the historical injustices and political circumstances that shaped Dara Shukohs life and eventual fate. He also dwelt upon the larger intellectual and cultural dimensions of Daras personality, highlighting his engagement with philosophy, spirituality, literature and translation. He explained the perspective from which the book approaches Dara Shukoh and seeks to revisit his personality beyond the conventional narratives. Dr Sameer Hamdani, the Guest of Honour, spoke at length about Dara Shukohs association with and legacy in Kashmir. He highlighted Daras Sufi leanings and his intellectual engagement with spiritual traditions, observing that his ideas and interests occupy an important place in understanding the broader spiritual and cultural landscape associated with Kashmir. He also touched upon the continuing relevance of Dara Shukohs syncretic and intellectual approach.

The Genius of Bharat

Diversity, by itself, does not produce unity. A society may contain many languages, religions, customs and communities without granting them equal dignity or a meaningful place in common public life. Diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is accepted as legitimate, when communities encounter one another without seeking to erase one another, and when citizens recognise that their distinct identities can coexist within a shared national framework. That transformation requires more than cultural tolerance. It requires fraternitythe civic willingness to regard those who are different as fellow members of the same political community. And fraternity requires constitutionalism: the discipline that places every citizen, community and government under the authority of equal rights, lawful institutions and accountable public power. Indias diversity is visible everywherein its languages, religions, philosophies, customs, cuisines, dress, literature, music and regional traditions. But beneath this extraordinary variety lies a long, though uneven, history of accommodating difference. The Indian achievement is not that conflict or exclusion disappeared. It is that the subcontinent repeatedly generated cultural practices, intellectual traditions and political arrangements through which difference could be negotiated rather than permanently converted into separation. That is the foundation on which Indian pluralism must be understood. Diversity is a fact. Pluralism is a philosophy. Fraternity is its civic ethic. Constitutionalism is the rule that makes it durable. A diverse society may simply contain many communities. A plural society develops the ethical and institutional capacity to allow those communities to coexist with dignity, engage with one another and contribute to a common public life. Indias achievement has often been to turn diversity into a civilisational resource, although this achievement has never been complete or free from conflict. For thousands of years, the subcontinent has been a site of intellectual disagreement. Its philosophical traditions did not develop around a single universally authorised doctrine. Vedic and Upanishadic texts explored questions about existence, the self and ultimate reality. Buddhism and Jainism challenged established assumptions and developed influential alternative traditions. The schools commonly classified as Vedanta, Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya and Mimamsa, among others, developed distinct arguments and often debated one another. The Buddhist emperor Ashoka gave one expression to this principle in his edicts. In the 12th Rock Edict, generally dated to the third century BCE, he urged people not to disparage other sects and argued that honouring ones own tradition should not involve denigrating others. His message was not that all beliefs were identical. It was an appeal for restraint, learning and mutual respect in a religiously diverse society. The edict should be understood as evidence of an imperial ethical and political ideal, not as proof that all communities throughout the subcontinent practised equal tolerance. Yet disagreement itself became part of the intellectual culture. This is a significant feature of many Indian traditions. Truth was not always presented as something that could be exhausted by one formulation. The search for truth could proceed through dialogue, debate, experience and contemplation. The dialogues preserved in some Upanishads, Buddhist and Jain traditions of disputation, and the later debates associated with figures such as Adi Shankaracharya reflect the importance accorded to argument. They do not, however, prove that Indian society was uniformly tolerant or free from hierarchy and exclusion. Intellectual openness and social inequality often coexisted. That intellectual pluralism also found expression in Indias literary and cultural traditions. The Ramayana and Mahabharata travelled across the subcontinent, acquiring regional languages, interpretations and artistic forms. Kambans Tamil Ramavataram, Tulsidass Awadhi Ramcharitmanas and Krittibasis Bengali Ramayana are among the best-known examples of retelling. The many versions found across South and Southeast Asia demonstrate how a shared narrative could be adopted without being reproduced identically. Sanskrit interacted with Tamil, Prakrit, Pali and later with Indias many regional languages. Local traditions absorbed wider civilisational themes while retaining their distinctive character. The result was not cultural uniformity. It was a form of cultural federation. Indias diversity is therefore not merely the consequence of geography. It is also the product of centuries of migration, exchange, adaptation and political change. Kashmir provides a particularly important example. The Valley became a major centre of Sanskrit learning, philosophy, aesthetics and spiritual inquiry. Kashmir Shaivism is associated with thinkers such as Vasugupta, Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta. Abhinavaguptas writings on aesthetics, including his interpretation of rasa, influenced later Indian thinking about drama and artistic experience. Lal Deds verses have been read across religious boundaries, while the teachings associated with Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, or Nund Rishi, became an important part of Kashmirs spiritual heritage. The term Kashmiriyat is often used to describe an ideal of shared Kashmiri belonging across religious communities. Its meaning and historical application are debated, and the regions history includes periods of coexistence as well as conflict, displacement and political violence. Nevertheless, the ideal reflects an aspiration toward a common civic and cultural identity. It should not be presented as an uncontested description of all periods of Kashmiri history. The larger lesson is important. Civilisations can become richer when communities do not merely coexist but encounter one another. Indian pluralism has also been shaped by communities that arrived from outside the subcontinent. Jewish communities established settlements in places including Kerala and Maharashtra, preserving their religious traditions while participating in local society. The Bene Israel community in the Konkan region and the Cochin Jews in Kerala are examples of communities that made India their home over many centuries. Parsis, members of the Zoroastrian faith, migrated to western India from Iran over successive periods, particularly after the Arab conquest of Persia, although the precise chronology and scale of these migrations are matters of historical study. A well-known Parsi tradition recounts that a local ruler symbolised the limits of his kingdom with a vessel filled with milk, and that the Parsi leader responded by adding sugar to it, suggesting that the newcomers would blend into society while enriching it. The story is best treated as cultural memory rather than independently verified history. It nevertheless captures an important element of Parsi self-understanding. Parsis later made major contributions to Indias industrial, philanthropic and public life. The Tata family helped build important enterprises and supported scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Parsi figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji, the first Asian elected to the British House of Commons, played a significant role in public life and the freedom movement. Their history shows how a small community can preserve its identity while contributing substantially to a wider national project. Christianity also has a long history in India. The Saint Thomas Christian tradition in Kerala traces its origins to the early centuries of the Common Era, although the precise historical details of its earliest beginnings remain debated. Christian communities and institutions have contributed significantly to education, healthcare, printing and social reform. Institutions such as St. Xaviers College in Mumbai and Christian Medical College in Vellore are prominent examples, alongside numerous schools, hospitals and charitable organisations serving people of many faiths. Indias Muslim communities have likewise shaped the countrys shared identity in countless ways. Urdu poetry, Hindustani music, qawwali, architecture, cuisine, crafts and scholarship are not external additions to Indian culture; they are part of its living inheritance. Bhakti and Sufi traditions sometimes created spaces of spiritual exchange, although the relationship between them varied across regions and periods. Figures such as Kabir, Guru Nanak, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Amir Khusrau are remembered across community boundaries, even though their historical contexts and religious affiliations should not be collapsed into a single syncretic narrative. The cultural histories of Bengal, Punjab, the Deccan and Kashmir show how interaction produced new forms of language, music and devotion. The Indian experience demonstrates that national identity need not require cultural erasure. One can preserve ones language and still be Indian. One can practise ones faith and still be fully committed to the Republic. One can celebrate ones regional heritage while embracing a larger national identity. This layered belonging is not a weakness. It is one of Indias greatest strengths. The Constitution gave this aspiration a modern democratic and legal framework. It did not simply codify an uninterrupted ancient tradition; it also responded to colonial rule, social inequality, Partition and the demands of a modern republic. The Preamble commits the Republic to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Fundamental Rights protect equality and several forms of individual and collective freedom. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds, including religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth, subject to constitutionally permitted affirmative-action provisions. Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment, again subject to specified exceptions and reservations. Article 17 abolishes untouchability and makes its practice an offence. Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and the other provisions of Part III. Articles 29 and 30 protect certain cultural and educational rights, including the rights of sections of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it, and the rights of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, subject to constitutional interpretation and regulation in the public interest. These provisions are not abstract declarations. They have shaped public life, although their implementation has been uneven and contested. In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, decided in 1973, the Supreme Court held that Parliaments power to amend the Constitution does not extend to destroying its basic structure. The judgment did not provide a single exhaustive list of basic-structure features, but later decisions have treated principles such as constitutional supremacy, judicial review, democracy and secularism as part of that doctrine. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, decided in 1994, the Supreme Court treated secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution and held that the exercise of Article 356 is subject to judicial review. The judgment also addressed the constitutional limits on the use of state power in circumstances involving partisan or communal politics. Its precise holdings should not be reduced to a general judicial prohibition on all political appeals based on religion, but it remains a major authority on secularism, federalism and constitutional accountability. In cases concerning minority educational institutions, including T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka and subsequent decisions, the Court has examined the scope of minority rights, the meaning of minority, and the extent to which educational autonomy may be regulated to maintain academic standards and prevent maladministration. The law in this area is detailed and continues to evolve. The constitutional framework has also enabled affirmative action for historically disadvantaged communities. Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were provided from the beginning of the constitutional order, while reservations for Other Backward Classes in central educational institutions and public employment followed later constitutional, legislative and judicial developments. These measures seek to advance substantive equality, although their design, scope and effects remain subjects of public debate. The Constitutions Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide different forms of protection and autonomy for Scheduled Areas and tribal communities. The Sixth Schedule establishes autonomous district and regional councils in specified areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. These arrangements do not amount to unrestricted self-government, but they recognise that national unity can accommodate differentiated forms of local governance and cultural protection. These constitutional guarantees should not be misunderstood as instruments of fragmentation. They are among the means through which a diverse nation can preserve unity without demanding uniformity. But constitutionalism is the rule that gives pluralism its durable form. It means that no community, majority or minority, stands above the Constitution; that public power must be exercised within legal limits; that rights cannot depend solely on the goodwill of those who govern; and that institutions must protect citizens against arbitrary authority. Constitutionalism converts the moral aspiration of coexistence into an enforceable discipline of government. Without it, pluralism may remain a cultural ideal, vulnerable to the changing preferences of rulers and majorities. With it, diversity can become a foundation for equal citizenship, accountable power and democratic unity. The constitutional idea of India is therefore neither majoritarianism nor competitive communalism. It is equal citizenship under a constitutional order. This distinction is increasingly important. A democracy cannot survive merely by counting numbers. It must also protect the dignity and rights of those who are numerically smaller. The majority has the right to govern through constitutional procedures; it does not have the right to diminish the equal citizenship of others or to disregard constitutional limits. Indias public life offers many reminders of this principle. Citizens from minority communities have served as Presidents, Vice-Presidents, judges, ministers, diplomats, scientists, artists and military leaders. Dr. Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as Presidents of India. Justice M. Hidayatullah served as Chief Justice of India and later as Vice-President. Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain and Muslim citizens have held high constitutional and public offices and contributed to institutions across the country. These examples do not prove that discrimination has disappeared, nor do they by themselves establish equal social or economic outcomes. They do demonstrate that the constitutional imagination of India is larger than any single religious or cultural identity. That is why fraternity is such a profound constitutional value. Equality tells us that every citizen possesses equal civic worth. Liberty protects individual freedom. Fraternity asks citizens to recognise one another as members of a common national community. The Preamble links fraternity with the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation. Fraternity does not demand sameness. It demands solidarity despite difference. The freedom movement offered several examples of this solidarity, though it was never free of internal conflict or exclusion. Mahatma Gandhis campaigns drew participation from Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and people of many regional and linguistic backgrounds. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad argued that Indian nationalism could not be reduced to religious identity. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan linked non-violent resistance with an Islamic ethical tradition. The Indian National Army brought together soldiers from different regions and communities under a common political objective, although its composition, political significance and historical legacy require careful study. The national movement contained competing visions, but one of its most influential strands was unmistakably plural. This is where Indias civilisational inheritance can speak powerfully to its constitutional future. Indias diversity, however, should not be romanticised. Pluralism is not automatic. Differences can become sources of mistrust, prejudice and conflict. Caste discrimination, communal tensions, linguistic antagonisms and regional rivalries have all tested Indias social fabric. The Partition of 1947 was accompanied by mass killings, abductions and the displacement of millions, although estimates of the death toll vary widely. The anti-Sikh violence of 1984, the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, the violence against Christians in Kandhamal in 2008 and recurring violence in different parts of the country show that constitutional ideals require constant defence. The causes, legal findings and historical interpretations of these episodes differ, and each requires careful sourcing rather than rhetorical equivalence. The answer is not to deny these realities. It is to strengthen the institutions and civic culture capable of addressing them. Indias linguistic reorganisation after independence offers an instructive example. Many leaders feared that creating states on linguistic lines would encourage separatism. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, together with subsequent legislation, reorganised much of the countrys internal boundaries and helped accommodate linguistic aspirations within the Union. Andhra State had already been created in 1953, and later changes created or reshaped states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala. The process was neither simple nor uniformly peaceful, but it demonstrated that recognition of linguistic identity could, under appropriate constitutional conditions, strengthen rather than weaken the Union. The same principle can be seen in the constitutional accommodation of tribal and regional identities. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district and regional councils in specified parts of the Northeast, with powers that include aspects of local administration and, subject to constitutional limits, customary law and cultural affairs. The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 languages. Its inclusion does not confer exclusive official status at the Union level, nor does it exhaust Indias linguistic diversity. Article 350A directs states and local authorities to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups, while Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities. Pluralism requires equal protection of law. It requires political restraint. It requires an independent judiciary, responsible public discourse, effective democratic institutions and an education system that teaches citizens to understand Indias diversity rather than fear it. It also requires political leaders to recognise that social divisions can be easy to exploit but difficult to repair. A nation of Indias scale cannot afford a politics permanently organised around the manufacture of the other. Indias civilisational genius is not that it has always expanded the boundaries of belonging. Rather, its history contains both expansion and exclusion. Its enduring promise lies in the capacity of its people and institutions to widen belonging and correct injustice. This is why Indias national identity should not be understood as a narrow cultural template. It is better understood as a constitutional and civilisational framework capable of accommodating multiple traditions, provided that all citizens remain equal before the law. The idea of Bharat has evolved through successive political and cultural formations. It has shown continuity, but that continuity should not be treated as unbroken or uniform. There is another dimension to this inheritance that deserves attention. Indian society has repeatedly absorbed external influences without becoming culturally indistinguishable from them. Persian, Central Asian, European and other influences entered Indian life in different periods. They changed Indian society, but Indian communities also adapted and transformed what they received. The Mughal period, for example, produced new forms of architecture, painting, administration, literature and cuisine through interaction among Persianate, Central Asian and Indian traditions. The Taj Mahal, the miniature-painting traditions associated with Mughal and Rajput courts, the development of Urdu and the evolution of Hindustani music all reflect complex cultural exchange rather than one-way influence. In the Deccan, Persian, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and local Islamic traditions interacted in distinctive ways. Under colonial rule, universities, print culture, railways and legal institutions were introduced or expanded within an imperial framework and were subsequently appropriated, contested and reshaped by Indian actors. This is not cultural weakness. It can be a form of cultural confidence. A confident civilisation does not necessarily fear exchange. A contemporary example is Indias scientific and technological life. The Indian Space Research Organisation has conducted significant missions, including Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, and India is among the relatively small number of countries to have demonstrated substantial space-launch and planetary-mission capabilities. It is not possible to attribute these achievements to any single cultural group; they reflect the work of institutions drawing talent from across the country. Indias digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, has also enabled large-scale participation in common national systems. These systems have expanded access in important ways, but they have also raised legitimate questions concerning privacy, exclusion, cybersecurity, regulation and accountability. Their existence therefore demonstrates institutional scale and integration, not an unqualified success. Indias cultural pluralism is also visible in its public celebrations. Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti, Onam, Bihu, Pongal, Navratri and many other festivals are observed in different parts of the country, often with participation beyond the communities most closely associated with them. This does not mean that every festival is experienced identically or that social tensions disappear. It does show that Indian public culture has repeatedly created shared spaces around distinct traditions. The India of the 21st century needs precisely this confidence. As Bharat becomes an important economic power, a significant technological actor and an increasingly influential voice in world affairs, its greatest asset will not be its ability to project power alone. Its deeper strength will be its capacity to hold together an extraordinarily diverse population within a democratic constitutional framework. The world is becoming more interconnected, but it is also becoming more anxious about identity. Societies across continents are struggling with migration, religious difference, ethnicity, language and nationalism. India has something valuable to contribute to this global conversation. Its message should not be that differences do not matter. They do. The message should be that differences need not become divisions. The challenge before Bharat is therefore to modernise without homogenising, to strengthen national identity without narrowing it, and to pursue development without sacrificing social trust. This requires a renewed emphasis on fraternity. Economic prosperity cannot by itself create national cohesion. Infrastructure can connect cities; technology can connect people; markets can connect economies. But only mutual respect, equal citizenship and the credible rule of law can create a durable sense of belonging. The young generation must therefore inherit not only Indias achievements but also its civilisational confidence. They must learn that being Indian does not require them to surrender their linguistic, regional, religious or cultural identities. It requires them to place those identities within a larger constitutional and national framework, while respecting the equal rights of others. Indias unity should consequently be understood not as the disappearance of differences but as their coexistence within a shared constitutional order. That is perhaps one of the most distinctive ideas India can offer the modern world. The genius of Bharat is that unity can be spacious enough to accommodate plurality. Its civilisational strength lies not in having produced one way of being Indian, but in having made room for manywhile continuing to struggle over the boundaries of that belonging. The task of our generation is to preserve and deepen this inheritance while adapting it to the demands of a modern constitutional democracy. We should neither romanticise the past nor apologise for our diversity. We should build upon it. A Bharat that guarantees equal citizenship, protects freedom of conscience, encourages dialogue and celebrates its many cultural traditions will be strongernot weakerfor its diversity. For ultimately, diversity becomes pluralism only when difference is treated as legitimate, fraternity turns strangers into fellow citizens, and constitutionalism ensures that this fellowship is protected by rights, institutions and the rule of law. That is the genius Bharat must preserve and deepen: not diversity alone, but the continuing work of converting diversity into pluralism, pluralism into fraternity, and fraternity into constitutional national unity. That is not merely Indias inheritance. It can be Indias gift to the world. Author is a public intellectual and a noted Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India.

Hailstorm damages apple crop in south Kashmir villages

Shopian: Oct 8:A hailstorm on Thursday evening lashed parts of south Kashmirs upper reaches, damaging apple orchards just weeks before the harvesting season. Farmers said hailstones battered Kellar, Chowan, Mastpora and Nasarpora villages at around 7 pm, causing damage to hundreds of apple orchards in the area. Mohammad Ashraf Wani, president of the Fruit Mandi Shopian, said the hailstorm lasted for around five to seven minutes but was intense enough to damage fruit in several orchards. The hailstones damaged the apple crop just weeks before harvesting, he said. Wani said the timing of the hailstorm had added to farmers concerns, as the fruit was at a critical stage of maturity and even minor injuries could affect its quality and market value. At this stage, the apples are almost ready for harvesting. Any bruising or marks caused by hail can reduce the quality of the fruit and result in losses for growers, he said. Farmers in the affected villages said the hailstones hit orchards with considerable intensity, leaving visible marks on apples and causing some fruit to fall from the trees. They said they were assessing the extent of the damage and were worried that the affected fruit could fetch lower prices in the market. The latest hailstorm comes as growers in the upper reaches of south Kashmir are preparing for the peak apple harvesting period. The region accounts for a significant share of apple production, with thousands of farming families dependent on the crop for their annual income. For growers, damage at this stage can be particularly costly because the fruit has already gone through most of the cultivation cycle and farmers have incurred expenses on fertilisers, pesticides, labour and orchard management. Javed Ahmad, a farmer, said the authorities should assess the damage in the affected areas and provide assistance to growers if the losses were found to be significant. The farmers have already invested heavily in the crop. When a hailstorm hits just before harvesting, they have very little time to recover from the loss. The authorities should assess the affected orchards and see what support can be provided to the growers, he said.

NCs symbolic participation in Delhi protests puts INDIA bloc ties under scanner

Srinagar, Oct 8:The National Conference (NC)'s participation in the Congress-led protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar remained limited to the opening day, bringing into focus NC's engagement with the INDIA bloc mobilisation. On Thursday, the agitation entered its third day in New Delhi. On Tuesday, the NC was represented by its Rajya Sabha member and Parliamentary Party Leader Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan, who joined the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and other opposition leaders in a march from Parliament towards the Election Commission. Ramzan described the participation as being on behalf of the NC's parliamentary party. Representing the NC as the partys Parliamentary Party Leader, joined my INDIA bloc colleagues in a protest march from Parliament House to the Election Commission, he said. Ramzan said national leaders and MPs from both Houses of Parliament, along with thousands of people, had participated in the protest demanding the resignation of the CEC and Election Commissioners over allegations of vote theft. However, NC's other MPs, including Lok Sabha members Main Altaf and estranged leader Aga Syed Ruhullah, and Rajya Sabha members Gurwinder Singh Oberoi and Sajad Kitchloo, were conspicuous by their absence. After the protests on the first day on Tuesday, none of the NC leaders participated in the Delhi protests, even as Congress and several opposition parties continued the mobilisation. The NC's symbolic presence on Tuesday is notable as the party is a constituent of the INDIA bloc and has publicly criticised the Election Commission over electoral-roll revision and related issues. The party's absence from the continuing Delhi protest also comes despite its participation in opposition activities on the issue in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the NC is not the only major Kashmir political party absent from the Delhi agitation. The opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, the People's Conference (PC), led by Sajad Gani Lone, and Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh's Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) have also stayed away from the Congress-led protests in the national capital despite all of them being vocal against SIR. Even NC's estranged leader, Aga Syed Ruhullah, who has emerged as one of the party's more vocal internal critics and has criticised the Election Commission, has not joined the Delhi mobilisation. This means that the Congress-led protest has not translated into continuous participation by the main ruling party or the principal opposition parties from Jammu and Kashmir. The NC's approach also resembles that of the Samajwadi Party in the unfolding Delhi protests. SP President AkhileshYadav joined the INDIA bloc's opening-day march on Tuesday, following which he was detained. However, the SP was absent from a Congress-hosted opposition lunch and the subsequent protests. Tuesday's march was attended by several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including TMC's Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O'Brien, SP chief AkhileshYadav, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut, CPI(M)'s John Brittas, and NCP-SP's SupriyaSule, besides Congress leaders and MPs. With its presence on the opening day followed by its absence on the second and third days of the Congress-led protest, the NC has sent mixed signals to the INDIA bloc. That limited participation comes against the backdrop of the party's continuing alliance with Congress and other opposition groups, leaving its role in the sustained Delhi campaign demanding the removal of the CEC under the scanner.

World has not forgotten 9/11, 26/11, Pahalgam attacks: India at UN

United Nations, Oct 8: Exposing Pakistans doublespeak on terrorism at the UN, India has called out Islamabads efforts to gloss over its state support for terror by announcing rewards for JeM chief Masood Azahar, underlining that the world has not forgotten 9/11, 26/11 and Pahalgam attacks. India on Wednesday exercised its Right of Reply in response to the Pakistan representatives statement in the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly on the Agenda Item: Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism. Pakistan speaks of combating terrorism while seeking to obscure the very question that this committee must confront: What happens when terrorists are financed, facilitated, trained, sheltered, or supported from the territory of a state? First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Raghoo Puri said. He said India has been consistent on this question, underscoring that terrorism cannot be defeated by declarations and instead requires action against its perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors. For years, Pakistan has presented itself as a frontline state in combating terrorism and as a victim while masking the fact that the Frankensteins the Pakistani state has created and lost control over have moved from wreaking havoc in neighbouring countries to doing the same in Pakistan, Puri said. Calling out Pakistans doublespeak on terrorism, Puri said the country glosses over its state support for terrorism by announcing enhanced rewards for apprehending UN-listed head of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist and mastermind of several attacks against my country, Masood Azhar. He said the world is aware of Pakistans financial support to terrorism. Yet, we also remember that just a few months ago, Pakistani representatives used this forum to call the Jaish-e-Mohammed a defunct organisation. The world has seen the script play earlier, and we are clear-eyed that this time also it is going to be no different, he said. Puri said that when the media can reach Azhar and get confirmation from him about the success of Operation Sindoor, surely the Pakistani state knows his whereabouts. In May last year, India had launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the dastardly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir perpetrated by The Resistance Front, a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists were killed. ExploreHistory Earlier this month, India had dismissed as gimmicks Pakistans fresh announcement of a bounty of seven million rupees on Azhar, demanding that Islamabad take concrete action to combat terrorism. India has for years accused Pakistan of sheltering Azhar, while Pakistan has maintained that he fled to Afghanistan a claim rejected by Afghanistans Taliban government. For the last few years, Islamabad has claimed that the JeM founder has been operating from Afghanistan. However, the Taliban regime dismissed Pakistans repeated claims, with a senior Afghan Foreign Ministry official saying he is not in the country. Islamabads fresh announcement on the reward for information on Azhar came as it faces pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to crack down on terror groups and their leadership. The Paris-based global watchdog is set to review Pakistans anti-terrorism efforts at its upcoming plenary. Pakistan was placed under the FATF grey list between 2018 and 2022 for its systemic deficiencies in anti-money laundering and its failure to counter-terror financing. Puri also recalled a recent statement by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had said,The unfortunate thing is that the threat [Punjab] faces comes less from my neighbouring countries and more from my neighbouring provinces. Exposing this dark secret, Puri said, You cannot run with the hares and hunt with the hounds. Reality never works like that. When terrorist groups are allowed to operate under state political power, international commitments become meaningless and when perpetrators are provided safe havens, the victims of terrorism are denied justice, he said. The world has not forgotten 9/11 and where its perpetrators, including Osama bin Laden, were caught. The world has not forgotten 26/11. The world has not forgotten Pahalgam, Puri said, adding that the list, unfortunately, is painfully long. The victims in Pahalgam were not asked about their political orientation, they were asked about their religion. It is therefore deeply ironic that Pakistan speaks of combating religious hatred while allowing the conditions that enable it to persist and thrive, especially by fomenting cross-border terrorism, he said. Pakistan continues with its narrative building, misinformation, and disinformation. If bombed-out airfields and cratered runways look like victory to Pakistan, they are of course welcome to enjoy it, Puri said. Any regime against terrorism to be effective must do two things: assign responsibility and ensure accountability. India will defend its people, and continued terrorism against India will have consequences, he added. In another Right of Reply, Puri said India rejected Pakistans circular economy of words and narratives. If this much effort had actually been made in countering terrorism rather than narrative building, misinformation, and disinformation, the world would have been a better place. But nothing more can be expected from a Form 47 government, he said, referring to a term used to describe allegations of rigging and manipulation in Pakistans 2024 general elections.

Rusty, Battered & Broken!: USS Lincoln Scarred By Iran War; New Visuals Shock Families | Watch

The USS Abraham Lincoln has returned to San Diego after a 321-day deployment, ending nearly 11 months away from home and one of the most demanding carrier deployments in recent U.S. Navy history. The carrier also spent a record 265 consecutive days at sea without a port call during a mission that was repeatedly extended as it supported U.S. operations in the Iran war.New visuals of the carrier show heavy rust streaking and weathering across parts of its hull as thousands of family members gathered in San Diego to welcome sailors and Marines home. Senator Adam Schiff had previously highlighted the ships appearance in his criticism of the prolonged deployment, saying the Lincoln returned with its hull rusted, paint peeling.

Nana Patekar: The actor who stood with soldiers in Kargil, adopted 48 Army schools in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 08: Veteran actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Goa, was far more than a cinematic icon for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. He was a man who stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in the Kargil war zone, spent nearly two months in the conflict area, and later adopted 48 Army Goodwill Schools across the region, including seven in Ladakh. His demise brings an end to a career spanning nearly five decades, but for the border regions of J&K and Ladakh, his association extended far beyond his film roles. Patekar's connection with Ladakh dates back to the 1999 Kargil conflict. After undergoing extensive military training while preparing for his 1991 film 'Prahaar: The Final Attack', Patekar sought permission to join the Army during the Kargil War. He approached then Defence Minister George Fernandes and was eventually permitted to travel to the conflict zone. Patekar later recalled that he spent around 60 days with Army personnel, travelling through Dras, Leh, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore. He also said he became associated with a Quick Reaction Team (QRT). His experience was physically demanding. Patekar recalled that he weighed around 76 kg when he reached Srinagar and returned at about 56 kg after his stint with the troops. That loss of 20 kilograms was a measure of the conditions he endured alongside the soldiers. His connection with Ladakh continued years later through social work. In September 2025, while visiting families affected by Pakistani shelling in Rajouri and Poonch, Patekar said his NGO had adopted 48 Army Goodwill Schools across Jammu and Kashmir, including seven in Ladakh, besides 28 in Kashmir and the remaining schools in Jammu. The initiative was aimed at improving educational standards and infrastructure in the schools. Patekar's NGO 'NAAM' joined hands with the Army in north Kashmir in recent years to develop schools falling close to LoC villages. Nana had said that his experience during the Kargil conflict had left a lasting impression on him. His association with the Army was not merely limited to portraying military characters on screen. Patekar made his Hindi film debut with Gaman in 1978 and went on to deliver acclaimed performances in films including Parinda, Prahaar, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan, Welcome and Natsamrat. He won three National Film Awards and was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. His preparation for Prahaar included rigorous training with the Maratha Light Infantry, an experience that later became the foundation of his real-life association with the armed forces. Beyond cinema, Patekar was known for his philanthropic work. He co-founded the Naam Foundation with actor Makarand Anaspure and worked extensively with distressed farmers and families affected by drought and other crises. For Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Nana Patekar's legacy carries an additional dimension. He was not merely an actor who portrayed soldiers on screen. He travelled to the conflict zone, spent time with troops during the Kargil War and, years later, extended his philanthropic work to schools serving children in the border regions. His association with the Army, Kargil and the frontier areas thus remains one of the lesser-known but significant chapters of the life of an actor whose screen presence and off-screen humanitarian work left a lasting imprint on the region.

CBI Arrests Principal and Middleman in Bribery Case at Itarsi School

The CBI has arrested the principal of a school in Itarsi and a middleman for allegedly demanding bribes for renovation payments. CBI Arrests Principal and Middleman in Bribery Case at Itarsi School

The Ride to Work: A Journey from Cycling for Health to a Healthier India

Every morning, while most commuters in Delhi prepare themselves for another battle with traffic, fuel costs and pollution, there is one commuter who chooses a different routeone powered not by petrol or diesel, but by his own legs. For him, cycling to work is not merely a means of commuting. It is a way of life, a commitment to health and an expression of concern for the environment. The journey began in December 2012, when he decided to cycle from Millennium Apartment, Sector-9, Dwarka, to his workplace at Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. The daily round trip was more than 35 kilometres. What began as an experiment for better health gradually became a passion, and eventually a personal mission to encourage others to embrace cycling. I started cycling to improve my health, he recalls. After a few days of riding on the busy roads of Delhi, I started enjoying it. The rides became joy rides. From necessity to passion Cycling was not entirely new to him. His first association with the bicycle goes back to his student days in Allahabad, when he rode nearly 40 kilometres a day to attend college and tuition classes before returning home. A second phase followed in Dehradun, where cycling became a convenient way of travelling to different places while giving tuition. But the third and most enduring phase began when he was posted to the Employees Provident Fund Organisations Head Office at Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. After years of service, he found himself becoming less active and gaining weight. It was his batchmate and Regional Commissioner in EPFO, Shri Subhash Sharma, who suggested cycling as a way to improve his health. That suggestion changed his routineand eventually much more. The 35-kilometre daily commute soon became a regular part of life. On one occasion, he even rode nearly 50 kilometres at a stretch, taking only a brief ten-minute break. What began as a personal health initiative gradually acquired a larger purpose: Health and Environment. A bicycle can say much about a society For him, cycling is also a measure of how a society thinks about quality of life. He believes that a society that encourages cycling is investing simultaneously in health, environmental sustainability, productivity and happiness. A healthy citizen, he argues, is more productive and less vulnerable to lifestyle-related illnesses. Every bicycle replacing a motorised vehicle also means less fuel consumption and less pollution. He points to countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark, where cycling has become an integral part of everyday life. In Utrecht, for example, cycling infrastructure has been developed on a scale that makes the bicycle a practical mode of daily transportation. The lesson, he believes, is relevant to India as well. Cycling is not simply about exercise, is the underlying message of his campaign. It is about creating healthier people and healthier surroundings. Taking the message beyond the bicycle His journey did not stop with his own daily rides. During his posting in Madhya Pradesh, he began involving government officials, educational institutions, social organisations and citizens in cycling initiatives. Collectors, Superintendents of Police, Commissioners, students and members of various organisations participated in cycle rallies. The first major cycle rally in Gwalior, organised in November 2015, brought together more than 600 cyclists. Several organisations participated, including the BSF, Air Force, educational institutions, universities, professional organisations and the EPFO. Over time, cycling events were organised in several places, including Gwalior, Morena, Shivpuri, Bhind, Datia, Dabra, Sagar, Rajgarh, Narwar and Jaura. In all, 16 cycle rallies were organised in different parts of Madhya Pradesh. The purpose was never simply to organise an event. The larger objective was to make cycling visible and socially acceptableto demonstrate that a bicycle can be a serious mode of transport for students, professionals, government officers and ordinary citizens alike. From 35 kilometres to 600 kilometres The passion also took him into the world of endurance cycling. Under Audax India events, cyclists attempt long-distance rides of 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometres within prescribed time limits. Those who successfully complete the required series are recognised as Super Randonneurs. He successfully completed the 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km events in 2016. What makes the achievement particularly interesting is that he undertook these challenging rides on relatively inexpensive hybrid bicycles, whereas road bicycles are more commonly associated with such endurance events. His experience demonstrates that cycling need not always be an expensive pursuit. Determination, consistency and willingness to ride can matter as much as sophisticated equipment. Can Delhi become more cycle-friendly? Delhi has wide roads and, in his view, has the potential to become a much more cycle-friendly city. The bigger challenge is the increasing pressure from motorised vehicles and the limited availability of dedicated cycling infrastructure. While commuting from Dwarka towards Bhikaji Cama Place, he often used bylanes and could cover approximately 22.5 kilometres in about an hour. His suggestion is straightforward: create dedicated cycling lanes wherever possible, provide secure bicycle parking and make cycling a practical choice rather than merely a recreational activity. He also believes that workplaces can contribute by providing facilities such as secure bicycle parking and bathing or changing facilities for employees who cycle to work. Making cycling a national movement His vision extends beyond individual cyclists. He believes that the government can encourage cycling through public recognition, cycling events, incentives for employees who cycle to work, bicycle subsidies, dedicated tracks and better parking facilities. Cycling, in his view, should become part of a broader national programme involving health, environment, sports, education, tourism and urban planning. He proposes publicly recognising people who cycle extraordinary distances to work, organising cyclathons, promoting cycling alongside other health initiatives and encouraging Indian manufacturers to produce world-class bicycles. Most importantly, he believes that cycling should be made attractive to young people. Rather than beginning with extremely demanding endurance events, he suggests that organised 50-kilometre and 100-kilometre events could bring more newcomers into the cycling movement. Leading by example Cycling to work as a senior government officer has occasionally attracted different opinions from friends and colleagues. But he says that he has never regarded this as a serious obstacle. For him, the choice is personaland purposeful. At a time when traffic congestion, pollution, stress and lifestyle-related illnesses are increasing, he believes that public servants and other professionals can play an important role by leading through personal example. The bicycle, in his philosophy, is therefore more than a vehicle. It represents discipline, simplicity, health, sustainability and personal responsibility. A simple message After years of cycling, organising rallies and participating in long-distance events, his message remains remarkably simple: Life is beautiful; make it more beautiful through consistent effort. He believes that people should strive for happiness, health and self-development rather than constantly pursuing material wealth. His daily ride to work is perhaps the most visible expression of that philosophy. For more than a decade, the bicycle has taken him through Delhis roads, the towns of Madhya Pradesh and hundreds of kilometres of endurance rides. But the destination has never been only a workplace or a finishing line. The destination is a healthier individual, a cleaner environment and, ultimately, a happier society. And tomorrow morning, as Delhi's traffic begins another crowded day, the wheels will turn again.

Senior Medical Officer and Accomplice Arrested for Bribery in Rajasthan

A senior medical officer and an accomplice were arrested in Rajasthan for allegedly demanding a bribe of 35,000 related to a medical report. Senior Medical Officer and Accomplice Arrested for Bribery in Rajasthan

30 vegetable shops gutted in suspected arson at Jhansi mandi

Private firm to run 30 Urban Arogya Mandirs in Gurgaon

Paris Student Protests Intensify: What Are Students Demanding?

France's student protests show no sign of easing, with fresh barricades outside schools in Paris as students demand more funding, better facilities and adequate staffing. As concerns grow over violence and disruption, the unrest is piling further pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's outgoing government.

Liquor shops in Delhi to remain closed on Oct 9 and 10 ahead of protests

The Delhi government on Thursday directed the closure of liquor stores in the city on October 9 and 10 due to the prevailing situation to maintain public order. An order issued by the Excise Department said that the closure of liquor vends was based on Delhi Police inputs as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining public order. The order has come ahead of ongoing protests by opposition parties demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged vote theft. A call for protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 has also been given by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the CJP protest, a senior officer said on Thursday. The officer said no permission has been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar, and appealed to people to avoid participating in any unauthorised gathering.

USPC to Stage Protests at Telangana Collectorates on Oct 10 Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation

The committee alleged that the SIR exercise was leading to the removal of voters from electoral rolls on a large scale and demanded that the process be scrapped.

Dr. Romesh K. Japra receives prestigious HMEC Lifetime Achievement Award at 19th HMEC and 13th HMPC conference

Dr Abhilash Maroju LOS ANGELES: A major three-day gathering celebrating Hindu Dharma, temple leadership, spiritual service, and community empowerment brought together a significant representation of Hindu leaders, priests, community representatives, and organizations from October 2 through October 4, 2026, for the 19th HMEC Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council Conference and 13th HMPC Hindu Mandir []

Delhi Liquor Shops To Stay Shut Tomorrow And Day After Amid Opposition Protests

The order, issued by the Delhi government's Excise Department on Thursday, comes as the city braces for another round of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

INDIA bloc steps up anti-EC protest, BJP accuses Opposition of targeting institutions (Lead)

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The Opposition continued its protest in Delhi for the third consecutive day on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and MPs of the Opposition INDIA bloc first gathered for lunch at the Connaught Place in the national capital before travelling by buses to Rajghat. Heavy security arrangements were put in place in view of the protest. The opposition leaders had to wait for nearly an hour before being allowed inside Rajghat, where they paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had said that the leaders would pray to Mahatma Gandhi for wisdom for the Union government and urge it not to take away people's right to vote. While Wednesday's destination was Jantar Mantar, the leaders headed to Rajghat on Thursday. Earlier, the Opposition had also taken out a march from Parliament to the Election Commission. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the protest would continue until their demand for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation was met. Even as Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a sit-in at Rajghat, it drew a sharp counterattack from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Opposition of attempting to pressure constitutional institutions. The Rajghat protest marked the third consecutive day of demonstrations by opposition parties in the national capital. The INDIA bloc has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the electoral process and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations. CPI-M MP John Brittas said the Opposition's agitation would continue until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the country was united in seeking the CEC's resignation and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to the concerns being raised by the Opposition. The INDIA bloc has also sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu amid the ongoing standoff. Congress sources said the Opposition was yet to receive a response from Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said the INDIA bloc had first sought an appointment on October 2 and subsequently submitted the names of participating leaders. The leaders had sought a meeting on October 7, 8 or 9. The Opposition is considering further options as it seeks to maintain pressure on the Union government and the poll panel. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also arrived in Delhi as opposition parties prepared to intensify their mobilisation. The BJP, however, questioned the rationale behind the protests. Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar said that the SIR issue is already before the Supreme Court and accused the Opposition of attempting to create an atmosphere of anarchy. He said people had lost faith in the Opposition. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also criticised Rahul Gandhi's street protests ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, alleging that the Congress was seeking to pressure constitutional institutions and undermine the credibility of the judiciary through demonstrations. The political exchange also drew criticism from Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who contrasted the Congress-led protests with Mahatma Gandhi's movements. Maurya said Gandhi's campaigns always maintained dignity and avoided confrontation, while alleging that recent protests involving Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had witnessed scuffles and a disregard for decorum.

Woman Alleges Triple Talaq After 16 Years of Marriage in Kanpur

A woman in Kanpur claims her husband issued her a triple talaq after 16 years of marriage, demanding his arrest for domestic abuse. Woman Alleges Triple Talaq After 16 Years of Marriage in Kanpur

MP Congress protests over SIR, backs Rahul Gandhis agitation

Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 8 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Thursday staged protests across the state against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, extending support to Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's agitation in New Delhi and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests were organised at block and district levels following a nationwide call by the Congress leadership. In Bhopal, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar led a march from Board Office Square to the Ambedkar statue. Congress workers raised slogans against the Election Commission and later staged a sit-in protest at Board Office Square. Several protesters sat and lay on the road, disrupting traffic at the busy intersection. Speaking to reporters, Digvijaya Singh said the Congress was protesting to protect citizens' voting rights. We have to sit on the road in the interest of the people. We are protesting to restore the rights that have been taken away from the people, he said. Singh alleged that democracy was being undermined in the country. The votes of 13 crore people have been stolen. Who stole these votes? This is not a battle for Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi; it is a fight for the rights of the people of this country, he said, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was promoting a dictatorial style of governance. He also demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, saying that democracy required an impartial Election Commission. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi has even a little sensitivity, he should seek the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. If the Election Commission is not impartial, democracy will not survive, he said. Patwari said the Congress was observing a Black Day across the state in protest against the police action on LoP Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and INDIA bloc MPs during their demonstration in Delhi. He said the party would continue to raise questions regarding electoral rolls and the election process through democratic means and would continue its campaign to protect voting rights. In Bhopal, some protesters climbed the Ambedkar statue and raised slogans, prompting deployment of additional police personnel. NSUI workers also attempted to spray black paint on a poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to an argument with the police. Protests were also held in several other districts. In Indore, Congress workers burnt an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar and raised slogans demanding his resignation. In Sagar, party workers dressed in black and tied their hands with ropes before burning an effigy of the Chief Election Commissioner. The Congress also alleged that more than 15 party workers travelling to Delhi to join LoP Rahul Gandhi's protest were made to deboard a train at Itarsi. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav criticised the Congress for blaming the Election Commission for its electoral setbacks and said the party should introspect about its organisation and leadership. Referring to Congress governments in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, Yadav questioned the party's criticism of the electoral process. If there is distrust in the Election Commission's process, then what is the meaning of Congress's victory in Kerala? he said.

Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko Becomes The Face Of Frances Student Protest Movement

A French mayor has become the face of a growing student revolt. Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis, stood between riot police and teenagers during a protest in Paris. He shouted stop as officers moved towards the crowd. Bagayoko says tear gas was then fired and hit the students and him. He says the protesters could have been his own children. The viral video has intensified scrutiny of police tactics across France. Students are demanding better-funded schools, more teachers, smaller classes and repairs to neglected buildings. The government says police are also being attacked, while schools have been burned or ransacked. More than 6,600 people have been arrested since late September. After a 15-year-old lost a hand during a protest in Lens, France suspended stun-grenade use at school demonstrations. The unrest is now a test of policing, education policy and political leadership.

MSF Campus Express campaign to conclude on Oct. 9

As part of the campaign, MSF district committee members wore black and staged a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

Mamata Banerjee likely to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she is likely to join opposition INDIA bloc protests at Delhis Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She also expressed concern over Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, and said she has sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu.

MP: CBI arrests Kendriya Vidyalaya principal, middleman in Rs 3 lakh bribery case

Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 8 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the principal of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Itarsi and a middleman for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from Bhopal-based firms engaged in renovation work at the school, the agency said on Thursday. The action came after the CBI registered a case against the principal on October 7 following allegations that he had demanded an undue advantage of Rs 3 lakh from the firms for releasing payments against their pending bills. The firms had been awarded renovation work at the Kendriya Vidyalaya through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The alleged bribe demand was linked to the release of payments due to the firms for the work orders issued to them by the school. The bribe amount was demanded for releasing payment of pending bills of the firms about work orders issued to these firms by the school through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), the CBI said in a statement. After registering the case, the agency laid a trap to verify and act on the alleged demand. During the operation on October 7, the CBI allegedly caught the principal and the middleman while they were accepting the Rs 3 lakh undue advantage. Following the trap operation, the CBI conducted searches at the residential and office premises of the accused in Itarsi and Agra. The searches were carried out as part of the investigation into the bribery allegations and the transactions connected with the renovation work. Property-related documents were seized during the searches, the agency said. The documents and other material recovered during the operation are expected to form part of the evidence being examined by investigators. The CBI laid a trap and caught the accused principal and middleman while accepting an undue advantage of Rs 3 lakh, the agency said. The investigation is continuing, the CBI added.

BJP trying to take away votes of those who turned against it: Revanth Reddy

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 8 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was afraid of poor people who had turned against it and, therefore, wanted to deprive them of their right to vote. For a second consecutive day, the Chief Minister participated in the INDIA bloc's protest in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He alleged that the BJP had tried to divide Indians based on religion, caste, region and language. They have also misused Central agencies as a threat to weaken the Opposition and stifle institutions. Now that defeat is imminent, the country is being divided into two major camps: those who have the right to vote and those whose votes they want to steal, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) quoted him as saying. The BJP is afraid of the poor people who have turned against it, including Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minorities. Hence, they want to take away their votes, said Revanth Reddy, who joined Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other Congress and INDIA bloc leaders in the sit-in protest at Raj Ghat. The Chief Minister stated that if the votes of 13 crore or more citizens were taken away, it would amount to the single largest disenfranchisement exercise on the planet. He said this figure was greater than the population of many countries. We are setting up a strange situation where, after the number of voters increased in every election in India since 1952, including the last three General Elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, the total number of voters in India will decline in the next polls, he said. However, he asserted that the people of India would not allow this. He remarked that the issue was not a fight of the Congress alone or even the INDIA alliance, but one concerning the future of the country. CM Revanth Reddy alleged that PM Modi had always sought to capture power through divisive tactics drawn from what he described as the imperialist British playbook. Our party was formed to secure Independence for India, not to gain power. We ensured India became free and that every Indian got a vote. Today, if the government can illegally take away people's votes, tomorrow all their rights, including reservations and fundamental rights, will also be taken away, he said. India will stand for the right of every citizen to vote. No force on earth can stop that. Either the BJP removes CEC Gyanesh Kumar, reverses the SIR exercise and restores the vote of every citizen, or it will be consigned to the dustbin of Indian political history, Revanth Reddy added.

INS Trishul's PASSEX with Spanish Navy enhances interoperability and operational synergy

Digital Desk | Madrid, Oct 8 (IANS) Indian Navys guided-missile frigate INS Trishul undertook a PASSEX with Spanish naval ship ESPS Reina Sofia during its departure from Valencia. The exercise enhanced interoperability and operational synergy between the two Navies, the Indian Navy said on Thursday. Indian Navys guided-missile frigate INS Trishul undertook a PASSEX with Spanish Naval Ship ESPS Reina Sofia on departure from Valencia, Spain, on 04 Oct 26, the Indian Navy stated on X. The joint exercise featured coordinated manoevering, cross-deck landings, boarding operations and VBSS, along with communication drills. The exercise facilitated exchange of professional expertise and further enhanced interoperability and operational synergy between the two Navies, it added. INS Trishul's port call in Spain underscored the growing bilateral defence partnership, the Embassy of India in Madrid said as Ambassador Jayant Khobragade visited the vessel at the Port of Valencia and met its Commanding Officer, Captain Charit Kapil. The Ambassador visited INS Trishul at the Port of Valencia during its Port Call to Spain and met its Commanding Officer, Captain Charit Kapil. A frontline Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate commissioned in 2003, INS Trishul combines advanced weapons, sensors and a multi-role helicopter. Its service has included anti-piracy operations, protecting merchant vessels and supporting security, the Embassy stated on X. A highlight of the IndiaSpain Dual Year of 2026, the port call underscored the growing bilateral defence partnership. Professional interactions and a joint Passage Exercise between the Indian Navy and Spains Armada Espaola have contributed to enhancing interoperability and maritime cooperation, it added. Earlier, INS Trishul completed the sea phase of the 24th edition of Exercise 'Varuna' with the French Navy, drilling alongside two French frigates, a nuclear attack submarine, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft in the Mediterranean, the Ministry of Defence said. The ship sailed out from Toulon on September 25 for the sea phase of the annual bilateral maritime exercise, the Indian Navy said in a post on X. Anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, live firing exercises and cross-deck helicopter landing serials provided opportunities to enhance operational coordination and interoperability between the two Navies, reaffirming the strong and enduring India-France maritime partnership, the Indian Navy stated.

GTA V Ported To Run Locally In Browser: How A Modder Brought The Game To WebGPU

A tech enthusiast has successfully managed to run Grand Theft Auto V completely offline inside Google Chrome on an Apple MacBook Air M1 . While running demanding Windows games on non-Windows hardware traditionally presents substantial technical hurdles, this experimental setup demonstrates modern browser capabilities. Shared via Reddit, the initiative took shape after an unofficial web port of Rockstars open-world title briefly appeared online, enabling the developer to extract key assets and configure them for an entirely self-hosted, local environment. The technical architecture relies on an x86_64 game engine compiled directly into 64-bit WebAssembly . Background tasks and computational operations are split across multiple Web Workers within Chrome. On the visual front, graphics rendering is handled via modern WebGPU APIs , supported by roughly 6,600 translated shaders adapted to WGSL (WebGPU Shading Language). The client assetsamounting to approximately 20 GB of game data are streamed using a lightweight local host server and stored inside browser storage caches. GTA V running fully offline in Chrome on an M1 MacBook Air by u/Rude-Application-931 in pcmasterrace Initially, the build exhibited severe instability due to version mismatches between late-2022 engine code and legacy game assets from 2014. These bugs triggered endless loading loops, system freezes, inaccessible stores caused by missing asset textures, and broken UI text elements. To achieve playable stability, the developer introduced a dual-save mechanism utilizing both IndexedDB storage and local disk files. Visual parameters were optimized with reduced graphical presets, a resolution cap, and a 30 FPS frame-rate limiter . Bespoke JavaScript patches circumvent corrupt video files and missing textures, supplemented by a post-processing sharpening filter and an integrated in-game trainer menu capable of weather manipulation, vehicle spawning, and teleportation. Despite these performance optimizations, instability remains an inherent risk. The software regularly hits the strict memory limits enforced by modern web browsers, leading to occasional crashes during extended gameplay sessions. GTA V Ported To Run Locally In Browser: How A Modder Brought The Game To WebGPU , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .

Surface Laptop Ultra Debuts At $2,599 With First Breakaway USB-C Port

Microsoft has officially confirmed the pricing , release date , and technical specifications for its flagship Surface Laptop Ultra . Following its initial preview earlier this summer, the company announced during its keynote presentation in San Francisco that the new machine is scheduled to start shipping on October 16 , with pre-orders opening immediately across the United States . The entry-level model carries a starting price of $2,599 . For this configuration, buyers receive a premium 15-inch mini-LED display , an expansive haptic trackpad , and three versatile USB-C ports . Under the hood, the base device is powered by an 18-core RTX Spark processor featuring 5,120 GPU cores alongside 24GB RAM . While this starter tier is not geared for running heavy local enterprise models, it provides ample performance for demanding everyday workflows such as video editing , creative photo production , data crunching , 3D modeling , and casual gaming . A significant hardware innovation on the Surface Laptop Ultra is the introduction of the industrys first breakaway USB-C port . Taking inspiration from proprietary solutions like Apple MagSafe and the legacy Surface Connect , this mechanism secures the connector magnetically to safeguard the computer from accidental cord snags. Unlike earlier implementations that depended on proprietary interfaces, this is a fully functional, universal USB-C connector that remains entirely compatible with conventional USB-C peripherals . Positioned as Microsofts most advanced and highest-tier computing device to date, top-end configurations are built specifically for intensive computational tasks. The highest-specification variants target AI developers who require sufficient compute power to execute massive 120B parameter models locally, supporting intricate agentic workflows and advanced on-device processing directly within Windows. Component / Category Technical Specifications Display 15-inch PixelSense Ultra Touchscreen Mini-LED panel, 3:2 aspect ratio, 262 PPI Brightness: 1,000 nits SDR typical / 2,000 nits HDR peak luminance Dolby Vision support Processor (SoC) Base: NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X (18-core CPU, 5,120-core GPU) High-End: NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X (20-core CPU, 6,144-core GPU) Dedicated NVIDIA NPU & Blackwell architecture Unified Memory 24 GB, 32 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB LPDDR5x unified memory Storage Removable Solid-State Drive: 512 GB (PCIe Gen 4 SSD) 1 TB / 2 TB (PCIe Gen 5 SSD) Ports & Connectivity 1x USB-C / USB4 with Magnetic Breakaway Connect 2x USB-C / USB4 Surface Laptop Ultra Debuts At $2,599 With First Breakaway USB-C Port , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .

BJP to launch protests in Keralam to counter Congress protests demanding resignation of Gyanesh Kumar

Congress attacking the Election Commission, courts, and all constitutional bodies with an aim to destabilise the government, says BJP State vice-president M.T. Ramesh

BJP to launch protests in Keralam to counter Congress protests demanding resignation of Gyanesh Kumar

Congress attacking the Election Commission, courts, and all constitutional bodies with an aim to destabilise the government, says BJP State vice-president M.T. Ramesh