Times of India

Jharkhand's first phase of assembly elections saw a 66.6% voter turnout, with women exceeding men's participation by 4.7 percentage points. While the INDIA bloc attributed this to the success of welfare schemes like the Maiyya Samman Yojana, the BJP viewed it as a sign of discontent against the incumbent government.

Residents in a cluster of villages in Dantewada, India, were astonished to discover petrol in their wells. The source was traced to a leak from a nearby fuel pump's underground reservoir. Authorities swiftly responded, sealing off the area and cutting off power to prevent a potential disaster. An investigation is underway.

The Himachal Pradesh government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a recent high court ruling that invalidated the appointment of six parliamentary secretaries. The high court deemed the state law enabling these appointments as unconstitutional, prompting concerns of potential disqualification for the affected MLAs and political instability.

Mumbai Police investigations into the murder of former minister Baba Siddique have revealed a chilling hit list prepared by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang. Comedian Munawar Faruqui and Shraddha Walkar murder accused Aftab Poonawala were also potential targets. The gang, enraged by Faruqui's religious remarks, planned an attack during his Delhi performance, but intelligence agencies intervened.

The Madras high court quashed sexual harassment charges against a 20-year-old man, stating that hugging and kissing between lovers is natural and not a crime. The court acknowledged the three-year relationship and deemed the woman's allegations, made after the man refused marriage, insufficient to constitute sexual harassment under Section 354-A(1)(i) of the IPC.

The high court overturned a lower court's decision to discharge a rape accused, stating that entering a hotel room with a man doesn't imply consent for sex. The court emphasized that the survivor's immediate distress and complaint indicated a lack of consent and ordered the trial court to proceed with charges against the accused.

Ahmedabad police arrested and obtained a 10-day remand of head constable Virendrasinh Padheria for the murder of MICA student Priyanshu Jain. Padheria, a habitual offender, was apprehended in Punjab and is being investigated for his role in the crime, including locating the murder weapon.

An inter-ministerial committee has recommended that health supplements claiming to cure or mitigate diseases be classified as drugs. This shift aims to increase regulatory oversight by bringing these products under the purview of the CDSCO instead of the FSSAI, potentially impacting pricing and advertising practices.

A horrific car crash in Dehradun, India, claimed the lives of six young people and left one critically injured. The victims, aged 19 to 24, were in a speeding MUV that collided with a container truck. Overspeeding is believed to be the primary cause of the accident.

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Steven Cheung, his former campaign spokesman, as White House communications director. Sergio Gor will lead the Presidential Personnel Office. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who briefly challenged Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination, will be heading the Department of the Interior.

A new movie about Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will be released soon. The movie will also feature Travis's mother, Donna Kelce. Tavia Hunt, wife of Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, shared her excitement about the movie. The movie will blend sports, music, and family dynamics. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the film.

The Karnataka government will publicly disclose audit reports of major temples (A and B category) under its endowment department. This decision aims to address allegations by BJP and JD(S) regarding fund misuse. The reports will detail revenue, expenses, and fund allocation, covering approximately 207 A-category and 139 B-category temples.

Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has canceled its closing election rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park, citing lack of permission from the state government. With MNS withdrawing, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) remains the only applicant for the venue on November 17th, just two days before the state elections.

Addressing a rally in Jharkhand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and RSS of trying to "kill" the Constitution by dividing the nation along caste and communal lines. He promised a caste census and increased reservations for OBCs, STs, and SCs if the INDIA bloc comes to power in the state.

Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that the BJP is manipulating government control to hinder the opposition's election campaigns in Jharkhand. The complaint stems from an incident where Rahul Gandhi's flight was delayed, preventing him from attending a rally in Deoghar. Congress claims that the delay was a deliberate tactic to obstruct their campaign efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return to Delhi from Jharkhand's Deoghar airport was delayed for over two hours due to a technical issue with his aircraft. The problem was detected while he was on board, prompting a halt and efforts to rectify it. A backup Indian Air Force plane was dispatched from Delhi to ensure his safe return.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath's controversial "Batenge toh katenge" slogan has sparked criticism from within the BJP's Maharashtra alliance. Prominent BJP figures, including Pankaja Munde and Ashok Chavan, expressed reservations, while NCP leaders also voiced disapproval. Despite attempts to clarify its meaning, the slogan continues to generate controversy.

During Jharkhand rallies, defense minister Rajnath Singh accused Congress of misleading voters with promises of a caste census, highlighting their lack of a concrete implementation plan. Singh criticized Congress's history with the census, stating their failure to publish the 2011 report despite conducting it.

The Deshmukh brothers, Amit and Dhiraj, prepare for a challenging election in Latur. They face tough competition from BJP candidates and navigate complex caste dynamics. Accusations of unfulfilled promises and absenteeism pose hurdles for the brothers. The impact of the Maratha reservation issue and the legacy of their father, Vilasrao Deshmukh, add another layer to the contest.