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Elections 2026Mobile / Rediff
Jaipur police arrested a man with counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 3.45 lakh, primarily in Rs 500 denominations, ahead of Diwali. The accused, Shahbaz Khan, allegedly procured the fake notes from Old Delhi for circulation during the festive season. An investigation is underway to uncover the source and other members of the racket.
Indigenous communities fear that a large reservoir could submerge ancestral land and settlements, disrupt traditional livelihoods and damage forests, wildlife habitats and river ecosystems in a seismically active Himalayan region.
Two individuals were killed and three injured in a firing incident in Moga, Punjab, on Sunday evening. Police suspect old enmity as the motive and have arrested five people in connection with the case, though the assailants remain at large. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who allege a complete collapse of law and order under the current state government.
Jammu and Kashmir Police seized a pistol and 9.22 grams of heroin in a border village near Jammu. The recovery was based on information from an arrested drug peddler, Gagandeep Singh, who was previously caught with heroin. A probe is ongoing to determine the source of the contraband and identify other individuals involved.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a cabinet expansion and reshuffle for early next week, urging party members not to lobby for positions as the list is finalised. He also discussed various issues with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, including the LG's health, the National Dental Commission Act, and the plight of Kashmiri pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations and high airfares. Abdullah also declined to comment on LAC patrolling, stating it's outsid
AISA president Neha Bora appeared before a special executive magistrate after the Delhi High Court dismissed her challenge to a police notice requiring a Rs 10,000 peace bond. Bora refuses to sign the bond, alleging it's used to curb democratic dissent, while the court has directed authorities to provide her with all material supporting the allegations by October 29.
India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing it of hypocrisy regarding religious freedom and funeral rights. India's First Secretary Bhavika Mangalanandan highlighted Pakistan's refusal to accept the bodies of its own soldiers killed in the 1999 Kargil war, contrasting it with Pakistan's current criticism of India. She also pointed to Pakistan's poor record on minority rights and criticised a UN report for selectively targeting India.
A sharp political slugfest erupted on Thursday as Congress leaders and INDIA bloc allies rallied behind MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's son, Raihan Vadra, accusing the authorities and Centre of censoring artistic expression after Bikaner House requested the removal of several photographs from his exhibition.
A dentist on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight heroically saved Captain Smit Machchhar's life after he was stabbed by a co-pilot in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. Dr. Shuta Musaev's 45-minute intervention, using makeshift medical supplies, stabilised the severely injured captain, who is now recovering and has been praised by Indian and Israeli Prime Ministers.
The Supreme Court is examining the Election Commission's decision to allot the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction. The court questioned the validity of relying primarily on legislative strength, particularly when MLAs face disqualification. Arguments from the Shinde faction defended the EC's test, while the court raised concerns about the sentiment of the symbol for defectors and the practicalities of assessing grassroots support. The hearing remains inconclusive.
Rahul Gandhi led a significant opposition protest in New Delhi, attempting to march to the Election Commission office to allege vote chori and demand the CEC's resignation. The protest resulted in a lockdown of Parliament Street, a standoff at the All India Radio premises, and detentions of several opposition MPs, drawing strong reactions from the ruling BJP.
A woman was brutally stabbed to death by two men on a motorcycle in a residential area of Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, in broad daylight. The incident, captured on video, left her two young children locked inside her house. Police are investigating the unclear motive, questioning eyewitnesses, and scanning CCTV footage to identify the accused.
A Health Inspector from Tirurangadi Municipality in Kerala was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe. The official, Sreeji S, was caught red-handed while demanding money to issue a licence for a newly opened hotel and juice shop. The complainant, an NRI, reported the incident after facing delays and demands for illegal gratification.
Pakistan has welcomed an Indian delegation's visit to Islamabad for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, marking the first such visit after a significant gap. The visit is seen as a positive step towards regional peace and cooperation, with Pakistan also commenting on other international and domestic issues.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of a case concerning the alleged hurried cremation and destruction of evidence in the R G Kar hospital rape and murder case to the CBI's Special Investigation Team. This decision comes as the CBI is already probing a larger conspiracy in the doctor's death, and the court found it inappropriate for both state and central agencies to investigate the same issue.
Five Pakistani nationals have been remanded to police custody by an Ahmedabad court in connection with a Rs 3,000 crore drug haul involving 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin seized from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea. The operation was a joint effort by the Gujarat ATS and Indian Coast Guard.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot operating flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, is being airlifted to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical care after suffering stab wounds during a violent mid-air cockpit attack by his co-pilot.
BJP leaders and devotees across India are performing pujas and havans for the speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed while thwarting an alleged attempt to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Temples like Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath, and Somnath are holding special rituals, honouring his courage in saving 174 lives.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has publicly urged TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to rejoin the Congress party with her remaining MLAs and MPs, offering to accept her leadership in West Bengal. This appeal comes as the TMC faces a significant organisational crisis following its defeat in the recent Assembly elections, with internal rebellions in both its legislative and parliamentary wings. While Chowdhury linked his call to Banerjee's involvement in the INDIA alliance, TMC MP Sougata Roy st
Keralam Sports Minister O J Janeesh's vehicle was allegedly attacked by DYFI workers in Kannur and Kasaragod districts, sparking a political row. The incident is linked to earlier clashes between student and youth wings, with leaders from both sides trading accusations of instigating violence and political opportunism.
JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh openly defied his party by supporting a rival candidate, Anuj Singh of the Jan Suraaj Party, for the Bihar legislative council elections. This move is seen as a direct challenge to JD(U)'s official candidate, Neeraj Kumar, with whom Singh has a long-standing rivalry. The JD(U) leadership is reportedly considering action against Singh.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is in stable condition in Saudi Arabia after being seriously injured while preventing his co-pilot from crashing a Flydubai flight. He was stabbed during the incident, but managed to alert others, leading to the co-pilot's incapacitation and a safe landing. Both Indian and Israeli leaders have praised his heroic actions.
'It seems the prime minister may not be given the real picture about the country's space sector and ISRO. So, we are having the seminar to bring the issues to his notice.'
Researchers have discovered a method to externally manipulate a cell's automatic waste clearance process, known as autophagy. This breakthrough, involving the protein LC3, could offer new therapeutic targets for diseases like cancer and Parkinson's, where cellular cleansing mechanisms are often impaired.
A 25-year-old woman was found dead in her home in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, leading to a dowry death case being registered against her husband and his parents. Her father alleged that she was harassed for dowry and ultimately killed. Two arrests have been made in connection with the case.
President Donald Trump is hosting a lavish state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House. The event, meticulously prepared by First Lady Melania Trump, features a unique blend of American and Chinese culinary traditions, a historic toast, and a star-studded guest list including top tech and business leaders. The evening will also include musical performances and decor reflecting Chinese cultural significance.
India's Election Commission's centralised voter database systems, ERONET and ECINet, are under scrutiny following concerns raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding the centralisation of electoral rolls and control available to state election officials. The article explains how these systems work and why they are currently in the news.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has appointed Ishan Anand, Mayawati's younger nephew, as its new national coordinator. This decision follows the removal of his elder brother, Akash Anand, from all party responsibilities. The appointment was made at a national executive meeting, where Mayawati reiterated the party's commitment to avoiding dynastic politics.
Congress's Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan has been remanded to judicial custody in connection with old criminal cases, including murder charges from 2007. This development effectively prevents him from campaigning for the upcoming by-election. The Congress party has questioned the timing of the arrest, alleging political motives behind the revival of these long-pending cases.
A private security guard in Hyderabad has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 26-year-old woman software engineer. The incident occurred on Tuesday, and a case has been registered based on the woman's complaint. The guard denies the allegations, claiming he was helping her after a fall, and further investigation is underway.
Former Gujarat University Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta resigned as Principal Investigator for the PMJVK scheme and returned over Rs 14 crore to the university. This comes amidst allegations of financial irregularities and a multi-crore rupee scam by the NSUI, which also led to the suspension of 10 temporary appointees made by Gupta. An audit is pending for the remaining Rs 2 crore.
Former Chief Election Commissioners have voiced strong objections to reported 'illegal' changes in voter registration Form 6 and the centralisation of electoral roll control, raising serious concerns about the integrity of future elections.
The Election Commission of India firmly states that all its official orders and decisions are legally sanctioned, clarifying that internal discussions and differing views are a standard part of its robust decision-making process to enhance electoral integrity.
A girl was allegedly molested in public in Darbhanga, Bihar, by two motorcycle-borne individuals. Police apprehended both accused, including a minor, within five hours. The incident has drawn political comparisons to a similar case in Jamui, leading to a blame game between the RJD and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater trainers and HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force, and Dhruv Next Generation helicopters to Pawan Hans. This significant handover, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, underscores India's progress towards self-reliance in aerospace, strengthening both military and civil aviation capabilities with indigenous platforms.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary stated that the JD(U) will thoroughly study the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill before deciding on its stance, indicating they will not oppose it without valid reasons. This position contrasts with the RJD's strong opposition and highlights the JD(U)'s independent approach within the NDA.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has accused the haipo gang, allegedly linked to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, of involvement in the murder of his personal assistant, Chandranath Rath. The allegations come as Rath's mother, Hasirani Rath, was nominated by the BJP for the Nandigram by-election. Adhikari claimed Rs 2 crore was spent on the murder and that the CBI investigation is progressing, with phone records and a money courier identified.
The Supreme Court has given actor Rajpal Yadav a final two-week opportunity to present a concrete proposal for repaying an outstanding amount to a private firm, directing him to deposit Rs 2 crore with the apex court registry. This comes after a series of cheque bounce cases, with the Delhi High Court previously upholding his conviction and sentencing him to three months' imprisonment. The court noted Yadav's past conduct did not inspire confidence but granted a last chance.
Independents have secured nearly two-thirds of urban wards in Bharatpur and Deeg districts, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's home turf, significantly outperforming the BJP and Congress in local body elections. This unexpected surge sets the stage for a political battle as both major parties vie for the support of these Independent councillors to form civic boards.
The BJP has accused the Congress of spreading fake news regarding UPI transaction charges, asserting that the government has clarified that consumers will not be levied merchant discount rate (MDR) charges. This comes after the Congress criticised a government notification, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, highlighting that most UPI transactions remain free and the government provides incentives to maintain a charge-free
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called upon 'Gen Z' and 'Gen Alpha' to assume leadership, prioritise the nation, and contribute to its growth, rather than questioning what the country has done for them.
A committee formed by West Bengal's BJP government is considering proposals to rename several prominent roads, bridges, and public places in Kolkata, including those named after communist leaders Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, and Ho Chi Minh. This move has sparked sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress and CPI(M), who view it as vendetta politics and an attempt to disrespect differing ideologies.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached a crucial consensus during the BRICS summit, agreeing that China and India should be partners, not rivals. The leaders pledged to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas, deepen cooperation, and support each other in multilateral forums, aiming to strengthen the Global South and promote a multipolar world order.
New research published in the European Heart Journal indicates that even low levels of night-time light exposure, as little as 3 lux, are associated with detrimental changes in heart structure and function. A study involving over 11,000 participants found that increased light at night led to thickening of the left ventricular walls and reduced myocardial contraction, suggesting early heart dysfunction and increased risk of heart failure. Researchers highlight night-time light as a modifiable ris
A new study published in AGU Advances reveals that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and expanding beyond traditional summer months globally. This expansion is asymmetric, occurring earlier in spring in regions like western Europe and northwestern India, and later into autumn in areas such as the western US and eastern China. Researchers highlight the challenges this poses for human acclimatisation and community preparedness, as existing infrastructure like cooling centres are built
Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the 9/11 Memorial and amp; Museum remains a place of remembrance, resilience and reflection, discovers Tanisha Mehrotra.
The father of Arpit Jaj, who died in a Delhi building collapse, has made an emotional appeal to parents not to send their children to Delhi for studies, citing his own devastation and the difficulties faced in identifying his son. He also called for a thorough investigation and action against those responsible, highlighting the need for better building safety.
The Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure with the Odisha government for delaying a decision on the remission plea of Ravindra Pal alias Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons. The court has directed the state to make a decision by September 17, warning of summoning officials if the delay persists. Singh, incarcerated for over 26 years, seeks premature release based on his time served and a 2022 stat
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday dismissed the Bombay High Court's directive to the Central Bureau of Investigation to register an FIR in the Disha Salian death case, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of running a smear campaign against him for the last six years.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan's Facebook post criticising Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar's alleged anti-women remarks has disappeared, with the CMO citing a technical error. The incident has sparked political criticism from CPI(M) and BJP, who question the explanation and accuse the Congress of hypocrisy.

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