Times of India

The Himachal Pradesh government has issued a directive requiring prior approval from the Information and Public Relations Director (DIPR) for releasing any photographs of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The move comes after the BJP's youth wing, the BJYM, staged a protest in response to an inquiry into samosas meant for the CM being mistakenly served to his security staff.

A 2018 video of a Pakistani woman claiming to be Donald Trump's daughter has resurfaced online after his 2024 election victory. Speaking in Urdu, the woman alleges mistreatment by Melania Trump and claims Trump doubted her mother's parenting. Though initially unnoticed, the video is now being widely shared on social media.

Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy hilariously forgot his 25th wedding anniversary, prompting a scolding from his daughter, Akshata Murty. Akshata, now married to former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, urged her father to return home immediately, even suggesting he hire a private plane. Sudha Murthy, his wife, lightheartedly acknowledged the cultural difference, quipping that forgetting anniversaries 'happens in India'.

Nursing students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in Karnataka faced pressure to trim their beards, citing dress code concerns. They protested, arguing it infringed on their religious freedom. The college administration, after discussions with the students and the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, relented, allowing the students to keep their beards.

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra released its election manifesto, 'Sankalp Patra,' outlining its vision for the upcoming assembly polls. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other prominent leaders highlighted the achievements of the previous BJP-led government, emphasizing economic growth and infrastructure development as key focus areas.

Gisèle Pelicot, 72, accused her ex-husband, Dominique, of drugging and orchestrating her rape by numerous men over a decade. Their daughter, Caroline Darian, discovered she might also be a victim after police found photos of her in evidence. Dominique admitted to drugging Gisèle and filming her assaults but denies abusing Darian.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly unwilling to send its team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to political tensions. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali suggests that other cricket boards may also decline to participate, potentially influenced by the financial clout of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were engaged in two separate encounters with terrorists on Sunday. One operation took place in Srinagar's Zabarwan forest area, while the other unfolded in the Keshwan area of Kishtwar. These encounters follow a recent surge in anti-militancy operations in the region.

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, securing a second term with a decisive victory in Arizona. Trump's win in all seven battleground states propelled him to 312 electoral votes, flipping Arizona back to Republican control. Republicans also gained control of the Senate and maintained their House majority.

During his time as Guest Editor for The Times of India, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud discussed the pressures judges face not only from the government but also from private entities utilizing media to influence decisions. He emphasized the importance of judicial independence, balancing government collaboration with maintaining the judiciary's distinct role. CJI Chandrachud also advocated for clearer legal language and a departure from outdated courtroom traditions.

In the villages of Anipur Basti and Patiala Basti near the Bangladesh border, residents have embraced Sanskrit as an everyday language. Around 300 villagers, including school children, now converse fluently in the ancient language. This revival, sparked by workshops and educational programs, has reportedly led to improved academic performance and a renewed appreciation for Indian heritage.

Vilas Kolha, a former Maoist commander, is casting his vote in the Maharashtra assembly elections, marking a significant victory for democracy. Kolha, who once led attacks to disrupt polls, surrendered three years ago and now advocates for democratic processes. His transformation highlights the changing landscape in Gadchiroli, where surrendered Maoists are embracing new lives and supporting development initiatives.

The Supreme Court of India has urged government bodies to shift their focus from the disabilities of individuals to their abilities. The court emphasized that denying reasonable accommodations to differently-abled individuals constitutes discrimination and violates their fundamental rights. This statement came as the court granted the plea of a medical aspirant denied admission to an MBBS program due to an inaccurate disability assessment.

In his final act as Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud heard a petition advocating for the inclusion of traditional Indian healthcare practices, such as Ayurveda and Yoga, into the national health insurance program, PM-JAY. While dismissing a previous petition by the same advocate, the court acknowledged the importance of integrating these systems into mainstream healthcare.

Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has successfully reduced the Supreme Court's backlog by 10,000 cases during his tenure. His approach emphasized transparency by publicly disclosing pending case details and prioritizing bail cases for expedited resolution. Despite a significant influx of new cases, Chandrachud's strategies led to the disposal of over 100,000 cases.

Kishore Dattapuram, Kumar Aswapathi, and Santosh Giri have pleaded guilty to H-1B visa fraud. They created a scheme to obtain visas for foreign workers by falsely claiming they had jobs lined up at specific companies. Their goal was to gain an advantage over competitors by having a pool of workers ready to be placed.

A parliamentary panel is set to discuss the possibility of extending caste-based reservations to the private sector in India. The proposal, a contentious issue with significant political and economic implications, aims to address concerns about shrinking opportunities for Dalits and tribals in the face of rapid privatization.

A CRPF constable, Shailendra Rajput, has been arrested for the kidnapping and murder of his neighbor's eight-year-old son in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. Driven by a debt of Rs 16 lakh incurred from stock market losses, Rajput kidnapped the child and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 lakh.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has set a final deadline of November 23 for all medical colleges in India to submit detailed information on their MBBS admissions for the 2024-25 academic year. This measure aims to ensure admissions adhere to merit-based guidelines and stay within the approved intake capacity, following instances of irregularities discovered in the previous year.

The Supreme Court advised high courts to exercise caution when ordering medical colleges to reserve seats for students alleging unfair admission denials. The court emphasized that such orders should only be issued in exceptional cases with strong evidence, as vacant seats result in significant financial losses for colleges.