National News

India have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, omitting Mohammed Shami and appointing Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain. The squad also sees Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep in the pace attack. India, leading the World Test Championships standings, will play the series to bolster their position ahead of the Australia tour.

The Nainital district administration has seized over half a hectare of land belonging to Bhanvi Singh, the estranged wife of UP MLA Raja Bhaiya, due to the absence of agricultural activity since its purchase in 2006. The property, estimated to be worth between 14 crore and 15 crore, is now under government control.

A collision between the Mysuru–Darbhanga Bagmati Express and a stationary freight train on the outskirts of Chennai caused derailment and a fire, leading to injuries for at least 20 passengers. The accident occurred at Kavaraipettai station when the express train mistakenly entered a loop line, shutting down train traffic for rescue operations.

The rupee breached the 84 per dollar mark for the first time, reflecting RBI's strategic adjustments amid rising crude prices and geopolitical tensions. Dealers suggest the central bank may be preparing for increased volatility due to the Iran-Israel conflict. Despite substantial forex reserves, further depreciation of the rupee is expected to be controlled and gradual.

About 193 companies, including Reliance Industries and Maruti Suzuki, have posted over 90,000 internships on the PM Internship scheme portal. The initiative targets 1.2 lakh internships this financial year, aiming to bridge the skill gap in various sectors like oil, gas, and financial services. Internships are available nationwide across 37 states and Union Territories.

India's industrial output experienced a contraction of 0.1% in August, marking the first decline in 22 months, predominantly due to a high base effect, reduced mining and electricity output, and a weakened manufacturing sector. Analysts attribute this to temporary factors including monsoon rains and expect no major alarm.

In Jind's Singhana village, an electricity department team was assaulted and held hostage by villagers while investigating power thefts. Allegedly, staff entered homes without permission, leading to the altercation. Police rescued the employees, who received medical treatment. Investigations by authorities are ongoing, with villagers and power officials both filing complaints.

The Enforcement Directorate is moving to extradite Sourabh Chandrakar from Dubai in connection with a Rs 6,000-crore betting scam. Chandrakar, along with accomplice Ravi Uppal, allegedly ran the scam from UAE and is linked to irregularities involving Chhattisgarh's former political leaders.

India's foreign exchange reserves fell by $3.7 billion to $701.2 billion in the week ended Oct 4, marking the first decline in eight weeks. The drop includes a $3.5 billion decrease in foreign currency and a $40 million reduction in gold value.

Noel Tata has been appointed as chairman of the Tata Trusts, succeeding Ratan Tata, and now indirectly controls the $165-billion Tata Group. The appointment continues the tradition of a Parsi leading the Trusts and follows a meeting where it was unanimously decided. Noel aims to uphold Ratan Tata's legacy.

PM Modi emphasizes the need for peace and stability in West Asia and Eurasia, advocating for solutions based on dialogue and respect for international laws. Addressing the East Asia Summit, he underscores the importance of a free Indo-Pacific and concerted action against terrorism, while supporting ASEAN's approach to Myanmar.

PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had no substantive discussion in Vientiane, highlighting tensions until Canada takes verifiable action against Khalistan separatists. India stresses the need to curb anti-India activities and associated criminal activities originating from Canadian soil.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was barred from visiting Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre in Lucknow on JP's birth anniversary, citing security reasons. This move led to Akhilesh criticizing the BJP government and requesting Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to withdraw support from the BJP-led NDA.

Allahabad High Court ruled that a spouse demanding sex from the other is not cruelty, dismissing a dowry and torture case against a Noida man as rooted in 'sexual incompatibility.' The court found no evidence of specific dowry demands or cruelty under Section 498A IPC, stating the case lacked substantive injury or clear allegations.

A three-year-old leopard died after spending 12 hours in a wire trap in Chhattisgarh's Mohla Manpur, as foresters waited for tranquiliser darts to arrive. The leopard, trapped by farmer Naval Singh to protect livestock, could have been saved if rescued within two to three hours, according to DFO Dinesh Patel.

The government is advancing a Rs 17,000-crore rice fortification scheme, but EAC-PM members Sanjeev Sanyal and Shamika Ravi question its efficacy. They argue that poor dietary diversity, not fortification, is the main cause of anaemia. They call for stronger evidence on fortification before widespread implementation, echoing concerns from international donors and public health experts.

An imposter posing as a Union minister managed to transfer seven employees in the Gonda land consolidation department. Police launched a manhunt after the fraud was reported by the minister's representative, leading to the cancellation of the transfers.

A 35-year-old woman from Etah, fed up with her 17-year-old daughter's behavior, hired Subhash Singh, who unbeknownst to her was the daughter's lover, to kill her. Subhash and the daughter conspired instead to murder the mother, leading to their arrest by police.

CJI D Y Chandrachud emphasized that judges, though unelected, uphold the constitutional mandate to ensure fair resource distribution and protect rights. Speaking in Bhutan, he highlighted the judiciary's unique role in maintaining public trust and legitimacy, despite its insulation from public opinion, which is crucial for judicial independence.

India remains cautiously optimistic about resolving the troop standoff with China in eastern Ladakh through diplomatic-military talks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stresses the importance of troop disengagement and highlights confidence in the Army's preparedness. The push includes significant infrastructure development by the Border Roads Organisation.