Touchscreen MacBook Pro Guide: Release date, price and new features

Macworld Apple has announced its first touchscreen MacBook Pro lineup, officially called MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display. Available in 14.2-inch and 16.3-inch sizes with M5 Pro or M5 Max processors, the new models combine tandem OLED technology with direct touchscreen input. Touch is standard across the new range, while non-touchscreen MacBook Pros remain available. The biggest changes include Dynamic Island, a smaller and lighter enclosure, and a new 16TB maximum SSD option on M5 Max configurations. The display adds Adobe RGB support and higher peak brightness while retaining a maximum 120Hz refresh rate. Other features include up to 128GB of RAM, Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7 and audio with a claimed 50% deeper bass. The touchscreen models retain the same chip families, memory capacities and advertised battery endurance as their equivalent non-touch M5 models, making this primarily an upgrade to the display, design and how users interact with their Mac. U.S. starting prices carry a $400 premium over equivalent non-touch versions, with the 14-inch M5 Pro starting at $2,899 and the 16-inch M5 Max starting at $4,799. Whats new compared with the non-touchscreen MacBook Pro? The processor generation, maximum RAM, Thunderbolt generation, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth versions and Apples battery-life ratings havent changed, but there is a lot that is different. Change New PROLED XDR models Non-touch M5 models Display technology Tandem OLED PROLED XDR Mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR Touchscreen Standard Multi-Touch input No Peak brightness 2,000 nits peak HDR and outdoor SDR; sustained full-screen brightness remains up to 1,000 nits 1,600 nits HDR; up to 1,000 nits SDR outdoors Colour and contrast P3 plus Adobe RGB; quoted 10,000,000:1 contrast P3; quoted 1,000,000:1 contrast Screen dimensions and resolution 14.2-inch, 30241986; 16.3-inch, 34722266 14.2-inch, 30241964; 16.2-inch, 34562234 Camera cutout and interface Dynamic Island Notch Portability 14-inch: 1.381.40kg; 16-inch: 1.821.84kg; both thinner 14-inch: 1.601.62kg; 16-inch: 2.142.15kg Maximum storage 16TB with either M5 Max GPU configuration 8TB with M5 Max Camera stabilisation Adds advanced video stabilisation Existing computational video features Speakers Redesigned system; Apple claims 50% deeper bass Six-speaker system Touchscreen MacBook Pro release date: When will it launch? Pre-orders : October 28, 2026 On sale : November 6, 2026 Pre-orders opened on October 28, 2026, through Apples website and Apple Store app. Deliveries and retail availability begin Friday, November 6, through Apple Stores and Apple Authorised Resellers. Apple announces an initial rollout covering 30 countries and regions. Pre-order the touchscreen MacBook Pro PROLED XDR from Apple U.S. Pre-order the touchscreen MacBook Pro PROLED XDR from Apple U.K. Touchscreen MacBook Pro price Apple has introduced a more expensive touchscreen range alongside the existing models. The new range carries a $400 starting-price premium over every equivalent non-touch M5 model. The premium does not buy a newer processor generation, more base memory or a larger entry SSD. Model Non-touch starting price PROLED XDR starting price Difference 14-inch M5 Pro $2,499 / 2,499 $2,899 / 2,899 +$400 / 400 16-inch M5 Pro $2,999 / 2,999 $3,399 / 3,399 +$400 / 400 14-inch M5 Max $4,099 / 4,099 $4,499 / 4,499 +$400 / 400 16-inch M5 Max $4,399 / 4,399 $4,799 / $4,799 +$400 / 400 Touchscreen MacBook Pro design Apple The new MacBook Pro retains a conventional laptop layout, built-in keyboard and Force Touch trackpad. It comes in Space Black or Silver, with an enclosure made from 100% recycled aluminium. Compared to the existing models, the weight reduction is more substantial than the thickness reduction: the 14-inch models lose 220g, while the 16-inch models lose approximately 310320g. Slimmer borders also allow the larger screen to grow slightly despite a reduced enclosure footprint. Apple describes a revised hinge and cooling system. It claims greater hinge stability during touch input and says the cooling design directs warm air away from the display. Well be verifying those claims in our review of the new laptop. Model Previous width depth thickness New width depth thickness Previous new weight 14-inch M5 Pro 31.26 22.12 1.55cm 31.08 21.63 1.50cm 1.60 1.38kg 14-inch M5 Max Same Same 1.62 1.40kg 16-inch M5 Pro 35.57 24.81 1.68cm 35.55 24.42 1.60cm 2.14 1.82kg 16-inch M5 Max Same Same 2.15 1.84kg Touchscreen MacBook Pro dimensions compared to non-touchscreen models. Touchscreen MacBook display The PROLED XDR Display isnt just for touching. Apple Both sizes offer M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations, and every PROLED XDR model includes touch. There is no base-M6 configuration in this touchscreen range. OLEDs benefits concern image reproduction: individually lit pixels, deeper blacks and reduced blooming around bright objects. Touch adds a separate benefit direct interaction with content. The maximum refresh rate remains 120Hz. Apple indicates that pixel compensation mitigates ageing and burn-in, rather than establishing that OLED cannot deteriorate. It quotes 1% reflectance for standard glass; nano-texture scatters reflections further. There is also an oleophobic coating to reduce fingerprints. For cleaning, Apple advises powering down and using a soft cloth appropriately dampened for standard screens; never spray liquid directly onto the display. For nano-texture, use the supplied polishing cloth and follow Apples specific care instructions. Display specification 14-inch 16-inch Diagonal size 14.2 inches 16.3 inches Native resolution 30241986 34722266 Pixel density 254ppi 254ppi Technology Tandem OLED Tandem OLED Sustained full-screen HDR/SDR brightness Up to 1,000 nits Up to 1,000 nits Peak HDR brightness 2,000 nits 2,000 nits Peak outdoor SDR brightness 2,000 nits 2,000 nits ProMotion 10120Hz 10120Hz Colour One billion colours, P3 plus Adobe RGB, True Tone Same Glass Standard antireflective glass or optional nano-texture Same Apple qualifies the sustained brightness figure for temperatures below 25C. Peak brightness does not mean the whole screen continuously operates at 2,000 nits. Which MacBook models get a touchscreen? Touch comes with the 14- and 16-inch PROLED XDR models using M5 Pro or M5 Max; the M6 MacBook Pro and Liquid Retina XDR models have no touchscreen. How does touch work in macOS? Apple Apple confirms scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, drawing, dragging and dropping, double-tapping a window to fill the screen, and flicking windows into tiled positions. Touch works alongside keyboard and trackpad input. Dynamic Island provides access to activities and controls. Spotlights relocation there requires Siri AI to be available and enabled. In everyday use, this offers a direct way to move through documents, enlarge photographs or reposition content. macOS translates taps into clicks for many existing apps; developers can use gesture APIs for more specialised controls. Apple indicated that there are forthcoming updates for Microsoft 365, Notion, Canva, Zoom, Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve, Blender, Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Shapr3D and djay Pro later this year. Creator Studio updates are confirmed to be coming in November. Touchscreen MacBook Pro processor M5 Pro and M5 Max As expected, the processors are carried-over M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The new models feature the same CPU/GPU options, Neural Engine and memory bandwidth as the equivalent non-touch models. All have a 16-core Neural Engine and GPU Neural Accelerators. The 18-core CPU comprises six super cores and 12 performance cores; the 15-core version has five and 10 respectively. Apple introduced these chips earlier in 2026. They use third-generation 3nm manufacturing and Apples Fusion Architecture, joining two dies into one system-on-chip through advanced packaging. Those are characteristics of the existing M5 Pro/Max generation, not manufacturing upgrades introduced with touch. For an example of Apples older-generation comparisons, it claims 10.9 faster time to first token than M1 Pro for a 14-inch M5 Pro model. Apples test used an 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 64GB RAM and 4TB SSD against an M1 Pro with 10-core CPU/16-core GPU, 32GB RAM and 8TB SSD. The workload was a quantised 14-billion-parameter model, an 8K-token prompt and LM Studio. Apple made no indication that there was any CPU/GPU performance increase over an equivalent non-touch M5 configuration, or a quantified improvement in whole-system power efficiency. Separately, Apple has launched the 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M6 chip . Touchscreen MacBook memory: How much RAM is included? There is no increase in base or maximum memory over the equivalent non-touch M5 models. The M5 Pro starts with 24GB, the 32-core GPU M5 Max has 36GB, and the 40-core version starts with 48GB. Reaching 64GB with M5 Pro requires the 20-core GPU; reaching 128GB requires the 40-core M5 Max. More memory can accommodate larger creative projects, more demanding multitasking and larger local AI models. Touchscreen MacBook storage: What is the highest capacity? The entry capacities are unchanged. However, it is possible to upgrade to 16TB on M5 Max, up from 8TB. In order to obtain that capacity buyers need either the 32-core or 40-core GPU. Apple makes an up to twice as fast storage claim that compares a 16TB M5 Max system with an 8TB M4 Max system. Both had 128GB RAM; testing used FIO 3.43 with 1,024KB requests, a 10GB file and queue depth eight. That test doesnt demonstrate doubled SSD performance over the non-touch M5 range. We will be running our own benchmarks. Touchscreen MacBook camera, microphones and speakers The camera remains a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View and 1080p video recording. Advanced video stabilisation is new, however. Authentication remains Touch ID. Dynamic Island is an interface feature, not confirmation of Face ID or a TrueDepth camera. Apple retains a six-speaker system, force-cancelling woofers, Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support. Apple claims 50% deeper bass and adds closed-lid audio tuning. The three-microphone array retains directional beamforming, Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum modes. Touchscreen MacBook battery Apple lists video-streaming ratings of 22/20 hours for the 14-inch Pro/Max and 24/22 hours for the 16-inch Pro/Max, the same as the non-touchscreen models. Touchscreen MacBook Pro connectivity and ports Both sizes include: One 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones. Three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports, supporting charging and DisplayPort. One HDMI port. One SDXC card slot. MagSafe 3. Apple quotes Thunderbolt/USB4 support up to 120Gb/s and DisplayPort 2.1. Apples N1 wireless chip, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread are included, but they are not touchscreen-model upgrades. External display support The M5 Pro chip supports three external displays at 6K/60Hz or 4K/165Hz. Alternatively, it can support one 8K/60Hz, 5K/120Hz or 4K/240Hz display, plus a second at up to 5K/120Hz or 4K/200Hz. The M5 Max chip supports four external displays at 6K/60Hz or 4K/165Hz, or two displays at up to 8K/60Hz, 5K/120Hz or 4K/240Hz. Apples PROLED XDR specifications lists 165Hz for the multi-display 4K configurations, rather than the older 144Hz figure. Touchscreen MacBook Pro versus non-touchscreen specs Model / display range CPU cores GPU cores Available memory (GB) SSD options (TB) Video streaming (up to hours) U.S. included adapter Battery capacity (Wh) D isplay resolution (pixels) 14-inch M5 Pro PROLED XDR (touch) 15 16 24, 48 1, 2, 4 22 70W USB-C 72.6 3024 1986 14-inch M5 Pro PROLED XDR (touch) 18 20 24, 48, 64 1, 2, 4 22 96W USB-C 72.6 3024 1986 14-inch M5 Max PROLED XDR (touch) 18 32 36 2, 4, 8, 16 20 96W USB-C 72.6 3024 1986 14-inch M5 Max PROLED XDR (touch) 18 40 48, 64, 128 2, 4, 8, 16 20 96W USB-C 72.6 3024 1986 16-inch M5 Pro PROLED XDR (touch) 18 20 24, 48, 64 1, 2, 4 24 140W USB-C 100.0 3472 2266 16-inch M5 Max PROLED XDR (touch) 18 32 36 2, 4, 8, 16 22 140W USB-C 100.0 3472 2266 16-inch M5 Max PROLED XDR (touch) 18 40 48, 64, 128 2, 4, 8, 16 22 140W USB-C 100.0 3472 2266 14-inch M5 Pro Liquid Retina XDR (non-touch) 15 16 24, 48 1, 2, 4 22 70W USB-C 72.4 3024 1964 14-inch M5 Pro Liquid Retina XDR (non-touch) 18 20 24, 48, 64 1, 2, 4 22 96W USB-C 72.4 3024 1964 14-inch M5 Max Liquid Retina XDR (non-touch) 18 32 36 2, 4, 8 20 96W USB-C 72.4 3024 1964 14-inch M5 Max Liquid Retina XDR (non-touch) 18 40 48, 64, 128 2, 4, 8 20 96W USB-C 72.4 3024 1964 16-inch M5 Pro Liquid Retina XDR (non-touch) 18 20 24, 48, 64 1, 2, 4 24 140W USB-C 100.0 3456 2234 16-inch M5 Max Liquid Retina XDR (non-touch) 18 32 36 2, 4, 8 22 140W USB-C 100.0 3456 2234 16-inch M5 Max Liquid Retina XDR (non-touch) 18 40 48, 64, 128 2, 4, 8 22 140W USB-C 100.0 3456 2234 Should you buy the touchscreen MacBook Pro? Is touch worth the premium? Provisionally, the stronger justification is the combined OLED display, lower weight and touch capability. Buyers who regularly manipulate visual content may find direct input useful. Those who mainly type, use a mouse or work on an external display have less reason to pay the extra $400. A firm verdict needs testing of reflections, fingerprints, reach, hinge movement and app behaviour. Which model? The 14-inch M5 Pro is the most accessible and portable option. Choose the 16-inch M5 Pro for a larger workspace and Apples longest battery rating. M5 Max makes sense when GPU performance, memory bandwidth, more than 64GB RAM or storage above 4TB serves a demonstrated workload; it is unnecessary simply to obtain touch. Should existing owners upgrade? For owners of an M5 Pro or M5 Max MacBook Pro, this is principally a screen and portability decision. M4 owners should similarly assess the display benefits against the cost. Older Apple-silicon and Intel owners may gain more broadly, but performance improvements vary by application. This or an iPad Pro? Choose the MacBook Pro when desktop Mac applications, its keyboard, ports and professional workflows are essential. Choose an iPad Pro when a handheld tablet and supported Apple Pencil workflow are central. Apple has not established Pencil support, a detachable display or tablet conversion for this MacBook Pro.

Dawn Staley Raises Safety Concerns Ahead Of South Carolinas Paris Opener Against Maryland

Dawn Staley has addressed security concerns in Paris ahead of South Carolinas opener against Maryland, while both coaches prepare for a demanding start to the college basketball season.

India rejects laws affecting national sovereignty; votes at UN against US embargo on Cuba

Digital Desk | United Nations, Oct 28 (IANS) India on Wednesday reiterated its rejection of laws that adversely affect the sovereignty of other countries as it voted for a General Assembly resolution demanding an end to the US embargo on Cuba. Soumya Nair, a counsellor in India's UN Mission, said New Delhi backs the Assembly's call to all countries to reject laws and regulations with extraterritorial effects that adversely affect the sovereignty of other states and the progress and prosperity of their peoples. Speaking before the Assembly voted on the resolution asking the US to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, she said, India reiterates the Assembly's call to all states to refrain from promulgating and applying, and to repeal and invalidate such laws and measures in conformity with their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and International Law. The resolution was carried with 130 votes to 17, with 25 abstentions, after a drama on the floor of the Assembly chamber on Tuesday when Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla charged up to the dais to confront US Permanent Representative Mike Waltz as he was speaking. Assembly President Khalilur Rahman briefly suspended the proceeding to restore order. The drama continued on Wednesday when the US expelled the Cuban mission's First Secretary Richard Tur de la Concepcion for allegedly physically tangling with a US diplomat during the confrontation, according to Waltz. He said, If you lay a hand on an American diplomat in this body, there will be consequences. That so-called diplomat today will be put on a plane back to Havana, he said without identifying the diplomat, who was identified by Cuba. The confrontation took place as Waltz was speaking of the alleged corruption by Cuba's leaders. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, was critical of the Cuban conduct. He said at his Wednesday briefing, We expect every delegation to respect the decorum of the General Assembly's hall and to respect the rules and procedures of the General Assembly. UN Safety and Security deployed more personnel than usual, and They did a great job in ensuring that the situation did not get out of hand, he added. Nair said, India's commitment to multilateralism is rooted in our belief that international challenges are best addressed through dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the UN Charter. It is in this spirit that India hopes that the embargo will be lifted at the earliest, to help create an environment that would enable the people of Cuba to participate more fully in international cooperation and pursue their legitimate development aspirations, she said. She noted that because of the embargo Cuba's health system faces shortages of over 60 per cent of essential medicines, while food production has declined by more than 50 per cent over the past five years. The recently tightened restrictions on fuel exports to Cuba have disrupted essential services, including healthcare, education, water supplies, food distribution and transportation, she said.

MLC Election: BJP protest during counting at Pahadiya Mandi

Commonwealth Kabaddi C'ship: Uganda women to meet Kenya in semis; Sri Lankan men, women reach last four

Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 28 (IANS) Kenya and Bangladesh cemented the top two spots in Men's Group B with commanding victories on the sixth day of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. While Kenya defeated previously unbeaten Canada 49-20, Bangladesh breezed past Australia 69-30 to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Led by Viduranga (11 points) and Lakshita (nine points), Sri Lankan men, too, scored a facile 50-22 win over England to book their place in the semi-final. Sri Lanka plays India in the last clash to decide Group A topper on Thursday. The Kenyan men's all-round game proved too much for Canada. Contributions from eleven players were central to their win, with Stephen Adongo scoring six points and Rodgers Atieno and Samuel Wafula chipping in with five points each. They outscored Canada 24-13 and won 15 tackle points compared to seven bagged by Canada, apart from inflicting four all-outs on them. Meanwhile, Bangladesh relied on Dipayon Golder's 21 points and Md Liton Ali's 14 points to trounce Australia by 39 points. Ibrahim Khaleel and Amol Roy scored seven points each as Bangladesh outraided Australia 41-30. Bangladesh scored 15 tackle points to Australia's one. Twelve all-outs were inflicted on Australia, with three of them coming in the first 15 minutes, as Bangladesh put in a dominant display to cement second place in Group B. Malaysia and Uganda also enjoyed victories on the day, but in contrasting manners. While Malaysia eased past Nigeria 78-13 in a Group B clash, Uganda pipped Tanzania (35-28) by seven points in a thrilling encounter, which ebbed and flowed. Uganda held a slender 16-14 lead at half-time. However, the former turned it on in the second half, inflicting a crucial all-out in the last moments to widen the gap, which their East African neighbours were unable to bridge. Uganda outscored Tanzania 19-16 in raid points and 15-11 in tackle points in their victory. Earlier, Ugandan women put on a fabulous show to register a comprehensive 65-22 victory over Nigeria and march into the semifinals of the competition. Their victory sets up a semifinal showdown against fellow African counterparts and Group B topper Kenya, while hosts India, who topped Group A, lock horns with South Asian neighbour Sri Lanka in the other semifinal. Uganda, who needed a victory to consolidate the second spot in the group, were neck-and-neck with Nigeria in the initial phase of the match. Uganda was leading 16-9 when the Nigerian coach called a timeout. After the timeout, Uganda asserted themselves and went on a 18-0 run. At half-time, Uganda led 35-12, a lead that all but ensured their entry into the last four. Nalwoga Nahia with 22 points and Nalubega Olivia with 11 points were pivotal to Uganda's win. The latter outscored Nigeria 44-15 in raid points and 12-5 in tackle points, apart from inflicting eight all-outs en route to the triumph. In the day's first match, Bangladesh women, riding on Sraboni Mollick's 27 points and Bristhi Biswas's 12 points, hammered England 79-13 in a lopsided clash. Bangladesh ended the group assignments with two victories and two losses. Bangladesh outscored England 48-12 in raid points and 16-2 in tackle points in addition to winning 12 all-out points on their opponents. Their defeats to Kenya (by nine points) and Sri Lanka (by 11 points) put paid to their hopes of reaching the last four.

Rajasthan Panchayat polls: 64.32 pc voter turnout; Batadu records highest

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 28 (IANS) The second phase of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj General Elections-2026 recorded a voter turnout of 64.32 per cent by 6 pm on Wednesday, with Batadu Panchayat Samiti in Barmer district registering the highest participation at 78.30 per cent. Desuri Panchayat Samiti in Pali district recorded the lowest turnout at 49.11 per cent. Polling began at 7 am across 2,549 wards in 22 Zila Parishads and 124 Panchayat Samitis. Voting continued beyond 6 pm at several polling stations, where queues of voters were visible, raising the possibility of a further increase in the final turnout. The second phase covered 352 Zila Parishad wards and 2,197 Panchayat Samiti wards. The electoral contest involved 8,404 candidates, whose political fortunes were sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs) following polling. According to district-level figures, Barmer recorded an overall turnout of 72.08 per cent across seven Panchayat Samitis. Of the district's 3,53,235 eligible voters, 2,54,627 exercised their franchise. Batadu led the district with 78.30 per cent polling, while Barmer Panchayat Samiti recorded the lowest turnout in the district at 64.87 per cent. Despite the overall enthusiasm among voters, polling was disrupted briefly at some locations due to technical issues with EVMs. Approximately 30,000 machines were deployed across 11,799 polling stations. During the process, 105 ballot units and 71 control units reportedly malfunctioned, temporarily affecting voting before operations were restored. In Bikaner's Ganpatsinghpura 4 MM area under Bajju, villagers staged a sit-in outside a polling station after finding its main gate locked. Meanwhile, residents of Umkali village in the Rohat area of Pali district boycotted the elections, demanding the creation of a separate Gram Panchayat. In other areas, polling proceeded peacefully amid tight security and administrative monitoring. Officials and police personnel visited polling stations to oversee arrangements and maintain law and order. The second phase forms part of Rajasthan's ongoing Panchayati Raj electoral process, with voters electing representatives to rural local governance institutions. Elections for Panchs and Sarpanchs were scheduled for the following day, on Thursday.

Telangana ACB catches Legal Metrology Inspector with Rs 20K bribe

Hyderabad: A government officer and a private individual were arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a petrol bunk owner at LB Nagar in Hyderabad. According to Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials, Inspector K Venkateswarlu, working in the Legal Metrology Department, demanded the bribe money for verifying certificates already issued 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 .

CBI arrests Mumbai Income Tax Inspector for allegedly demanding Rs 20 lakh bribe

The CBI has arrested an Income Tax Inspector posted at Scindia House in Mumbai for allegedly accepting a Rs 15 lakh bribe to settle a benami property inquiry. The agency also seized Rs 11 lakh in cash and incriminating documents during searches at the accused officers premises

Meghalaya CM sets target of NPP winning majority on its own in next polls

Digital Desk | Shillong, Oct 28 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday set a target of securing a majority on its own in the 2028 Assembly elections, urging party workers to combine sustained grassroots efforts with smart and strategic campaigning. Addressing a party induction ceremony in Shillong, Sangma welcomed former United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators Paul Lyngdoh and Renikton L. Tongkhar into the NPP, describing their entry as significant in view of their longstanding political association and personal ties with the party leadership. Recalling the NPP's formation in Meghalaya on August 24, 2012, the Chief Minister referred to an old photograph taken at the time, in which Tongkhar was present, underlining his long association with the party. Sangma said the party's immediate focus would be on the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, followed by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections and the 2028 Assembly polls. He expressed confidence in D.R.L. Nonglait as a strong candidate for Parliament and called upon party workers to mobilise support and work consistently towards victory. Emphasising the importance of election preparedness, Sangma cautioned workers against complacency and said electoral success required continuous engagement with voters, even when campaigning became demanding. He stressed that the party's performance would depend not merely on the volume of work undertaken but also on the effectiveness of its outreach and the ability to connect with people. Mookaiaw MLA Nujorki Sungoh, the third former UDP legislator to join the NPP, could not attend the ceremony due to ill health. Supporters of all three legislators also joined the ruling party. The induction follows the Meghalaya Assembly Speaker's recognition, on October 23, of the merger of the three UDP legislators with the NPP. Earlier, eight UDP MLAs had merged with the BJP, reducing the UDP's strength from 12 legislators to just one in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly. The latest political developments mark a significant realignment within the state's Opposition ranks as the NPP prepares for its upcoming electoral challenges.

Ranji Trophy: Bhut's Six-For Puts Saurashtra on Brink of Victory

Left-arm spinner Parth Bhut's exceptional six-wicket haul for just seven runs has put Saurashtra in a commanding position against Assam in the Ranji Trophy. Saurashtra secured a significant first-innings lead and then reduced Assam to 65 for seven on day three, nearing an outright victory.

Bibis Ouster Confirmed? Israels Arab Parties Emerge As Kingmakers, Join Oppn Call To Topple Govt

Could Israels Arab parties hold the key to Benjamin Netanyahus political future? As Israel gears up for a closely contested election, Arab-majority parties are emerging as potential kingmakers, with projections suggesting they could play a decisive role in determining the next government. Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats, has called on opposition leaders to unite with Arab parties to challenge Netanyahus ruling coalition. With the opposition and Arab parties potentially commanding enough seats to form a parliamentary majority, the push for a united front is gaining attention. But will Israels divided opposition overcome its differences to challenge Netanyahu?

Why is Rahul Gandhi troubled by electoral roll purification? asks BJP chief Nitin Nabin

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday led the Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) padyatra in Delhi. He called upon party workers to protect democracy, counter anarchic thinking and strengthen public confidence in the party. The march commenced near the historic Jain Lal Mandir, with Delhi BJP President and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Lok Sabha MPs Praveen Khandelwal and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, BJP National Secretary Jaiprakash and other leaders in attendance. Addressing party workers, Nabin said BJP karyakartas serve the people and raise their voices on the streets, whether the party is in power or in opposition. He asserted that democracy is safe under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership and that the faith of the countrys 140 crore citizens remains with him. Accusing the Congress of promoting dynastic politics, the BJP chief said that the party continued to prioritise one familys wishes over national interests. Referring to the Emergency and the dismissal of more than 90 elected state governments during Congress rule, he said the people had repeatedly responded democratically and punished the party. He also alleged that Congress MP Rahul Gandhis leadership is weakening the party and that his party leaders should reflect on their repeated electoral defeats. On electoral roll revision, Nabin compared voter lists to account books that must be regularly audited and corrected. He alleged that the rolls contained deceased voters, duplicate entries and names of people whose whereabouts could not be established. He said the exercise aimed to ensure that every eligible Indian citizen was included and ineligible entries, including those of alleged infiltrators, were removed. Questioning Rahul Gandhis opposition to the process, he accused the Congress of seeking to preserve irregularities for political advantage. The BJP president also highlighted the partys nationalism, recalling the 2011 Tiranga Yatra to Srinagars Lal Chowk and alleging that the Congress-led government had failed to respond adequately to the situation there. He said BJP workers had struggled to uphold the national flag and maintained that Indias unity, development and heritage would continue to advance under Prime Minister Modis leadership. Nabin said the BJPs ideology and expansion could not be stopped, noting that the party governs 22 states. He argued that the countrys youth have moved from the atmosphere of uncertainty prevailing in 2013 towards hope and optimism. He reiterated the goal of making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and expressed confidence that Prime Minister Modi would hoist the national flag from the Red Fort in 2029 also. Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party, Nabin credited Chief Minister Rekha Guptas leadership with the BJPs political success in Delhi and vowed to eliminate the remaining influence of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party. He also questioned the silence of Rahul Gandhi and opposition leaders over alleged misconduct involving a JNU professor who is a Congress MP. Nabin urged BJP workers to continue visiting households after the padyatra, expose what he described as anarchic politics, respond to opposition arguments both on the streets and in Parliament, and strengthen public trust in the BJPs commitment to democracy, national development and good governance.

Jamia extends virtual classes till Nov 24, shifts to online examination

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University on Wednesday directed the extension of the ongoing online classes till November 24 and announced that all practical and theory examinations of Odd semester students will be held via virtual mode, considering that the situation at the campus is ot conducive for an academic environment. Further, JMI declared that the winter vacation for the academic session 2026-27 will begin from December 25 till January 12, 2027. Students at the university have been staging a hunger strike since October 12, demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU) and the removal of the University's Chief Proctor over a crackdown on protestors. All classes were shifted to online mode on October 24 as a precautionary measure amid the students' protests. An official statement from JMI said: To assess the situation, a meeting of all Deans/Heads/Directors/Officials was held today at 4.30 pm in the FTK FT, and after detailed discussion it has been unanimously agreed that the situation of the University Campus is not conducive to an academic environment. Therefore, to ensure the safety and security of bonafide students of the University, the Competent Authority, JMI, has passed the following orders: The Online classes shall now be held till 24th November, 2026; Teaching (Odd Semester) through online mode shall end on 24th November, 2026; The End Semester Exam of all Practical, Field Work, Project Viva, Minor Project Viva etc., through online mode shall be conducted with effect from 25th November, 2026 to 30th November, 2026, the statement read. End Semester Exams of theory papers shall be conducted through online mode with effect from 1st December, 2026 to 24th December, 2026; The Winter Vacation for the academic Session 2026-27 shall be observed with effect from 25th December, 2026 to 12th January, 2027, the varsity said, adding that even semester classes shall commence from January 13, 2027. Further, JMI ordered all Deans, Heads and Directors, to ensure the compliance of the said orders and make necessary steps for the smooth conduct of online classes, mid-term examinations, End-Semester Examination and maintain students' attendance and other records regularly. Earlier on Wednesday, the university expressed deep shock, disappointment, and concern regarding the incidents that took place the previous night, which involved vandalism and damage to University property.

Vaishnavi Sharmas Maiden Five-For and Rapid Fifties from Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma Seal 3-0 Series Sweep for India Women

India Women completed a commanding 3-0 white-ball ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe Women, securing an eight-wicket victory in the third match at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Driven by 20-year-old spinner Vaishnavi Sharmas maiden international five-wicket haul and rapid, unbeaten half-centuries from openers Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma, the hosts comfortably chased down a target [] The post Vaishnavi Sharmas Maiden Five-For and Rapid Fifties from Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma Seal 3-0 Series Sweep for India Women appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Siddharth says 'thank you for been born' as wife Aditi Rao Hydari celebrates her birthday

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 28 (IANS) Actor Siddharth thanked his better half, Aditi Rao Hydari, for being born in a sweet birthday wish on Wednesday. He treated the netizens to a couple of candid clicks of the 'Heeramandi' actress and called her 'sweetest, brilliant, and kindest'. Siddharth wrote on his official Instagram handle, its that time of year again the day i say thank you veryyyy much to the universe and everything in between my crucial half that counts was born today heres some pictures to tell you where we've been always the sweetest, always so brilliant always the kindest, there's really nobody else like you! (sic) Happy Birthday Adu Jaan ( glowing star emoji) lets go on another trip around the sun together (red heart emoji) thank you for taking the time and care to be born ma'am. your biggest fan, i love you. (Kiss emoji), his warm birthday wish for his wife went. Talking about Siddharth and Aditi's love saga, their romance bloomed on the sets of the Telugu film 'Maha Samudram'. If the reports are to be believed, when Siddharth first met Aditi, he greeted her with, Hello, beautiful girl. Their friendship soon transformed into romance. On March 28, 2024, these two announced their engagement on social media with a sweet post. Later, Siddharth and Aditi got married in an intimate traditional ceremony on September 15, 2024. The couple tied the knot at a historic family temple in Telangana, in the company of close family and friends. Work-wise, Siddharth and Aditi shared screen space in the recently released anthology 'Lust Stories 3'. Backed by Ronnie Screwvala of RSVP Movies and Ashi Dua Sara of Flying Unicorn Entertainment, the project has 4 stories by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj. 'Lust Stories 3' enjoys an ensemble cast including Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Gurfateh Pirzada, Sana Thampi, Ali Fazal, and Radhika Madan. Aditya and Siddharth were a part of Bhardwaj's story titled 'Erotica', where the two play a married couple.

Cockroach Janta Party extends support to INDIA Bloc's November 1 rally against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday supported INDIA blocs November 1 rally demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation, accusing the poll bodys Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of undermining electoral democracy and raising concerns over the exclusion of eligible voters. Saying Gyanu must go, the party said the CEC had lost the trust required to oversee free and fair elections and called for the Election Commissions credibility and independence to be restored.

Northern army commander reviews operational preparedness in Kargil, Batalik sectors

Leh, Oct 28: Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Wednesday visited Kargil and Batalik sectors of Ladakh and reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in the strategically important areas. Lt Gen Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, visited the Forever in Operations Division on October 28-29 and reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in Kargil and Batalik Sectors, Northern Command said on X. The two sectors, characterised by challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, are guarded by battle-hardened troops of the Indian Army. Interacting with the personnel, the Army Commander appreciated their professionalism, high morale and unwavering commitment to the nation, it said. He exhorted the troops to continuously refine their tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) while harnessing cutting-edge technology to maintain operational superiority, the Army said.

I Never Charged for Public Service, Says Dia

This comes after HC raps celebs demanding fee for anti-pollution campaign

MP Congress targets BJP over Hardeep Singh Puris RS nomination

Digital Desk | Bhopal, Oct 28 (IANS) The Congress in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday criticised the BJP for nominating Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from the state, alleging that the decision had brought disrepute to Madhya Pradesh and demanding answers over questions surrounding his alleged links to the Jeffrey Epstein case. State Congress president Jitu Patwari questioned the BJPs decision to nominate Puri and alleged that the party was under some compulsion to keep him in a position of power. The compulsion to keep Hardeep Singh Puri in power raises questions about whether there is something that has left the BJP vulnerable. The BJP must answer the questions raised over the Epstein case linked to Puri. When will the country get answers? Patwari said. He accused the BJP of insulting Madhya Pradesh by choosing Puri as its candidate for the Upper House and said the Congress would oppose the decision. The BJP, intoxicated by the power of votes, is openly insulting both Madhya Pradesh and the mandate given by the people of the state. The Congress strongly opposes this, he said. Former Union minister and former Madhya Pradesh Congress president Arun Yadav also criticised the nomination, alleging that it had brought disgrace to the state. He linked his criticism to concerns over crimes against women and minor girls in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh already ranks number one in the country in cases of sexual abuse of minor girls. Now, sending a friend of an international sex offender to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh has brought disgrace to the state. This exposes the BJPs mindset towards women and young girls, Yadav said. The BJP has nominated Puri for the Rajya Sabha bypoll in Madhya Pradesh to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Union minister L Murugan on October 14. Murugan resigned to focus on strengthening the party in Tamil Nadu. Puris existing Rajya Sabha term from Uttar Pradesh was due to end on November 25. The bypoll is scheduled for November 12, with members of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly voting to elect a member to the Upper House. Counting will take place the same evening. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh BJP president Hemant Khandelwal congratulated Puri on his nomination and extended his best wishes following the partys Central Election Committee decision to field him for the bypoll. The nomination has triggered a political exchange in the state, with the Congress questioning the BJPs choice of candidate while the ruling partys state leadership has welcomed the decision.

Institutional Defiance: How Modi Government Overturned Judicial Authority Through the CAPF Act 2026

THE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT'S directive to progressively reduce IPS deputation in Central Armed Police Forces was meant to be transformative. On 23rd May 2025, in the case of Sanjay Prakash & Ors. v. Union of India , the orders directed the recognition of CAPF Group A officers as Organised Group A Services (OGAS), a status that should have guaranteed them parity with IAS and IFS peers. The court's judgment directed a two-year timeline for phasing out the IPS Deputation from the Senior ranks up to Inspector General. Seven Months later, the government did what many had anticipated, rather apprehended. It basically bypassed the Courts intent through legislation by enacting The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act 2026 which was passed on 2nd April and got the assent of President of India on 9th April 2026. The Act now officially reserves 50 per cent of Inspector General posts, at least 67 per cent of Additional Director General positions and 100 per cent of posts of Special Director General and Director General exclusively for IPS officers on deputation. Responding to the enactment 3000 CAPF officers have challenged it, arguing that it is unconstitutional. The crisis is not merely about rank and promotion. It reflects a deeper problem in the system- treating those who guard its internal security and tough terrains of the border with less dignity than those who work in relative comforts in other parts of the country. The Constitutional Violation The Act violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India, which states equality before the law. CAPF officers and armed forces personnel in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force perform mostly identical roles, face the same risks and even sign the same oath of service, yet one gets the benefit of assured pensions while the other one faces market volatility. One gets career progression, like becoming the head of the Army, Navy, Airforce the other one does not get promotions. The government does not provide any compelling reason for this differentiation, which itself is inconsistent with the constitutional principles. Second, it violates Article 16(1), which provides for equal opportunity in public employment. The CAPFs are classified as Union forces and their personnel are recruited through a competitive CAPF examination. Yet they are not getting the chances of promotion as their counterparts in IPS are brought on deputation to occupy higher ranks which CAPF personnel should have legitimately got. Instead, it creates a structural hierarchy in which the highest posts have been reserved not for merit or seniority but for membership in another service. This discrimination is disguised as administration. Thirdly, it violates the doctrine of parity in public service. The Honble Supreme Court has long recognised that officers who are performing equivalent duties in equivalent hierarchies must have equivalent conditions of service. The court has noted this principle when it granted OPS (Old Pension Scheme) benefits to CAPF personnel who were recruited before 2004, while acknowledging that these are armed forces deserving of armed forces protections. The aforementioned 2026 Act attempts to overturn this recognition through legislation. But the constitutional crisis runs even deeper. By enacting the 2026 Act after the Supreme Court's clear directive and even after dismissing the government's own review petition on 28th October 2025 , the Ministry of Home Affairs has effectively argued that Parliament can overturn any Supreme Court judgment through back-door legislation. What has been done is not based on the principle of separation of power; rather it represents the defiance of the judgement of the apex court of the country. Therefore, contempt petitions have already been filed against the Union Home Secretary. The Career Stagnation Crisis Data concerning CAPFs reflects career stagnation. It shows that out of 10lakh personnel across CAPFs only about 13000 hold Group A officer positions. The structure itself creates a bottleneck as the officers recruited as Assistant Commandants face the promotion cycles of 15-18 years just to reach the rank of Deputy Inspector General. Even many retire at the rank of DIG without ever reaching the higher administrative tiers where key policy decisions are taken. Now compare this with the officers of the armed forces who get opportunities for promotions to occupy higher ranks. It is worthwhile to draw a parallel between promotional opportunities available for CAPF with similar opportunities available to IPS officers. Governments own data reflects that there are approximately 4594 IPS officers across India , a significant proportion, advancing rapidly to higher ranks by going on deputation to CAPF positions, often staying there only for 2-3 years before returning to their parent organisations. These IPS officers gain seniority in both the organisations simultaneously which is impossible for CAPF officers. The Human cost is visible and devastating. According to multiple reports from retired CAPF associations the rate of premature resignations, suicides, and stress related casualties among CAPF personnel has risen as career prospects stagnated. The morale which is the invisible but invaluable strength of any armed forces has been severely undermined. The CAPF officers who spent 25-30 years in the field, earning commendations and managing crises at the border and in counter insurgency operations, retire as DIGs while outsiders get parachuted for the short tenures and become Director General. This is not just unfair, it is demoralizing for an organisation which is responsible for securing India's internal security and defending international borders. The Pension and Welfare Disaster The issue of promotions for CAPF officers constitutes only half of the crisis. The other half, tragically, is their systematic impoverishment. The CAPF personnel who are recruited after 1st January 2004 do not qualify for the Old Pension Scheme as they are governed by the National Pension System, a contributory scheme with market dependent returns bereft of guaranteed minimum pension amount. In the Armed Forces those who are recruited after 2004 received the exemptions and continue under the Old Pension Scheme with assured lifelong pensions. The Delhi high court even recognised this disparity in 2023 and mandated OPS benefits for CAPF personnel . Sadly it has not been implemented. On 9th April 2026, families of CAPF personnel even protested at the Raj Ghat demanding the simple parity under the banner Equal risk should mean equal security. In all fairness their demand is just and proportionate. The research by senior CAPF officers has documented that CAPF personnel get postings in difficult terrains and disturbed areas exactly in the same manner as armed forces personnel get posted in remote borders and dangerous zones. Yet they retire early typically in their 40s and 50s after 20-25 years of service. The uncertain pension amount they get is dependent on market returns and annuity calculations. Why the Governments Argument Fails The MHAs justification stating that the IPS officers are necessary for higher posts in CAPF for Centre -State coordination needs to be scrutinized. First the CAPF officers manage inter service coordination without any outsider commanding them. Secondly these officers themselves possess the bureaucratic sophistication to coordinate with the States; many of them having worked closely with the State police and administrative machinery. Lastly if the concern is coordination, then why to reserve 100 per cent of SDG and DG posts? Coordination could be achieved through rotation i.e. one term for IPS, then two for CAPF officers. The real issue is not coordination, it is a pure control of CAPF by IPS officers who while on deputation to CAPFs maintain informal links with their parent organisations and the bureaucracy of the ministry of home affairs. They become the government intermediaries which are easier to manage and quicker to rotate back to their parent service. A CAPF promoted officer would bring accountability and reform based on intimate knowledge of the organisation. In contrast, an external IPS chief can return to his parent cadre after 2-3 years without truly understanding the organisation to which he is sent on deputation to serve. What the Supreme Court and Parliament Must Do The Supreme Court should examine the constitutional validity of CAPF Act 2026. In the event of any of its provisions violating the constitutional principle it should be declared unconstitutional by the apex court. However, courts alone cannot fix systemic discrimination faced by CAPF personnel. The parliament must act to address the problem. Statutory Parity : Guarantee 70-80% of IG and ADG posts for CAPF officers, with limited deputation reserved for specialised roles such as training and liaison) Pension Equity : Extend the Old Pension Scheme to all CAPF personnel immediately. The argument that fiscal sustainability requires NPS for paramilitaries (CAPF) is untenable when armed forces have been exempted from NPS. Cadre Review: Commission an independent review of CAPF recruitment, promotion and training structures. Mental Health and Welfare: Address the crisis of resignations, suicides and stress. This requires not merely administrative shift but also cultural shift. Treating CAPF personnel as extensions of armed forces, not as extensions of police and bureaucracy. Conclusion The CAPF Act 2026 represents a failed policy and a betrayal of trust. Many CAPF officers and Jawans joined these forces under the impression that they will get the same treatment which personnel of armed forces are entitled to. They have guarded international borders, fought insurgencies and managed crises under conditions as severe as those faced by armed forces. The SC has begun to correct this injustice, but the government shows no intention of accepting the verdict of SC. If this crisis remains unresolved, if the judgment in Sanjay Prakash is allowed to be nullified by Parliament, it will give a signal to every minority, every disadvantaged group, every citizen that the Supreme court orders are negotiable when the government does not agree with them. CAPF officers are not asking for charity. They are asking for the same respect, pensions, and career paths as those with uniforms render services for defending the country. This is not a radical demand. It is the bare minimum of justice.

Indian Army conducts high-altitude training in Ladakh to enhance mechanised forces' readiness

The Indian Army is currently focusing on enhancing the operational readiness of its mechanised forces. Training is being conducted in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh, which poses numerous challenges. Key training includes battlefield movements, surveillance setups, and effective equipment management practices. This effort aims to improve combat preparedness and ensure successful operations in demanding environments. The Army emphasizes its commitment to train hard, operate smart, and strike decisively.

Dhadi Darshan Soon at Srimandir: Law Minister Inspects Infrastructure

To ensure a hassle-free and disciplined pilgrimage experience for millions of Lord Jagannath devotees, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan personally inspected the ongoing construction of the special queue-based Darshan system at the iconic Srimandir in Puri. Accompanied by key state officials, the Minister visited the project site to evaluate the progress of the infrastructure, barricading, [] The post Dhadi Darshan Soon at Srimandir: Law Minister Inspects Infrastructure appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Banjara Hills Sub-Inspector caught by Telangana ACB for demanding 1 lakh bribe

CBI Court sentences ex-archivist of National Archives of India to three years RI in bribery case

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) A CBI court in Ahmedabad on Wednesday convicted and sentenced Satdhari Lal Sahu, the then Archivist at the National Archives of Indias Record Centre in Zalana Dungari, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to three years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 in a bribery case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case on December 26, 2012, following allegations that Sahu had demanded illegal gratification from a complainant in exchange for providing copies of official records. According to the CBI, Sahu had demanded a bribe of Rs 15,000 to provide copies of old CRO records relating to a survey of Rajkot and a file containing old British land records. The agency subsequently laid a trap and caught Sahu red-handed while he was accepting the bribe of Rs 15,000 from the complainant. He was arrested on December 26, 2012. Following his arrest, the CBI conducted searches at his residence and office as part of the investigation. After completing the probe, the agency filed a chargesheet against Sahu on June 28, 2013. Following the trial, the court convicted him and sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 20,000. In a separate case, the CBI had earlier, on October 23, apprehended two officials of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Lucknow Zone in connection with an alleged bribery case involving Rs 5 lakh. The accused were identified as Enforcement Officer Deepak Kumar and Head Constable Manoj Dwivedi, both posted at the ED's Lucknow office. According to a CBI press release, the agency registered a case against the two officials following a complaint alleging a demand for illegal gratification. The complaint alleged that Dwivedi had demanded a bribe from the complainant's father in exchange for extending assistance in an Enforcement Directorate case. The complainant's father had reportedly received two summonses from the ED's Lucknow Zone in August and September. Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on October 23. During the operation, Dwivedi was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 5 lakh on behalf of Enforcement Officer Deepak Kumar to extend undue favour to the complainant's father in the ED case.

India and Kenya deepen maritime cooperation through joint training, professional exchanges in Mombasa

Digital Desk | Nairobi, Oct 28 (IANS) In a step towards deepening maritime cooperation between India and Kenya, Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varaha undertook joint training and professional exchanges with Kenya Coast Guard Service personnel at Mombasa, focusing on maritime safety, law enforcement and coastal security in line with India's vision of MAHASAGAR. Day 2 of ICGS Varahas Operational Turnaround at Mombasa focussed on professional engagements with Kenya Coast Guard Service personnel. A Maritime Search and Rescue tabletop exercise and training in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Damage Control (NBCD) focused on enhancing coordination, maritime law enforcement and safety at sea, the Indian Assistant High Commission in Mombasa posted on X on Wednesday. The ship also welcomed members of the local community and Indian diaspora onboard, strengthening bonds of friendship. Sharing expertise and training together for safer seas and secure coastal communitiesin keeping with Indias vision of MAHASAGAR, it added. On Tuesday, a special Yoga session was conducted onboard ICGS Varaha with enthusiastic participation from members of the ships crew and the Indian diaspora. Strengthening shared cultural heritage and fostering regional harmony, the Indian mission posted on X. During the ships port call, Commanding Officer Comdt Ramanjeet Singh Rana, accompanied by the Defence Advisor at the Indian High Commission in Nairobi, called on Bruno Shioso, Director General, Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS). Discussions focused on strengthening ICGSKCGS cooperation through training and joint exercises. Joined by the Assistant High Commissioner, they also called on Capt William Ruto, Managing Director, Kenya Ports Authority. Discussions covered port security, maritime safety, maritime connectivity and facilitating bilateral trade, the Indian High Commission in Nairobi posted on X following the meeting. ICGS Varaha arrived at Mombasa on Monday for a port call as part of its overseas deployment, marking the third visit by an Indian Navy or Coast Guard ship to the East African port city this year, the Indian High Commission in Nairobi said. Strengthening maritime ties and bonds of friendship. ICGS Varaha of the Indian Coast Guard arrived at Mombasa today for a port call as part of her overseas deployment. This marks the third visit of an Indian navy/coast guard ship to Mombasa this year, following visits of INS Trikand and INS Tarkash, the High Commission posted on X. The frequent port calls by Indian ships to Kenya is symbolic of the growing bilateral maritime partnership as part of BAHARI Joint vision and Indias MAHASAGAR vision, it added.

NHRC orders probe into Punjab mans suspicious death, police action against protesters

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging human rights violations in connection with the suspicious death of Daljit Singh, a resident of Bhamme Kalan village in Punjabs Mansa district, and the subsequent police action against protesters demanding accountability. A Bench presided over by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo has issued notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), directing them to get the allegations enquired into and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks. The action was initiated under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, after a complaint filed by Harmandeep Singh Mehta was placed before the apex human rights body on Wednesday. The complaint alleged that Daljit Singh was found dead under suspicious circumstances, with his family raising concerns over the cause of death, including a suspected connection with drugs. It further alleged that family members and supporters staged a protest seeking answers and accountability, following which police stopped a procession near Ramdittewala Chowk and took custody of the deceaseds body. According to the complaint, a confrontation subsequently took place, with allegations of police use of force and detention of protesters. The police reportedly justified their actions on the grounds of maintaining law and order and stated that some protesters had assaulted police personnel. The complainant sought an independent enquiry into Daljit Singhs death and the subsequent police action to ensure the protection of human rights, a fair investigation and accountability of the authorities concerned. Taking cognisance of the matter, the NHRC observed that the allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be violations of the human rights of the victim. The apex human rights body directed its registry to issue notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary and the DGP, asking them to get the allegations looked into and submit their respective reports within two weeks for its perusal.

Delhi Lawyers Extend Strike Indefinitely Over Alleged Threats At Shahdara Police Station: All You Need To Know

Delhi lawyers have extended their strike indefinitely over alleged threats by an ACP, demanding his suspension and an impartial inquiry as police file a counter-FIR against 1520 advocates.

Maharashtra Governor urges youth to lead campaign against addiction

Speaking at an event under the Sashakt Yuva, Sashakt Bharat (Empowered Youth, Empowered India) campaign at Mahakavi Kalidas Kalamandir in Nashik, the Governor stressed the importance of discipline, concentration and good habits in shaping young peoples character

Mansa Death: Drug Overdose Claim Vs Police Murder Case

The death of 35-year-old Daljit Singh in Mansa has sparked controversy, with his family claiming he died of a drug overdose and demanding an end to drug supply, while police have registered a murder case against three individuals. The incident has led to protests and strong criticism from opposition leaders against the Punjab Police and the state government.

Akaash Wins at 2nd Karnataka State Ranking Tenpin Bowling Tournament

The top-seeded Akaash produced a commanding performance in the final, defeating third seed Antony R by 67 pins, with a two-game cumulative score of 406339 to secure the Title

Classified material missing from Epstein files, documents suggest

Attorney General Todd Blanche has long maintained that the so-called Epstein files, even those kept from the public, contain no secret information related to national security. When the document releases began last winter, Blanche noted that the Epstein Files Transparency Act authorized withholding information in the interest of national security or foreign policy, but said, no files are being withheld or redacted on that basis. There's not some tranche of super-secret documents about Jeffrey Epstein that we're withholding, we're actually not withholding anything based upon [national defense information], said Blanche, who was deputy attorney general at the time. But the contents of at least three documents in the massive tranche of files indicate classified information was included in files collected by the DOJ. One of the documents shows Blanche's Office of the Deputy Attorney General itself received classified material related to Epstein in March 2025. By law, material can only be classified for national security purposes. What exactly was classified and why remains a mystery. The Department of Justice says it collected 6 million pages of material and ultimately released over 3 million of those pages after reviewing for duplication, attorney-client privilege and relevance to Jeffrey Epstein. Congressional challenges and a lawsuit are casting doubts on the DOJ's claims and demanding the release of more documents that were held back. Clues about classified material Included among the Epstein files is an eight-page timeline of the FBI's New York office's initial efforts last year to track down and deliver its voluminous files to the Justice Department's Washington headquarters. On March 25, 2025, one document shows delivery of 16 Epstein items to ODAG, referring to the Office of the Deputy Attorney General. Among them, items No. 2 and No. 6 are described as Epstein Transparency Project - Classified Material and CDs with classified materials (x2). The Epstein Transparency Project refers to the Justice Department's effort to review the files and redact , withhold or clear them for release. It is not clear what exactly was identified as classified. Each CD was likely capable of holding hundreds of megabytes of material. Also in the files is an email sent that same day from the unit chief of the National Security Classification Operations Unit an office whose role is to review FBI documents for classification or declassification. The email includes an attachment labeled Epstein - Classified Document Memo.docx. The body of the email says there were three documents identified that remain classified. One was described as an FBI document which is classified when see-through. A redaction obscures the unit chief's description of the other two documents. The identity of the email's recipient is also redacted. It's also not clear whether the two documents the email and the list are referring to the same classified material. Coding system reveals missing pages A CBS News analysis of a numerical coding system used by the DOJ to organize the Epstein files offers clues about some of the documents the department has withheld. The codes don't reveal what's missing, but they do show where gaps exist, raising questions about the DOJ's explanation for why documents were withheld. Among the missing documents are pages from Epstein's own financial records collected as evidence in a federal prosecution. Here's how it works: Documents from the Epstein files are labeled with a string of numbers beginning with the letters EFTA stamped on the bottom right-hand corner; EFTA stands for Epstein Files Transparency Act. Those are called Bates numbers a common way of organizing massive document batches in legal cases. Every page receives its own number. In the Epstein files, the sequence goes from 1 to 2,858,498, which is the tally of approximately how many pages of documents were released. According to the DOJ, other documents including court records and investigative files they've previously released bring the total to over 3 million. Alongside the Epstein files' Bates numbers are other, older coding numbers that appear on many documents. This indicates that those documents had previously been used in federal legal cases, potentially collected as part of an earlier subpoena. For instance, Bates coding on some of the documents is from the Ghislaine Maxwell criminal case and was used to organize files given to Maxwell's legal team ahead of her 2021 trial as part of the discovery process. Other Bates numbers indicate documents were collected from Epstein's banks, including JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank, during the FBI's investigation into his trafficking activities. Similar gap analyses have been done in the past by independent researchers. Missing financial documents Finding gaps in these documents is a simple process of counting. In tens of thousands of instances, the main EFTA number will advance by one but the other Bates numbers advance by two or more. Those gaps indicate pages that had been there before were likely removed at some point after the DOJ obtained them. Take the images below: The EFTA number advances by one but the JPM-SDNY and SDNY_GM numbers advance by 2, as do the page numbers from the original document. In another example, a series of around 4,500 images of checks from Epstein's accounts has gaps where 66 of those check images should be. Oftentimes the missing image is only the front or the back of the check, although in several cases both are missing. Comparing all of these numbers against the final EFTA page numbers, it is possible to calculate that there are tens of thousands of pages of documents that are missing from these sections, with no clear reason why. Financial records were not a permissible category for removal, Barbara McQuade, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, told CBS News. Like every federal prosecutor, she says she is very familiar with Bates numbers. It's the reason you have Bates numbers, so you notice something like that, she said. The DOJ hasn't responded to CBS News' recent inquiries about the Epstein files, but it has previously said that every document required to be released by the Epstein Files Transparency Act has been released, and the remaining files were unrelated, privileged, or were duplicative. Email gaps Another sequence of Bates numbers that provide a map to where documents were removed appears to be from a preliminary processing of the files. One large sequence of those have R1 in between EFTA and the page number. This R1 numbering is found across approximately 995,000 released pages, between p. 61 and p. 2,214,171 in the files. Each page is also labeled with an EFTA page number. While the EFTAs are sequential, the R1s have gaps which range from 1 page to hundreds of pages. Each time a gap appears for example, if the EFTA advances by 1 but the R1 advances by 2 it's evidence that pages were removed. By comparing these sequences it's possible to identify gaps where documents, mostly emails, were removed between that earlier review and the final release. No partial emails turned up in the thousands of documents we examined, so the removals appear to be entire email exchanges. Here's what a section of that looks like: The emails are not sequential in date and jump by days, months and years, so knowing what was removed from context is simply not possible. But the results of calculating the differences between the first and last of the numbers in this earlier sequence versus the later sequence is 1.2 million pages, which is the total number of identified gaps from just this one section. Most of the documents in this section are emails to or from Jeffrey Epstein, including communication with young women who would later accuse him of abuse; email exchanges with his business associates; messages to or from his assistant, Lesley Groff; or emails sent or received by Ghislaine Maxwell. De-duping There is one possible explanation for many of the email gaps. Instructions given to DOJ attorneys working on processing the redactions state: If the document is an email chain and the most-inclusive email (i.e., containing all the back-and-forth) has already been reviewed and redacted as appropriate for production, the interstitial back-and-forth can be marked as duplicates. In other words, all emails exchanged prior to the last email in a chain can be considered a duplicate, because the last one should include all of the messages, and eliminating the duplicates will speed up the redaction process. Once a document is marked as a duplicate, it would likely be excluded from the files. If that was the case, this was only partially accomplished because duplicate emails still exist throughout the files. There's also the possibility that errors in the process could have resulted in crucial emails mistakenly being deleted. Lack of transparency The review and redaction process was conducted by hundreds of DOJ attorneys working under a compressed timeline. Given the scale of the task, it's possible that pages were withheld as a result of honest mistakes. But without a roadmap to the redactions and removals, it's impossible to make that determination. Independent journalist Katie Phang is suing the Justice Department, seeking the release of more files as well as an explanation of redactions and removals. A federal judge has made several rulings in her favor and the DOJ is appealing those rulings. As part of her lawsuit, Phang is asking the court to appoint a special master to review the files. If it wasn't intentional, then was it gross negligence? Were you just lazy? If it was intentional then I think there's [expletive] there that they don't want people to see, Phang told CBS News. My speculation runs an entire spectrum of reaction but at the end of the day it just makes the DOJ look bad. The DOJ has acknowledged making several mistakes. It admitted to removing, and then restoring, a photo of now Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on a 2012 visit to Epstein's island , contradicting claims Lutnick had previously made about his contacts with Epstein . Last year, DOJ officials claimed a minute was missing from prison security video from the night Epstein died, which turned out to not be true . This is a case where the process has inhibited public trust in what is ultimately released, and there's a long tradition of this, whether it's the Pentagon Papers or the Epstein files, said attorney Stanley Brand, a veteran litigator and distinguished fellow in law and government at Penn State Dickinson Law. This is just another piece where the government process, where making this stuff available just fuels suspicion that there's something we're not seeing, and I don't know that ever gets resolved. This article originally appeared on CBS News at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/epstein-files-classified-material-missing-documents-suggest/

Negotiations Underway: Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi Appeals for Calm Amid Jamia Protests

Pralhad Joshi urges calm as Jamia protests continue, with students demanding a clear timeline for union elections.

Mubarak Guls supporters protest in Srinagar over cabinet snub

Srinagar, Oct 28: Supporters of National Conference leader Mubarak Gul on Wednesday staged a protest at Press Colony in Srinagar, demanding a cabinet berth for the Eidgah MLA following his exclusion from the government. Wearing white shrouds, the protesters held placards demanding that Gul be given a cabinet berth or resign from the party. Do justice to Eidgah, make Mubarak Gul a cabinet minister, the protesters chanted, expressing resentment over the partys decision. Gul Sahab, resign, the protesters shouted. One of the protesters said Gul had contested seven elections and won every time, alleging that the party had failed to honour its commitment to him. Farooq Sahab had promised us. His name was on the list until yesterday, but he was not given a ministerial berth, the protester said. It is worth mentioning that Mubarak Gul, a six-time MLA from Eidgah, was left out of the Cabinet during Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs expansion on Tuesday. Gul was subsequently appointed the National Conferences general secretary, but the appointment did not immediately satisfy all his supporters.(KNO)

On the eve of Apple

Macworld On Wednesday at 1 pm ET, Apple is expected to cap off its Pro and Tell week of announcements with the launch of its first truly new laptop in years and a milestone for the Mac: the first-ever touchscreen MacBook Pro with a new design, a new display, and a new price tag. As with the past few Apple announcements, Bloombergs Mark Gurman has spilled some final details about the new device, most notably the price. According to his sources, Apple has discussed charging as much as $2,899 for the new 14-inch model with an M5 Pro chip, essentially a $400 premium over current M5 Pro model, which comes with 24GB and 1TB. Apple offers two varieties of the M5 Pro chip, with an 18-core variant commanding a $200 premium. Rumors suggest the options for the new laptops will be the same as the current crop but wont replace them. Rather, theyll exist as premium options alongside the existing models. Its not clear whether theyll offer the same RAM and storage tiers, however. Gurman has previously reported that the touchscreen MacBook Pro will offer several upgrades over the current model, including: An OLED display with thinner bezels; A new design thats significantly lighter than the current crop; A new hinge that doesnt move when tapped; and A new cooling system that improves airflow through the hinge. The new laptops will also feature a new version of macOS Golden Gate that includes dial-like menus that appear around a users finger. However, Gurman says Apple will market the touchscreen as an option rather than a replacement for the trackpad. In a follow-up post on X , Gurman wrote that Mac fans should Get excited for the new laptop. And believe me, we are.

Woman Files Police Complaint Over Alleged Secret Recording on Bengaluru Metro

A woman has alleged that a fellow passenger secretly recorded her during a Bengaluru Metro ride, prompting her to confront him and lodge a police complaint.An FIR has been registered and an investigation is underway, police said. In a video shared on social media, the woman appears distressed and recounts confronting the man and demanding that he unlock his phone.

Delhi circle rate update: Agri land prices to go up sharply after 18 years; check areas where it could be cheapest and costliest

Delhi circle rate update: Farmers in the national capital are demanding a circle rate of Rs 10 crore per acre, with the Delhi Panchayat Sangh urging the government to implement this circle rate for agricultural land. Current estimates suggest that land rates in the capital region could zoom by around 650%, causing prices to go over Rs 15 crore per acre from Rs 2 crore now.

Mona Singh on shooting an action scene in freezing cold for Kohrra Season 2, That is one night I will never forget

2026 has been a remarkable year for Mona Singh, with the actor delivering six diverse projects that have found success and further showcased her versatility as a performer. From exploring different characters to taking on new challenges on screen, Mona has continued to push her boundaries, with Kohrra Season 2 emerging as one of the notable projects in her impressive year. While Mona has consistently demonstrated her ability to slip into varied roles, Kohrra Season 2 presented her with a challenge she had never experienced before. The series saw her take on an action sequence for the first time in her life, with the shoot becoming an unforgettable experience owing to the extreme weather conditions and the physical demands of the scene. Reflecting on the most challenging scene she has ever filmed, Mona shared, Most challenging scene I've ever filmed I guess would be in my series Kohrra Season 2 where we did the action sequence and I was also like doing action for the first time in my life and it was freezing cold. It was almost one degree at night, so it was pretty challenging and action was even more challenging. So yeah, that is one night I will never forget. The experience highlights Mona's willingness to step outside her comfort zone and embrace demanding roles that require her to explore new aspects of her craft. Shooting an action sequence for the first time, especially in temperatures dropping to almost one degree at night, made the experience particularly demanding, turning it into a memorable milestone in her journey as an actor. With six projects to her credit in 2026, each offering a different creative experience, Mona Singh has had a year marked by variety, consistency and successful screen outings. Kohrra Season 2 stands out as another example of her continued evolution as a performer, reinforcing her ability to take on unfamiliar challenges and bring something new to every project she undertakes. Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Vikas Bahls next stars Jimmy Shergill, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Mona Singh, Alizeh Agnihotri; based on the explosive rise of Punjabi music in 90s UK

NC facing internal rift, family rule under challenge, says BJPs Sunil Sharma

Srinagar, Oct 28: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Wednesday claimed that the National Conference was facing an internal split, asserting that the party's discontent would eventually lead to its breakup and the collapse of the government. Reacting to protests following the oath-taking ceremony, Sharma said a section of the party was opposing dynastic politics. There is a discontented group within the party that has consistently been demanding that family rule will no longer continue. Dynasty will no longer continue, he said. I said that a split has already taken place within them. The party will also split, and the government will also fall, Sharma added. He denied allegations that the BJP had approached NC MLAs to explore government formation. When I am telling you that the BJP will not form the government, why would we approach anyone? What is the need for us to approach them? This is their own fight. Why should we jump into it? he said. Sharma also criticised NC president Farooq Abdullah over his remarks concerning Pakistan, accusing the Abdullah family of supporting Pakistan and demanding action by investigating agencies. Anyone, regardless of age, whether young or old, who makes such statements against the country should face action. Farooq Abdullah should also face action, he said.

FIR Against DMK Leader Sekar Babu, 11 Others for Abusing Police During Anbil Mahesh's Arrest

DMK members and supporters had gathered in large numbers to protest Poyyamozhi's detention, demanding to meet the former minister and raising objections over lawyers not being permitted to accompany him during the arrest process

'You Give Your Icons A Better Send-off': Broad Lashes Out At Lancashire's Handling Of Anderson's Exit

If Jimmy Anderson: Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has criticised Lancashires decision to part ways with James Anderson ahead of the 2027 season, calling the countys handling of the situation disrespectful after the veteran seamer claimed 50 wickets at an average of 17 in the 2026 County Championship. Broad questioned why the club failed to arrange a more fitting farewell for Englands record Test wicket-taker, despite understanding that Lancashires new management needed to assess its plans for the future. Anderson, 44, confirmed his impending departure in a social media statement after Lancashire decided against offering him a fresh contract. The veteran, who continued playing county cricket after retiring from international duty in 2024, had captained Lancashire in Division Two this season. His performances came despite the club enduring a difficult campaign, finishing second from bottom in the Championship. Broad acknowledged the change in leadership at Old Trafford but argued that the transition did not excuse the manner in which the decision was communicated. It is a pretty disrespectful way for Lancashire to deliver that news to him, Broad said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast. He met with the new chief executive and the new director of cricket Paul Farbrace and they said they would not be offering him a new contract. That is October 19. I get that they are new in the role so they could not have done that in August and said, 'sign off, give the fans your goodbye, have your last bowl at Old Trafford', all that sort of stuff. But there must be some leadership within that club that could have planned that. The former England pacer suggested the club could have planned a farewell that allowed supporters to acknowledge one of the most accomplished players in its history. He also recognised the financial and recruitment considerations that may have influenced the countys thinking, particularly after a disappointing season. However, Andersons individual record made the decision difficult for him to understand I get that the thought process is probably they can get two half-decent cricketers for the one with losing that salary. They have finished second bottom of the Championship, had a woeful season, they have been poor for a few years, and they need to improve. But Jimmy got 50 wickets at 17 - there are not many bowlers in the country that did that so it does not surprise me that there have already been some counties on the phone to see what his interest levels are, he added. The possibility of Anderson continuing his career elsewhere has also emerged, with Broad pointing out that the seamers statement did not signal an outright retirement. Given his performances this season, Broad believes other county sides could be interested in securing his services for 2027. I dont know what is next for him. His statement was quite interesting because he didnt retire. He might look at other options. He still offers a lot and a lot of counties would want him. He is still one of the best bowlers in the country. I didnt like it from Lancashire to be honest. I thought it was not done in the right way, I thought it was disrespectful. You give your icons and your greats of the game a better sign-off and send-off than that. It shows a lack of leadership at the club, he added. Broad further questioned the absence of stronger intervention from Lancashires senior leadership, arguing that the clubs board should have ensured the circumstances surrounding Andersons departure were handled differently. Where is the chair and the board demanding that this be done in a better way? I feel uneasy; I feel uncomfortable about it. If Jimmy Anderson wants to play another year when he has taken 50 wickets at 17 then you find a way to do that, Broad said. Broad further questioned the absence of stronger intervention from Lancashires senior leadership, arguing that the clubs board should have ensured the circumstances surrounding Andersons departure were handled differently. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

One of the most terrifying experiences: Gurugram woman accuses Uber driver of holding her arm, shutting the window, verbally abusing her and following her

A Gurugram woman accused an Uber driver of demanding an inflated fare after her airport ride. The driver reportedly locked her luggage in the car until she paid the higher fare he requested. Following the confrontation, the driver allegedly followed her to her home, verbally abusing and threatening her. She raised concerns about Uber's safety support being unavailable during the incident.

Family seeks justice after Punjab man's suspected overdose death, Oppn targets govt over drug menace

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 28 (IANS) After the suspected death of a 35-year-old man due to a drug overdose in Punjab's Mansa district triggered a protest by his family, Opposition leaders also targeted the ruling party over its alleged failure to curb the drug menace in the state. The family of the deceased, Daljit Singh, placed his body on a main road on Tuesday and blocked traffic, demanding strict action against those allegedly involved in selling drugs in the area. The family suspects that Daljit died of a drug overdose, while police officials have said the exact cause of death will be established only after the postmortem examination. Daljit's wife, Paramjit Kaur, and his mother, Sinder Kaur, along with other relatives, alleged that drug-related deaths continue to claim lives in Punjab despite repeated assurances from the government that the menace would be brought under control. They demanded that the police identify and arrest those supplying narcotics in the locality, warning that the easy availability of drugs was putting more lives at risk. Tensions escalated during the demonstration when protesters clashed with the police. Amid the confrontation, police took away the deceased's body, further intensifying the family's anger and raising questions over the handling of the situation. Heavy police deployment was made along major roads to prevent protesters from reaching the ongoing protest site of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota at Tinkoni, near the Deputy Commissioner's residence. Police set up pickets in neighbouring districts to prevent people from mobilising for protests on Wednesday. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh, speaking to reporters, criticised the political leadership over the prevailing situation and demanded accountability from senior officials and the state government. The real issue is that Punjab is being turned into a spectacle. Both these parties are responsible for creating this situation; one is the B-team and the other is the A-team. I have always said this. The SSP should be dismissed immediately, and Bhagwant Mann and the DGP should resign, he said. At the same time, Singh appealed to people to ensure their protests remained peaceful and did not result in further harm. Meanwhile, members of the deceased's family questioned the police action and alleged that they had been pressured to sign documents without their consent. Speaking to IANS, a family member said, They are now portraying it as murder. The police have taken my father along and are conducting a postmortem. Why are they doing it without our consent when no one in our family has agreed to it? They came to our house and pressured us to sign documents. Another family member, speaking to IANS, said the family had been struggling for years and did not want any other member to experience a similar tragedy. Where is so much drug coming from, and where is this chitta (drug) being sold? There should be an investigation; that is all we want. We hold no grudge against anyone. Our only resentment is that the body was taken away from us. What right did the police have to stop the vehicles? the family member questioned. The family also questioned the manner in which the police were handling the case, particularly the decision to take away the body and separate relatives during the proceedings. If the police believe it was a murder, is this how they conduct an investigation -- by hiding the body, fleeing with it and taking family members to separate police stations? Is this what a police investigation looks like? a relative questioned. The relative added that even if the police had taken the body away to prevent the law-and-order situation from worsening, the action did not justify detaining the deceased's family members. Even if the police took the body to prevent the law-and-order situation from deteriorating, that is understandable. But that does not justify detaining the deceased's family, she added. Meanwhile, according to the police, an investigation into the case is underway, and the cause of death will only be confirmed after the postmortem report comes. Further details are awaited.

SFI stages protest demanding certificate verification of contract lecturers

The protest comes amid allegations of irregularities and corporate favouritism in the intermediate education system

Hit-and-run: Kochi police commissioner transferred after crash involving judges son

The Kerala government took action against police officials after lapses in investigating a fatal accident in Cheranallur. Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been transferred, along with the suspension of four personnel. Initial charges related to negligence were altered to culpable homicide as evidence of overspeeding emerged. Victim Jayabalakrishnan's family is demanding further actions against the teenager's father, who is a judge.

Oppn moves 'public impeachment' of CEC to Kharge's home

The INDIA bloc plans to hold a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on October 30. This decision follows alleged denials of permission to host the event at the Ashok Hotel and Ramlila Maidan. The event is a precursor to a larger rally on November 1, protesting alleged electoral irregularities and demanding Kumar's resignation.

WBBL 12: Yastika Bhatia Replaces Jess Jonassen In Brisbane Heat Sqaud

Big Bash League: India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia will return to Australias Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) after Brisbane Heat signed her as a replacement for injured veteran Jess Jonassen, finalising their squad ahead of the new season. Yastika, who previously represented Melbourne Stars during WBBL 10, became Brisbanes third overseas signing for WBBL 12 and the only Indian cricketer in this years competition. The 25-year-old is expected to link up with the team before their second fixture against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday and will remain available for the rest of the tournament. Jonassen, Brisbanes most-capped player and former captain, has been sidelined by a hip complaint, prompting the franchise to turn to Bhatia for additional batting depth. The Indian left-hander has played six matches in the competition and brings international experience across all three formats, with 58 appearances for India. Heat head coach Mark Sorrell welcomed the late addition, highlighting Bhatias familiarity with Australian conditions and her potential contribution to the batting order. Being able to sign such a quality, experienced international player so close to the tournament is great boost for us. We will miss Jess (Jonassen) of course, but it is reassuring to bring in another strong scoring left-hander into our batting line-up. Yastika (Bhatia) has good experience playing in Australia and at Allan Border Field, so we are confident she will fit in nicely with the group, said Sorrell. Yastika returned to competitive cricket following a lengthy rehabilitation period after she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September last year. The injury ruled her out of nearly 18 months of action, including Indias maiden ODI World Cup title campaign. She made a remarkable comeback in July, scoring a century in her first Test appearance since surgery. The innings against England at Lords saw her become the first woman to register a Test hundred at the iconic venue, helping India secure a commanding 270-run victory. She was also part of Indias T20 World Cup squad earlier this year and has twice won the Womens Premier League with Mumbai Indians, in 2023 and 2025. Yastika will join England spinner Sarah Glenn and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast as Brisbanes overseas contingent for the campaign. The Heat will open their WBBL 12 campaign against the Sydney Sixers in Brisbane on Friday night, with new captain Georgia Redmayne leading a side looking to bounce back after going winless last season. Their last victory came in 2024. Yastika will join England spinner Sarah Glenn and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast as Brisbanes overseas contingent for the campaign. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

'I am literally shaking right now': Bengaluru woman alleges man secretly filmed her on Metro, FIR filed

A woman has alleged that a fellow passenger secretly recorded her during a Bengaluru Metro ride, confronting him inside the train and demanding that he unlock his phone. The incident, which reportedly took place in...

Telangana: MANUU students stage solidarity protest backing Jamia Millia demonstration

Students at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad staged a solidarity protest in support of students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), alleging targeting of Muslim identity at the university. Demonstrators gathered with placards to back the ongoing agitation at Jamia, New Delhi, voicing concerns over administrative accountability, campus rights, and student representation. Highlighting institutional grievances, a MANUU student leader who participated in the protest stated that there is a need of student representation to address the issues. We have been facing issues for the last two years, but Jamia students have been struggling for 20 years. They have a union. We have seen how extra-judicial ground realities exist. There is no accountability and no legal remedy. We are demanding legal remedies from the administration, but no one from the administration has come out to address the issues. We need student representation to address our issues. We see Muslim identity b...

GMC Handwara PG Residents Hold Protest Over Stipend Hike Demand; AIMSA Backs Doctors

Srinagar, Oct 28 : Postgraduate (PG) residents of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara held a peaceful protest today demanding a hike in their stipends, urging the government to address their long-pending concerns. The protesting residents questioned the disparity in stipends, stating, If PG residents in other states are receiving more than 1 lakh, why are we being paid significantly less? The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has extended its full solidarity and support to the protesting doctors, calling for fair and equitable stipends for PG residents across Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, President of AIMSA, expressed strong support for the residents and urged the government to address their genuine demands without further delay. He warned that if the government fails to listen to the protesting doctors, PG residents from other Government Medical Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir may also join the protest in solidarity. AIMSA reiterated its commitment to supporting PG residents in their fight for fair stipends, dignity, and recognition of their demanding services to the healthcare system. The association urged the government to initiate timely action to resolve the issue

Cuba's foreign minister disrupts UNGA meeting in dramatic confrontion with US envoy

Digital Desk | United Nations, Oct 28 (IANS) In a drama at the General Assembly, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla charged up to the dais yelling to confront US Permanent Representative Mike Waltz, disrupting a meeting on Washington's sanctions against his country. Assembly President Khalilur Rahman pleaded for calm, asking the Cubans to go back to their seat and let Waltz speak on Tuesday, and briefly suspended the meeting. As Waltz was criticising the Havana government, the Cuban delegation thumped their desk and yelled. They left their seats and marched towards the dais, as he accused the Cuban elite of corruption, saying, Havana would have you believe everything in Cuba has just disappeared. Well, we know, we know where it went. Rodriguez kept interrupting Waltz, demanding to speak on a point of order. Both of them got into a staring match, Waltz up from the black marble rostrum, and Rodriguez and his troops down in front of the podium. Rahman pleaded, Please help me in conducting the business in a smooth manner, and you will have that right, to a point of order. Waltz shouted at Rodriguez, Back away! This isn't Havana. Meanwhile, Rahman, like a teacher trying to keep order in an unruly classroom, said, Please sit down. Sit down, before suspending the meeting. I'm here to administer the rules of procedure in a fair manner, in an independent manner, he said. When the meeting resumed within minutes, Rodriguez raised his point of order, which was more of a response, that Waltz was lying grossly and offending the dignity of the people and government of Cuba. When Waltz resumed his speech, he said that Rodriguez had tried to silence him in front of cameras and ambassadors, but imagine what happens if you dare to speak out under the iron fist of this regime. He displayed photographs of what he said was a Castro wearing two Rolex watches worth $40,000. He was probably referring to former president Raul Castro, the brother of Fidel Castro, the leader of the Cuban revolution. The Assembly was discussing a resolution to be voted on Wednesday that would call for an end to the US embargo on Cuba, which has been tightening in recent months with a blockade on oil. Most of the nations that spoke opposed Washington's embargo and spoke in support of Cuba. Uganda's Permanent Representative Adonia Ayebare, speaking on behalf of the Nonaligned Movement, said the group expresses its deep concern regarding the measures announced by the government of the United States this year, which tightened [the embargo]to unprecedented and extreme levels. Amid rumours of President Donald Trump planning an attack on Cuba, he said, The Nonaligned Movement urges the General Assembly, as the most representative body of the United Nations, to mobilise efforts to prevent the military aggression against Cuba, a founding member of the Nonaligned Movement, and preserve peace. Singapore's Permanent Representative Burhan Gafoor, speaking on behalf of the ASEAN, said the organisation is particularly concerned about the impact of the embargo on the Cuban people, especially their access to food, medicines and other essential supplies.

Lyon sparks Australia fightback as South Africa lose four wickets

3rd test| day 1 | tea Cape Town, Oct 27: Nathan Lyon led Australias fightback as South Africa squandered a commanding opening partnership to reach 221 for four at tea on the first day of the decisive third Test at Newlands on Tuesday. South Africa openers Marques Ackerman and Aiden Markram put on 158 runs []

DC Shopian visits Aglar Fruit Mandi, reviews infra dev

Shopian, Oct 27: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Charandeep Singh, on Friday visited Aglar Fruit Mandi, Shopian and took stock of the developmental projects aimed at strengthening the infrastructure and improving facilities at the fruit mandi. The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by ADDC, Dr. Nasir Ahmed Lone, CHO, CAO, CAHO, DSHO, Xen, R&B, ARTO, DIO and other district officers. During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner interacted with members of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Traders Association, Shopian, who apprised him of various issues and demands concerning the development and functioning of the mandi. The President and other members of the Association raised several demands, including the early construction of a flood protection bund to safeguard the mandi from potential flood-related damage, besides the establishment and allotment of shop sites to facilitate traders and strengthen commercial activities. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner said that the issues and demands raised by the Association were genuine and would be examined for appropriate consideration. He emphasised the need to develop Aglar Fruit Mandi as a state-of-the-art facility equipped with modern infrastructure and essential amenities to cater to the needs of fruit growers, traders and other stakeholders. The DC assured the Association that the concerns raised regarding the development of the mandi, including the provision of shop sites, would be taken up with the concerned authorities for necessary action. He added that the district administration commitment to strengthening the infrastructure of Aglar Fruit Mandi and ensuring better facilities for the horticulture sector, which plays a vital role in the district's economy. The meeting was attended by President, Fruit Growers Association, Traders Association, Transporters, Members of Fruit and Vegetable Growers and other concerned.

Woman Arrested for Demanding 1 Crore After Siphoning 80 Lakh From Local Businessman

Mumbai: Family seeks compensation after college student dies amid CR disruption

Family of 21-year-old student killed while crossing tracks in Bhandup to catch a train, are demanding compensation from railways

Women groups continue protest on 6th day, demand ban on liquor in Ladakh

Srinagar, Oct 27:The protest by various women organisations against the liquor policy in Leh entered its sixth day on Tuesday, with protesters blocking the highway after the first round of talks with the administration failed to reach an agreement. In a powerful demonstration, hundreds of women representing various social, religious organisations, took to the streets of Leh to register a strong protest against the Union Territory administrations decision to grant new bar and liquor licences. Raising slogans to protect Ladakhs socio-cultural fabric and fragile community life, the protesters demanded an immediate rollback of the excise policy and urged the government to declare Ladakh a completely dry state. Addressing the crowd, speakers emphasised that the influx of new bar licences, guest house alcohol permissions and commercial outlets threatens the social harmony, youth well-being and peaceful traditional lifestyle of Ladakh. The introduction of widespread liquor vends and bar permissions will have a devastating impact on local families and our younger generation. Women are often the first to suffer the social costs of alcohol expansion. We urge the administration to prioritise social responsibility and declare Ladakh a dry state, said one of the prominent women leaders present at the rally. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired a meeting with women representatives of various religious organisations including LBA to discuss issues relating to excise policy. The meeting was also attended by Romil Singh Donk, Excise Commissioner, UT Ladakh, representative of All Ladakh Gompa Association, president, Ladakh Buddhist Association, president Anjuman Imamia, Leh and representatives of ALGAHA and ALTOA including others. During the meeting, the women representatives put forth their views and concerns while demanding complete prohibition of liquor in Ladakh, highlighting the social and cultural considerations associated with the issue. They expressed concern over the large number of bar licenses issued. The meeting was informed that, in response to public sentiment, the Excise Policy 202627 had been rolled back and now the Excise Policy 202526 was in force. The participants were apprised of the status of liquor licences under the reinstated policy. It was informed that the number of retail liquor vends was two till last year but this year only one retail vend was functional. Similarly, the number of functional bars attached to restaurants offering retail sale of liquor, which was earlier 23, had increased by 17 newly issued licences, taking the total to 40. The Chief Secretary acknowledged the concerns expressed by the women representatives and emphasised the importance of giving due consideration to the views and sentiments of the people of Ladakh. He observed that the demand for declaring Ladakh a completely dry UT was a significant matter that required careful deliberation and consultation with all concerned stakeholders for which all agreed to. He cited the experience of other states like Bihar and Haryana where complete prohibition had led to serious consequences of spurious liquor and drugs being proliferated. He suggested that this was also a cultural issue and the community needed careful consideration of the consequences of declaring Ladakh as a dry territory. There are also issues of employment, tourism and economic activity and consultation with the hotel industry is also crucial in this regard, particularly given that tourism is the primary economic activity in the territory, he said. He stated that any decision on the matter would need to be taken through a broad-based consultative process involving religious organisations, hotel associations, tour and travel operators associations, and other relevant stakeholders, keeping in view the social, cultural and economic dimensions of the issue. He suggested that in the first instance, president LBA should convene a wider consultation and build consensus on the way forward, with an endeavour to find a middle ground. The Chief Secretary reiterated the importance of constructive dialogue and mutual understanding in addressing the concerns raised by the women representatives while ensuring that the perspectives of all affected stakeholders are duly considered. The meeting provided an opportunity for the representatives to present their views and underscored the need for continued engagement and dialogue towards a balanced and informed consideration of the issue. He also assured that the administration was flexible in its approach of public policy and would be amenable to a middle path solution in the matter. If required another meeting with a larger set of stakeholders would be convened soon.

No representation to Paharis matter of concern: MLA Thanamandi

Rajouri, Oct 27:Independent MLA from Thanamandi assembly constituency in Rajouri, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan has asked National Conference (NC) leadership to introspect as no representation to Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir cabinet and under-representation to Jammu province is a cause of serious concern. Talking to Greater Kashmir, MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, who supports Omar Abdullah government, said that the Pahari community of Jammu and Kashmir has a handsome political as well as population base and most of the Assembly constituencies having Pahari population have MLAs either from NC or alliance partners. Unfortunately, the Pahari community once again was ignored at a time when we were expecting that one legislator from Paharis would be included in the cabinet, said Khan. He stated that a strong wave of displeasure has spread among the Pahari population of Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, he said, The fresh cabinet expansion led to imbalance vis-a-vis Jammu province which has not been given its proper share. Now there are only two ministers from Jammu province and remaining all are from Kashmir which shows regional imbalance, he further said. Khan hoped that at least one more face from any part of Jammu province should have been given place in cabinet expansion.

Trump announces plan to weaken methane rules for oil and gas companies

The Trump administration is moving to weaken a regulation that requires oil and gas companies to limit leaks of methane, a more potent driver of climate change than carbon dioxide. President Donald Trump announced the Environmental Protection Agencys proposed regulation at an event in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday evening. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said earlier this month that the agency was days not weeks away from issuing the proposal, roughly outlining its contents . Weve been working on this for a long time, Trump said at the rally. We were working on this before the war broke out, he added, referring to the Feb. 28 attack on Iran. Get Climate Coach newsletter News and guidance on climate, science and technology. Sign up for free The move comes even as several major oil companies, including Chevron and ExxonMobil, have long supported direct federal regulation of methane, arguing that industry-wide rules are needed to curb leaks. But that support has not always extended to every provision: The companies have at times pressed regulators to narrow monitoring and reporting requirements. Smaller independent producers and their trade groups have more aggressively fought methane rules as burdensome and costly. Executives at some of those firms including several major donors to Trump have pushed to roll them back . Methane, which traps about 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, accounts for roughly 12 percent of greenhouse gases, according to an EPA webpage that the agency removed from its site after Trump took office. Another EPA report says methane emissions represent the greatest opportunity for low or no-cost mitigation of climate change. Last year, Zeldin said the rule aimed at curbing methane leaks and dozens of other regulations were being reconsidered in what he has called the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history, aimed at saving businesses and consumers money. Environmental advocates say any savings are more than outweighed by public health costs and damage to the economy caused by climate change and increasing weather extremes. Americans must be able to afford to heat their homes in the winter and fill up their car and drive to work, Zeldin said in a statement earlier this month , before the proposals release, while attending the New Mexico Oil and Gas Associations annual meeting. They cant do that when the people producing the energy are weighed down by unnecessary burdens. The 2023 Biden-era rule requires companies to reduce methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas infrastructure, demanding monitoring and retrofitting old equipment to reduce leaks. The standard also instituted curbs on volatile organic compounds, which can cause air pollution that is harmful to breath or warm the climate. The oil and gas industry says its a good-faith partner eager to help craft regulations, but time and time again its worked behind the scenes to delay and weaken them. As a result, the United States today emits more methane from its oil and gas sector than any other country in the world, Julia Kane, a researcher with Fieldnotes, an oil and gas watchdog group, said in a statement. Now, Lee Zeldins EPA is giving oil and gas corporations exactly what theyve long wanted: a toothless methane standard they can use to pretend theyre well-regulated, all while they continue to knowingly leak and flare dangerous amounts of the heat-trapping gas. Most Read From The Washington Post Boomer women are dating after divorce. Men dont always meet their standards. I went to Mexico to test-drive the cars Americans cant buy At 80, hes a top dementia expert. Heres how he keeps his brain healthy. Grand jury declines to indict Cassidy Hutchinson over Jan. 6 testimony Trump defends White House redecorating and Cheesecake Factory from Obamas mocking The Trump EPA proposal is expected to reverse the 2023 rules ban on routine flaring, allowing companies to burn off excess gas rather than capturing it. The draft policy would also eliminate the Super Emitter Program, which required companies to take action on major methane leaks when detected by third-party watchdogs. Methane has accounted for about 30 percent of global temperature rise since the industrial revolution, according to the International Energy Agency, and the rollback is alarming environmental advocates. The proposed regulation would also change standards for marginal wells, which produce only 6 percent of U.S. oil and gas but account for about half of the sectors methane emissions . Zeldin said in October that the old rules wrongly lumped together mom and pop oil and gas producers, which he said could be put out of business by the rules, with multinationals such as Exxon and Chevron. Part of this process has been to keep the concerns that are coming in from the application of [the regulations] to these far smaller operations and how to get the regulation right for them, Zeldin told reporters in a briefing at EPA headquarters. Myron Ebell, who ran the EPAs transition team going into Trumps first term, praised the potential regulation change for trying to level the playing field between Big Oil and independent producers. The EPA weakened enforcement of existing methane regulations last year, saying the agencys enforcement and compliance will no longer focus on methane emissions from oil and gas facilities in a memo on March 12, 2025. The Environmental Defense Fund, an advocacy group, estimates that additional gas released or flared in the first year under that policy could have otherwise supplied nearly 19 million households . In November, the EPA also delayed deadlines to comply with many of the 2023 standards until 2027. This article originally appeared on Washington Post at https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/10/27/trump-announce-relaxed-rules-oil-firms-methane-leaks/

Hill Roads Cannot Be Death Traps

The hill roads of Kashmir are more than routes carved into mountains. They connect villages to hospitals, children to schools, farmers to markets and families to the wider world. Yet for thousands who travel them every day, these roads remain a source of fear. Sharp bends, steep slopes, falling debris, overloaded vehicles, poor visibility and reckless driving combine to turn ordinary journeys into life-threatening ventures. Accidents on hill roads are often described as unfortunate incidents. That language, however, hides the deeper failure. A crash on a mountain road may be triggered by a moment of human error, but its consequences are made far worse by weak infrastructure, inadequate protection and poor emergency response. A missing crash barrier, an unmarked bend or a road surface damaged by rain can decide whether a vehicle stops safely or plunges into a gorge. Road safety in hilly areas cannot be treated as a seasonal concern. Every year, the onset of winter, heavy rainfall and snowfall exposes the same weaknesses. Roads become slippery, visibility falls and landslides block important stretches. In many places, drivers receive little warning about dangerous curves, black ice, falling rocks or sudden narrowing of the carriageway. The absence of proper signage and reflective markings is not a minor technical lapse; it is a direct threat to life. The authorities must move beyond post-accident inspections and temporary repairs. A comprehensive hill-road safety audit should identify vulnerable stretches, damaged retaining walls, weak bridges, blind curves and locations where protective barriers are urgently needed. Such audits should be made public, with clear timelines for corrective action. Roads carrying regular traffic must be inspected before and during the winter months, not only after tragedy strikes. Enforcement is equally important. Speeding, dangerous overtaking, driving under the influence, and overloading are especially lethal on mountain roads. Commercial vehicles must be checked regularly, and drivers operating on difficult routes should receive specialised training. Fitness certificates cannot remain a paperwork exercise. A vehicle carrying passengers on a narrow mountain road must meet the highest standards of mechanical safety. Emergency response also needs urgent strengthening. Ambulances, rescue equipment and trained personnel should be stationed near accident-prone corridors. In remote areas, every minute lost can cost a life. Better communication networks and clearly marked emergency points can make the difference between survival and death. Citizens, too, have a responsibility. Drivers must respect weather warnings, avoid unnecessary overtaking and never treat mountain roads as racing tracks. But public responsibility cannot become an excuse for administrative inaction. Safe roads are a basic public obligation. Kashmirs hills will always be demanding. They need not, however, be deadly. The measure of governance is not merely the construction of roads, but the protection of those who use them. Every blind curve made visible, every barrier installed, and every reckless driver stopped is an investment in life.

UTAA plans state-wide campaign for ST political reservation

Margao: The United Tribals Associations Alliance (UTAA) will hold a meeting on Saturday to plan a state-wide campaign demanding political reservation for Goas Scheduled Tribe (ST) community. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, UTAA president Prakash Velip, executive members advocate John Fernandes, Vishwas Gaude and Joseph Vaz, and other members said the organisation would visit []

Ladakh government reaches out to protesters demanding liquor ban

Maheshwar Reddy Accuses Revanth Of Favouring Kodangal

The BJP staged a protest at the ROB site on Tuesday, demanding the release of funds.

NRR Questions Delay In Jawaharnagar Capping

Rajender launched the four-day, 60-km padayatra from Lakshminarayana Cheruvu, demanding relocation of the dumpyard: Reports

Maritime Training Institute in Jaipur loses DGMA approval following irregularities

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 27 (IANS) Approval granted to a Maritime Training Institute (MTI) in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has been withdrawn by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) for alleged irregularities. M/s R R Marines Academy, located at Singhu Nagar, Murlipura, Jaipur, was granted approval by the DGMA for conducting Basic Safety Training, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB), Refresher for Proficiency in PSCRB, Refresher Training for Proficiency in FPFF, Refresher Training for Proficiency in PST, and Security Training for Seafarer with Designated Security Duties. After receiving complaints, the directorate had issued a Show Cause Notice dated November 14, 2025, to the MTI for alleged violation in the conduct of the exit examinations. Furthermore, the Directorate General, Shipping (DGS) had advised the MTI against admitting any new candidates, pending completion of the investigation. The MTI has, however, knowingly admitted a fresh batch of candidates who would not be able to appear for the exit exams and therefore cannot be issued with the certificate of the courses to which they had enrolled. The response to the show cause notice received from the MTI clearly indicates serious dereliction on the part of the MTI, and the explanation that it was the manager who had committed all the violations is difficult to comprehend and accept, the DGMA has stated in an order. It has been clearly noted that the DGMA's established procedures for approval of any maritime training institutes in India are underpinned by strict compliance and quality control. The DGMA directives are issued for the MTIs to implement the same in the interest of the Indian seafarers without any negligence, willful or otherwise. The DGMA monitors the institutes to ensure they maintain the set standards and may take disciplinary action if they do not comply. The DGMA has received complaints from three seafarers who had undertaken the basic safety courses at the MTI and have alleged that the promoter of the MTI had promised them jobs onboard ships and has been demanding lakhs of rupees as service charge. These seafarers claimed to have paid the promoter in cash and by electronic means. They have shared documents to support their claim, the order stated. The directorate claimed that the evidence available prima facie indicated serious illegality in the actions of the MTI. Taking cognisance of the aggregated violations, and in the interest of limiting further damage to the seafarers, the MTI was suspended, pending investigation. It was served with another show cause notice, to which the institute replied. Meanwhile, the Mercantile Marine Department in Kandla carried out a detailed investigation into the matter and submitted a report to the DGMA. This was regarding alleged malpractices detected during the exit examination of the MTI. The MMD also recommended the withdrawal of the approval accorded to the MTI. The recommendation of MMD Kandla was deliberated before the 72nd Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Compliance Board Meeting. The recommendation of MMD Kandla was accepted by the STCW Board. Accordingly, the MTI approval, which was under suspension, has been withdrawn on the e-governance system, the DGMA has said. In the notice, the directorate has clearly announced that all existing approvals granted to M/s R R Marines Academy for all DGMA-approved courses stand withdrawn.

Cantonment Contract Workers Protest Over Pending September Salaries

Secunderabad Cantonment Board contract workers protested over unpaid September salaries, demanding timely wages, Diwali bonuses and action against contractors.

Apple unveils 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip, promises up to 30 pc faster graphics

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) Apple on Tuesday announced the new 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by its M6 chip, promising significant improvements in processing speed, graphics performance, on-device artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and connectivity. The new MacBook Pro is aimed at college students, business professionals and creators, with Apple positioning it as a performance-focused laptop offering enhanced capabilities for demanding workloads. The company said the M6-powered device delivers up to 30 per cent faster graphics performance and up to 25 per cent faster AI workloads compared with the previous-generation M5 model. The M6 chip features an advanced 12-core CPU, which Apple describes as having the world's fastest CPU core. The processor is designed to improve responsiveness across everyday productivity tasks as well as more demanding professional workflows. Its 12-core GPU further boosts graphics performance and AI processing capabilities. For users upgrading from MacBook Pro models powered by the M1 chip, Apple said the new device delivers up to 11 times faster graphics performance and up to 13 times faster AI performance. The M6 chip also incorporates additional Neural Accelerators within the GPU and a dual 16-core Neural Engine, strengthening the laptop's ability to handle AI tasks directly on the device. These capabilities are designed to support Apple Intelligence features across applications and macOS, as well as the local execution of large language models (LLMs), while maintaining user privacy. The new MacBook Pro also introduces Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity. Apple said its faster storage is designed to improve workflows involving large files, project exports and computationally intensive AI applications. The new 14-inch MacBook Pro will run macOS 27 and be available in space black and silver finishes. Apple said pre-orders will begin on October 28, with availability starting November 6. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is the pro laptop of choice for a wide range of users from college students, to business professionals across every industry, to multidisciplinary creators doing it all on one device, said Shelly Goldberg, Apple's vice president of Hardware Engineering.

Mansa: Police Remove Body, Opposition Slams Govt

Police in Mansa, Punjab, forcibly removed the body of a 35-year-old man who allegedly died of a drug overdose, leading to clashes with his family and protesters. The family sought to join a protest demanding justice for an anti-drug activist. Police claim the death is being investigated as a murder and used mild force, while opposition parties have severely criticised the government and police for their handling of the situation and alleged disrespect to Sikh sentiments.

Delhi lawyers call indefinite work abstention demanding suspension of Shahdara ACP and SHO

The News Mill

Punjab Drug Crisis | Man's Death Due To Suspected Drug Overdose Sparks Road Blockade In Mansa

Protests erupted in Punjab's Mansa district after 35-year-old Daljit Singh was found dead, with his family suspecting a drug overdose and alleging that narcotics remain easily available in the region. Relatives blocked the Sirsa-Mansa road, demanding arrests and action against alleged drug peddlers. Police intervened as protesters headed towards Mansa and took the body into their possession. Officials said a post-mortem examination would establish the cause of death and assured the family that action would be taken against those involved in drug trafficking.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committe apologises to CJI for post on X

KPCC chief Sunny Joseph says post demanding resignation of the Chief Justice was published without prior approval or consultation

Assam Rifles DG reviews security grid in Manipur at high-level meeting

Digital Desk | Imphal, Oct 27 (IANS) Assam Rifles Director General Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera on Tuesday chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess and strengthen the security grid in Manipur, officials said. A defence spokesman said that the Assam Rifles chief, accompanied by Major General Gaurav Sharma, Inspector General, Assam Rifles (South), carried out a comprehensive operational review across Somsai Garrison and Tusom Company Operating Base (COB) in mountainous Ukhrul district. A similar operational review meeting was also held at Chassad Garrison in hilly Kamjong district. The visit was conducted on Tuesday to evaluate the readiness of the Ukhrul Warriors in light of the prevailing security scenario in Manipur. The spokesman said that during the visit, the leadership received detailed briefings on operational deployments, the local security environment, and key administrative arrangements across these strategically vital posts. The Director General stressed the imperative of maintaining continuous vigilance, executing effective area domination, and bolstering seamless coordination with civil administrative authorities and fellow security agencies to preserve stability. He further emphasised establishing a robust and responsive security grid capable of adapting to emerging regional challenges. Interacting directly with personnel during these reviews, Lieutenant General Lakhera praised all ranks for their steadfast dedication, resilience, high morale, and exemplary professionalism under demanding field conditions. To honour extraordinary performance, he presented Commendation Cards to four Assam Rifles personnel who demonstrated exceptional service and devotion to duty. According to the defence spokesman, the high-level review meetings underscore the Assam Rifles enduring commitment to maintaining operational excellence, safeguarding troop welfare, and fostering constructive engagement with local communities to ensure long-term peace across Manipur. Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Praveen Kumar recently reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in the state. These meetings assume significance in view of the recent ethnic violence involving Naga and Kuki-Zo community members in Manipurs hill districts. More than 50 people have reportedly been killed and dozens of houses torched in clashes between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities since February this year. The violence has largely been concentrated in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi and Tamenglong districts, Noney district and parts of Senapati district.

M4 vs. M6 iMac Buyer

Apple's latest iMac skips the M5 chip and moves directly to the M6, bringing faster performance, improved connectivity, and faster storage. So how much has changed since the M4 model arrived in 2024, and is it worth upgrading? The M6 iMac starts at $1,499 in the United States, with the four-port configuration starting at $1,699. While the entry price is $200 higher than the M4 model's original $1,299 launch price, the outgoing model had already risen to $1,499 earlier in 2026. With much of the iMac experience unchanged, existing M4 owners may be weighing up whether the performance improvements justify replacing their machine, while new buyers may be considering a discounted older model. Here are the key differences between the M4 and M6 iMac: iMac (M4, 2024) iMac (M6, 2026) M4 chip made using TSMC's second-generation 3nm process (N3E) M6 chip made using TSMC's first-generation 2nm process (N2) FinFET transistors Gate-all-around nanosheet transistors Two-port model : 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores Four-port model : 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores Two-port model : 10-core CPU with 2 super cores, 3 performance cores, and 5 efficiency cores Four-port model : 12-core CPU with 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, and 6 efficiency cores Two CPU core types: performance and efficiency Three CPU core types: super, performance, and efficiency Two-port model : 8-core GPU Four-port model : 10-core GPU Two-port model : 10-core GPU Four-port model : 12-core GPU Integrated Neural Accelerator in every GPU core GPU shader cores without dedicated Neural Accelerators GPU shader cores with a dedicated Neural Accelerator in every core First-generation Dynamic Caching Updated Dynamic Caching Second-generation hardware-accelerated ray tracing Hardware-accelerated ray tracing with up to 2x higher gaming performance compared with M4, according to Apple One 16-core Neural Engine Two 16-core Neural Engines, totaling 32 cores, which system frameworks can use simultaneously 120GB/s unified memory bandwidth Up to 170GB/s unified memory bandwidth SSD storage SSD storage with PCIe 5.0 support and up to 2x faster read and write performance Broadcom wireless networking chip Apple N1 wireless networking chip Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 6 Thread networking technology Two-port model : Optional Gigabit Ethernet Four-port model : Gigabit Ethernet as standard Two-port model : Optional 2.5Gb Ethernet Four-port model : 2.5Gb Ethernet as standard Two-port model : One external display up to 6K at 60Hz Two-port model : One external display up to 6K at 60Hz or 4K at 165Hz Four-port model : Two external displays up to 6K at 60Hz, or one external display up to 8K at 60Hz Four-port model : Two external displays up to 6K at 60Hz or 4K at 165Hz, or one external display up to 8K at 60Hz, 5K at 120Hz, or 4K at 240Hz Four-port model : Support for two external displays over a single Thunderbolt port 100% recycled gold plating and tin solder in multiple printed circuit boards 100% recycled gold plating and tin solder in all Apple-designed printed circuit boards Over 20% of manufacturing electricity sourced from low-carbon electricity 40% of manufacturing electricity sourced from renewable electricity Apple claims the following workflow improvements for the M6 iMac compared with the M4 model: Up to 1.5x faster performance in Microsoft Excel. Up to 2x faster graphics performance for photo editing in Affinity. Up to 5x faster prompt processing in LM Studio. Up to 2x higher gaming performance with ray tracing. Is It Worth Upgrading From the M4 to M6 iMac? For most M4 iMac owners, there is little reason to upgrade. The M6's performance improvements are substantial in certain tasks, but casual tasks such as browsing, email, video calls, and streaming are already comfortably within the M4's capabilities. With the same display, camera, speakers, and overall design, the new model is unlikely to meaningfully change how most households use their iMac. Occasional photo editing or gaming can benefit from the M6, but these improvements alone are difficult to justify replacing an otherwise capable computer. The faster networking similarly offers limited incentive unless your current connection is a particular frustration and the rest of your equipment can support the upgrade. For the typical M4 iMac owner, keeping the existing machine is the sensible choice. Should You Buy the M4 or M6 iMac? For buyers choosing a new family computer, the M6 iMac is the straightforward choice when comparable configurations are close in price. Its additional performance provides more room for demanding apps and games as your needs change, while retaining the familiar all-in-one experience. However, a substantially discounted M4 iMac remains an appealing purchase. Most households will get much the same everyday experience, making the saving more useful than the M6's additional processing power. Related Roundup: iMac Buyer's Guide: iMac (Coming Soon) Related Forum: iMac This article, M4 vs. M6 iMac Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade? first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

SIMBEX-2026: 33rd India-Singapore Maritime bilateral exercise concludes in Visakhapatnam

The 33rd edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX-2026), hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, concluded on October 26. According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise further strengthened the longstanding maritime cooperation and operational engagement between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). As part of the bilateral engagement, Colonel Bertram Ang, Fleet Commander of the RSN, called on RAdm Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and exchanged professional views on strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest. SIMBEX-2026 was conducted in two phases. The Harbour Phase featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-deck visits, professional interactions, sporting engagements and planning conferences, facilitating the exchange of operational knowledge and enhancing mutual understanding. The Sea Phase in the Bay of...

India's domestic air passenger traffic falls 6.5 pc in September

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) India's domestic aviation sector witnessed a further moderation in passenger demand in September, with domestic air passenger traffic falling 6.49 per cent to 1.18 crore passengers from the previous month, according to the latest data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). IndiGo continued to dominate the domestic skies, carrying 77.30 lakh passengers during the month and commanding a market share of 65.4 per cent. The airline maintained a significant lead over all competitors and accounted for nearly two-thirds of the country's domestic air traffic. The Air India Group remained the second-largest player in the market, carrying 31.65 lakh passengers and securing a market share of 26.8 per cent. Together, IndiGo and the Air India Group accounted for more than 92 per cent of total domestic passenger traffic during September. Akasa Air retained its position as the third-largest domestic carrier, transporting 6.64 lakh passengers and holding a market share of 5.6 per cent. SpiceJet continued to face challenges, with its market share slipping to 0.6 per cent after carrying around 73,000 passengers during the month. The September figures follow a similar trend witnessed in August, when domestic passenger traffic declined 6.34 per cent month-on-month to 1.21 crore passengers. During that month, IndiGo carried 78.87 lakh passengers with a 65 per cent market share, while the Air India Group flew 32.32 lakh passengers and held a 26.7 per cent share of the market. Akasa Air had transported 6.68 lakh passengers in August, accounting for 5.5 per cent of the market, while SpiceJet carried 1.40 lakh passengers and held a market share of 1.2 per cent. Domestic passenger traffic grew 13 per cent year-on-year to 153.6 million passengers in FY24 before moderating to 7.7 per cent growth in FY25, when traffic reached 165.5 million passengers. Growth slowed further to just 1.2 per cent in FY26, with passenger numbers rising to 167.5 million. The moderation has become more pronounced in the current financial year. Domestic passenger traffic declined 5 per cent year-on-year in April 2026 before rebounding with 9 per cent growth in May. However, demand weakened again thereafter, with traffic falling 1 per cent in June, 5 per cent in July, 6 per cent in August and 7 per cent in September.

CPI workers stage protest demanding resignation of CEC

CPI workers stage protest demanding resignation of CEC

India-Indonesia Special Forces exercise Garuda Shakti begins in Banyuwangi

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) The India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garuda Shakti commenced at Banyuwangi in Indonesia on Tuesday, with the Special Forces of the two nations set to train together in jungle warfare operations until November 6, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The Indian contingent comprises troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian side is represented by personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces, the ministry said. The exercise aims to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of the two nations. The training focuses on tactics, techniques and procedures for special operations in jungle environments, including obstacle crossing, combat marksmanship, mountaineering, air assault training and combat-hardening sessions, the MoD stated. The training also includes the exchange of expertise and information on weapons, equipment and operational practices, it said. The joint training will culminate with a validation exercise designed to simulate realistic operational scenarios and assess the endurance, coordination and combat readiness of both contingents, the ministry added, noting that the exercise would further strengthen defence cooperation and bilateral ties between India and Indonesia. On Sunday, the Indian Army contingent, comprising Special Forces personnel, departed for Indonesias Banyuwangi to participate in the exercise. The exercise will enhance interoperability between the armies of the two nations through the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures for special operations in jungle terrain under counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism scenarios, according to an Indian Army statement. Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Shaunak was on a goodwill visit to Jakarta from October 17-19, strengthening cooperation between India and Indonesia, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) stated. Its port call to Jakarta included productive professional interactions and mutual exchanges aimed at bolstering bilateral maritime cooperation and enhancing regional maritime security. Commanding Officer of ICGS Shaunak and the Defence Attach called on the Head of Bakamla and discussed augmenting bilateral Coast Guard cooperation, according to a statement released by the Indian Embassy in Indonesia. Indian Coast Guard and Bakamla just renewed the MoU for Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation, during the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indonesia from 06-08 Jul 2026; signifying the importance the two maritime neighbours give to regional maritime safety and security, the Embassy stated on X.

Indian Navys First Training Squadron arrives in Colombo

Digital Desk | Colombo, Oct 27 (IANS) Ships of the Indian Navys First Training Squadron (1TS), that arrived in Colombo as part of their ongoing training deployment on Tuesday, were accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Sri Lanka Navy. The squadron comprises Indian Naval Ships INS Tir, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarathi, the Indian Navy said. Anchoring Friendship, Strengthening Maritime Cooperation. Ships of the Indian Navys First Training Squadron (1TS) - INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi - arrived at Colombo to a ceremonial welcome from the Sri Lanka Navy, the Indian Navy posted on X. As part of the professional engagements during the port call, the DG Naval Training and the Commander, Eastern Naval Area, Sri Lanka Navy, interacted with sea trainees onboard, it added. Last week, ships from the Indian Navys First Training Squadron (1TS) concluded their training and military engagement in the Maldives, including a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard, the High Commission of India in Male said on October 24. The 1 TS of the Indian Navy (INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi) successfully concluded their highly productive training and military engagement, including the PASSEX with the MNDF Coast Guard, reinforcing the enduring maritime partnership between India and the Maldives, the High Commission posted on X. Earlier, the 1TS ships concluded their port call at Seychelles Port Victoria, during which they conducted a PASSEX with Seychelles Coast Guard ship Andromache. INS Tir, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi departed Port Victoria on October 15 on completion of the port call, which commenced on October 12, as part of their ongoing training deployment. During the port call, the Senior Officer of 1TS, along with the Commanding Officers of the visiting ships, called on the Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles Defence Force (SDF), Major General Michael Rosette, with discussions focusing on the enduring partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two forces. The Indian Navys First Training Squadron 1TS conducted a PASSEX with Seychelles Coast Guard ship Andromache during its deployment. The exercise featured joint patrolling, communication drills and coordinated manoeuvres, the Indian Navy had posted on X. The deployment underscores the strong bonds of friendship between India and Seychelles and reflects the Indian Navys commitment to capacity building and regional partnerships in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), the Ministry of Defence had said.

Watch: CPI demands CEC Gyanesh Kumars resignation over SIR row

The Communist Party of India (CPI) staged a protest in Delhi on Tuesday October 27, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR row. CPI General Secretary D. Raja also called for Jantar Mantar to be restored as a designated protest site, asserting peoples right to protest and express their views.

PG residents of GMC Handwara to begin protest over stipend hike demand

Srinagar, Oct 27: The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has extended its full support to the postgraduate (PG) residents of Government Medical College (GMC), Handwara, who are set to begin a peaceful protest on Wednesday, October 28, demanding a long-pending hike in their stipends. AIMSA stands firmly with the PG residents in their legitimate demand for fair and adequate stipends and urges the Jammu & Kashmir Government to address the issue without further delay. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, President of AIMSA, urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the J&K Government to immediately revise the stipends of PG residents. He pointed out that the government has already enhanced the stipend for MBBS interns, and called for similar attention to the long-pending demands of postgraduate doctors. Dr Sanjeev Lather, RDA President, and Dr Abhijeet Gangasagar, RDA Vice President, GMC Handwara, confirmed that PG residents would begin their peaceful protest on Wednesday, October 28, to press for their demands. Dr Mohit, Vice President of AIMSA, along with AIMSA Chief Advisors Dr Owais, Dr Rajat, Dr Sanah and Dr Rouf, questioned the continued delay in revising PG residents stipends, highlighting the demanding working conditions, long duty hours and tireless service rendered by resident doctors. They stressed that PG residents play a crucial role in patient care and the functioning of government hospitals and deserve fair and adequate financial compensation for their work. AIMSA reiterated its unwavering support for the protesting residents and appealed to the J&K Government to intervene urgently and resolve the issue through a timely and concrete decision. Resident doctors work tirelessly to serve patients. Their legitimate demand for a stipend hike must not be ignored. AIMSA stands firmly with the PG residents of GMC Handwara until their concerns are addressed, the association stated.

Apple Announces New 14-Inch MacBook Pro With M6 Chip

Apple today announced a refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro featuring the M6 chip, upgraded connectivity specifications, and more. The M6 chip in the MacBook Pro features a 12-core CPU with 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, and 6 efficiency cores, paired with a 12-core GPU. This is up from the M5 chip with a 10-core CPU with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores, paired with a 10-core GPU. M6 features an advanced 12-core CPU with the world's fastest CPU core, so everything from productivity tasks to more demanding pro workflows feels incredibly fast and responsive. The 12-core GPU delivers up to 30 percent faster graphics and up to 25 percent faster AI workloads when compared to M5, making the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 a compelling value for users who need serious power. The Neural Engine doubles from 16-cores to a dual 16-core Neural Engine system with 32 total cores. Memory bandwidth also increases from 153GB/s to 170GB/s, but only on models with 24GB and 32GB of memory. With additional Neural Accelerators in the GPU and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, M6 turns MacBook Pro into an even more powerful platform for AI from taking advantage of Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features across apps and macOS to running LLMs locally, all while preserving user privacy. Alongside the M6 chip, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro now features support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity via Apple's N1 wireless chip. It can also now drive dual external 4K displays at up to 165Hz, up from 144Hz. The 14-inch MacBook Pro continues to start with 1TB of storage. The previous model's 512GB configuration was dropped in March . Everything else remains the same as the previous model with the M5 chip. The new 14-inch MacBook Pro is available for pre-order starting tomorrow (Wednesday, October 28). It launches on Friday, November 6. It starts at $1,999. Related Roundup: MacBook Pro Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Coming Soon) Related Forum: MacBook Pro This article, Apple Announces New 14-Inch MacBook Pro With M6 Chip first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

BJP slams Congress over sharing deepfake videos on China, Arunachal Pradesh

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) Senior advocate and BJP leader Nalin Kohli on Tuesday criticised the Congress for sharing videos falsely claiming Chinese incursions into Indian territory and alleged that the opposition party was spreading misinformation on matters concerning national security. Speaking to IANS, Kohli said the Congress leaders had posted the videos without verifying their authenticity and accused the party of using sensitive national security issues for political gains. It is very unfortunate that the Congress party and its leaders tweet false things without even gathering information, even when it is against the national interest, to spread fear by saying, Look at what is happening between India and China. This video itself is false. It is AI-generated and far from the truth. They posted it immediately without any application of mind, he said. The BJP leader also referred to the Congress's criticism of previous military operations, including Operation Sindoor, the Balakot airstrikes and the surgical strikes, questioning whether the party was placing political considerations above national interest. Do these Congress party leaders think it is right to put the national interest aside and do this for their own politics? Kohli asked. Earlier, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also condemned the Congress after the Indian Army debunked videos shared by a Congress leader alleging that China had taken control of parts of Arunachal Pradesh. He demanded that Congress apologise for the move. Previously, a Congress spokesperson from Bihar, Ritu Choudhary, in a post, claimed that Chinese vehicles had entered Indian territory. In a fake video, it was alleged that China had taken control of areas in Arunachal Pradesh and that the Indian Army was being denied essential supplies. The Indian Army clarified that the video showed Chinese commercial vehicles at Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, an authorised India-China border trade point, and did not depict a military intrusion. The movement of commercial vehicles at an authorised border trade route is being misrepresented as evidence of a Chinese military intrusion, the Army said. In a separate fact-check issued on Sunday, the Army also dismissed a video circulated by Pakistan-linked social media accounts that purportedly showed Chinese soldiers searching Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh and claimed that Indian troops needed Chinese permission to move through the state. The Army clarified that the footage was actually from a counter-terrorism mock drill conducted in Bengaluru in May 2026 and had no connection with Chinese forces or military activity in Arunachal Pradesh. It cautioned people against confusing a security exercise with an actual military confrontation. The Army also debunked a video featuring Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, General Officer Commanding of the Spear Corps, which falsely portrayed him as saying that China had taken control of parts of Arunachal Pradesh. According to the Army, the original footage was from a press briefing in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 27, 2023, concerning foiled infiltration attempts across the Line of Control. The officer had made no statements about Chinese control over Arunachal Pradesh or the denial of supplies to Indian troops.

Punjab Passes Resolution Demanding Payments From Rajasthan, Eyes Supreme Court Over Yamuna

CPI forms human chain in Delhi demanding CECs resignation and rollback of SIR

CPI general secretary D. Raja said Mr. Kumar had lost the confidence of the people and that his continuation as Chief Election Commissioner posed a threat to the credibility of the electoral process

Kiara Advani reveals her festive makeup secret, favourite lipstick shade; showers love on her Toxic look

For Kiara Advani, a beauty routine does not always have to be elaborate to make an impact. Sometimes, it comes down to a non-negotiable skincare step, well-prepped skin and a lipstick shade that brings the entire look together. In a beauty interview with Lifestyle Asia, India, the actress opened up about the habits she swears by, her go-to festive makeup look and a character whose appearance gave her room to experiment. Makeup Removal Is Her Non-Negotiable Skincare Step Busy schedules and long shooting days can make elaborate skincare routines difficult to maintain, but Kiara has one rule she refuses to compromise on: removing her makeup before bed. Speaking about the one skincare step she never skips, she said, Taking my makeup off. Like no matter how late it is, I have to take my makeup off and then sleep. Her approach is a reminder that even when time is limited, taking off makeup remains an essential part of winding down after a long day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lifestyle Asia India (@lifestyleasiaindia) The Beauty Lesson She Learnt on Set When it comes to achieving a polished makeup look that lasts through demanding shooting schedules, Kiara credits good skin preparation. Asked about a beauty trick she learnt on set, she explained, I think good skin prep. You know, just to make sure your makeup stays on, looks flawless through the day. Definitely a long-wear lipstick. For the actress, preparing the skin and choosing a long-wearing lip colour are key elements of a look that needs to hold up throughout the day. Her Festive Makeup Formula: Mascara and a Bold Lip Kiaras festive beauty preferences revolve around two essentials: expressive lashes and a statement lip. She shared, My go-to festive makeup look is, lots of mascara, because I always like my lashes to do all the talking. And like a bold lip like I'm wearing today, so the Berry Bulfi. This shade is, I mean it's just, I think especially for Indian skin, it just brings out all your features and looks beautiful. So yeah, I think this would be my, I think my lashes and this beautiful lip and I'm good to go. The actress also revealed her current favourite makeup pick, saying, I mean right now for me, it's the Maybelline New York Vinyl Mithai Collection. It is like the yummiest, yummiest, yummiest colours. Kiara Advani on the beauty look she had fun exploring in Toxic Beyond her personal beauty preferences, Kiara is looking forward to experimenting with a more theatrical aesthetic on screen. Discussing her character Nadia in Toxic, she said, So I think my character Nadia in Toxic, we got to do a lot of fun performance makeup, because she's, you know, she's a circus performer. So we got to experiment with bold lips and bold eyes and just go for it, go for the kill. So I think that would be a look from a character of mine that was exciting. And when it comes to a beauty affirmation she would like to put out into the universe, Kiara kept it relatable and concise: May my concealer never crease. From everyday skincare discipline to bold festive makeup and experimental on-screen looks, Kiaras beauty philosophy combines practical essentials with a willingness to have fun. Also Read: Kiara Advani enjoys a beach getaway with Sidharth Malhotra and daughter Saraayah amid second pregnancy; see post

GMC Handwara PG Residents to Protest Tomorrow Over Stipend Hike; AIMSA Backs Demand

Srinagar, Oct 27: The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has extended its full support to the postgraduate (PG) residents of Government Medical College (GMC), Handwara, who are set to begin a peaceful protest on Wednesday, October 28, demanding a long-pending hike in their stipends. AIMSA stands firmly with the PG residents in their legitimate demand for fair and adequate stipends and urges the Jammu & Kashmir Government to address the issue without further delay. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, President of AIMSA, urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the J&K Government to immediately revise the stipends of PG residents. He pointed out that the government has already enhanced the stipend for MBBS interns, and called for similar attention to the long-pending demands of postgraduate doctors. Dr Sanjeev Lather, RDA President, and Dr Abhijeet Gangasagar, RDA Vice President, GMC Handwara, confirmed that PG residents would begin their peaceful protest on Wednesday, October 28, to press for their demands. Dr Mohit, Vice President of AIMSA, along with AIMSA Chief Advisors Dr Owais, Dr Rajat, Dr Sanah and Dr Rouf, questioned the continued delay in revising PG residents stipends, highlighting the demanding working conditions, long duty hours and tireless service rendered by resident doctors. They stressed that PG residents play a crucial role in patient care and the functioning of government hospitals and deserve fair and adequate financial compensation for their work. AIMSA reiterated its unwavering support for the protesting residents and appealed to the J&K Government to intervene urgently and resolve the issue through a timely and concrete decision. Resident doctors work tirelessly to serve patients. Their legitimate demand for a stipend hike must not be ignored. AIMSA stands firmly with the PG residents of GMC Handwara until their concerns are addressed, the association stated.

American Citizen Imran Khan Gets Bombay HC Relief,

U.S. citizen and Bollywood actor Imran Khan received interim relief from the Bombay High Court on Tuesday, October 27, which stayed a Centre-issued notice directing him to leave India by October 28 over his participation in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Jaylen Brown Responds To Reports Of Demanding A Boston Celtics Exit After Landing With Philadelphia 76ers

Browns representative denied reports of a trade demand to Boston, saying he only asked for input on his destination once a deal was coming. Scalabrine first made the claim, then softened it, saying he does not know the exact demands.

Over 12,000 Maharashtra Farmers Begin Vehicle-Led March To Mumbai, Demand Drought Relief

More than 12,000 farmers from 20+ districts are marching towards Mumbai, demanding adequate drought compensation, loan relief, crop insurance and land rights.

Rahul Gandhi accuses Election Commission of voter deletion, demands Gyanesh Kumars resignation

Rahul Gandhi addressed a Vote Adhikar Jeene Ka Adhikar public hearing in Delhis Trilokpuri, alleging illegal voter deletions during SIR and demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation.

Police apprehend 6 drug peddlers in Anantnag, contraband substance recovered

Srinagar, Oct 27: Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking and substance abuse, Jammu and Kashmir Police in Anantnag apprehended six drug peddlers at different locations across the district and recovered contraband substances from their possession. Cases have been registered under relevant provisions of law, and investigations have been initiated. A police spokesperson said that a police party from Police Station Bijbehara, during patrolling at Gadhanjipora, apprehended Bilal Ahmad Bader, son of Gh. Rasool Bader, resident of Housing Colony, Gadhanjipora, Bijbehara. During his search, approximately 2 kilograms of ganja-like substance were recovered. Accordingly, FIR No. 325/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and investigation has been taken up. In another action, a police party from Police Station Anantnag apprehended Ab Aziz Hajam, son of Bashir Ahmad Hajam, resident of Nazuk Mohalla, near Ganziwarda Bridge, Anantnag. Approximately 114 grams of charas-powder-like substance were recovered from his possession. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. Meanwhile, a police party from Police Post Janglatmandi, during patrolling at T-Point Ashajipora, apprehended Zahid Ahmad Sheikh, son of Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Sherpora. During his search, approximately 5.1 grams of charas-like substance were recovered. Accordingly, a case has been registered, and investigation has been initiated. In a similar action, a police party from Police Post Sangam apprehended Satendra Kumar, son of Harichandra Ram, resident of Bhawal, Bihar. Approximately 6.20 grams of charas-like substance were recovered from his possession. Cognizance has been taken, and further investigation has been initiated. Moreover, a naka party from Police Station Srigufwara, during naka checking at Poshkreeri, Srigufwara, apprehended Reyaz Ahmad Dar, son of Bashir Ahmed Dar, resident of Gur, Bijbehara. During his search, approximately 10 grams of charas-like substance were recovered from his possession. Cognizance under the relevant provisions of law has been taken. In another action, a police party from Police Post Sangam apprehended Mohd Subhan, son of Mohd Mohiuddin Sabrash, resident of Parmanandpur, Raghopur, Bihar, at Naina G.B. Khalil. During his search, approximately 18 grams of charas-like substance were recovered from his possession. Accordingly, a case has been registered, and investigation has been taken up, spokesperson said. Police reiterated its commitment to intensifying the crackdown against drug trafficking and taking strict action against those involved in the illicit drug trade. They said the drive will continue with the objective of dismantling drug networks, safeguarding the youth, and building a drug-free society.