Times of India

Virat Kohli is 15 centuries away from becoming the first batter to reach 101 international hundreds, with ODI cricket now his only route to Sachin Tendulkar's record. India have 11 confirmed bilateral ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, while the Asia Cup offers additional opportunities. A possible six-match South Africa series in the new FTP could give India further preparation before the World Cup, but the century chase remains a difficult one.

Proposed changes to the GST regime are expected to benefit businesses, improving cash flow and refunds. A refund on accumulated GST for input services and capital goods may help manufacturers significantly. The GST Council will discuss the rationalization of ITC, which has long been an issue for businesses. Decriminalization of certain GST provisions aims to create a more business-friendly environment in India.

Delhi government modified an order regarding duty charges of 12 police officers after harassment allegations surfaced. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat voluntarily stepped aside from his additional charge as the inquiry continues. The CDC assignment began prior to the allegations, ensuring it does not indicate a promotion. The complaints have been transferred to the Crime Branch for a detailed investigation and fair inquiry.

Negotiations regarding the bilateral trade agreement between India and the US have stalled, reaching a plateau. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that both sides face difficulties in making further concessions. The US aims to reduce its trade imbalance with India, while recent laws have complicated matters. Discussions included tariffs impacting agricultural imports and energy purchases from the US.

Nepal has suspended non-essential search operations after the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods that occurred on August 26. The floods resulted in 1,455 deaths, with 5,285 people still unaccounted for, including many foreign tourists. Among the missing individuals are 189 Indians, along with tourists from various other countries. The government has shifted its focus towards reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts rather than continuing search operations.

The Supreme Court initially planned an informal meeting with the parliamentary committee on simultaneous elections. However, the meeting was canceled after opposition MPs raised concerns about the appropriateness of the interaction. The Supreme Court expressed that discussing the matter could lead to future judicial review. The proposal for the meeting was suggested by DMK MP P Wilson.

The Uttar Pradesh government informed the Supreme Court about replacing the public prosecutor in the Lakhimpur Kheri case. This decision was made in response to allegations raised against the outgoing prosecutor by a witness involved in the case. As the Supreme Court monitors the trial's progress, it was noted that 86 witnesses have been examined thus far.

The Delhi High Court emphasized that foreign nationals do not have an inherent right to enter India. Justice Amit Mahajan pointed out that holding a visa does not ensure unconditional admission. The court noted various factors that could lead to denial of entry, including national security and public health. A plea by a Turkmenistan woman for reasons regarding her entry refusal was dismissed.

The National Household Travel Survey indicates that only 15% of workers use public transport for commuting. It reveals that 46% of workers rely on two-wheelers and cars, leading to traffic congestion. Walking is the second most common commute mode, with 28.3% of workers traveling on foot. Student commuting patterns differ significantly, with 37% walking to educational institutions.

Women's success rate in JEE-Advanced achieved a record high in 2026 while their IIT seat share remained mostly unchanged. A total of 10,107 women qualified, reflecting a 7.5% increase in their qualifying count. Admissions across IITs reached 18,861, with 20% allocated to female candidates. Significant gains were reported for SC and ST candidates in qualification rates.

Earlier this year, Travis and Jason Kelce quietly donated $10,000 to help a Team USA hockey star’s family travel to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The contribution supported a $50,000 fundraiser created after the family struggled to afford the trip. Travis also offered encouragement before the Olympic debut, while Jason and Kylie attended the gold-medal game. Team USA eventually defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime for gold.

Saifullah Kasuri made controversial remarks regarding the Pakistan army's role in regional conflicts. He threatened to erase Israel from the world map and defend Saudi holy sites. After the Pahalgam attack, he has been active in public events to raise support. High-level meetings between Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas have been reported, indicating growing connections. Kasuri's actions reflect an increasing boldness post-attack, as he recruits youth and gathers funds.

Nearly 23 years after the Tamil Nadu assembly's breach of privilege resolution, a Supreme Court hearing is scheduled. The resolution imposed a 15-day sentence on some journalists but has since been withdrawn. Senior advocates claimed that the writ petition's cause of action no longer exists and argued the matter has become academic. As a result, the Supreme Court is expected to dispose of the petitions.

S Jaishankar emphasized the uncertainties facing the world during his speech at the Kautilya Economic Conclave. He expressed confidence in India's ability to navigate challenges such as conflicts and economic volatility. The minister highlighted India's proactive stance during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Jaishankar called for diplomacy to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly concerning maritime security.

The Union law ministry has announced the appointment of three judges to the Supreme Court. Justice Sunita Agarwal, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh have been elevated. These judges were previously chief justices of their respective high courts and will be sworn in soon. With these appointments, the Supreme Court remains one judge short of its sanctioned strength.

Election Commission officials clarified that there was no change to Form 6, only an additional declaration form was introduced. This statement followed CJI Surya Kant's observation regarding the approval of modified Form 6. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Chief Election Commissioner of making illegal changes to the form. The Election Commission denied these accusations and referred to a previous press note for clarification.

Harish Rawat's thanksgiving yatra has prompted a strong response from AICC, emphasizing the need for party unity. Kumari Selja has criticized the yatra as a parallel program that undermines Congress interests. The party leadership has expressed concern regarding Rawat's controversial statements and the potential division of support. A meeting between Rawat and Selja is expected to take place later this week.

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan raised concerns regarding the deletion of voters through special intensive revision, facing criticism from former CJI BR Gavai. While Bhuyan emphasized that disenfranchising citizens violates constitutional rights, Gavai expressed reservations about commenting on ongoing legal matters. Former Supreme Court judge Rohinton Fali Nariman also voiced concerns about the democratic implications of voters being removed from lists.

The assessment threw up two separate issues. The first concerned jewellery worth Rs 67,39,949 that the woman had disclosed in Schedule AL of her income tax return. The tribunal also examined whether the Rs 12 lakh paid to the HUF represented a genuine brokerage expense when the same person, the HUF's Karta/coparcener, had already received another Rs 12 lakh for the same transaction.

A Delhi court has ordered the completion of an inquiry into a sexual assault complaint against Chandrashekhar Azad. The complainant accused Azad of raping her under the pretext of marriage and claimed the police did not register an FIR. The police sought additional time for the inquiry, but the complainant opposed this request. The court rejected the police's plea and emphasized that the alleged offence is punishable with life imprisonment.