'MOM GONNA SMACK HER': Trump's Personal Attack On Ilhan Omar, Revives Fake Name & Citizenship Claim

Donald Trump has unleashed another blistering attack on Somalia and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, branding the African nation a sh*thouse country during a fiery speech. The President also mocked a heckler, claiming her mother would smack her around, before accusing Omar of fraud and demanding that she resign from Congress. Trump revived his controversial immigration remarks, questioning why the United States accepts migrants from countries he considers troubled. His latest comments are likely to fuel another political firestorm.#DonaldTrump #Trump #IlhanOmar #Somalia #TrumpSpeech #USPolitics #Immigration #TrumpNews #Minnesota #PoliticalControversy #BreakingNews #WhiteHouse

Samad, Lotra rescue J&K from defeat against Baroda

Srinagar, Oct 29: Sensational centuries from Abdul Samad and a fighting knock from Sahil Lotra helped Jammu and Kashmir salvage a draw against Baroda in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group match at the Reliance Cricket Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. Baroda, however, secured victory on the basis of a first-innings lead after J&K finished their second innings at 316 for six in 96 overs. Forced to follow on after conceding a massive 313-run first-innings lead, J&K were staring at a possible defeat after their top order once again failed to provide a solid foundation. However, Samad and Lotra produced a remarkable fightback, ensuring the visitors batted out the final day to save the match. Samad was the chief architect of the rescue act, hammering a magnificent 143 off just 152 deliveries. His aggressive innings featured 16 fours and seven sixes, as he took the attack to the opposition and shifted the momentum with a display of fearless strokeplay. The right-hander showed his ability to change the course of a match, countering Barodas bowling with an attacking approach when J&K needed it most. At the other end, Lotra displayed tremendous patience and composure, remaining unbeaten on 96 off 240 balls. His innings was built on discipline and resilience, providing the perfect foil to Samads attacking approach. Lotra held his ground and his partnership with Samad proved decisive in taking J&K out of danger. The pair stitched together a crucial 225-run partnership, transforming a precarious situation into one of relative comfort for the visitors. Their contrasting styles, Samads aggression and Lotras calm resistance,proved effective against a Baroda attack that had dominated proceedings for much of the match. J&K had resumed the fourth day under pressure after being asked to follow on. Their first-innings total of 303 had left them 313 runs behind Barodas imposing 616, built around Priyanshu Moliyas unbeaten 321 and Mahesh Pithiyas 102. The visitors second innings initially followed a familiar pattern, with the top order struggling to make an impact. Qamran Iqbal scored 20, Shubham Khajuria managed five, Kawalpreet Singh contributed 22, while captain Paras Dogra fell for one. The early setbacks raised the prospect of Baroda completing a convincing victory. However, Samads counter-attacking century and Lotras determined effort changed the complexion of the contest. After Samad was dismissed for 143, Lotra continued to bat with discipline, ensuring Baroda could not force a result. Rydham Sharma added 11, while Vanshaj Sharma remained unbeaten on one alongside Lotra when the match was drawn. For Baroda, Mahesh Pithiya claimed three wickets, while Rasikh Salam, Bhargav Bhatt and Atit Sheth picked up one wicket each. Priyanshu Moliya was adjudged Player of the Match for his monumental unbeaten 321 in Barodas first innings, which laid the foundation for the hosts first-innings advantage. While J&K managed to avert defeat through a determined batting display, Baroda took the match honours by virtue of their commanding first-innings total.

Remain mission ready to sustain operational dominance: Lt Gen Pratik Sharma

Rajouri, Oct 29: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma has asked army troops to remain proactive,vigilant and mission ready to sustained operational dominance in the prevalent security situation. The Northern Army Commander was interacting with troops deployed both on Line of Control (LoC) as well as hinterland sectors of twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Army said that Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited frontline units along the Line of Control in Poonch and hinterland formations in Rajouri on Thursday. The visit was aimed to review operational preparedness and prevailing security dynamics, army further said. The Army Commander was briefed on operational challenges, joint intelligence frameworks and synergy with security agencies, a statement read. Army informed that while interacting with the troops, Army Commander exhorted all ranks to remain proactive, vigilant and mission-ready to sustain operational dominance.

Jaylen Brown Denies Trade Demand Claims As Brian Scalabrine Walks Back Celtics: Report

Jaylen Brown denied demanding a trade from Boston after Brian Scalabrine made claims about his exit. The Sixers star says he wants to focus on Philadelphia.

Caring for the elderly is a blessing, not just an obligation

Srinagar, Oct 29:Emphasising the need to respect, care for and stand by older persons, Vice Chancellor of the Cluster University, Srinagar, Prof. Mohammad Mobin, today called for greater sensitivity towards the elderly, observing that caring for them is a shared responsibility of families and society. Addressing a programme organised at Government College for Women (GCW), MA Road, Srinagar, as the Chief Guest, Prof. Mobin said older persons must not be left behind as society progresses. He reminded the audience that parents spend their most productive years raising their children, making sacrifices and building their futures. The time eventually comes when the younger generation must give back with the same love, patience and commitment, ensuring that their parents age with dignity, security and a sense of belonging. Under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, the programme was organised by RRTCAnugraha, Delhi, in collaboration with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Government College for Women, MA Road, Srinagar, with Moul Mouj Foundation supporting the broader awareness initiative. Welcoming the participants, Principal GCW, Prof. Yasmeen Farooq Khan said that issues concerning older persons were close to the institutions heart. She observed that caring for elderly should be our priority, calling for greater compassion and understanding towards their needs. A special highlight of the programme was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Zubair Saleem, Senior Geriatric Consultant, which brought together legal, law-enforcement, social and administrative perspectives on ageing. Kifayat Hussain Rizvi (IAS Retd.), former Commissioner/Secretary, J&K Government, brought the perspective of an experienced public servant, highlighting the need to ensure that retirement does not mean retirement from life. The discussion underscored the importance of respecting the wisdom, experience and continuing contributions of older persons. Tahir Ashraf (JKPS), Senior Superintendent of Police, SIA, addressed the growing threat of cybercrime targeting older persons, particularly digital arrest scams and financial fraud. The discussion highlighted the importance of digital awareness and the need for younger family members to help older persons navigate technology safely without compromising their independence. Tabassum Qadir Parray, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Srinagar, spoke on the legal rights and protection available to senior citizens, including remedies for neglect, abandonment and abuse under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. In her message, Aabha Chaudhary of RRTCAnugraha reaffirmed the organisations commitment to working for the welfare of older persons and spreading awareness about their social and legal rights. The programme featured an emotional skit by GCW MA Road students, cultural performances, a Wakathon and the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam plantation activity, promoting intergenerational bonding, respect and care for the elderly. Winners of the essay-writing competition on issues concerning senior citizens were announced, with Nausheen Qureshi securing first position, Ayesha Faisal second and Shifa Qureshi third. Certificates and cash prizes were distributed among the winners. The programme also recognised the contributions of the colleges alumni, former principals and faculty members, felicitating them for their association with the institution. Senior citizens participating from various organisations, including the Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association (CGPWA), Kashmir and Ahata Waqar, were also felicitated. Among those present were Registrar, Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Wilayat Hussain Rizvi; Controller of Examinations, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Mir; Dean, Sciences, Prof. Nighat Nasreen; Dean, Social Sciences, Dr. Javaid Ahmad Bhat; Prof. Masooda Yaseen; Mandip Kaur; GM Dilshad, besides students, senior citizens and representatives of various organisations. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Suhail, who expressed gratitude to the guests, participating organisations, faculty members, students and senior citizens for contributing to the success of the event.

Patrick Stewart: the commanding Shakespearian thespian who conquered superhero pop culture

Brazil attracts record $42.4 billion from global emerging market funds ahead of election

Copley Fund Research data shows Brazil commanding significant portfolio allocations, even as investors adjust sector exposure amid changing market dynamics.

Flower growers urge Punjab govt to expedite Ludhiana mandi project

HC Directs Housing Board to Register Sale Deeds

The Telangana HC has directed the Housing Board to execute and register sale deeds in favour of flat purchasers at various places within 10 days, without insisting on adjustments towards interest or demanding penal interest at this stage

FIR against Anand SOG PSI for demanding bribe

STOP BLAMING US!: Trumps Arab Ally BLASTS Netanyahu Over Israel Election Meddling Claims

Qatar has issued a blistering response to allegations that it interfered in Israels election, categorically denying involvement and mocking the extraordinary range of political influence attributed to Doha. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said that if all the accusations were believed, Qatar would apparently own all of Israel. The row is simultaneously turning into another political problem for Benjamin Netanyahu. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett has challenged him to declare Qatar an enemy TODAY, while accusing Netanyahu of previously refusing to do so and pointing back to the wider Qatargate controversy. Gadi Eisenkot has called for suspected interference to be investigated but warned against using unproven allegations to undermine the election result. Israels election authority, meanwhile, says there is no evidence before it of systematic fraud. That leaves an explosive post-election fight: Qatar ridiculing the allegations, Netanyahus rivals demanding answers, and the politically toxic issue of Dohas alleged influence returning to the centre of Israeli politics.

104th birth anniversary of Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj celebrated at Bhakti Mandir

Indias Aerospace Startup Boom: Innovation, Challenges and What Lies Ahead

Indias aerospace sector is entering a new era, with startups such as Sarla Aviation, The ePlane Company and Zephyra Dynamics developing aircraft for urban mobility, regional transport and cargo. But how close are these innovations to commercial operations? The Times of Indias Chethan Kumar explains the opportunities driving the sector, the challenges of certification, funding and scaling, and the importance of building a robust domestic supply chain. From electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to amphibious planes, Indias aerospace sector faces a crucial question: can it build a self-reliant ecosystem or will it continue to depend on foreign technology for critical components such as engines, avionics and electronics? The journey ahead is promising, but demanding.

Raghubir Yadav recalls suffering a heart attack before Hunkkaar: The Roar testimony scene

Raghubir Yadav recently opened up about filming a crucial scene for Hunkkaar: The Roar, revealing that he had suffered a heart attack the night before the sequence was shot. The veteran actor shared the anecdote during a scene breakdown with director Karan Kapadia, recalling the incident with humour while discussing one of the series pivotal moments. During the conversation, Kapadia recalled that the team was preparing to shoot the testimony scene when Yadav suffered the medical emergency. Reacting to the incident, the actor reportedly joked that the scene was so intense that he enjoyed having a heart attack more. The anecdote emerged as the actor and director looked back at memorable moments from the series, offering a glimpse into the experience of filming the sequence. However, the details of Yadavs medical condition and recovery were not elaborated upon in the supplied announcement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Birla Studios (@birlastudios) Raghubir Yadav plays Baapji in Hunkkaar: The Roar In Hunkkaar: The Roar, Yadav plays Baapji, a character that places him in a negative role. The series marks a departure from some of the actors familiar performances, with his character positioned at the centre of its intense narrative. The scene breakdown features Yadav and Kapadia discussing key moments from the show, sharing details about the creative process and anecdotes from the set. The conversation also highlights the demanding circumstances surrounding the testimony sequence. Hunkkaar: The Roar is produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment, in association with Purple Pebble Pictures, a Mangata Films production. The series is created by Karan D. Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas serving as executive producer. The series is currently streaming on JioHotstar. Also Read:Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she is drawn to stories with depth and meaning after backing Hunkkaar: The Roar

Western Railway demolishes 28 hutments near Ram Mandir station as Mumbai's Jogeshwari Terminus targets early 2027 launch

The age of pirates isn't over: Modern-day Somali raiders are hijacking oil tankers, holding sailors hostage and demanding millions in ransom

On April 21, 2026, armed men hijacked the Honour 25, a diesel tanker, in a swift attack. The crew was held hostage on board, with a ransom demanded for their release, which created a tense situation. Somali security forces intervened in September to recover the vessel, resulting in tragic consequences. Five crew members lost their lives during the operation, compounding the crisis.

Ayushman Card Alert 2026: Don't Pay Anyone for Your Card, Report Fraud on This Helpline Number

Ayushman Card Fraud Alert 2026: People applying for an Ayushman Card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) have been advised to remain cautious of individuals demanding money in exchange for creating the card.According to a public awareness message, beneficiaries shou...

Indians struggle at Te Arai as defending champion Laopakdee leads Asia-Pacific Amateurs

Digital Desk | Tomarata (New Zealand), Oct 29 (IANS) The strong winds and a rough layout at the Te Arai Links made it a difficult opening day for the Indian trio at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, with Ribhav Verma (79), Anshul Mishra (82) and Arkesh Bhatia (85) struggling in testing conditions at Te Arai Links South Course on Thursday. With strong winds making club selection and shot-making difficult, the Indians have plenty of ground to recover in Fridays second round if they are to stay in contention for a place beyond the halfway cut. The championship, one of the premier events in amateur golf in the Asia-Pacific region, will see the top 60 players and ties advance after 36 holes. Even as many of the young golfers found the conditions tough, defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand produced a remarkable display of control and scoring to open with an eight-under 63 and establish a three-shot lead over New Zealands Joshua Bai. Laopakdee, who made history last year by becoming the first Thai golfer to win the championship, showed that he had lost none of his confidence since his breakthrough victory in Dubai. The Arizona State University senior went on to play in the Masters and The Open earlier this year and returned to New Zealand determined to defend his title. Couldn't ask for a better way to start the round, Laopakdee said. Before it started, I knew it was going to be windy out there, and it was going to be tough. Eight under wasn't on my bingo card today, but I was able to pull it off, and it feels amazing, he said. The 21-year-old's round gathered momentum at the ninth hole, where he holed out from 83 yards for an eagle on the par-four. The spectacular shot helped him turn in 31 after starting steadily at two-under through eight holes. Laopakdee continued to attack when opportunities presented themselves, adding birdies at the 10th, 13th, 15th and 16th to reach the par-five 18th just one shot short of the championship's 18-hole record of 62. Despite finding trouble with his approach, he recovered to make par and sign for a stunning 63. Bai, a 20-year-old from Auckland and a junior at the University of Florida, carded a five-under 66 to emerge as his closest challenger. The 2026 North & South Amateur champion combined six birdies with a bogey to finish three shots behind the leader. The home contingent also made a strong start, with Ryan Xie and Cooper Moore signing for four-under 67s. Japan's Kaito Sato was another shot back at three-under 68, while Yuki Miya, Australia's Kayun Mudadana, Malaysia's Nateesh Ganesh, China's Qiyou Wu and Hong Kong, China's 14-year-old Joseph Cao were among those at two-under. For the Indians, however, the immediate priority will be to produce a substantial improvement on Friday. Verma, Mishra and Bhatia will need to negotiate Te Arai's demanding layout with greater consistency, manage the wind more effectively and avoid costly mistakes. With the cut looming after the second round, the challenge is not merely to find lower scores but to remain patient on a course where the conditions can quickly punish even minor errors. The Indians will need a determined response to keep their championship hopes alive.

Albania Opposition Burns Flares In Parliament Amid Anti-Rama Protests

Albanian opposition lawmakers disrupted a parliamentary session by burning flares and blocking access to the podium, as student-led anti-government protests demanding Prime Minister Edi Ramas resignation continue. Demonstrations have been fuelled by anger over alleged government corruption, unemployment and poor education standards. Opposition leader Sali Berisha accused ruling lawmakers of violence against young protesters, while Rama has called for dialogue and announced economic measures aimed at easing public discontent.

Telangana: Class 10 KGBV hostel girl gets her period, dies later

Hyderabad: A class 10 girl died after allegedly getting her period at a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) hostel in Siddipet on Thursday, October 29. Her parents and local leaders staged a sit-in protest outside the mortuary at Siddipet Government Hospital demanding an enquiry. The girl had returned to the KGBV Raghavapur hostel on October 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 .

Jakrem make it into IWL 2 final round

Shillong, Oct 29: Jakrem SC concluded their Group C campaign in the Indian Womens League 2 (IWL 2) 2026-27 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mumbai Knights FC at the SSA Stadium here today. With three wins from three matches, Jakrem SC finished on top of Group C with 9 points, securing qualification for the [] The post Jakrem make it into IWL 2 final round first appeared on Highland Post .

J&K: Northern Army Commander visits forward posts in Poonch, reviews security operations

Digital Desk | Jammu, Oct 29 (IANS) Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Thursday visited forward formations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district and hinterland units in Rajouri to review operational preparedness, counter-terrorism measures, and inter-agency synergy. During the operational assessment, Lt Gen Sharma received comprehensive briefings on emerging security challenges, joint intelligence mechanisms, and tactical coordination among various security agencies deployed across the region, military officials said. Interacting with troops stationed along the forward border outposts, the Army Commander commended their high morale and urged all ranks to remain proactive, vigilant, and mission-ready to sustain operational dominance along the border and in the hinterland. Headquartered in Udhampur, the Northern Command, popularly known as the Dhruva Command with its official motto Always in Combat, is a vital operational command of the Indian Army tasked with safeguarding India's northern borders with Pakistan and China. Lt Gen Pratik Sharma assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the command on May 1, 2025. Originally established in 1908 under the British Indian Army, the command was disbanded in 1947 before being re-raised in 1972 with its headquarters set up in Udhampur town. The Northern Command oversees three critical operational field formations: XIV Corps (Fire and Fury Corps): Headquartered in Leh, responsible for guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and high-altitude warfare in Ladakh. XV Corps (Chinar Corps): Headquartered in Srinagar, responsible for counter-insurgency operations and border security across the Kashmir Valley. XVI Corps (White Knight Corps): Headquartered in Nagrota, responsible for securing the Jammu region and the Line of Control (LoC). In addition to border defence in treacherous terrain, including the Siachen Glacier, the Northern Command manages extensive counter-terrorism and counter-infiltration operations in the hinterland, primarily utilizing specialized forces such as the Rashtriya Rifles.

3,500 cops deployed for INDIA bloc's November 1 rally

The INDIA bloc is intensifying preparations for its November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged vote chori and irregularities in electoral rolls. Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi, inspected the site, where tents, chairs, and barricades are being set up. Delhi Police are deploying 3,500 personnel for security, expecting around 50,000 attendees, while the Congress anticipates 10 lakh. The rally is part of a broader campaign against the Election Commission's functioning, following a planned public impeachment proceeding.

GOC Northern Command reviews operational preparedness, security dynamics in Poonch and Rajouri

Poonch, Oct 29: General Officer Commanding (GOC) Armys Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Thursday visited frontline unites along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and hinterland formations in Rajouri to review operational preparedness and prevailing security dynamics. During his visit, the Army Commander was briefed on operational challenges, joint intelligence frameworks and synergy with security agencies. Interacting with the troops, the Army Commander exhorted all ranks to remain proactive, vigilant and mission-ready to sustain operational dominance.

Army Commander Reviews Security Preparedness Along LoC in Poonch, Rajouri

SRINAGAR: The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, visited frontline Army units along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and formations in Rajouri to assess operational preparedness and review the prevailing security situation. During the visits, the Army Commander was briefed on operational challenges, joint intelligence mechanisms and coordination with []

Tail-end farmers of PAP Main Canal begin relay hunger fast at Bhagavathipalayam demanding equitable water distribution

IDBI Bank employees' forum opposes majority stake sale to Fairfax

The United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees has strongly opposed the proposed sale of a majority stake in IDBI Bank to Canada-based Fairfax Financial Holdings, demanding an immediate suspension of the process and a comprehensive review under parliamentary scrutiny.

Congress stages protest demanding bonus for unorganised workers in Puducherry

Pradeep Purnekar murder case: Aaditya Thackeray accuses Eknath Shinde of protecting conspirators

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 29 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is desperate to safeguard former Thane Mayor Meenakshi Shinde from the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar murder case. The Sena (UBT) leaders alleged that the police have merely arrested the contract killers and that until Meenakshi and Rajendra Shinde are arrested, the true conspiracy will never come out. We demand that the main accused and conspirator should be arrested at the earliest. We have no idea why she is being protectedwhen we met the police commissioner, we sensed that the policemen are convinced about who the main accused is, said Thackeray, addressing a press conference in Thane. Thackeray, along with Purnekars son Ram, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders from Thane, held a press conference after holding a meeting with the Thane police commissioner. Earlier, Thackeray visited the house of Purnekar to meet the wife of the dead leader. Thackeray said that despite giving the evidence of CCTV footage, arrests have not been made. What and why are you waiting for? Thackeray asked. This is a political murder of which CCTV footage is available. Why are the main conspirator and masterminds not being arrested? Why is Eknath Shinde so desperate to safeguard the accused and conspirator? he asked. Thackeray criticised deputy CM and Thanes guardian minister Eknath Shinde for detaining Ram Purnekar, who had gone to meet the latter demanding action in his fathers murder. We had come to Thane only to meet the Purnekar family and the police commissioner. But the local MP used abusive language and made a childish attempt to threaten us. Instead of facing us, they (Shinde-led Sena leaders) protested somewhere else and did not face us, said Thackeray. He also slammed Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis for failing to deliver justice to the Purnekar family. The Home Minister is busy breaking parties, cutting trees and selling Sahyadri mountain ranges instead of stopping all these things, he said. Targeting CM Fadnavis, Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut said that Maharashtra never had such a weak home minister. I want to tell those who challenged us to come to Thane that we not only came here, but we are ready to wait till we face you. Dont boast because you are in power. It is not permanent. Meenakshi and Rajendra Shinde are the main accused in this case, and people are coming out of the streets to safeguard killers, he said, adding that police will have to arrest both of them.

Jamia Students Defy Cancellation Of Official Celebrations, Hoist Tricolour On Foundation Day

Jamia Protest: Students at Jamia Millia Islamia continued their protest on the universitys 106th Foundation Day on October 29, marking 18 days of demonstrations. Demanding the restoration of the students union and elections, which they say have not been held since 2006, protesters organised their own celebrations after the administration cancelled the official event. Students hoisted the Tricolour, raised slogans and staged hunger strikes as the standoff with the administration continued. Watch NDTV's Reet Kaur Sahni ground report from the campus.

Beed Police Duo Booked In Bribery Case

An assistant sub-inspector and a head constable in Georai, Beed district, were booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 1,000 bribe from an autorickshaw driver to release his seized vehicle.

Delhi Police register FIR against unknown persons in Jamia vandalism case

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The Delhi Police on Thursday lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown persons in connection with an incident involving vandalism and damage to property at the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), officials said. According to the police, the case has been registered at Jamia Nagar Police Station, on the complaint of the varsity administration. This is the second FIR registered in connection with the ongoing students' protests at the university in recent days. Earlier, the Delhi Police had registered an FIR at the Jamia Nagar police station against Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood, as well as Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi, following a complaint by Jamia Millia Islamia registrar Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi. Rizvi had alleged that the Congress MPs entered the campus without authorisation on separate occasions, amid the ongoing agitation. Students of 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 protesters. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the university expressed deep shock, disappointment, and concern regarding the incidents that took place on Tuesday night, which involved vandalism and damage to university property. The varsity said that upon receiving reports of attacks on the campus, the proctorial team and JMI faculty members immediately arrived on the spot. They discovered that groups of protesting students and local residents had vandalised University gates and walls, brought down Gate No. 4C, pelted stones, and damaged the CCTV control room and cameras, while also severing their connections. It is reported that a group of masked protesters even reached the University's boys' hostel in an attempt to mobilise more individuals to join them, the JMI said in a statement. According to the University, viral social media videos posted by the protesting students themselves show extensive damage inflicted upon JMI property. This has left the university community deeply distressed and outraged, it said. Most concerning is the fact that the vandalism began shortly after members of the protesting student committee had been in discussions with JMI faculty (this marked the seventh such attempt at dialogue initiated by the university administration), the University said.

'Time to raise our voice as democracy is at stake': Venugopal appeals Indians to join Nov 1 rally

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Congress MP and party's General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal on Thursday targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, while appealing every Indian to join the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a video message posted on social media platform X, Venugopal referred to the Opposition alliance's rally as Chalo Dilli, Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao and claimed that the democracy is under attack. Thirteen crore names have been deleted from electoral rolls. There is a massive fraud happening in voter rolls in state after state, he alleged while referring to the SIR being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Criticising the Union government, Venugopal said: Our votes are being stolen and when we demand answers, we are met with cane charge and detention. We will not be silenced or intimidated, we will continue to fight for our democracy. The Congress leader also asserted that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi is leading the fight from the front, emphasising that the LoP is fearlessly raising questions and holding those in power accountable. Now it is time for all of us to stand with him (Rahul Gandhi) and join this fight, he added. Venugopal also said: On November 1, there will be a massive rally and march by INDIA bloc parties at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and holding the Modi government accountable. Mentioning that he will be present at the Ramlila Maidan, the Congress MP urged every Indian to join the Opposition alliance. This is the time to stand up, to raise our voices. The future of our democracy is at stake and we cannot afford to remain silent. Jai Hind! Venugopal said. Earlier on Thursday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the mega INDIA bloc protest was very much on track, adding that the opposition parties have taken up the task to awaken the people against the autocratic regime (NDA government). Echoing similar view, Congress MP Kumari Selja said: Rahul Gandhi ji, our other leaders and the INDIA bloc are fighting to save democracy, from the streets to Parliament. Our voices are being suppressed in Parliament. You have seen how we tried to raise our concerns during the Parliamentary session, but the Union government does not allow us to do so. They have absolutely no faith in democracy and have made every possible attempt to weaken it. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari questioned the BJP's 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy march, saying that restoring the voting rights of 13 crore disenfranchised people would eliminate the need for rallies.

India to Face New Zealand in Fourth T20I Tomorrow

AMN In Mens Cricket, India will take on New Zealand in the fourth T20 International of the five-match series at Eden Park in Auckland tomorrow. The match will begin at 12:30 PM. India have already clinched the series with a commanding 3-nil lead after winning the first three matches. India will now look to maintain []

Revanth Reddy acts as ATM card for Rahul Gandhi: KTR alleges corruption in Telangana, demands farmer dues

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Thursday accused the Congress government in Telangana of corruption and failing to address farmers' concerns, alleging irregularities in the Radial Road project and demanding the immediate release of pending financial assistance to farmers. Addressing the issue, KTR referred to allegations raised by Congress MLA Rajgopal Reddy regarding the alleged Radial Road scam. He also cited claims made by builder Nama Ramesh, who, according to KTR, alleged match-fixing in the process and intimidation by the Chief Minister's Office over submitting a tender. Congress MLA Rajgopal Reddy raised the issue of the Radial Road scam... Furthermore, a builder, Nama Ramesh, who owns a construction company, has openly declared that there was match-fixing involved. He alleged that he was intimidated by the Chief Minister

68 Killed In Spain Train Crash; Anti-Government Protests Erupt Over Railway Safety

A deadly collision between two high-speed trains near Urda has triggered protests in Madrid, with demonstrators demanding accountability as investigators examine a possible signalling failure.

'Don't worry about police, lathis': Rahul Gandhi urges people to join INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Dilli' march

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged people to join the opposition INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Dilli' march on November 1, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special...

Justice must be ensured for youth in PSC irregularities: Kerala BJP

Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29 (IANS) A BJP delegation on Thursday met the Governor and briefed him on the alleged irregularities in the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC). Speaking to the media after the meeting, BJP state president and MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the delegation had apprised the Governor of the seriousness of the PSC recruitment scam and urged him to take strong follow-up action to ensure justice for the youth through the legal system. Governor Om Prakash Mathur said he shared the stand taken by former Governor Rajendra Arlekar on the PSC issue and would adopt a position that would provide relief to young people seeking employment, Chandrasekhar said. Arlekar had written a letter to President Droupadi Murmu recommending the removal of Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman M.R. Baiju and the commission members just before he moved out as Governor of Tamil Nadu, after a scam broke out in the rank list of the Kerala State Planning Board. Chandrasekhar was accompanied by BJP legislature party leader B.B. Gopakumar, BJP national executive member and fellow legislator V. Muraleedharan, Yuva Morcha in-charge advocate P. Sudheer and Yuva Morcha state vice-president Shijil. Chandrasekhar also criticised Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying that while he travelled across the country speaking about Chhatron Ki Goonj (the voice of students), he remained silent on the PSC irregularities in Kerala and the injustice faced by students. He said the Congress leadership, which spoke up for students' rights, should adopt the same position on the problems faced by young people in Kerala. The public should recognise these contradictions in the Congress's political stand, he said, demanding urgent government intervention to address the grievances of PSC rank holders and protect their future. Chandrasekhar said the BJP would continue to take a strong stand on the issue until justice was delivered to the youth. B.B. Gopakumar, MLA, said the government led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had failed to address the demands of PSC rank holders who had shaved their heads as part of their protest to draw the government's attention to their plight. He alleged that the government had remained indifferent to the issue for nearly 150 days and acted only after the Governor recommended action to the President under Article 317 of the Constitution. From the outset, the BJP had demanded a comprehensive investigation into the PSC irregularities and action against those responsible, Gopakumar said. The BJPs move comes at a time when the PSC chairman Dr M.R.Baiju and three other PSC members were questioned by the SIT of the Crime Branch probing the Planning Board fiasco. On Wednesday, the SIT arrested a retired PSC employee and has charged another serving employee, who is presently on the run.

IIT Mandi Project Associate Recruitment 2026

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) has released the notification for the post of Project Associate. Eligible candidates can apply online at iitmandi.ac.in till 30 October 2026.

Jamia Issues Show-Cause Notice to Hostel Resident Over Students Union Protest

The action comes as the university extends online classes till November 24 amid 18 days of protests demanding restoration of the students union.

IIT Mandi Associate Professor Recruitment 2026

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) has released the notification for the post of Associate Professor. Eligible candidates can apply online at fap.iitmandi.ac.in from 17 October 2026 to 06 November 2026.

Malegaon Civic Chief, Aides Held In Bribery Trap

Malegaon Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ravindra Jadhav, along with his PA and an accountant, was arrested on Thursday by the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 80,000 for bill payments related to civic works. The arrests followed a complaint filed in July and a subsequent trap operation.

Netanyahu escalates claims of election fraud by Arab parties

Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, October 29, intensified allegations of election fraud by Arab-led parties, describing suspected foreign interference as an earthquake and demanding an immediate investigation by the police and the countrys top internal security agency, Shin Bet. In a social media post, Netanyahu cited Central Elections Committee (CEC) chief 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 .

Rajasthan ACB arrests two govt employees for accepting bribe in Mundawar

Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 29 (IANS) The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested a development officer and a junior assistant posted at Panchayat Samiti Mundawar in Khairthal-Tijara district for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 65,000. The two officials, identified as Sanjay Kumar Yadav and Ritik Kumar Singh, were caught red-handed during a trap operation conducted by the ACBs Bhiwadi outpost. According to ACB Director General Govind Gupta, the action followed a complaint alleging that Yadav had demanded Rs 65,000 to complete Measurement Book (MB) entries related to sanitation contracts and pipeline work executed by the complainants firm. The complainants firm had been awarded sanitation contracts by Panchayat Samiti Mundawar for Gram Panchayat Mataur and Gram Panchayat Nangli Oja. The complainant alleged that Development Officer Sanjay Kumar Yadav was harassing him and demanding a bribe of Rs 65,000 to process the Measurement Book entries for the contracts and pipeline work carried out by the firm. Following the complaint, the ACBs Bhiwadi outpost verified the alleged bribe demand on October 23. During verification, the demand was reportedly confirmed, and Yadav allegedly agreed to accept the amount in exchange for processing the entries. Acting on the directions of ACB headquarters, a team from the Bhiwadi outpost conducted the trap operation on Thursday at the Panchayat Samiti office in Mundawar and caught Yadav and Junior Assistant Ritik Kumar Singh while they were allegedly accepting the bribe of Rs 65,000. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Piyush Dixit, Superintendent of Police (SP-I), ACB Jaipur, and led by Police Inspector Surjit Singh, in charge of the ACBs Bhiwadi outpost. Under the supervision of ACB Additional Director General of Police Smita Srivastava and Inspector General of Police S. Parimala, the accused are being interrogated, and further legal proceedings are underway. The ACB has registered a case against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation is in progress. The Bureau has also stated that individuals against whom cases have been registered may approach it through the prescribed procedure to ascertain the status of their cases, examine the facts on record and submit their explanations. Any further action will be taken in accordance with the law. The ACB has urged the public to report corruption and seek assistance if their legitimate work is being obstructed.

Netanyahu alleges election fraud, rules out cooperation with Arab parties

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday intensified allegations of election fraud by Arab-led parties, describing suspected foreign interference as an earthquake and demanding an immediate investigation by the police and the country's top internal security agency. In a social media post, Netanyahu cited Central Elections Committee (CEC) chief Justice Noam Sohlberg's decision to ask Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate suspicions of foreign funding and improper influence in Tuesday's election. The Ra'amgate affair is an earthquake. They stole the elections in Israel! Netanyahu wrote, targeting the Arab-led Ra'am (the United Arab List) and the Joint List alliance. He alleged that foreign entities had interfered in Tuesday's parliamentary elections and bribed voters in favour of Arab-led parties. The allegations come amid an inconclusive election in which neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition camp led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has secured a ...

Jamia Millia Islamia Students Continue Protests Demanding Restoration of Student Union Elections

Protests at Jamia Millia Islamia continue as students demand elections for the student union and criticize the administrations authoritarian approach. Jamia Millia Islamia Students Continue Protests Demanding Restoration of Student Union Elections

Violent Protests Erupt in Spain Following Deadly Train Collision

A tragic train crash in Spain sparks violent protests, with demonstrators demanding resignations from top officials and accountability for railway safety. Violent Protests Erupt in Spain Following Deadly Train Collision

Governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa marks escalation in Pak's struggle between civilian authority, military: Report

Digital Desk | Islamabad, Oct 29 (IANS) The federal government's decision to impose governor's rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sparked concerns about human rights, civilian authority, and democracy in Pakistan. Aqil Shah, a political scientist at Georgetown University, stated that the emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa marks a significant escalation in Pakistans struggle between civilian authority and the military, a report has detailed. Shah said, Its an important setback because the PTI has been disempowered and dismantled, pretty much at all levels. The government's decision has deprived the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of political representation, leaving them being ruled by a governor and technocrats who act as military proxies, according to a report in Drop Site News. Shah said that Pakistan militarys political ambitions extend beyond Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munirs personal grievances, including former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans ouster of Munir as Inter-Services Intelligence chief. Pakistan military wants to stop civilian leaders from challenging its dominance over national security, internal security, and electoral politics. At least one person was killed, and more than a dozen others were injured after police opened fire during protests in Bara in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province held against the imposition of emergency rule and the removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwas elected government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The deceased has been identified as a 13-year-old boy. Following the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, protests were held, PTI leaders and workers were arrested, and communications were disrupted in the province, Drop Site News reported. It was a peaceful protest, Drop Site quoted Irfanullah, whose younger brother, Munir (19) was shot in the left foot. Irfanullah said that his brother and many others were injured after Khyber police fired at the protesters. Irfanullah said that they did not cause any unrest or chaos. We are not planning to abandon PTIWe are just demanding and raising our voice for our rights and for peace here, nothing else, Drop Site News quoted Irfanullah as saying. Habeel Khan (13), who was killed in the gunfire, worked at an eatery in the market. His uncle said that Habeel Khan died in the hospital four days after the protest. The hospital death summary revealed that the causes of death included gunshot injury, cardiac arrest, and septic shock. Many local residents revealed that injured protesters were not able to receive treatment at local healthcare facilities in Bara for fear of arrest, and healthcare providers did not provide them treatment as they feared police raids. Irfanullah said Munir tried to receive treatment at a local hospital on two occasions. However, the employees refused to provide treatment as they feared police would come to arrest him. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) spokesperson Maheen Pracha said that it has received reports regarding police raids in Khyber, Swat and Peshawar, curfew and military deployments, according to Drop Site News report. Pracha said, Whether it's the PTI in power now or somebody else, the same laws being made now will come back to haunt the next government in power. The violence in Bara erupted after Pakistan's federal government imposed a state of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, removing PTI-led elected government. Pakistan government's decision came after thousands of PTI supporters began marching from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad to demand Khans access to medical care and his release from prison. PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari condemned the Pakistan government's decision to impose governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terming it as a coup disguised as emergency. Strongly condemn the arrest of the only mandated Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and of Junaid Akbar. This coup disguised as emergency or governor rule has squashed the only little bit of democracy left in Pakistan. Further instability and collateral damage to follow. The regime must be feeling very proud, Bukhari wrote on X.

Spain's Train Crash Outrage Turns Violent; Clashes Erupt On Streets Amid 'Sanchez Resign' Cries

Spain is facing a wave of anger after a devastating high-speed train collision killed at least 68 people, triggering violent protests in Madrid and renewed scrutiny of railway safety. Around 500 demonstrators gathered outside the Transport Ministry on Wednesday, demanding the government's resignation. Some protesters threw bottles and flares at police, prompting officers to deploy tear gas and clear the roadway. The tragedy has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Snchez's government, with questions mounting over how the collision occurred and whether safety procedures failed. Snchez has vowed to investigate fully, promising that any negligence or security system failures will be addressed.

CMO Raebareli Medical Officer Recruitment 2026

Chief Medical Office Raebareli (CMO Raebareli) has invited eligible candidates to attend a Walk-in Interview for 18 vacancies, including Medical Officer Npcdcs, Medical Officer, and Medical Officer Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandir posts. The walk-in interview will be held on 16 November 2026. Candidates should report at 11:00 AM.

Congress should introspect after MLC poll results, says JD(U), BJP leaders

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The Janata Dal (United) and the BJP on Thursday criticised the Congress party over its performance in the recent Legislative Council elections, saying the party and its INDIA bloc allies should respond to the questions raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the use of ballot papers. The remarks came after PM Modi took a swipe at Congress over the results of the Legislative Council elections held across 28 constituencies in four states using ballot papers. In a post on X on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said, MLC elections in 28 seats across 4 big states - Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka. Elections held using ballot papers. Guess how many seats Congress won. Speaking to IANS, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said Congress and its INDIA bloc allies should respond to the points raised by the Prime Minister. Congress and its INDIA bloc allies should respond to the points raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet. Congress has repeatedly demanded voting through ballot papers instead of EVMs. However, in elections held across 28 constituencies for the Legislative Councils in four states, Congress failed to achieve success anywhere except the Nagpur Graduates' constituency. In Karnataka, where Congress is in power, the BJP and JD(S) together won all four seats contested, he said. Ranjan further said Congress had failed to open its account in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections and had suffered a setback in Bihar, where it previously had one MLC. This clearly shows that instead of demanding elections through ballot papers or other methods, Congress and Rahul Gandhi should reconsider the party's strategy on public issues. Rahul Gandhi should introspect and atone for bringing Congress to such a poor state, he added. BJP MP Yogender Chandoliya also criticised the Congress for repeatedly questioning the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Congress had been demanding for a long time that votes should not be cast using EVMs, even though EVMs were introduced during the Congress government's tenure in Uttar Pradesh. Our view is that Congress managed to win one seat, opening its account with great difficulty. Now, will Rahul Gandhi accept this outcome or not? he said. Chandoliya alleged that Congress would once again raise questions about the election results, and that the party had developed a habit of making allegations over various issues. Getting even one seat seems like a huge achievement for Congress, as making allegations on everything has become a habit for them. Otherwise, the results across the country are not going to be in their favour, whether they talk about EVMs, SIR or ballot papers, he added. The BJP won 13 of the 28 Legislative Council seats contested across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka, while Congress secured only one seat.

Noida farmers' Rs 35 crore vanished from PNB village branch: How customers' savings disappeared without OTPs, withdrawal forms or message alerts

At least 16 account holders, mostly farmers, have accused employees of Punjab National Banks Aichhar village branch in Greater Noida of allegedly diverting fixed deposits worth an estimated Rs 35 crore. The bank has suspended five staffers, including the branch manager, and launched an internal probe. Police have registered an FIR and begun an investigation, while customers have protested outside the branch demanding the return of their money.

India backs UN call to end US embargo against Cuba

India has reiterated its rejection of laws that adversely affect the sovereignty of other nations while supporting a United Nations General Assembly resolution demanding an end to the longstanding U.S. embargo against Cuba. Addressing the assembly prior to the vote, Soumya Nair, a counsellor in Indias Permanent Mission to the UN, stated that New Delhi []

Cong no longer relevant, should stop politicising every issue: BJP MP on MLC election results

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Thursday said that the results of the Legislative Council elections had made it clear that the Congress is no longer relevant in Indian politics, adding that the party should introspect and stop politicising every issue. His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the Congress over the results of the Legislative Council elections held across four states using ballot papers. Speaking to IANS, Khandelwal said, This has made it clear that the Congress is no longer relevant in politics. Earlier, it used to be said that EVMs were hacked, and the blame was pinned on the Election Commission. Then allegations of vote theft were made, which had no basis. Now, the Congress was demanding elections through ballot papers, and the MLC elections were held using the same ballot papers. The Congress has now been wiped out, and the party should introspect and realise that there should not be politics over every issue. People give a befitting reply when the time comes and deliver their verdict, he added. Backing Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement regarding the MLC election results, the BJP MP said that demanding resignations had become a habit of the opposition parties. What the Home Minister said is right because demanding resignations has become a habit for them. They demand resignations over every small or big issue, turn every matter into a controversy and call for resignations. So, when will they resign over the ballot box? What Home Minister Amit Shah said is completely right, Khandelwal said. He further alleged that Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and other opposition leaders would avoid taking responsibility for the election results. Now, Rahul Gandhi and all the opposition parties will run away, hiding their faces, but the public is watching all of this, he added. Khandelwal also reacted to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's remarks targeting the BJP over the Varanasi Legislative Council election results and said that the SP chief was also gradually losing his relevance in politics. Akhilesh Yadav, too, like other parties, is gradually losing his relevance. Consequently, while he used to speak with some sense occasionally in the past, he is now making baseless statements that have no foundation, Khandelwal said. The BJP won 13 of the 28 Legislative Council seats contested across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka.

Puneet Issar Slams Naseeruddin Shah's 'Selective' Stand

Issar's remarks come amid Shah's recent support for student protests at Jamia Millia Islamia, where students have been demanding the restoration of their student union.

Tanla Platforms, HBL Engineering, Bharti Hexacom stock ideas by Jatin Gedia

Stock market outlook: Jatin Gedia of Teji Mandi expects the pullback in Nifty to continue citing positive cues from the daily and hourly momentum indicators.

Qaziabad milk farmers seek hike in procurement rates

Handwara, Oct 28: Milk farmers in Qaziabad area of north Kashmirs Kupwara district have sought an immediate revision of milk procurement rates, saying rising costs of cattle feed, fodder and veterinary care have made dairy farming increasingly unviable. The farmers said procurement rates had remained unchanged despite a significant increase in input costs over the past few years, squeezing their earnings and threatening their livelihoods. While the prices of feed, fodder and medicines have increased considerably, the rates paid to milk producers have remained stagnant, the farmers said. We are currently paid only Rs 35 per litre, while the same milk sells in the market for around Rs 50-55 per litre. We work hard but receive very little in return. The gap between procurement and market prices is too wide and is affecting our livelihoods, said Sajad Ahmad, a young farmer from Mandigam in Qaziabad. Sajad Abdullah of Yaroo said he had purchased two cows in the hope that dairy farming would help support his family, but rising expenses and low procurement rates had made it difficult to sustain the business. I bought two cows believing dairy farming would provide a stable source of income. However, with low procurement rates and increasing feed costs, it has become extremely difficult to continue, he said. He added that higher transportation and veterinary expenses had further increased the financial burden on small dairy farmers. If the situation continues, many small dairy farmers like me may be forced to abandon the profession, he said.

DGP Nalin Prabhat, GOC XV Corps review ongoing operations in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 28:Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Armys XV Corps, reviewed ongoing security operations with formations deployed across South Kashmir, according to a post shared by Kashmir Zone Police on X. The review assumes significance amid continued security efforts in the region, where the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Army work in coordination to address security challenges and maintain peace and stability. The review brought together the leadership of the police and the Army to assess ongoing operations involving formations deployed across South Kashmir. The engagement underscores the importance of coordination between the two forces in operational planning and the implementation of security measures on the ground. South Kashmir, comprising Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts, has remained a key focus of counter-terrorism efforts. Security agencies have continued to maintain operational preparedness and coordinate their activities to respond to emerging challenges. The joint review by the DGP and the GOC XV Corps highlights the continued engagement between the police and the Army in monitoring the operational situation and assessing the functioning of formations deployed in the region. The Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Army have been working together on security-related operations across the Valley, with coordination between field formations remaining an important component of their efforts. Kashmir Zone Police, in its post on X, stated that Nalin Prabhat, along with the GOC XV Corps, reviewed ongoing operations with all formations deployed in South Kashmir.

Mexican TV Host Kicks Drone, Strikes Model In Face, Then His Reaction Sparks FURY | VIRAL

A Mexican TV host has sparked outrage after kicking a drone during a live broadcast, accidentally sending it flying into Colombian model Isabella Rojas face. The shocking incident unfolded on Mexican variety show Es Show, leaving Rojas injured and in tears. Host Ernesto Chavana later apologised and accepted responsibility, but footage of the live TV mishap triggered fierce backlash online. Watch the moment the drone struck Rojas and see why viewers are demanding accountability after the on-air disaster.

Cabinet expansion aftershocks continue in NC

Srinagar, Oct 28: The aftershocks of the National Conferences Cabinet expansion continued to reverberate on Wednesday, with Health Minister Sakeena Itoo defending the partys unity, supporters of veteran MLA Mubarak Gul staging a protest in Srinagars Press Colony, and Gurez legislator Nazir Ahmad Gurezis reported disappointment adding to the unease within the ruling party. A day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inducted four legislators into his Council of Ministers, the celebrations of the new entrants were accompanied by visible disappointment among several senior leaders who had hoped to find a place in the government. The reactions have brought the partys internal dynamics into focus, raising questions about how the leadership will balance seniority, loyalty, regional representation and the expectations of legislators who have remained outside the Cabinet. Itoo sought to play down suggestions of a serious rift, describing the National Conference as a family and maintaining that differences of opinion were natural in a political organisation. She argued that not every legislator could be accommodated in the ministry and that grievances could be expressed within the partys democratic framework. Her remarks came as supporters of Gul took their disappointment to Press Colony, demanding that the veteran Eidgah MLA be accommodated in the Cabinet. Protesters reportedly wore white shrouds, held placards and raised slogans in his support, with some demanding that he resign from the party rather than accept his exclusion. Gul, a six-time MLA and former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, had expressed disappointment over being overlooked. His subsequent appointment as National Conference general secretary by party president Farooq Abdullah has not prevented supporters from publicly questioning the decision to leave him out of the ministry. The discontent has also extended to Gurezi, whose absence from Tuesdays oath-taking ceremony attracted attention amid speculation over the names considered for ministerial positions. The newly inducted minister, Mir Saifullah, who went to Gurezi's residence to meet him, said: Gurezi is my close friend, and he is a basic soldier of NC; there is no question of him being angry with the party. Meanwhile, Abdul Majeed Larmi, the MLA from Anantnag West, made an emotional appeal to his supporters while addressing party workers, saying he had not cried for himself but for the people who had stood by him. Why shouldnt I cry for those who visited me and remained like a rock with me since 2014? Larmi said, referring to the loyalty and support of his workers over the years. Urging his supporters not to react in a manner that could go against the principles of the National Conference, Larmi asked them to remain committed to the party despite their disappointment. While acknowledging that he was hurt by being overlooked for a ministerial berth, he made it clear that he would continue with the party. His remarks reflected the emotional undercurrent surrounding the Cabinet expansion, with the disappointment of individual legislators increasingly intertwined with the expectations of their supporters. The leadership has sought to contain the fallout by emphasising party unity and the limitations on Cabinet strength. Omar Abdullahs adviser Nasir Aslam Wani acknowledged that every MLA aspired to become a minister but said the Union Territorys constitutional framework imposed constraints. The expansion saw Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo inducted into the ministry. With the four appointments, the government filled the vacancies that had remained open for nearly two years and brought the Council of Ministers to its maximum permissible strength of nine, including the Chief Minister. The episode has left the National Conference leadership facing the delicate task of managing expectations without allowing disappointment to harden into a wider organisational dispute. While the party has maintained that the reshuffle was an exercise in governance, protests and emotional appeals from within its ranks have ensured that the political consequences of the Cabinet expansion continue to unfold.

The Uncomfortable Economics of Kashmiri Weddings

Weddings, once conceived as celebrations, have now devolved into spectacles. Guy Debord, in his seminal work, The Society of the Spectacle, posits that in the modern world, everything that we once lived directly has transposed into an image. The shift from expression through directly lived experiences to expression through the exchange and consumption of images has endangered a profound and pervasive erosion of both the human existence and the sanctity of marriage. Life, in general, and weddings, in particular, are no longer lived, but performed to be watched. Debord traces the development of a modern society in which authentic social life has been replaced with its representation. He argues that the history of human social life has seen a decline from being into having, and from having into merely appearing. A socio-economic equation idiosyncratic to most Kashmiri weddings is: an un/der-employed starry-eyed woman trying to live up to an image of an Instagram bride and a father/brother who is(nt) ready to squander all his savings for a curated performance. Out of Debords 221 theses, many fit perfectly in helping us comprehend the nuanced economics of Kashmiri weddings. Thesis 34, particularly, states, The spectacle is capital accumulated to the point that it becomes an image. The unemployment rate in Jammu & Kashmir among young women(aged 15-29) ranges between 46% to 53%. On the other hand, an average middle-class Kashmiri wedding minimally costs 20-25 lakh rupees. An unemployed woman who has no independent economic capital has only a spectacle in the form of symbolic capital. This is capital that could have been a house down payment, a business enterprise, a Masters degree, a rewarding future. But the capital must annihilate itself to become an image & so it does. Thesis 42 deserves mention: The spectacle corresponds to the historical moment at which the commodity has succeeded in totally colonising social life. A few decades back, a Kashmiri wedding was all about a family gathering, happy moments & a sumptuous meal. Now the list of what is visibilised & commodified includes: our emotions(one must pat to show love), our kinship(one must pay to look honourable), our bodies( one must pay to look unrealistically beautiful), our religion(one must pay for a Nikah shoot with the holy Quran as a prop). Every ritual is commodified into a service one can buy & pay for. The question is, where to place the blame? On the woman, who is an under-achiever in education and employment(by choice or by chance) and seeks recognition not by being a woman of substance but by being a maximalist ornate bride. For her, the wedding becomes the only rationally chosen social spectacle where she is allowed to be central, visible, and commanding. For her the spectacle gives the appearance of an achievement without the labor of achievement. On the patriarchal system which limits her access to public life, to meaningful employment, to spaces where she is seen and valued for her work. When there is no office to go to, no business to build, no career ladder to climb, life can feel purposeless. She plans a spectacle to compensate for an empty calendar. On the mother who makes her son spend extravagantly by making him believe that love for her sister equals expenditure, that honor of the family equals display and to say no would make him less of a brother and far less of an honourable man. On the consumer economy where conspicuous consumption becomes production. A womans self-worth doesnt come from earning money but by spending money not for use, but to signal status. On the father/brother who has fallen prey to conspicuous consumption by proxy in which he displays his wealth, economic privileges, social status not through his own direct consumption but by outfitting and provisioning his daughter/sister in luxury goods. Tragically, wherever the blame falls, it is the father/brother's wallet that becomes the brides only access to capital in a patriarchal consumer economy. When such a woman is denied self-worth, she attempts to find it in one big day because the other 364 days offer her little worth in her own eyes & in the eyes of the world. Does this mean that we should have no celebrations at our weddings? No, we don't need less celebrations. What we need is more life outside the celebration. What we need for our women is meaningful, rewarding, fulfilling jobs, start-ups, research projects, and incomes of their own so that they wouldnt make the men in the family silently carry a burden which isnt entirely theirs to bear. If their daily lives are filled with meaning, they wouldnt need to make one day unnaturally heavy with meaning. We need to give our women something more spectacular than a wedding. And if we dont, the spectacle will go on!

Kupwara DM seeks action against drug-linked contractors

Srinagar, Sep 28: District Magistrate Kupwara Abhishek Sharma has directed the R&B Department and Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) to examine allegations against government contractors allegedly linked to narcotics-related activities and initiate appropriate penal proceedings under the rules. He has also directed the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Kupwara to initiate action for cancellation of driving licences of persons involved in drug-related cases. The directions were issued during a district-level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), chaired by the District Magistrate along with SSP Kupwara Sudhanshu Dhama and SSP Handwara Sajad Khaliq, to review the anti-narcotics situation and strengthen enforcement across the district. The move is likely to draw attention from people seeking strict action against drug-related activities, particularly those demanding accountability from individuals allegedly involved in the drug trade. Residents have long called for firm enforcement and coordinated efforts to protect young people from substance abuse. During the meeting, the District Magistrate reviewed the prevailing ground situation, ongoing enforcement measures and the status of rehabilitation facilities. He stressed the need for close coordination among all stakeholder departments, with equal focus on enforcement, rehabilitation and community engagement. The Police Department was directed to take stringent legal action against drug peddlers. The ARTO was asked to proceed with licence cancellation in drug-related cases in accordance with applicable rules. The DM further directed the R&B Department and ACD to examine the allegations against government contractors allegedly linked to narcotics-related activities and initiate appropriate penal proceedings wherever warranted under the rules. The Health Department, in coordination with the Police Department, was asked to inspect all de-addiction centres and take action against unauthorised facilities. The Assistant Drug Controller was directed to monitor the supply and distribution of medicines to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) was instructed to procure testing kits for screening commercial drivers across the district. Controlling officers were also directed to identify government employees struggling with substance addiction and facilitate their structured rehabilitation at certified de-addiction facilities. The meeting underlined the administrations focus on a coordinated approach to tackle drug abuse through enforcement, prevention, treatment and public participation. People seeking stronger action against the drug menace will now look for effective implementation of these directions, including action by the concerned departments and the ARTO in accordance with the law.

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.

Top security officials review ongoing operations in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, Oct 28: Top security brass in Kashmir on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing operations in the Valley, police said. The operations in south Kashmir were reviewed at a meeting attended by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based XV Corps (also known as Chinar Corps) Lt Gen Balbir Singh, and others, they said. Sh Nalin Prabhat, DGP, along with GOC XV Corps, reviewed the ongoing operations, with All Formations, deployed in South Kashmir, Kashmir Zone Police said on X.

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 .

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 .

Apple Announces iMac With M6 Chip Highlighting Major AI Performance Boosts

Apple has officially announced the launch of its latest iMac model powered by the new M6 processor , following the recent rollout of updated iPad mini , Mac mini, and Mac Studio devices . The new desktop machine promises significant performance enhancements and a massive leap in artificial intelligence processing, driven by additional processor cores and newly integrated Neural Accelerators embedded within each core. The M6 chip architecture equips the entry-level desktop with up to a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine . Combined with a memory bandwidth of 170GB/s, these hardware upgrades deliver graphics performance that is twice as fast as the preceding M4 model . Base configurations start with 16GB of unified memory, with optional upgrades available for 24GB and 32GB. Optimized primarily for daily productivity, Apple reports that the new iMac operates up to 50 percent faster in applications like Microsoft Excel compared to its predecessor, and up to 2.5 times faster than original M1 versions. Furthermore, the hardware handles demanding creative applications efficiently, offering up to double the ray-tracing gaming performance alongside accelerated photo and video editing capabilities. A primary focus for the hardware release centers on on-device machine learning capabilities. According to benchmark figures provided by Apple , the device achieves up to five times faster prompt processing speeds in LM Studio compared to the M4 , and up to 12 times the speed of the M1 series. Operating on macOS 27 , the desktop integrates the next generation of Apple Intelligence and an upgraded Siri , allowing users to query information across personal emails and photos, alongside deep integration into Spotlight . Externally, the physical design remains consistent with a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display featuring 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide color support. Connectivity upgrades include Wi-Fi 7 , Bluetooth 6 , and 2.5Gb Ethernet, though the system supports Thunderbolt 4 rather than the faster Thunderbolt 5 standard. Users can connect up to two external 6K displays. Additional hardware components include a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera , color-matched accessories with Touch ID , and a selection of seven aesthetic finishes. Pre-orders begin at $1,499 for the 10-core configuration with 16GB of RAM, while the 12-core variant starts at $1,699. Apple Announces iMac With M6 Chip Highlighting Major AI Performance Boosts , original content from Ubergizmo . Read our Copyrights and terms of use .

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.

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 .

Police SI Arrested In Hyderabad Bribe Scandal

A Sub Inspector of Police in Hyderabad was caught by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a complainant. The bribe was sought to avoid arrest, accept replies to notices, and prevent new cases. A case of criminal misconduct has been registered, and the matter is under investigation.

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.