QUICKREADS

'Called Maha Kumbh useless': BJP's fresh attack at Lalu Yadav over Halloween celebrations

Lalu Yadav faced backlash from the BJP after he labeled the Maha Kumbh festival as "meaningless." This controversy intensified with the emergence of videos showing him celebrating Halloween with his grandchildren. The BJP criticized Yadav for his comments on Kumbh, accusing him of disrespecting Hindu sentiments ahead of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for November.

Infighting and discord plague Oppn, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Opposition, particularly the RJD and Congress, for their internal conflicts over leadership in the INDIA bloc ahead of Bihar's elections. He labeled their manifesto a "document of lies" while promoting the NDA's vision for development. Modi emphasized the NDA's unity and achievements, predicting a "record victory" for his coalition.

Bengaluru, Hyd, Delhi-NCR account for 2/3rd of all digital arrests: Home ministry analysis

Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and NCR account for nearly 65% of India's digital arrests in 2025, with Bengaluru leading at 26.38%. Fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to extort money via video calls. Most victims are aged 30-60. The I4C aims to combat cybercrime and has blocked over 942,000 SIM cards linked to fraud.

Bihar: Prashant Kishor’s party creates buzz in Seemanchal, but will it convert to votes?

In Bihar's Seemanchal region, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party aims to capture Muslim votes in the upcoming assembly polls, challenging entrenched political loyalties. With a focus on development and representation, Kishor's campaign has drawn interest, particularly among younger voters. However, fears of splitting anti-NDA votes could impact the outcome, potentially benefiting the ruling NDA.

Highway horror: 15 killed as mini bus rams into parked trailer near Jodhpur

A tragic accident in Rajasthan's Phalodi claimed the lives of 15 people and injured two when a mini bus collided with a parked trailer on the Bharatmala highway. The bus, carrying Jodhpur residents returning from a visit, lost control while overtaking. President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences and announced financial aid for victims' families.

HT interview: When you don’t get to decide who your officers are, it’s not a pretty picture, says Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah, the first chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, discusses his challenges in office, including the impact of terrorism on tourism and infrastructure damage from monsoon disasters. He criticizes the lack of power and consultation from the Raj Bhawan, expresses disappointment over the delay in restoring statehood, and emphasizes the need for progress in governance and development.

Isro scripts history with heaviest satellite launch

ISRO successfully launched the GSAT-7R (CMS-03), India's heaviest communication satellite, using the LVM3-M5 rocket amid challenging weather. The satellite will enhance Indian Navy's communications for 15 years, providing services over the Indian Ocean. This marks ISRO's fifth successful LVM3 mission, further solidifying India's advancements in space technology. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the team for their achievements.

Delhi air nears ‘severe’ level; CAQM delays Stage 3 steps

Delhi's air quality index surged to 366 on Sunday, with experts criticizing the Commission for Air Quality Management for not enforcing stricter pollution controls despite the Supreme Court's directive to implement Stage 3 measures at an AQI of 350. The current Stage 2 measures are deemed insufficient as air quality is predicted to worsen further this week.

Indomitable India become women’s Cricket World Cup champions

India's women's cricket team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, won the 2025 ODI World Cup by defeating South Africa by 52 runs, marking a historic moment for women's sports in India. The victory, celebrated by a 45,000-strong crowd in Navi Mumbai, showcased key performances from players like Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, highlighting their journey from past disappointments to becoming world champions.

Experiments with weather modification tech to alter rain patterns on govt radar

The Indian government is exploring weather modification technologies, including cloud seeding, for rain enhancement and suppression. A cloud chamber will be established at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology for research. The 11th WMO Scientific Conference on Weather Modification will focus on advancements in the field. Officials emphasize the need for further study before implementation, aiming for practical applications in five years.

Bahrain Foreign Min arrives in India to co-chair 5th High Joint Commission meeting

Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani visited India to co-chair the 5th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on education, consular cooperation, and security dialogue. Both nations emphasized cultural exchanges and welcomed the growing presence of Indian nationals in Bahrain.

Aadhaar, FB account details found in phones of 3 Pak terrorists: NIA

The NIA has retrieved Aadhaar cards, photos, and Facebook details from the mobile phones of three Pakistani terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people. The agency seeks a 45-day extension to decrypt communications with their handler in Pakistan. Two locals were arrested for allegedly aiding the terrorists, and further investigations are ongoing.

Video surfaces after massive fire at Punjab banquet hall during wedding | Watch

A massive fire broke out at the Aura Garden Banquet in Zirakpur during a wedding, prompting chaos as 200 guests evacuated. Preliminary investigations suggest it may have been caused by cooking or a short-circuit. Eight fire tenders were deployed, and a cylinder blast occurred during the operation. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties.

DMK, allies to move SC against SIR in TN

The DMK and Tamil Nadu allies plan to challenge the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the Supreme Court, deeming it illegal and biased towards the BJP. They argue the process threatens voting rights and undermines democracy, especially given concerns over potential voter deletions during the upcoming assembly elections. The all-party meeting involved 46 parties, excluding opposition groups.

DGCA fills up key 18 posts to plug crunch

The DGCA has promoted 18 senior officers to Deputy Director General to address staff shortages and strengthen aviation safety leadership. This move fills all vacant DDG posts, some unfilled since 2023. Despite these promotions, staffing challenges persist, prompting ongoing efforts to expedite recruitment, including the recent selection of 42 Assistant Directors by the UPSC.

Akasa Air hit by non-availability of CAT III pilots, cabin crew

Akasa Air, backed by Premji Invest, is struggling with flight cancellations due to a lack of available cockpit crew, despite having around 800 pilots. Internal communications reveal nine flights were uncovered recently, with ongoing issues related to pilot rosters violating DGCA norms. The airline cites operational adjustments amid training for over 300 pilots but faces scrutiny from regulators for repeated safety violations.