After 38 years, Allahabad high court sets aside conviction in rape case

Allahabad High Court overturned Subhash’s 1988 rape and kidnapping conviction, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt and that the complainant appeared to have consented. The court allowed his appeal in October. The Meerut Sessions Court had convicted him over a 1986 incident; the defense cited delayed reporting and no injuries.

Woman, 12-year-old daughter attacked day after helping Dalit woman file FIR in UP

A woman and her daughter were allegedly attacked Wednesday in Rae Bareli, after her family helped a Dalit family report an assault by the pradhan and his sons. Police detained three suspects. She said assailants stoned her car, tried to drag her 12-year-old daughter out, then assaulted her at a police station; investigators are probing links to Tuesday’s attack.

TNPSC Group 4 Recruitment 2026: Registration begins for CCSE, direct link to apply for 6574 posts

TNPSC has opened applications for Group 4 Recruitment 2026, offering 6,574 posts, with candidates able to apply at tnpsc.gov.in until November 5; the correction window runs November 9–11. The written examination is scheduled for January 10, 2027, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It comprises 200 questions for 300 marks, with a Rs 100 fee; eligibility details are in the official notification.

Indian SIMs used to operate WhatsApp from Pakistan, NIA starts probe

The NIA probes two separate, unlinked suspected espionage networks in West Bengal, alleging four men from Paschim Medinipur and Murshidabad helped Pakistan-based handlers misuse Indian SIM cards and OTPs to create WhatsApp accounts. Investigators suspect around 400 SIMs were activated this way. Recently handed over by the Home Ministry, the cases may expose a wider network.

Apple Mac mini with M6, a sense of intrigue and a powerful transformation

Apple’s M6 Mac mini has evolved from a budget Mac into a compact powerhouse for on-device AI, creative work and gaming, delivering Mac Studio-class performance while remaining quiet and starting at ₹99,900. Its faster CPU, GPU and dual Neural Engine handle workloads and games. Configurations offer 16GB–32GB unified memory, requiring buyers to size capacity for AI.

UPI merchant fee rollout scheduled for October 15 may be pushed to January: Report

India may delay UPI merchant discount charges from October 15 until January, Reuters reported citing officials, although NPCI has yet to decide and HT has not verified this. The delay lets firms update systems and avoid festive-season disruption; payments above ₹2,000 face 0.4% fees or ₹5 in specified categories under a framework enabled by 2026 legislation.

A short history of the United States’ H-1B visa programme: What it is and why it matters

H-1B was established in 1990 to meet U.S. demand for skilled foreign workers while protecting American employees. The law split H-1 into H-1A for nurses and H-1B for specialty jobs, capped visas at 65,000 annually, required degrees and prevailing wages, and limited stays to six years. It reflects longstanding shifts between labor recruitment and restriction.

Delhi Cabinet expected to discuss proposal to set up disaster response force

Delhi’s Cabinet is expected to consider a dedicated State Disaster Response Force at its next meeting, with up to 1,100 NDRF-trained personnel intended to speed rescues and improve emergency coordination. Delhi currently relies on agencies despite seismic, flood and building-collapse risks; plans include an Alipur headquarters, following collapses including Satya Niketan and New Seemapuri.

35,000+ Gurugram property deals worth ₹55,000 crore under tax scanner

An Income Tax survey found over 35,000 Badshahpur, Gurugram, property transactions worth ₹55,000 crore were unreported or carried incorrect PANs, prompting verification but not proving tax evasion. Comparing registration records with tax filings, officials found wider Haryana lapses: only about 45 of 140 tehsildars had filed statements by the latest review, against over 120 last year.

Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh released from ICE detention, deportation case continues

Award-winning Kashmiri filmmaker Arfat Sheikh was released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention on bond Thursday after two weeks, though his deportation case continues. Supporters say he had a pending immigration application and work authorization; the Department of Homeland Security says he overstayed his visa. Sheikh’s 2024 feature *Saffron Kingdom* won multiple international film awards.

Born in Gujarat but represented New Zealand in 24 Tests, Raval bids adieu to professional cricket

New Zealand left-handed batsman Jeet Raval, 38, has retired from professional cricket after representing the Black Caps in 24 Tests, scoring 1,143 runs from 2016 to 2020. He played 164 first-class matches for Auckland, Central Stags and Northern Districts, finishing in March. Born in India, Raval debuted in 2008 and received tributes from former teammates.

Two-tier barricades at Chilla, Singhu: Delhi seals borders as BKU backs CJP stir

Delhi Police have installed barricades at border points and deployed paramilitary forces ahead of Saturday’s protest, monitoring travel and lodging and coordinating with police to prevent unauthorised entry. Measures cover Chilla, Ghazipur, Apsara and Singhu, as the CJP rally—backed by the Bharatiya Kisan Union—seeks Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.

From European gifts to feral herds: New Zealand’s history of wild pigs

Wild pigs disturbed 7.4%–12.4% of soil in South Fiordland’s Waitutu Forest, and stag beetles made up 27% of their diet, yet a 2015 study found little effect on seedling regeneration or soil microbes, suggesting pigs mattered less than red deer. Researchers said effects on native invertebrates remain uncertain. Introduced in 1769, pigs escaped and spread.

In 1986, Onondaga Lake reopened to fishing; it now has 65-plus fish species

Onondaga Lake, once so polluted that swimming and fishing were banned, is now at its cleanest in over a century, with pollution declining and 65 fish species documented. Wastewater upgrades, industrial remediation, dredging and watershed programs have driven recovery, though work continues. Industrial waste and sewage contaminated the tourist destination for over a century.

AI has feelings? Anthropic is getting sensitive about users being mean to Claude

Anthropic’s November policy bars needless cruelty toward Claude and clarifies restrictions on deceptive activity, weapons and surveillance. It targets repeated abuse—not frustration, dark creative themes or research—and allows Claude to end abusive chats. The update requires human oversight for high-risk health, legal and financial decisions, amid debate over AI consciousness and corporate liability.

MHT-CET 2027: Maharashtra reschedules both attempts to after Class 12 board exams

Maharashtra will hold both MHT-CET attempts for engineering and pharmacy after Class 12 exams, shifting them from December 2026 and April 2027 to March–May. After rural feedback, the tests will be four weeks apart, with the higher score counting; the schedule is due next week. The two-attempt format seeks to ease stress and offer students another chance.

Trump chief of staff’s daughter photographed with pro-Russia politician amid Bosnia lobbying row

Katie Wiles, partner at Continental Strategy and daughter of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, visited Republika Srpska in August, supporting a US company’s feasibility study, her firm said. A photo showed her at a shooting range with the interior minister but establishes no official role. Her visit fuels scrutiny of Trump-linked consultants’ work.

Tarot Horoscope Today: Zodiac Sign Predictions for October 9, 2026

Today’s tarot forecast urges reflection and sound choices amid uncertainty, emotional demands, rest and insecurity. Aries and Scorpio should wait for clarity; Taurus and Aquarius should follow values, while Virgo and Libra nurture growth. Others are advised to plan, recover or move on. Each sign receives a card, colour, ritual and crystal, with guidance from reader Kishori Sud.

California's Bolsa Chica wetland reopened to the Pacific in 2006, and wildlife followed

Engineers opened Bolsa Chica’s Pacific connection in 2006 through a southern inlet selected to minimize impacts and upkeep; its 310-foot-wide, five-foot-deep channel and offshore sand bar protected the basin. Sediment accumulation matched forecasts, but shifting sand makes dredging essential to keep the inlet open. The project restored tidal exchange to a wetland cut off in 1899.

NDMC officials to adopt public toilets in central Delhi for direct monitoring

NDMC has assigned 346 public toilets to senior officials and council members for direct monitoring, aiming to improve cleanliness, safety and accountability at high-footfall locations across New Delhi. Regular inspections will check sanitation, water, fixtures, waste removal, odour control and essential supplies, with deficiencies requiring timely correction. The facilities, maintained by private contractors, serve residents and tourists.

Amazon Great Indian Festival 2026: 10 Stylish Indian wear sets under ₹2,000

Amazon’s Great Indian Festival 2026 offers a chance to find women’s ethnic-wear sets under ₹2,000, with 10 picks spanning breathable cotton, printed kurta sets, Anarkalis, embroidered outfits and palazzo combinations for everyday, office and festive occasions. Choose by fabric, silhouette and included pieces, and check sizing, reviews, images, return terms and current prices before buying.

Maharashtra puts school closures on hold for impact assessment after protests

Maharashtra will conduct a three-month assessment of plans to close, merge or restructure schools with fewer than 20 students, examining whether pupils can retain access to education. Officials will weigh distance, transport, terrain, girls’ and disabled students’ needs, and local conditions, consulting parents and village councils. The review follows protests against a 2024 order affecting 14,251 schools.

Who is Oscar Belgal? 5 things on NYC man shot by ICE agents in Marble Hill

Oscar Belgal, 28, was identified as the man shot by an ICE agent in Marble Hill on October 8, with his five-year-old child in the car; the child was unharmed, and Belgal was conscious in hospital. Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the shooting and vowed to challenge ICE enforcement. DHS cited prior convictions and alleged gang ties.

In 1979, China introduced a grass to make coastal land; it now covers about 68,000 hectares

Smooth cordgrass is shrinking shorebirds’ feeding and roosting habitat along China’s coast, compounding tidal-flat loss and threatening the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Surveys found grass at 28 of 53 important sites in 2015, while tidal flats declined 15% from 2000 to 2015. Introduced in 1979 to reclaim flats, it has spread widely, prompting control efforts.

Nasscom pushes back on US green card freeze, cites talent mobility

Nasscom said immigration and skilled talent mobility should be treated separately after the US suspended Microsoft and other firms from the PERM green-card programme, arguing the action affects a narrow residency route. It said firms are reducing H-1B reliance and expanding US hiring; Microsoft said most filings extended employees’ status. PERM begins the green-card process.

Karnataka vendor, 7 others declared ‘dead’ for SIR deletion, expelled BJP leader booked

Police in Karnataka booked expelled BJP lawmaker Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and two others after eight Vijayapura residents said death certificates were falsely used to remove them from voter rolls. The state’s ninth such case emerged during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR); Yatnal had challenged 1,054 registrations, amid scrutiny of bulk Form 7 applications and voter deletions.

UGC NET December 2026: Registration begins at ugcnet.nta.nic.in, direct link to apply here

NTA has opened UGC-NET December 2026 registration; applications close October 28, late-fee submissions October 31, and corrections run November 2–4, with exams set for December 14–19. The three-hour CBT comprises two papers, 150 questions and 300 marks, without negative marking. General-category Master’s candidates need 55%; final-year or awaiting-result candidates may also apply. Fees range from ₹325 to ₹1,150; apply at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.

PERM, the paperwork behind a green card, now off-limits at Infosys, TCS, Wipro and five other firms

The Trump administration halted PERM labor certifications at eight companies, including six Indian IT firms, cutting off a common route from temporary work visas to US permanent residency. H-1B visas are not directly affected, but workers lose green-card sponsorship and some visa extensions. Officials allege firms exploited PERM, which requires employers to show qualified Americans are unavailable.

Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali reveals how he first met late Nana Patekar in 1994 in emotional tribute

Nana Patekar, who died aged 75 after cardiac arrest, was laid to rest with state honours near Pune. Pakistani cricketers Basit Ali and Umar Akmal mourned him, with Ali recalling Patekar’s friendship and support during family and health crises. His Hindi-Marathi cinema career spanned five decades, earning three National Film Awards and the Padma Shri.

6 leaders received awards as ‘America’s greatest living innovators’ from Trump. Only 1 is US-born

President Donald Trump awarded six leaders National Medals of Science or Technology and Innovation; five were born abroad: Elon Musk in Pretoria, South Africa; Sergey Brin in Moscow, Russia; Jensen Huang and Lisa Su in Taiwan; and Satya Nadella in Hyderabad, India. Only Michael Dell, born in Houston, was U.S.-born. The awards recognized contributions across science and technology.