Politics News in English

Indian Express

Sep 9, 2026, 07:41 AM

Adani Airport Holdings Raises $1 Billion in Equity to Expand Airport Infrastructure

Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), the airport arm of Adani Enterprises Ltd, has entered into binding agreements to raise around $1 billion (Rs 9,825 crore) in primary equity from a consortium of leading domestic and global investors, the company said on Wednesday. The investment will value AAHL at a pre-money equity valuation of around $18 billion, providing an external institutional valuation benchmark for the airport platform. The consortium comprises Alpha Wave Global, Premji Invest, Temasek, and funds managed by BlackRock. After completion of the transaction, which will be carried out in three tranches, the investors will collectively hold approximately 5.54% in AAHL. The final tranche is expected to be completed by July 2027, the company said. The fresh capital will be used to expand and modernise airport infrastructure across AAHL’s portfolio, develop integrated airport-city ecosystems and scale passenger-facing and other non-aeronautical businesses, including ground handling. AAHL said the investment would support its plans to increase airport capacity to serve around 200 million passengers annually. The company also plans around 22 million square ft of mixed-use development in the first phase of its Adani Airport City projects around its airports. The airport operator said the investments are expected to deepen commercial monetisation, improve passenger experience and strengthen its integrated airport ecosystem. The funding comes as India’s aviation sector enters a phase of sustained passenger growth, capacity expansion, and infrastructure investment. The transaction follows Adani Enterprises ’ Rs 15,000-crore qualified institutional placement (QIP) in July 2026, described by the company as India’s largest QIP by a non-financial corporation. AAHL said the two transactions reflect continued access by the Adani portfolio to long-term domestic and global institutional capital. “This partnership marks an important milestone in building out the Adani Airports platform, and we are privileged to have such marquee, long-term investors alongside us on this journey,” Jeet Adani, non-executive director of AAHL, said. He said expansion in air connectivity could catalyse trade, tourism, employment and regional development beyond airports, adding that the company would continue to invest in infrastructure, city-side developments and non-aeronautical businesses. AAHL Chief Executive Arun Bansal said the company aimed to scale AAHL into the world’s largest airports platform, citing growth opportunities in India, rising consumer spending, and the momentum of city-side developments in urban centres. AAHL manages eight airports across India, according to the company. It serves more than 23% of the total passenger traffic and operates an integrated platform covering aeronautical operations, passenger-facing non-aeronautical offerings, and city-side development. The proposed fund-raising will value Adani Airports as one of the world’s most valuable airport platforms, with a post-money equity valuation of about $19 billion and an enterprise value of nearly $21 billion. The valuation translates into around 37 times trailing and 28 times forward EV/EBITDA, according to the company. The transaction is also expected to bring in long-term capital from some of the world’s leading infrastructure and investment institutions, including Alphawave, Premji Invest, Temasek and BlackRock. Adani Airports sees the participation as a validation of the long-term growth potential of India’s aviation sector, which it expects to compound at more than 10% annually over the next 15-20 years. India’s aviation market has significant headroom for growth, with passenger traffic at only around one-third of China’s. This leaves ample scope for expansion in air travel, airport infrastructure and related businesses. The fresh capital will support airport infrastructure and related projects aimed at boosting trade and tourism. The company also sees significant growth potential in assets and initiatives already under development. Navi Mumbai airport, commissioned in December 2025 with 20 million-passenger capacity, is ramping up and entering its next development phase. Adani Airports also expects its non-aeronautical businesses to drive growth. The company has spent the past four years building out these businesses, with the strategy now beginning to yield results. Another major growth opportunity is the development of airport cities around its airports. Adani Airports had announced a 22-million-square-foot development in the first phase of its airport-city plans a few months ago. The company expects the latest capital infusion to accelerate the creation of large-scale commercial and infrastructure developments around its airport network, creating additional revenue streams beyond aviation and strengthening the long-term value of its airport assets.

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Indian Express

Sep 9, 2026, 05:31 AM

Gold Prices in India Fall Amid Geopolitical Tensions Between US and Iran

Gold Rate Today: The gold price in India today stands at Rs 15,431 per gram for 24 carat gold, Rs 14,145 per gram for 22 carat gold and Rs 11,573 per gram for 18 carat gold, as per Good Returns. The price of 24K gold today, September 9, 2026, in India, stands at Rs 15,431 per gram, reflecting a decrease of Rs 104 over that on September 8. Similarly, the price of 22K and 18K gold currently stands at Rs 14,145 per gram and Rs 11,573 per gram for 18 carat gold, marking a decrease of Rs 95 and Rs 78 respectively over the prices on September 8. Global gold and silver prices experienced a brief drop as international panic eased, even under heavy 15% tariffs. Still, persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to drive daily price volatility in precious metals. Tensions escalated after the U.S. targeted five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island, citing two recent missile strikes by Tehran against an American warship. In retaliation for Tuesday’s strikes, Iran launched missiles at U.S. forces at Jordan’s Al Azraq base and claimed it inflicted severe damage on eight tankers and at least two American vessels. A temporary pause in military action briefly took hold following an unexpected 60-day ceasefire brokered by Washington and Tehran in mid-June 2026, aimed at arresting open hostilities and securing vital maritime trade routes. However, a continuous barrage of missile strikes and ongoing threats directed at merchant vessels rapidly dissolved the fragile pact, driving both nations to formally discard the truce and resume direct combat operations. As formal diplomatic channels collapsed entirely, severe fluctuations across global energy markets propelled investors toward gold as a reliable safe haven asset. Local precious metal markets directly reflected these macro financial pressures, with domestic gold prices swinging in step with international spot benchmarks, altered import duty structures, and foreign exchange rate shifts.

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Free Press Journal

Sep 9, 2026, 05:26 AM

Amruta Fadnavis Backs Inclusive Approach to Navratri Celebrations Amid Controversy Over Muslim Entry Restrictions

Mumbai: Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has backed an inclusive approach to religious celebrations, saying she sees nothing wrong with Muslims attending Navratri festivities, amid a growing controversy over restrictions on their entry at garba and dandiya events. #WATCH | Chandrapur, Maharashtra: On Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane backing VHP's call to bar Muslims from Navratri event, wife of CM Devendra Fadnavis & social worker Amruta Fadnavis says, "He must have said this after thinking something; I do not want to get into its depths.… pic.twitter.com/23VqzO2enT Amruta Fadnavis Bats For Inclusive Celebrations Reacting to Rane’s comments, Amruta Fadnavis said festivals should be welcoming and that she did not see an issue with people from different communities participating. “If a Muslim person also comes there and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong in it,” she told reporters on Tuesday. Her comments come against the backdrop of increasing political debate over who should be permitted to attend Hindu religious and cultural events. The remarks came after BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane supported the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) call to restrict Muslim participation in Navratri events across the state. The VHP recently announced that Muslims would not be allowed entry to garba and dandiya venues during Navratri, which begins on October 11. The organisation has also issued guidelines urging event organisers to verify attendees’ identities and check Aadhaar cards before allowing them entry. VIDEO | Mumbai: In an interview with PTI, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane ( @NiteshNRane ) responds to VHP’s guidelines urging event organisers in the state to bar Muslims from Garba and Dandiya events during the Navratri festival, requiring identity verification and tilak… pic.twitter.com/16cgy7gR5C Nitesh Rane Backs VHP's Stand Rane, while supporting the VHP's position, alleged that incidents of 'love jihad' increase during festivals such as Navratri. He argued that people who do not follow idol worship should not participate in Hindu religious events. Rane also backed identity verification at garba and dandiya venues and suggested that attendees should recite the Hanuman Chalisa before being allowed entry. The VHP's proposed guidelines reportedly include checking Aadhaar cards and applying tilak on participants' foreheads as part of the verification process. The term 'love jihad' is used by right-wing activists to allege that Muslim men deliberately enter relationships with Hindu women with the intention of converting them to Islam. The term has been widely disputed, and the issue has remained politically contentious. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

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NorthEast Now

Sep 9, 2026, 05:22 AM

Three Join Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam Ahead of Nagaon Lok Sabha By-Poll

Former Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Debashish Sharma and journalists Lenin Saurav Bora and Gunjan Kalita joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, days ahead of the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll . The three joined the party at a programme attended by Assam BJP president and MP Dilip Saikia, Cabinet Ministers Piyush Hazarika, Jayanta Malla Baruah and Kaushik Rai, Nagaon MLA Rupak Sharma and other senior party leaders. Sharma’s entry into the BJP has triggered speculation over whether he could be considered for the party’s Nagaon bypoll ticket. Saikia, however, said Sharma had not sought a ticket before joining the party. “We have a panel of candidates,” Saikia said, adding that discussions on the election were already underway. He said the party could consider Sharma if a request came from him or from people in Nagaon. “If a request comes from his side or from the people of Nagaon, the state committee and national committee will certainly consider it,” he said. On Sharma’s possible role in the party, Saikia said the state and central leadership would decide what responsibility he would be assigned. Speaking about Sharma’s induction, Saikia referred to his administrative experience and association with Assam’s social and cultural life. “He has experience in Assam’s cultural, social and administrative life. His joining will give further strength to the party,” Saikia said. The BJP president also described Sharma as a sensitive person who had worked for the people of Assam. The induction of Sharma, Bora and Kalita comes as political activity intensifies in Nagaon ahead of the bypoll.

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Free Press Journal

Sep 9, 2026, 04:09 AM

Fresh Political Row Erupts Over Language Requirements for Celebrities vs. Auto-Rickshaw Drivers in Maharashtra

Mumbai: A fresh political row has erupted in Maharashtra after Mira Bhayandar BJP MLA Narendra Mehta criticised state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik over actor Sanjay Dutt's remarks about not knowing Marathi at a Dahi Handi event organised by the minister. During the celebrations, Sarnaik reportedly asked Dutt to speak in Marathi. The actor greeted the gathering by saying, “Tumha sarvanna namaskar,” before adding that despite spending six years in Pune's Yerwada jail, he could not learn Marathi. A video from the event showed Sarnaik smiling following Dutt's remark. Mehta seized on the incident to question what he described as a difference between the minister's treatment of celebrities and his approach towards ordinary auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. Mehta Questions Sarnaik's Response In a video message, Mehta said there was nothing wrong with Dutt not knowing Marathi, but questioned why people at the event laughed at the remark while poor auto-rickshaw drivers were allegedly threatened over language-related issues. “He doesn't know it, that's fine, I have no objection to that,” Mehta said, referring to Dutt's inability to speak Marathi. He then questioned Sarnaik's response, asking why the minister did not object when the comment was made at his own event while allegedly taking a different approach towards auto-rickshaw drivers. Mehta further alleged a difference between Sarnaik's words and actions and took a swipe at the minister by calling him a 'dummy minister.' He also invoked Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde while criticising Sarnaik. Marathi Language Campaign Sparks Debate The controversy comes amid Sarnaik's campaign to promote the use of Marathi among auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers while communicating with passengers. The minister's push for Marathi language proficiency among drivers has already triggered political and public debate. Mehta's criticism has added a new political dimension to the issue, with the BJP MLA questioning whether the same language standards being advocated for ordinary transport workers should also apply to prominent personalities attending political events. However, the Maharashtra government has deferred the proposed Marathi language requirement for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Mumbai and across the state by one year. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

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NorthEast Now

Sep 9, 2026, 04:02 AM

United Naga Council Intensifies Economic Blockade Across Manipur

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, intensified its indefinite economic blockade across the state from 1 am on Wednesday, stopping goods-laden vehicles on several major national highways. The blockade is affecting NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur), NH-202 (Jessami), NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar) and NH-102A (Tadubi-Ukhrul), according to the UNC. The escalation follows a decision taken at the UNC’s Emergency Presidential Council meeting in Ukhrul on September 2. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the council said it had reviewed the state government’s response to the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians at Leilon Vaiphei on May 13, 2026. The UNC alleged that the victims were mutilated and dismembered. The council accused the government of failing to ensure justice and demanded immediate action against those responsible, along with the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. Essential services, including medical supplies, media, power, telecommunications and water supply, have been exempted from the blockade, the UNC said. The economic blockade was initially launched on May 17 following an ultimatum over the abduction of 18 Naga civilians. It was later escalated into an indefinite highway shutdown after the bodies of six civilians were recovered. The issue has also triggered political pressure within the state government. Nine Naga legislators abstained from the final sitting of the Assembly session on September 7, protesting the lack of progress in the case and demanding the suspension or removal of Kipgen pending a thorough investigation.

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Indian Express

Sep 9, 2026, 03:13 AM

Judicial Appointments: Transparency vs Secrecy - A Comparative Analysis

The prompt for this article came from the Supreme Court of India’s judgment in Arvind Malhotra v. High Court of Himachal Pradesh. The verdict concerned the elevation of a high court judge to the Supreme Court. This can and should be done through a process that elevates experienced and competent judges who are not aligned with a particular political position or the government of the day. In Arvind Malhotra, the applicant, an experienced judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, was aggrieved that a judge junior to him had been elevated to the SC in preference to him. He alleged that the appointee was seen as supporting the current government. The SC judges were not sympathetic to the applicant. They pointed out that the high court collegium had recommended the elevation and that the apex court’s collegium had approved the decision. The SC cautioned that confidentiality in the judicial appointment process was necessary to preserve its integrity. This reasoning inspired me to write this article. I am a retired judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. I was also involved in the process that led to the drafting of South Africa’s new constitution and advised the Constitutional Assembly on the appointment process for judges. Here, judges at all levels are appointed, confirmed or recommended by a constitutional entity, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). It consists of senior judges, lawyers and legal academics. Political parties have limited representation. There is nothing secret about the process. The proceedings are broadcast on national television and radio channels. Indeed, these broadcasts are extremely popular and avidly watched. The process begins with calls for nominations by the commission, followed by the drafting of a short list. Public comments are sought on the candidates. An interview conducted in public determines their suitability for appointment to various levels of court. If the Commission’s members cannot agree on who to appoint, the matter is put to a vote. The only aspect of these proceedings kept confidential is the identity of who votes for whom and who votes against a particular nominee. Sometimes, during an interview, it becomes clear that a nominee is not competent, impartial or independent and, therefore, should not be appointed. This is because the nominees face tough scrutiny over their lifestyles, allegations against them, views they expressed as lawyers and, if they have served as judges, the quality of their work. Judges in South Africa do not enjoy special immunity. There have been cases of judges being accused of improper conduct. The JSC conducts an investigation and, if appropriate, a public enquiry is held. One example will suffice. A relatively senior high court judge was subjected to a public enquiry after a sexual harassment complaint. The proceedings were broadcast on radio and television. Ultimately, the JSC’s Judicial Conduct Committee found him guilty of gross misconduct and recommended his impeachment (by parliament). The impeachment is still pending, but the judge has been suspended. The first issue that arises from a comparison of the appointment and disciplinary processes in India and South Africa relates to transparency. Is openness the best approach, or should everything be cloaked in secrecy? I have a strong preference for transparency. A transparent process enables public and professional confidence in the system and is the key to preserving the very integrity that the Supreme Court of India refers to. The second question relates to the appointing authority. Should it be a collegiate or a more representative structure reflecting society, political parties, the legal profession and judicial officers? Because judges perform a public function, the public must have confidence in the judiciary. An appointment process cloaked in secrecy cannot generate the respect essential for the proper execution of judicial functions. The next matter is whether any complaint process against a judicial officer should be determined in an open public enquiry or in secret. Here too, I prefer South Africa’s constitutional provision. The final question is what should be done to fix the problem. Issues should be raised and debated publicly and fearlessly among lawyers, politicians, legal academics and the judiciary itself. An open and vigorous debate is a precursor to the judicial system’s independence. It will not be an easy road to traverse. But it is essential for a truly democratic society. The writer is a retired judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa

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Indian Express

Sep 9, 2026, 03:12 AM

Punjab's Refusal to Attend Oath-Taking Ceremony Sparks Row Over Judicial Appointments

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra took oath as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, with an empty chair in the front row , reserved for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. A day earlier, in an unusual step, the Punjab Cabinet met and asked Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to hold off the oath-taking, arguing that the Centre had notified the appointment without the state’s consent. Punjab says that the Centre breached the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) that governs the appointment of judges, which requires the Centre to consult states before high court appointments. But that is not the end of this story. The Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Mishra and three other judges for appointment as chief justices of four high courts on August 6. The delay in Punjab’s response held up all four chief justice appointments. The Centre notified the appointment on September 5. Punjab is right to point out that the MoP fixes no deadline for a state’s response. But that flexibility is because judicial appointments are a consultative process. If the Mann government had reservations about Justice Mishra, it had weeks to put them on file, where they could be examined. It doesn’t help Punjab’s case that Justice Mishra’s court has lately been an uncomfortable place for the state government. As Acting Chief Justice, his bench pulled up Punjab in August for withholding dearness allowance dues even as it found ample money for advertising. His court also heard a Mohali case in which allegations were made against the Chief Minister’s wife, which the AAP has described as politically motivated. Earlier in Delhi, the AAP sought to have Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma taken off the appeal in the excise policy case in which party leaders are arraigned as accused. Treating adverse orders as a personal affront cannot become a template for political parties. Certainly, there is a case for bringing defined timelines into the MoP. The SC has set the Centre a benchmark for names reiterated by the Collegium — they must be cleared within three to four weeks. A comparable window for state responses — after which consent is deemed given — would remove the ambiguity this episode exposed. Governments at the Centre and in the states can disagree with each other. What none of them is entitled to do is to let political bickering hijack judicial appointments.

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Indian Express

Sep 9, 2026, 02:46 AM

BJP MP Raghav Chadha Enrolled as Voter in Delhi After Being Removed from Punjab Rolls

Days after he alleged “ political vendetta ” behind the deletion of his name from the draft Special Intensive Revision ( SIR ) roll in Punjab, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha was back on the electoral rolls Tuesday — but in Delhi. Addressing the media, the Aam Aadmi Party alleged that Chadha, who left the party to join the BJP in April, had got himself enrolled illegally as a voter in Delhi after being struck off the draft SIR roll last month in Punjab, where he had been registered as a voter since at least 2024. Responding to the allegation, Chadha, in a statement, said, “The facts are simple and straightforward. I have followed all applicable ECI guidelines and procedures and availed the prescribed remedies.” He said the allegations were “frivolous”. The Election Commission of India did not respond to queries from The Indian Express on AAP’s allegations. The office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ashok Kumar, in a statement, said that approximately 2.14 lakh Form 6 were received while the Delhi electoral roll was frozen for the SIR draft stage from June 16 to August 31. During the draft stage, new electoral registration forms are not included in the draft list. The CEO office said a total of 25,011 Form 6 had been submitted by electors in eight days, from the publication of the draft roll until Monday. Of those, 700 forms across Delhi had been approved by the EROs as on Tuesday, the CEO said. The statement did not mention Chadha’s status specifically. Chadha’s name had figured on the list of Absent, Shifted, Deceased and Duplicate (ASDD) voters who were deleted in the draft SIR roll of Punjab published on August 13, as reported by The Indian Express on September 3. In a statement issued on September 2, Chadha said that he was “in the process of availing the remedies provided under the SIR guidelines”. When The Indian Express checked the electoral registration status of Chadha in Delhi and Punjab on September 2, the ECI’s voter services portal showed “no result found”. On Tuesday, AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Chadha’s name had been added to the rolls of booth number 46 in Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency in Delhi. A search for Chadha’s details on the ECI’s portal showed Raghav Chadha enrolled at serial number 747 of booth number 46. However, the draft electoral roll of that same booth published by the ECI on August 31 as a part of the SIR in Delhi ended at serial number 746, without Chadha’s name. Bharadwaj also shared an electronic copy of Chadha’s electoral details. The CEO office said that the new additions in the final roll begin from the last serial number at which the draft roll of the booth is frozen. “All Forms-6 submitted by electors for inclusion of their names during Pre-SIR period or during period of claims & objections are under process alongwith Forms 7 & 8. Once the Forms are approved, addition, deletion & modification will be reflected in the Electoral Database as the case may be,” its statement said. The EC’s SIR guidelines allow those left out of the draft roll to get back on the rolls by filling a Form 6 (voter registration form) in the one-month claims and objections period following the draft publication. All those Form 6 applications approved by the Electoral Registration Officers are then included in the final roll, which in the case of Punjab is due to be published on October 12, and for Delhi on November 4. According to the EC’s SIR guidelines’ paragraph 6, the EROs and Chief Electoral Officers are mandated to make the daily list of all Form 6 received available on notice boards and their websites, in the prescribed format known as Form 9, “so that citizens are able to see the list and lodge objections, if any, with the concerned ERO”. In the case of Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency, the Form 9s uploaded on the CEO website for September 1 to September 7 have a total of 205 names of applicants, which does not include Chadha’s name. According to Chadha’s affidavit for the 2022 Rajya Sabha elections, he had declared that he was registered to vote in Booth Number 52 in Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. After he entered the Upper House as an MP from Punjab, Chadha shifted his electoral registration, and also voted in a booth in Punjab’s SAS Nagar, or Mohali, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on June 1, 2024. Bharadwaj said, “Raghav Chadha ji himself was claiming that he is a voter from Punjab and would get his vote recast there. The Election Commission had also frozen the Draft Electoral Roll. In such a situation, how did Raghav Chadha ji’s name get added to the voter list at the same booth in Delhi during SIR? Under what process was this new vote created? The Election Commission must answer.”

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Siasat News✓

Sep 9, 2026, 02:40 AM

Netanyahu to Visit UN Amid Controversy Over War Crimes Warrant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a whirlwind 24-hour trip to speak at the annual UN gathering of world leaders this month because “there is no option” after New York’s mayor urged his arrest over the war in Gaza, Israel’s UN envoy said on Tuesday, September 8. Ambassador Danny Danon accused Mayor Zohran Mamdani of “doing politics” when he called the prime minister a “war criminal” and called for his arrest, which he had to withdraw because New York City does not have authority to take Netanyahu into custody. “You know, it became very trendy to do politics by blaming Israel,” Danon said. He stressed, “For us, it’s important the prime minister will come.” Netanyahu has become an increasingly polarising figure over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Mamdani, whose office did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on Tuesday, has pointed to the arrest warrant issued by the world’s top war crimes tribunal against Netanyahu in November 2024, accusing him and another Israeli official of crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court warrant said there was reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a weapon of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeting civilians in the campaign against Hamas – charges Israel denies. While New York City does not have legal authority to execute an ICC arrest warrant, Mamdani has encouraged the federal government to do so. The US and Israel are not members of the court, and the Trump administration has imposed a series of sanctions on ICC staffers in a campaign to dismantle the tribunal. Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York late on September 23, address the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of September 24 and fly back to Israel that night, Danon said. Danon noted that the meeting of leaders from the 193 UN member nations is taking place during the Jewish holidays and an election campaign as Netanyahu tries to keep his job as prime minister. Danon said protests against Netanyahu would “create more chaos” on New York streets during the high-level meetings the week of September 22-28. Last year, there was a mass walkout from the UN General Assembly hall when Netanyahu started to speak from the podium. This year, Danon said, “I expect that there will be something like another show.” But the ambassador said Netanyahu is experienced, “and I’m sure he will deliver his speech despite those attempts”.

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ABP News✓

Sep 9, 2026, 02:37 AM

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong's Salary Hike Places Him Among Highest-Paid World Leaders

As soon as you hear the names of all the politicians of the world, it is natural to think that the higher their status, the more they get paid. Often people think that as a powerful nation, the salary of US President Donald Trump will probably be higher than all the politicians of the world, while it is not. Today we are going to tell you about a prime minister whose salary is many times higher than Trump. Here is Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. His salary is going to increase by 64 percent from October 15. After this huge hike, his annual income will increase from 2.2 million Singapore dollars (about 164 million rupees) to 3.6 million Singapore dollars (about 269 million rupees). With this increase in salary, Wong has come to the top of the salary ranking of the heads of government around the world. It is being claimed in many reports that the world's prime minister and the head of the Singapore government (about 3.65 million Singapore dollars) are getting paid annually.

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ABP News✓

Sep 9, 2026, 02:29 AM

AIADMK Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami Issues Open Challenge to DMK Amid Tamil Nadu Political Tensions

Amid the tussle between the ruling TVK and opposition parties in Tamil Nadu politics, AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has thrown an open challenge to his long-time political rival DMK.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 02:23 AM

Hong Kong's First Post-Colonial Leader Tung Chee-hwa Dies at 89

HONG KONG: Hong Kong 's first post-colonial leader, Tung Chee-hwa, who struggled to cope with an Asian financial crisis and growing protests for democracy in the early years under Chinese rule, died Tuesday at age 89. His office said in a statement that Tung passed away peacefully in the presence of his family members. Chinese official news agency Xinhua reported Wednesday that he died of an unspecified illness. Tung, a shipping tycoon, had little political experience before a panel of pro-Beijing elites picked him to be the first leader of the southern Chinese territory after the end of British colonial rule in 1997. Many believe Beijing perceived Tung as a loyalist who would obey the Communist leadership's edicts. He was also seen as beholden to Beijing because China's state-run banks helped rescue his family's ailing shipping company — Orient Overseas Container Line — during a global slump in the 1980s. The early years after the handover were sensitive. The "one country, two systems" formula, in which Hong Kong was supposed to maintain civil liberties and other remnants of its British past while Beijing had the final say on issues such as political change, was still untested. Tung was praised for his work ethic, even nicknamed "7-11" because of his reputation for long workdays, but his clumsy political skills and perceived indecisiveness as major crises mounted eroded his popularity and led to a less flattering nickname, "Old Dumb Tung."

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Dainik Jagran

Sep 9, 2026, 02:18 AM

BJP's Mahamanthan Event Kicks Off in Haldwani: Election Strategy and Opposition Response Top Agenda

Jagran Correspondent, Haldwani: Amid the purification controversy, the BJP's Mahamanthan will start in Haldwani from the morning of September 9. For this, the first meeting of the state working committee of the party's new team is to be held, in which Mission-2027 will be at the center of the political agenda. Under the direction of national president Nitin Naveen, the upcoming election action plan will be sealed. Along with this, a befitting reply to the aggression of the opposition will also be prepared. BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt said that on September 9, from 11 am to 5 pm, a meeting of the state working committee will be held at the Vintage Green Banquet Hall on Rampur Road. There will be a brainstorming session on making developed Uttarakhand with a political agenda. In the evening, a meeting will be held under the chairmanship of national president Nitin Naveen with the core committee and state office bearers. Haldwani Ramlila Maidan purification case FIR against unknown people, investigation will be started. On September 10, at 10 am, national president Nitin Navdeep will hold a dialogue at Amardeep Hotel.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 02:16 AM

Telangana Assembly Suspends 22 BRS Legislators for Disrupting Proceedings

HYDERABAD: Twenty-two BRS legislators were suspended from the Telangana Assembly for the remainder of the monsoon session on Wednesday after they disrupted proceedings by raising slogans and entering the Well of the House. The ruckus began soon after the House assembled, with BRS members raising slogans such as “We want justice”. BRS working president KT Rama Rao also moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the alleged high-handedness of police against the party’s women MLAs two days ago and remarks allegedly made by some ruling Congress members wishing death upon BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. The BRS members refused to return to their seats despite repeated appeals from Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu. The Speaker said he would examine whether the BRS members had submitted their demands in writing. Vikramarka said he and other Congress leaders wished KCR a healthy and long life and a prolonged career in public service. He urged the BRS members to raise their concerns from their seats rather than behaving in an intimidating or aggressive manner. The Deputy Chief Minister also referred to reports that BRS leaders had carried out a “purification” ritual by sprinkling turmeric water near KCR’s farmhouse at Erravelli after Congress workers and Dalit activists held a protest there on September 8.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 02:13 AM

CPM Leader Accuses Congress Leaders of Corruption, Threatens Legal Action

KANNUR: CPM state secretary M V Jayarajan alleged that Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and P K Kunhalikutty had accepted illegal money from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and questioned why the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had not conducted any investigation or raids in connection with the matter. Speaking at the Chadayan Govindan Day celebration at Payyambalam, Jayarajan said attempts to implicate CPM Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan and his family in false cases would be strongly opposed. He alleged that the Congress government was acting in collusion with the ED and warned that the entire CPM organisation would unite against such moves. M V Jayarajan said any attempt to target Pinarayi Vijayan and other party leaders would lead to public protests and legal action. We will go with legal action because there is no evidence to support the allegations against the leaders, and they claimed that this was why the ED had not proceeded with the case. He also alleged that the Congress and BJP were currently engaged in a political understanding in Kerala and were attempting to use central agencies and the state’s political situation to target Pinarayi Vijayan for political gains.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 01:57 AM

Kerala Chief Minister Denies Excessive Appointments to Ministerial Staff

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Refuting reports of appointments of a larger number of people as part of the ministers' personal staff, Chief Minister VD Satheesan said the present number is much lower than in the previous government. "The UDF government has appointed only 476 people as personal staff of ministers, while the previous LDF government had appointed a total of 787 people. 31 individuals are part of my personal staff, which, if needed, can be legally increased as well. No minister has appointed more than 25 people as personal staff, while it was 27-29 in the previous tenure," he said. Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Satheesan also added that the Chief Whip has a total of 16 personal staff, unlike 28 in the previous government.

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Amar Ujala

Sep 9, 2026, 01:51 AM

Voter Identity Clarification: Alternative Documents Approved for Voting

The State Election Commission has clarified that it is mandatory to ensure the identity of the voter for voting. If you do not have a Voter ID, you can still vote through one of the 11 alternative photo identity documents. Before going to the polling station, voters should check the name in their electoral roll and the information of the polling station. For this, the electoral roll / election related online facility available from the Election Commission can be used. If you do not have a voter ID despite the name being in the list, then there is no need to worry. The Commission has also approved alternative photo identity documents for voting. If a voter ID is not available, according to the State Election Commission, voting can be done by showing one of these valid photo identity documents - Aadhaar Card, Vikas Bharat-Gurantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (VB-G RAM G) / MGNREGA Card, Bank or Post Office Passbook with photo, Health Insurance Smart Card / Ayushman Bharat Driving License Card or Pension Document with photo issued by the Central Government.

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ABP News✓

Sep 9, 2026, 01:46 AM

US and Canada's Trade War Escalates: White House Issues New Executive Orders

The trade war between the United States and Canada continues. In view of this, the White House issued 5 new executive orders on Tuesday evening. These include a ban on some goods coming from Canada, including alcohol, and a 50 percent tariff on many other products of Canada. This step has been taken after Ottawa imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $28 billion of American products. The White House says that the United States will ban some goods coming from Canada. This includes most alcohol, some dairy products, and motorcycles. The trade war between the two countries is getting deeper. According to the CBC report, in addition to this, the Trump administration is adding more Canadian products, including mattresses and motorboats. These new restrictions will be implemented by the end of the month. These were announced only today when Canada imposed tariffs on billions of dollars of American imported goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a new video that Canada will have to pay a price for this.

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Dainik Jagran

Sep 9, 2026, 01:42 AM

BJP MLA Rekha Patra Embroiled in Land Dispute Over Ancestral Property

Rekha Patra, a BJP MLA from Hingalganj in Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, has been embroiled in a controversy over a land dispute with a neighbour of her ancestral house.

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Amar Ujala

Sep 9, 2026, 01:42 AM

Ladakh Talks Move Towards Concrete Solution: Former President

According to Thiksey Rinpoche Nawang Chamba Stanzin, former president of the Ladakh Gompa Association, it is not just a matter of giving representation to two individuals in the talks. It is a question of taking different political and social currents in Ladakh together and giving wider acceptance to any consensus that may be reached in the future. That is what we are all striving for. The September meeting is better. The long-standing talks between the Centre and Ladakh representatives are now moving towards a concrete political and constitutional solution. Earlier meetings have been held in Leh in July and August.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 01:35 AM

BJP Launches Anti-Drug Yatras Across Punjab Ahead of Assembly Elections

CHANDIGARH: With the Punjab Assembly elections less than five months away, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to reach out to the masses across the state, as the saffron party is starting 12-day statewide anti-drug yatras across all 117 Assembly constituencies from September 18 to 30. The yatras will be flagged off by its national president Nitin Nabin, while top leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and other Cabinet ministers, will take part in them. The BJP has sought to make drugs, law and order and governance key issues in its preparations for the Assembly polls. The yatra will start simultaneously from four locations in different parts of the state on September 18. One leg will be flagged off from Talwandi Sabo, at Takht Damdama Sahib, one of the five takhts of the Sikhs in the Malwa region of the state. The other will begin from Fatehgarh Sahib, which is associated with the martyrdom of the younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh. Thus, these two locations are related to Sikhism. The third yatra will start from the Veer Bhoomi Memorial in Fazilka, which is also in the Malwa region of the state. The site, widely recognised as the Asafwala War Memorial or Shaheedon Ki Samadhi, is a sacred historical site dedicated to the fierce hand-to-hand combat between India and Pakistan and the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the strategic border town of Fazilka during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The fourth will start from the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Memorial at Lakhanpur near Pathankot on the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border. Mukherjee was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and was arrested there in 1953 while attempting to enter J&K without a permit.

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Amar Ujala

Sep 9, 2026, 01:32 AM

SGPC Voting Rights Dispute Continues Amid Court Battles and Vacant Seats

The last general elections to the SGPC were held in September 2011. After the elections, petitions were filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the voting rights of Sehajdhari Sikhs. The matter went to court for several years. In 2016, Parliament amended the Sikh Gurdwaras Act 1925. The situation regarding voting rights became clear after this. The dispute intensified after the formation of a separate Gurdwara Management Committee in Haryana in the year 2014. The legal battle began over the jurisdiction of the SGPC and the representation of the Sikhs of Haryana. Later, before the elections, the voting rights of the Sikhs of Haryana were petitioned in the High Court and then the court was stayed. After the 2011 elections, about 33 elected members have died, while one member resigned. After this, about 34 seats are vacant. Section 53 and Rule 57 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act provides for by-elections on vacant seats but these seats could not be held. In the event of no elections, Section 51 of the Gurdwara Sikh Act is important. The board has been elected for 15 years. However, the board has been elected under the legal provision of the current system.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 01:24 AM

Madras High Court Rejects Election Petition Against S Jayakumar's Victory

CHENNAI: Holding that the election petitioner failed to establish the allegations of corrupt practices against the winner, the Madras High Court has rejected an election petition seeking to nullify the victory of S Jayakumar, who had switched to TVK from AIADMK after resigning the post, in the Perundurai Assembly constituency. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the orders on applications filed by Jayakumar seeking to reject the election petition. The election petition was filed by Thoppu Venkatachalam @ ND Venkatachalam, who had contested as a DMK candidate but recently quit the party. Apart from seeking to nullify Jayakumar’s victory, he had also prayed for declaring him the winner. Perundurai is one of five vacant constituencies for which bye-polls were stayed by the HC on a PIL seeking to restrain the Election Commission from holding the bye-elections until the election petitions were decided by the court. Rejection of the election petition clears the way for holding the bye-elections, depending on whether the petitioner files an appeal against the order in the Supreme Court.

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Dainik Jagran

Sep 9, 2026, 01:21 AM

Canada Imposes Tariffs on US Goods in Response to Trump's Trade War

In response to the U.S. tariffs, Canada has also imposed tariffs ranging from 15 to 50 percent on the United States. In a video message Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, "We have everything we need to move forward and make progress." Canada's move adds to an 18-month trade war between the two countries. Canada's move follows the U.S. imposition of 50 percent tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian goods last month. The U.S. retaliatory tariffs include about $20 billion in U.S. goods. It includes tariffs on products ranging from steel and furniture to clothing and electronics. In a video message Tuesday after the tariffs went into effect, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said, "We have everything we need to move forward and make progress." He tried to portray himself as a strong bulwark against Trump's trade aggression and called the country "sitting on a war footing."

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Aaj Tak

Sep 9, 2026, 01:18 AM

US Retaliates Against Iranian Oil Tankers After Failed Missile Attacks

Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. The United States has taken action against five oil tankers linked to Iran. The US military claims that these tankers were destroyed. These ships were connected to the oil network of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). This action was taken after Iran tried to launch two missile attacks on a US Navy ship. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran fired ballistic missiles twice at a US Navy ship in the last two days. The US ship survived both attacks. The ship continued its activities in the area. No American soldiers were reported injured in these attacks. The US says that both Iranian attacks were unsuccessful. The US military retaliated. According to CENTCOM, four oil tankers were targeted in the Gulf of Oman. These include Mya / Kvaz, Tarim / Tariz / Tariz 1 / RIZ / RIZ / RIZ / RIZKO / RIZKO, and five tanks near the Iranian forces.

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Amar Ujala

Sep 9, 2026, 01:17 AM

BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting Ends in Disagreement Over Key Issues

Advertisements During the foreign ministers'meeting, sharp differences were seen among the member countries, mainly on sensitive topics such as the situation in West Asia, the Palestine issue, and shipping safety in the Red Sea. At the heart of the standoff were Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Iran demanded strong language on the West Asia conflict, while some members, including the UAE, objected. Iran objected strongly to certain provisions related to Palestine and the Red Sea. As a result, India had to be satisfied with the presidential statement instead of the joint statement. Also Read - 72nd National Film Awards Ceremony to be Held in Gujarat, Not Delhi: Uddhav Takes a Dig at the Government; What Said? Only five traditional countries have now joined BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa - as well as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia. The larger the size of this expanded forum, representing the world's largest population and economy, the harder it is to establish consensus on the complex matters of diplomacy. India's quest for a strategic balance of power within the BRICS grouping.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 01:17 AM

Iran-backed Militias in Iraq and Yemen Coordinate Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities, Raising Tensions

CAIRO: In July, Saudi Arabia and the United States bombed Iran-backed militias in Iraq after blaming them for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities that had been claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels, another Iranian ally. Now, regional officials tell The Associated Press that the Houthis helped the Iraqi militias plan and execute the two-day swarm attack, showing a new level of coordination. Iran spent decades building up armed groups on Israel's frontiers that suffered major losses in the wars following , attack out of Gaza. Israel battered the Palestinian militants as well as Lebanon's Hezbollah, which had been Iran's most powerful ally. Regional officials and experts say Iran is now using the Iraqi militias and the Houthis to threaten Saudi Arabia and other American allies in the Gulf in order to drive up the costs of the in February. It is a risky strategy. A wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities on Tuesday threatened to reignite full-scale war with the kingdom. Iraq has ordered militias to disarm by the end of this month, though powerful Iran-backed groups have refused to do so. A new American effort to economically isolate Iran could spark further escalation.

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Aaj Tak

Sep 9, 2026, 01:16 AM

US Cracks Down on Visa Fraud: Trump Administration Blocks Cognizant's PERM Filing

The Trump administration has ramped up its crackdown on alleged visa fraud in the US by blocking Indian IT company Cognizant's PERM (Permanent Employment Certification) filing, which is the process by which US companies sponsor foreign workers to work permanently in the US.

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Aaj Tak

Sep 9, 2026, 01:12 AM

USA's Name Change: From 'United Colonies' to United States of America

On 9 September 1776, a decision was made regarding the name of America, which further determined the identity of this new country, which is considered to be one of the most powerful countries in the world. We know America as the United States of America (USA). But about 250 years ago today, America was called'United Colonies '. The Continental Congress of America officially changed the name of this new country from'United Colonies'to the United States of America. At that time, there was a war of independence between America and Britain. The American colonies under Britain were trying to establish themselves as a new country. After the declaration of independence in July 1776, the situation was changing rapidly. The need for a new name for the country also became clear. In the early period of the American War of Independence, the name'United Colonies'was used for these areas. But this name was not fully reflected in the name of the new country. On 7 June 1776, a resolution was passed by the Congress in which Richard Cottin had approved it.

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Indian Express

Sep 9, 2026, 01:10 AM

Hijackers May Face Death Penalty; Fund Established for Non-Aligned Countries

President Zia-uL-Haq has said that the four gunmen who hijacked a Pan Am jumbo jet would be hanged if convicted of murder and hijacking. “They will receive the punishment that such a crime deserves,” he sais. Gen Zia said the hijackers would not be extradited to the US. He dismissed suggestions that the security forces had botched the operation by not storming the plane fast enough. Pan Am death toll rises The death toll in the Pan Am hijack rose to 19 as controversy over the bloody end to the siege continued and police launched a hunt for any accomplices of the hijackers. A hospital spokesman said another three people had died of wounds received when the four gunmen began spraying bullets around the darkened Boeing 747. AFRICA Fund The Action for Resisting Invasion, Colonialism and Apartheid Fund (AFRICA Fund) that the non-aligned summit has decided to set up will have limited application. Even though leaders of non-aligned countries have rejected the appeal of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, for armed support to frontline states, the proposed fund will be utilised to create a limited self-defence security system. Pinochet escapes attack The Chilean President, Gen Augusto Pinochet, escaped with only a slight hand-wound when left-wing guerrillas attacked his motorcade last night with machine-guns, hand grenades and rockets. Five of his bodyguards were killed and six others wounded.

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Amar Ujala

Sep 9, 2026, 12:59 AM

India's Civic Polls: A Mini-Assembly Election for Many MLAs

This election is being held to elect corporators, but from a political point of view, it has a huge scope. The first phase of the civic polls is going to have an impact on the urban and urban vote bank of 54 assembly seats in the state. The BJP has 32 MLAs in these seats. Today's polling and the results coming on September 14 are being seen as a mini-assembly election for many MLAs. In the first phase, elections are being held in 4 municipal corporations, 27 municipal councils and 131 municipalities. Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner and Bhilwara municipal corporations are also involved in this phase. About 20,623 candidates are in the fray in a total of 5,393 wards. In some wards, elections have been held unopposed, but today voters will vote for their favorite candidate. Today will be a public holiday in the polling areas. Voters will have to carry voter IDs or identity cards validated by the Election Commission while going to the polling stations. The biggest political feature of the first phase is that the BJP will not be able to win any of its 54 councillors in the urban and urban areas.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 12:57 AM

Mao Zedong's 50th Death Anniversary Commemorated in Shaoshan, China

SHAOSHAN: Fifty years after his death, diehard fans of the Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong lined up Wednesday in his hometown to pay homage, holding portraits, flags and huge floral tributes. Chairman Mao, the founder of the People's Republic, died on September 9, 1976, and his life and legacy was being commemorated fervently this week by those who still revere him as a visionary leader. As China grapples with a slowing economy, nostalgia is growing for Mao's egalitarian ideals, but his drastic policies are also blamed by historians for mass starvation and millions of deaths. Tourists -- many of them university students -- laid chrysanthemum wreaths, bottles of Chinese alcohol, and cigarettes at the foot of a 10-metre-tall (32.8 feet) bronze statue of Mao in the main square in Shaoshan, in central Hunan province. Hundreds of visitors lined up in carefully organised queues to bow solemnly and observe a few seconds of silence, while others posed for photos in front of the statue.

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Indian Express

Sep 9, 2026, 12:48 AM

Uttarakhand Police Register FIR Over Alleged 'Purification' of Ramlila Maidan After Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's Rally

Police in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani have registered an FIR against unknown persons over the alleged “purification” of Ramlila Maidan in the city following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally last month. Police had received around 80 complaints and petitions from across the state, including 19 from Nainital district alone, in the matter. The case was registered at Haldwani Kotwali on Monday on the complaint of Anju, a social activist and lawyer based in the city, who was the first person to submit a formal complaint in the matter, said police. Speaking to The Indian Express, Nainital SSP Manjunath TC said on Tuesday, “We received various petitions and applications from organisations, political parties… across the state concerning the alleged events at Ramlila Maidan on the 10 th (August) … specifically the cleaning, rituals, and the alleged purification ceremony.” He said, “We were conducting a legal review of all these applications. During this legal scrutiny, we learned that Anju had been the first to lodge a formal written complaint at the Haldwani Kotwali police station; she had also provided relevant videos to the Station House Officer and other officials.” He said, “Consequently, based on her formal complaint, we have registered an FIR against unknown persons under Sections 196 and 299 of the IPC and Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act.” The FIR invokes Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act for caste-based insult/humiliation, and Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for promoting enmity between groups and deliberately outraging religious feelings. The FIR does not name any accused. Dalit MPs march to police station in Delhi Meanwhile, in Delhi, a group of Dalit Congress MPs and leaders reached the Parliament Street police station, seeking an FIR in the matter. Congress leader and national coordinator for the SC, OBC, Minority and Adivasi Departments K Raju said that the group of MPs, comprising 20 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, reached the police station to file an FIR “against an act of untouchability” committed against the Congress chief. “Even after two hours of persuasion by the MPs, the SHO refused to register zero FIR. If this is what is happening to SC and ST MPs, one can imagine the plight of ordinary SC/ST citizens…,” said Raju. Pointing out that a stage in Haldwani was “purified” after Kharge spoke on it, Congress Parliamentarian Sasikanth Senthil said, “That is untouchability. It is a crime under the law. An FIR against Rahul Gandhi took one day. Against the men who did this? One month and nothing.” Last month, an FIR was lodged against the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha for allegedly giving the issue a caste angle. The FIR was registered against Gandhi based on a complaint by a resident of Haldwani who claimed he was a member of the Valmiki community. He said that he, along with other SC community members, had participated in the “cleanliness drive and religious ritual” at Ramlila Maidan, adding the act had no connection with any individual or caste. Meanwhile, the complaint by activist Anju alleged that after Kharge addressed the rally on August 8, some BJP-linked persons and leaders had the venue “purified” on August 10 and circulated photographs and videos of the same on social media. “It is particularly noteworthy that Shri Mallikarjun Kharge is a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste category,” the complaint said. It said that, in these circumstances, having the venue “purified” after his programme “prima facie appears to be an act intended to create caste discrimination, social insult and hatred and feelings of inferiority towards a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste.” The complaint also asked the police to investigate a separate video circulated on social media, describing it as “misleading, objectionable and possibly edited”. It alleged that religious slogans were presented in a controversial manner with an attempt to create “hatred and animosity” towards a particular religious community. The police action comes nearly a month after the incident, which has triggered a national political dispute. SSP Manjunath said the investigation would now focus on the allegations contained in the complaint and the material submitted to police. “Considering the sensitivity of the case, we have entrusted the investigation to Jagdish Chandra, a senior officer who was formerly a senior PPS officer and has now been promoted to the IPS cadre,” he added. “We appeal to all those who have submitted applications…whether in Haldwani or elsewhere in the state…to note that the investigation is currently in progress,” he said. A day after Kharge’s rally, Haldwani-based Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas organised a cleaning drive and “Shuddhi Yagya” at the Ramlila Maidan. The outfit has denied any connection with a political party and said its objective was to clean the venue and restore what it described as its religious and cultural sanctity. The Congress has described the ceremony as an act of caste discrimination against Kharge, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has distanced itself from the organisation behind the event. Kharge, subsequently, raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha and said the alleged purification had made him feel “untouchability” and had humiliated him. He later wrote to BJP leader J P Nadda complaining that no FIR had been registered despite an assurance that the incident would be investigated.

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The Financial Express

Sep 9, 2026, 12:36 AM

US Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Decision Remains Uncertain Amid Market Expectations

Markets are still not sure whether the US Fed will raise interest rates or hold steady, as the next FOMC meeting, set for next week, draws near. Fed funds futures indicate a 55-60% likelihood of a quarter-point hike during the September 15-16 meeting, an increase from approximately 33% a few weeks prior. Even so, clarity is still missing. This is likely because the market is waiting for the US CPI data for August, due this Friday. Two things point to a showdown ahead. Officials from the Trump administration are pushing back against a rate hike, and upcoming US CPI data will be key to the Fed’s final call. Warsh’s keynote speech at the Fed’s Jackson Hole symposium played a big role in moving rate hike expectations up from December to September. At Jackson Hole , Warsh signalled that controlling inflation is his priority, highlighting persistent headline inflation above the Fed’s 2% target. The annual inflation rate in the US slowed for a second consecutive month to 3.4% in July 2026, from 3.5% in June. Inflation’s persistence in August is uncertain, influenced by oil prices, which remained around $88 but since then have risen above $98 due to escalating concerns regarding the Iran conflict. The US jobs data has also raised the odds of a rate hike. August payrolls rose by 162,000, with July’s gain revised upward by 21,000. These strong numbers are increasing pressure on the FOMC to consider a rate hike on September 16. Here’s why? Hiking rates amid a strong job market will not have negative effects. However, contrarian voices, including some Fed officials, argue that inflationary pressure is mainly due to the oil price surge caused by the Iran war. The Trump administration, including President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, is urging the Fed to stop or reverse rate hikes in the September meeting. Bessent said the Fed usually holds off on raising rates during a supply shock, until secondary or tertiary inflationary effects show up. Three of the twelve members voted for a rate hike in the last FOMC meeting, indicating support for an increase. But, still, markets are missing clarity because things are going as per the plan set by new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. He has repeatedly made it clear that markets should not expect forward guidance from the Fed anymore. “Don’t fight the Fed” is a well-known market mantra for investors. But under Warsh, it may also mean: don’t guess the next Fed move. : This article provides factual analysis only and is not, and should not be construed as, an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Investment in foreign securities involves significant risks, including currency fluctuations, different financial reporting standards, and varying regulatory environments. Investors must conduct their own independent due diligence and seek advice from a registered financial advisor. Financial Express is not responsible for any decisions made based on this information.

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Amar Ujala

Sep 9, 2026, 12:15 AM

Himachal Pradesh Ministers Camp in Delhi Ahead of Cabinet Expansion

More than half of Himachal Pradesh's ministers, including Chief Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, are camping in New Delhi ahead of the cabinet expansion.

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Dainik Jagran

Sep 9, 2026, 12:14 AM

Western Countries Impose Trade Embargo on Israeli Goods from West Bank

Britain, France and Canada have banned imports of goods produced by Israeli factories and farms in the West Bank, saying the restrictions threaten the two-nation theory as Israeli expansion in the West Bank has increased. The three-nation ban has been supported by 12 other countries. The US ambassador to Israel has condemned the trade embargo. The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian-majority West Bank is not recognised by the world community. Israel is trying to change the population ratio in the area by building Jewish settlements there. Factories built in these settlements produce some of the goods that are exported. Britain, France and Canada have banned imports of these goods, according to experts. But this sends a message to Israel that it must stop implementing its arbitrary policies. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has said that Britain cannot allow Israel to continue to perpetuate long-term injustices and exploitation. It is difficult for Israel to make fresh statements in the West Bank.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 9, 2026, 12:13 AM

Taliban Rejects Pakistan's Claim That Jaish-e-Mohammed Founder Masood Azhar Is Hiding in Afghanistan

The Taliban regime has rejected Pakistan’s repeated claims that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) founder Masood Azhar is hiding in Afghanistan, with a senior Afghan Foreign Ministry official confirming that the UN-designated terrorist is not in the country, reported PTI. The development comes as Pakistan faces renewed scrutiny over its efforts to crack down on terror groups and their leadership. Islamabad has long claimed that Azhar fled to Afghanistan after crossing the Durand Line in May 2019 and has remained at large there. Kabul, meanwhile, reiterated that Afghan territory would not be used against any other country. Azhar remains one of India's most-wanted terrorists and is accused of masterminding several major attacks in the country, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The UN Security Council designated him a global terrorist in May 2019. Pakistan's claim about Azhar's whereabouts has also come amid international scrutiny of its counter-terror financing efforts. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had placed Pakistan on its grey list from 2018 to 2022 over deficiencies in combating money laundering and terror financing. Among the concerns cited by the global watchdog were Pakistan's failure to effectively curb terror financing linked to groups such as JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba and weak implementation of financial sanctions against UN-designated terrorists. To secure its removal from the grey list, Pakistan took several measures, including banning JeM, LeT and their affiliated organisations and prosecuting leaders of the groups. Azhar was convicted in absentia by a Pakistani court in 2021. Pakistan was removed from the grey list in 2022 after completing the required action plans, although the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) continued to review aspects of its counter-terror financing framework at the request of FATF. The issue of Azhar's arrest has remained among the areas under scrutiny. Pakistani authorities have maintained that they cannot arrest him because he is no longer in the country. The Taliban had previously rejected Pakistan's claims about Azhar's presence in Afghanistan. In September 2022, a Taliban spokesperson said Azhar was not in Afghanistan and that Pakistan had not formally communicated any information to Kabul about his alleged presence. (With inputs from PTI)

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Dainik Jagran

Sep 9, 2026, 12:04 AM

US Attacks Five Iranian Oil Tankers Amid Escalating Tensions

The US attacked five Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday. Two US officials told CNN that the tankers were linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The attack was in response to an attempted missile attack on a US Navy warship. The strikes are part of escalating tensions between the US and Iran. US forces are increasing military and economic pressure around Hormuz. US forces are protecting commercial vessels and imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. The statement said the US strikes were in response to Iranian attempts to attack the warship with ballistic missiles over the past two days. These latest retaliatory strikes come as Washington and Tehran are once again heading towards war during the more than six-month-long war. Iran has threatened retaliation. IRGC has broadcast warnings on Iranian oil tankers near the ports of Baha'i and Kuwaiti oil ports and television warnings that oil tankers are being targeted near the state of Kuwait.

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Aaj Tak

Sep 8, 2026, 11:52 PM

Uttar Pradesh MP Criticizes Crackdown on Mosques and Madrassas

Samajwadi Party MP from Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district Ziaur Rahman Barq has expressed displeasure over the crackdown on mosques and madrassas in the country and the state, including Sambhal.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 8, 2026, 11:16 PM

Odisha Government Suspends Official for Alleged Political Affiliation

BHUBANESWAR: The Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) has suspended sub-assistant registrar of cooperative societies (SARCS) Durga Prasad Chhuria with immediate effect, citing alleged political affiliation and participation that violate government service rules. Durga Prasad is the husband of former minister and BJD leader Snehangini Chhuria, two-time MLA from the Atabira constituency. She is now the president of Biju Mahila Janata Dal. Snehangini represented Attabira in 2014 and 2019. Between 2014 and 2019, she was in independent charge of Cooperation, Handloom and Textiles department in the Naveen Patnaik government. She lost Attabira to the BJP in 2024 and finished third as BJD candidate in last Nuapada bypoll. The RCS order stated Durga Prasad has been allegedly involved in political activities which violate the provisions contained in Rule-5 of the Odisha Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1959. He was suspended under clause (a) of Sub-Rule (1) of Rule-12 of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1962. Durga Prasad was SARCS in the district registrar of cooperative societies, Kandhamal, and attached to the RCS headquarters in Bhubaneswar.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 8, 2026, 11:11 PM

Odisha Opposition Vows to Intensify Protests Against MMDR Amendment Act

BHUBANESWAR: The Congress and other members of the INDIA bloc on Tuesday announced that they would intensify their agitation demanding the withdrawal of the MMDR Amendment Act and gherao the Assembly on September 29. Addressing a rally in front of the Assembly on the day, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das, former CPI state secretary Ashis Kanungo and former CPM secretary Ali Kishore Patnaik alleged that the BJP’s double-engine government had betrayed the people of Odisha by failing to oppose the legislation, which they claimed was against the interests of the state. Alleging that the provisions of the Act were anti-Odisha, anti-people and unconstitutional, the leaders claimed that it undermined the constitutional and fiscal rights of mineral-bearing states. They alleged that the Act would restrict states from levying taxes on minerals and provide greater scope for corporates to exploit mineral resources. They described the legislation as a serious assault on the fiscal autonomy of states and claimed that Odisha would lose a substantial amount of revenue by being unable to collect arrears. They further alleged that the BJP government was conspiring to hand over Odisha’s natural resources to corporates for large-scale exploitation.

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Aaj Tak

Sep 8, 2026, 10:41 PM

US Imposes Major Sanctions on Iran's Aviation Sector

The United States has launched a major attack on Iran's aviation sector. The US Treasury Department has announced 36 new sanctions related to Iran. It has targeted 27 Iranian airlines. It has also taken action on foreign companies that provide aircraft, goods, or other services to Iranian airlines. The US says these sanctions are aimed at preventing international support for Iranian airlines. The US has also targeted some companies operating in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. These companies arrange aircraft and other facilities for Iranian airlines. US officials have also asked banks and financial institutions to monitor Iran's aviation business network. This may make it difficult for Iranian airlines to send money, buy essential goods, and obtain foreign services. The US has also increased pressure on Mahan Air. The US has previously imposed sanctions on this airline. Mahaan Air has accused Iranian aviation companies of helping Iran obtain international flights. Mahaan Air Guard says that Iran has some international support.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 8, 2026, 10:30 PM

Tensions Escalate: Iran Strikes US Base in Jordan Amid Ongoing Conflict

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they pummelled a US military base in Jordan, vowing retaliation for American strikes on Iranian oil tankers that dragged the foes deeper into war. Tehran's bombs came after US forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday in response to Iran targeting an American warship, the second such attack in less than a week. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards also said on Wednesday that they attacked two US vessels, eight oil tankers and 10 "non-compliant vessels" trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. "Two US vessels, eight oil tankers, and 10 non-compliant vessels attempting to pass through the prohibited and unsafe zone of the Strait of Hormuz were targeted," the Guards said in a statement published by the official IRNA. The United States and Iran are locked in a stalemate six months into the war, with Iran maintaining a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for the world's oil and gas, and Washington pushing a campaign to choke Iran's ports and economy. The Islamic republic said on Wednesday it would target oil tankers off US-allied Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for the strikes on its tankers. Minutes later, Iran's Revolutionary Guards -- the most powerful arm of the Iranian military, said they had struck the US air base of Al-Azraq in Jordan with missiles, state media reported. The "punitive operation" damaged maintenance and repair facilities, deployment locations and shelters for fighter jets, according to IRNA. Jordan's army said it shot down 18 missiles from Iran targeting the kingdom. The strikes came after Tehran urged crews on oil tankers off Kuwait and Bahrain to leave their vessels, warning they "will be targeted", the Guards said in a statement posted on IRNA.

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Free Press Journal

Sep 8, 2026, 10:17 PM

PM Calls For Global Expansion Of India's Digital Payment System

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called on India’s fintech industry to take the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to more countries, integrate it with local payment networks and help millions of Indians abroad reduce the cost of sending money home. PM Calls For Global Expansion Of India’s Digital Payment System Addressing the 7th edition of the Global Fintech Fest after its inauguration, Modi said UPI is already operational in 11 countries and has been integrated with Singapore’s domestic payment system. He urged the fintech ecosystem to build on the success of the past decade and focus on taking India’s digital payment infrastructure to the global stage. India’s Reform Express will only gather more speed. pic.twitter.com/kcScVMnNG0 The Prime Minister suggested prioritising countries with a large Indian diaspora, substantial trade ties with India and those willing to collaborate on integrating their payment systems with UPI. UPI Can Lower Remittance Costs For Overseas Indians He highlighted the potential benefits for overseas Indians, who account for a significant share of global remittances. Transaction charges currently eat into a portion of the money sent home, he said, adding that UPI could lower these costs while enabling faster transfers to families in India. Modi also stressed that India now has the technological capability to offer an alternative to global card payment networks that have traditionally been built around systems developed in other countries. India Can Shape Global Digital Payment Standards, Says PM Modi “India can set its own rules and standards and connect them with the world,” he said, underscoring the need for the country to play a greater role in shaping global digital payment standards. Referring to French President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier remarks, Modi said UPI represented more than a technological achievement, describing it as a reflection of India’s civilisational approach to innovation and connectivity. With digital payments having emerged as a major success story, the Prime Minister said the fintech sector should now turn its attention to non-payment financial services and develop new solutions. He also called for greater emphasis on cybersecurity and ethical data protection. Modi advocated developing advanced cybersecurity products, establishing robust data protection standards and creating a stronger regulatory framework for the fintech sector. He further proposed a Fintech Consumer Protection Index that could assess companies on parameters such as transparency, helping consumers make informed choices and encouraging greater accountability across the industry. To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

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The Moscow Times

Sep 8, 2026, 10:14 PM

UN Chief Declines Comment on Bangladesh PM's Attendance at BRICS Summit

UN General Assembly President and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday declined to comment on whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would attend the BRICS Summit in India later this week, after New Delhi invited him to participate in an outreach session of the grouping. India will host the annual BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with the meeting expected to deliberate on several pressing global challenges, including the economic fallout of the West Asia crisis. Responding to a question by news agency PTI on whether the Bangladeshi prime minister would attend the summit, Rahman said he was speaking in his capacity as President of the UN General Assembly and asked that bilateral issues be taken up separately in his role as foreign minister. "I'm not here in a national capacity, so please forgive me. I will really ask all of you to ask me questions or approach me in my capacity as the President of the General Assembly. If there are bilateral issues, I'm still the Foreign Minister; I'll speak to you separately," he said at a press briefing. Rahman assumed charge as President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, taking over the presidency of the world body's annual session. His remarks came amid uncertainty over Dhaka's participation in the BRICS summit, which India is hosting as the grouping's current chair.

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Amar Ujala

Sep 8, 2026, 10:07 PM

BJP Leader Threatens Legal Action Against Doctor Over Patient Death

CHAMBA: BJP leader Jai Singh said that an FIR will be lodged against the doctor who caused the death of a patient in the medical college.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 8, 2026, 09:56 PM

Madras HC Extends Stay on Bypolls in Five Tamil Nadu Constituencies

CHENNAI: The Madras HC on Tuesday extended the interim stay against conducting bypolls to five Assembly constituencies till September 28, when the final hearing on the election petitions would be held. The first bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan issued the directions while hearing a PIL filed by advocate K Venkatachalapathy against conducting bypolls until the court decided on the election petitions challenging the victories of respective candidates. Post-elections, CM Vijay resigned from Tiruchy (East) constituency, leaving it vacant, and four AIADMK MLAs — S Jayakumar (Perundurai), Esakki Subaya (Ambasamudram), C Vijayabaskar (Viralimalai) and M R Vijayabhaskar (Karur) — resigned and joined TVK. Barring the five seats, the ECI has announced that bypolls to the other two — Maduranthagam and Dharapuram — would be held on October 6. During the hearing, senior counsel S Muralidhar, representing Jayakumar, submitted that the stay against conducting bypolls to Perundurai cannot be justified, as the court had rejected the plea against Jayakumar’s victory. However, the bench said it would take a call after the final hearing on September 28.

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The Moscow Times

Sep 8, 2026, 09:47 PM

Dharapuram Constituency to Hold First Bye-Election on October 6

TIRUPPUR: The Dharapuram constituency, a reserved seat in TN since 1967, is set to face its first bye-election on October 6. This constituency, long dominated by Dravidian majors DMK and AIADMK, remained with them even in the 2026 Assembly election. Although TVK won 108 constituencies across the state and came to power, it could secure only third place in Dharapuram. P Sathyabama, who won on an AIADMK seat, has sought an opportunity again here after joining the TVK. During the 2026 Assembly election, a fierce contest unfolded between the AIADMK and the DMK here, and both parties had given opportunities to new faces. Earlier, during the 2021 election, DMK former minister Kayalvizhi N Selvaraj defeated BJP’s Union Minister of State L Murugan in this constituency. In 2026, the DMK gave the opportunity to T Indrani in Dharapuram constituency, while Sathyabama contested on behalf of the AIADMK. Gowri Chitra contested on a TVK ticket, while Divya was from NTK, and five others were independent candidates. Sathyabhama won the election, securing 81,100 votes, while Indrani secured the second place with 64,373 votes. TVK's Gowri Chitra secured the third spot with 46,438 votes. Later, Sathyabhama voted in support of the TVK during the floor test in the Assembly and subsequently resigned from her MLA post and joined the TVK. Against this backdrop, the constituency is set to face its first bye-election on October 6. Sathyabhama is currently the Dharapuram district secretary of TVK. Party sources indicate that Sathyabhama is seeking an opportunity again, adding that if the opportunity does not come her way, she is keen on securing it for her son or daughter-in-law.

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Dainik Jagran

Sep 8, 2026, 09:39 PM

BJP National Leadership to Visit Uttar Pradesh for Election Review

After state in-charge Vinod Tawde's visit to Lucknow on September 5 and 6, national president Nitin Navin and national organisation general secretary BL Santhosh will visit UP from September 12 to 13. Earlier, the programme was proposed to be held from September 11 to 13. It is being done for two days. The national leadership will also take feedback on the seats lost in the last assembly elections (2022) and Lok Sabha elections (2024). Santhosh is also likely to meet the chief minister and the two deputy chief ministers. Nitin Navin and BL Santhosh had come to Lucknow on a two-day visit on July 4. During this, they had talked about the formation of regional organisations and fronts till July 15, but it was delayed a lot. During their two-day stay in Lucknow, former state presidents and old organisation office bearers had met and given a message that the party would use their experience in the elections. Both had met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Subhas Prasad Maurya and Nishad Nishad (Nishad Dal).

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