Rahul Gandhi Accuses Election Commission of Shielding 'Vote Theft'
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of protecting those who are “destroying” democracy by failing to act on alleged voter list manipulation. Citing investigations in Karnataka's Aland and Maharashtra's Rajura constituencies, Gandhi claimed thousands of votes were systematically deleted or added using automated software. He stated the Karnataka CID has sent 18 letters to the EC seeking IP addresses and other data, but has received no response, alleging this inaction amounts to defending electoral fraud.
India's New Online Gaming Law to Take Effect From October 1
The Indian government has announced that the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act will be implemented from October 1. The law, passed last month, effectively bars all forms of online games involving real money while promoting e-sports. Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the date, noting that the government has finalized the rules after extensive consultations with industry stakeholders. The move is set to significantly reshape India's burgeoning online gaming industry, which has already seen major platforms halt real-money offerings.
Bangladesh Election Commission Bars Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina From Voting
Bangladesh's Election Commission has effectively barred deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family from voting in the upcoming February general elections by "locking" their national identity cards. The move follows the ousting of Hasina's government in August 2024 after a student-led uprising. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has suspended her Awami League party, and Hasina is currently being tried in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors seeking capital punishment.
Maruti Suzuki Slashes Car Prices By Up to 24% to Boost Demand
Maruti Suzuki, India's largest automaker, has announced significant price reductions across its vehicle lineup, effective until December 31. The cuts, which go beyond recent GST reductions, are aimed at stimulating demand and encouraging two-wheeler owners to upgrade to cars. Prices for entry-level models like the S-Presso and Alto K10 have been slashed by up to 24%, while popular SUVs like the Fronx and Brezza also see substantial reductions. This aggressive pricing strategy is expected to impact the entire Indian auto market.
Families of Air India Crash Victims Sue Boeing in US Court
The families of four passengers killed in the June Air India crash in Ahmedabad have filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court against Boeing and parts manufacturer Honeywell. They allege that a faulty and poorly designed fuel cutoff switch led to the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which killed 260 people. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware, claims both companies were aware of the switch's defect but failed to alert airlines, and it seeks compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful death.
Indian Stock Markets Surge After US Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged in early trade, propelled by strong buying in IT stocks. The rally followed the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points, its first reduction of the year. The Fed also signalled the possibility of two additional cuts in 2025, which boosted global investor sentiment. The move is expected to attract more foreign capital to India, potentially strengthening the rupee and further benefiting the stock market.
US President Trump Designates Antifa Movement a 'Major Terrorist Organisation'
U.S. President Donald Trump announced he is designating the left-wing, anti-fascist Antifa movement as a "major terrorist organisation." The move follows the recent assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. It is unclear how the U.S. administration will apply the designation to what is a decentralised movement rather than a structured organisation. Critics, including Trump's former FBI Director, have previously stated that Antifa is an ideology, not a formal group, posing legal challenges to such a classification.
Delhi Court Stays Order Directing Journalists to Remove Content Critical of Adani
A Delhi district court has issued an interim stay on a previous order that had directed several journalists and media outlets to take down allegedly defamatory content about Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL). The judge noted that the defendants should have been heard before such a sweeping ex parte injunction was passed. The original order had been cited by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to issue takedown notices to multiple news portals, raising concerns about press freedom and corporate influence.
Cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Chamoli District Leaves Seven Missing
A cloudburst in the Nandanagar Ghat area of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district has left at least seven people missing. The incident on Wednesday night triggered heavy rainfall and destruction, burying six residential houses under debris. According to the district administration, two people have been rescued so far. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district officials are conducting search and rescue operations amid the debris as relief efforts continue in the affected region.
Indian Photographer's Image of Rare Black Tiger Features on National Geographic Cover
An image of a rare pseudo-melanistic tiger in Odisha’s Similipal National Park, captured by Indian photographer Prasenjeet Yadav, will grace the cover of National Geographic's October 2025 issue. These "black tigers," distinguished by a genetic mutation causing their thick stripes to merge, are found exclusively in Similipal. Yadav's photograph, the result of months of patient tracking, brings global attention to this unique subspecies and the conservation efforts in one of India's most important tiger habitats.
Government Notifies Sweeping GST Reforms, New Rates Effective September 22
The central government has notified new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, marking the largest overhaul since its 2017 launch. The reform streamlines the system into two main slabs of 5% and 18%, with a 40% rate on luxury and sin goods. Items previously taxed at 12% and 28% will largely move to the 5% and 18% brackets, respectively. The changes, effective September 22, are expected to reduce the tax burden on households and inject ₹2 lakh crore into the economy.
US Designates India, China, Pakistan as Major Drug Transit Countries
U.S. President Donald Trump has identified India among 23 nations listed as major illicit drug producing or transit countries in a presidential determination sent to Congress. The list also includes China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The State Department statement noted that a country's presence on the list does not necessarily reflect its government's counter-narcotics efforts but is based on a combination of geographic, commercial, and economic factors that facilitate drug trafficking, which threatens U.S. safety.
Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Reopens After 22-Day Suspension
The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district resumed after a 22-day suspension. The route was closed following a devastating landslide on August 26 that claimed 34 lives and injured 20 others. Hundreds of waiting pilgrims began the yatra as the path was declared safe. Officials have advised devotees to follow safety guidelines and carry valid identification, with RFID-based tracking remaining mandatory for all pilgrims visiting the revered shrine.
Two Suspects in Firing at Actress Disha Patani's Home Killed in Encounter
Two alleged members of the Rohit Godara-Goldy Brar gang were killed in a police encounter in Ghaziabad. The men were suspects in the recent firing incident outside actress Disha Patani's residence in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The joint operation was conducted by Special Task Forces from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, along with the Delhi Police Special Cell. According to officials, the accused opened fire on the police teams, who returned fire, resulting in fatal injuries to both suspects.
Rolls-Royce Launches its Largest Global Capability and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru
Global aerospace and defence giant Rolls-Royce has inaugurated its largest Global Capability and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru's Manyata Embassy Business Park. The state-of-the-art facility is set to become a hub for advanced engineering, research, and innovation, handling complex projects for the company's international operations. The launch reinforces Bengaluru's status as a top global aerospace city and highlights Karnataka's ecosystem for high-tech manufacturing and development, supported by government policy and a skilled workforce.