Times of India

BJP has announced eight candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. Union ministers Hardeep Puri and BL Verma were not included in this announcement. The election schedule was previously announced by the Election Commission of India. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party has designated two candidates for these polls as well. The final date for filing nominations will be October 6, followed by polling on October 16.

Advocate Guddu Ansari, aged 35, was shot dead by armed assailants near Patel Chowk in Katihar district. The incident occurred around 9am and was captured on video, which is vital evidence for investigations. Local police are examining CCTV footage and the crime scene to identify the suspects involved in the murder. Investigators are also looking into a possible motive linked to an old dispute.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been conferred upon Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their pioneering work on light-gated ion channels and the innovative optogenetics technique. This advancement permits researchers to manipulate the activity of nerve cells in living brains, which holds promise for neuroscience and future medical treatments targeting visual impairments and various neural disorders.

NEET UG has ranked as the world’s fifth-largest examination by applications, with around 25 lakh registrations, according to SBI Research. The report places China’s Gaokao at the top with 1.29 crore candidates. UPSC CSE, JEE Main and UGC NET also feature among major global examinations, highlighting the scale, security and contingency challenges involved in conducting tests for millions of candidates.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Bagchi and Mohana sought responses from the Election Commission, the Centre, the CEC and the other two election commissioners before examining whether the poll panel's statutory procedure was followed. The bench refused to pass an immediate order seeking the suspension of CEC , while considering the controversy over Form 6, which was one of the central issues raised in the petitions.

Mamata Banerjee's lawyer issued a legal notice to two hospitals over "unauthorised" medical record disclosures. This followed allegations made by West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari about her 2021 leg injury. Adhikari claimed that her injury was "faked" during the assembly elections, where she campaigned from a wheelchair. The notice sought clarification on how her medical records were revealed without permission.

Meta has parted ways with several employees from the acquired startup Virtue AI after only four months. Co-founders Bo Li, Dawn Song, and Sanmi Koyejo were among those let go due to workplace differences. This decision reflects ongoing challenges in enhancing AI safety and security within the company. The hiring aimed to strengthen Meta's capabilities as concerns about advanced AI systems grow.

Many parks in Noida and Ghaziabad are facing alarming issues related to insufficient lighting and inadequate security measures. Residents are increasingly hesitant to enjoy these public spaces after sundown, as broken streetlights diminish safety and invite undesirable activities. Despite notifying the relevant authorities regarding these pressing concerns, timely improvements are desperately needed to restore community trust and ensure public safety in these areas.

Bankers expect the Reserve Bank of India to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points soon. This marks the end of the rate-cutting phase that began in February 2025. Economists predict inflation will exceed the RBI’s forecasts, necessitating tightening. Experts anticipate resilient growth will provide the RBI room to act despite external pressures. The focus will remain on managing liquidity and aligning rates with policy measures.

Bangladesh is optimistic that India will expedite the extradition process for former PM Sheikh Hasina. Indian high commissioner Dinesh Trivedi stated that legal processes are currently in motion. State Minister Shama Obaed Islam emphasized the importance of political will from both nations. Meanwhile, outgoing Bangladeshi high commissioner Riaz Hamidullah met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar to discuss mutual interests.

India is expected to achieve close to 8% economic growth, aided by recent reforms and increased investment. The resilience of the economy is attributed to strategies implemented over the past decade and strong domestic demand. Former RBI governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized the significance of the financial sector and external management in supporting growth. Further opportunities are anticipated in the coming years, particularly in AI and infrastructure financing.

An Omani co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. Following the assault, he attempted to crash the aircraft into the Saudi desert. Investigators are looking into whether the co-pilot cut the engines' fuel supply during this crisis. Emergency codes were transmitted to air traffic control indicating both a general emergency and a suspected hijacking.

Avengers: Endgame has reclaimed its position as the highest-grossing film following a re-release. The film surpassed Avatar's total box office earnings by a narrow margin after its Encore re-release. Despite a drop to seventh place domestically, additional earnings helped Endgame regain the crown. Marvel Studios expressed gratitude to fans for their support through social media messages. The success of Endgame coincides with anticipation for the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday.

Travis Kelce-backed Six Flags is making a major sustainability move as Magic Mountain’s new solar parking project powers two parks. The 12.37 MW installation covers 4,315 spaces and is expected to generate 20.8 million kWh annually. The project also includes an 8 MWh battery and 109 EV charging stations. Kelce joined Six Flags as a 2026 brand ambassador, adding star power to the company’s latest green initiative.

Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman expressed concerns regarding the functioning of the Election Commission in India. He highlighted the issue of illegal removal of voters from electoral lists, especially in West Bengal. Nariman noted that 90 lakh voters were disenfranchised, with many not having access to justice. He emphasized the need for reform in the appointment process of election commissioners to ensure fairness.

The United States has withdrawn all bombers from RAF Fairford following an investigation into a suspected terror plot. The withdrawal occurred shortly after several people were arrested in connection with the alleged attack plans. British authorities indicated potential Iranian involvement, while Tehran firmly denied these claims and summoned the British ambassador. Additionally, the US maintains military presence in the Middle East with several ships heading to the region.

In Ukraine's Sumy region, six Russian drones attacked the Kusum Group's pharmaceutical plant, killing one engineer and injuring others. The main structure of the facility was largely destroyed during the targeted strike, which occurs amid a pattern of similar attacks. The company estimates damage from this incident could exceed $50 million, impacting operations significantly.

S Jaishankar stated that India aims to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. India has recently proposed ideas addressing issues like grain and energy exports to both nations. Jaishankar emphasized America's changing global position and the implications of China's rise on international relations. India is also facing domestic repercussions due to the ongoing conflict, including commercial shipping disruptions.