Breaking News, September 25 | HIGHLIGHTS

Two people were hurt in an explosion Wednesday morning at a courthouse in Southern California, authorities said. One person was detained following the blast reported shortly after 8:45 a. m. at the Santa Maria Courthouse in northern Santa Barbara County, sheriff's officials said. 

Schools and colleges in Mumbai and its suburbs will remain shut on Thursday amid a red alert for heavy rains, officials said. School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, the guardian minister for Mumbai city, declared a holiday as heavy rains pounded Mumbai.

Lebanon's health minister said 51 people were killed and 223 wounded Wednesday in Israeli strikes. The count comes on top of 564 who were killed and more than 1,800 wounded in the previous two days, including around 150 women and children.

President Droupadi Murmu will on Thursday visit the Siachen base camp and interact with the troops posted there, the Rashtrapati Bhavan has said. Murmu will be the country's third president to visit Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, which is located in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Upset over the defacement of public property during the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday said the vice chancellor should take strict action, including annulment of the polls, or defer them till all the defacement is removed. A bench of Chief Justice Designate Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said crores of rupees were prima facie being spent by candidates and orally asked the university vice chancellor to step in and take strict action.

A 23-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. Victim Shiv Prasad Rathiya, a labourer, was attacked by the elephant near Sisiringa village when he was returning after work, said Dharamjaigarh Divisional Forest Officer Abhishek Jogawat.

A Sikh body on Wednesday came out in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks during his recent US visit about the community, saying its members have an inalienable right to adhere to and protect their religious and cultural rights. In a statement, Khushhal Singh, general secretary of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha said Gandhi's special mention of Sikhs' freedom to wear turban and worship in gurdwaras was an open recognition of their distinct religious and cultural identity.

Another gangster involved in counterfeit currency trade was arrested on Wednesday after a gunfire encounter which left him with a bullet wound, police here said. Superintendent of Police Santosh Mishra said the gang member identified as Mustqueem was nabbed with fake Indian currency and a country-made pistol in his possession.

A man was tied to an electric pole and beaten with sticks after his younger brother allegedly eloped with a woman here, police said on Wednesday. A purported video of the incident surfaced on social media. The victim was identified as Arshad Hussain, a resident of the Arela area, police said.

Heading towards a huge voter turnout, all the 26 assembly constituencies have recorded 54 percent voting till 05:00 pm, communicated the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K.

Senior BJP leader Arjun Munda on Wednesday claimed that the people of Jharkhand were feeling "betrayed" by the Hemant Soren-led government and have made up their minds to oust the "inefficient" dispensation. The former chief minister was addressing a press conference at Adityapur in Seraikela-Kharswan district.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday slammed the BJP over its MP Kangana Ranaut's remarks calling for bringing back the three farm laws that were repealed in 2021, and said poll-bound states including Haryana would give a befitting reply to the ruling party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off a Metro train in Pune on Thursday and also launch various development projects worth over Rs 22,600 crore.

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will transform the Ladki Bahin Yojana for women into a rights-based scheme, if the opposition alliance comes to power in Maharashtra. Speaking at the India Today Conclave here, Chavan also said the Congress deserves maximum seats (among its allies) in the assembly polls, noting the party won more seats than other MVA constituents in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year.

State Bank of India (SBI) is aiming to become the first Indian financial firm to cross a milestone of Rs 1 lakh crore net profit in the next 3-5 years, chairman of the country's largest lender C S Setty has said. SBI recorded a standalone net profit of Rs 61,077 crore in FY24, registering a growth of 21. 59 per cent.

The rupee appreciated 3 paise to close at 83. 60 (provisional) against the US dollar on Wednesday, tracking a positive trend in domestic equities and a weak greenback against major currencies overseas. However, net foreign fund outflows capped sharp gains in the local unit, forex traders said.

Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors - Preeti and  Sarita Phogat joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi on Wednesday. Preeti is a councillor from Ward 217 Dilshad Colony, while Phogat is from Ward 150 Green Park.

Special Court orders Lokayukta police probe against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA case.

 JDS leaders and party workers stage a protest demanding the resignation of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged MUDA scam.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath attend the inauguration ceremony of the 2nd edition of UP International Trade Show 2024.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, BRS leader K Kavitha, Vijay Nair and other accused appeared through video conferencing. The next hearing of the CBI case related to Delhi liquor policy will be held on October 4 in Rouse Avenue Court.

(Input: Atul Bhatia)

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu distributes compensation to flood-affected victims. 

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin felicitates Paralympic athletes and participates in various departmental programs.

 Indian Air Force issues a video in the run-up to the Air Force Day parade and flypast to be held in Chennai this year.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher sworn in as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.

Justice M S Ramachandra Rao sworn in as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.

SC closes suo motu proceedings initiated over Karnataka HC judge's objectionable comments.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal writes to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, asks him questions while alleging misuse of central agencies.

BJP national president JP Nadda pays floral tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary at BJP Headquarters in Delhi.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath pays tribute to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya by garlanding his statue on his birth anniversary at KKC College in Lucknow.

Sensex drops 171 points to 84,743.04 in early trade; Nifty declines 48.7 points to 25,891.70.

Gujarat: A car collided with a heavy vehicle in Himmatnagar. The police and fire department were present at the spot. Injuries and casualties feared. More details awaited.

Several foreign delegates leave from Delhi for Srinagar to witness the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which is set to be held today.

Tamil Nadu: At least six people were killed when a mini-bus hit a tree in Kallakurichi late last night. More details area awaited.

As the second phase of polling begins in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday appealed to the people of the Union Territory to vote in large numbers for a developed and terror-free region. "I appeal to all the voters going to cast their votes in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir election to vote in maximum numbers for the creation of a terror-free and developed Jammu and Kashmir," Shah wrote on 'X'.

The Home Minister said people should vote for a government that works with commitment to the golden future of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the rights of the deprived and women and the development of the region. "Vote today to strengthen democracy and to free Jammu and Kashmir from terrorism, nepotism and corruption," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to voters in Jammu and Kashmir to use their franchise as the second round of polling in the Union Territory began. "I appeal to all voters that they must cast their votes and play an important role in strengthening democracy," Modi said while greeting the first-time voters.