Agencies

Panchayats to provide land for EV charging stations in rural areas

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has signed an MoU with CESL to develop charging and battery swapping facilities on Panchayat land, creating recurring revenue opportunities for rural local bodies

Humanitarian convoy reaches Oleshky as Russia-Ukraine truce holds

A humanitarian convoy entered Russian-occupied Oleshky to deliver aid and evacuate residents as a four-day ceasefire held in southern Ukraine, with the truce set to continue through Sunday.

Cabinet approves ₹7,395 crore scheme to make panchayats self-reliant

The Rs 7,395 crore scheme aims to strengthen over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats through capacity-building, better use of Finance Commission grants and mobilisation of their own revenue

Israel election 2026: Netanyahu faces tight race as turnout surges

Record voter turnout and anger over security failures put Netanyahu's long-standing grip on power to the test

Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles, drones; Egypt backs Riyadh

Fresh Houthi attacks raise security concerns around Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure as Egypt authorises steps to support Riyadh

Centre poised to extend duty-free cotton imports as output may fall 12-18%

India's cotton production is projected to decline to around 29 million bales in 2026-27, prompting the Centre to consider extending duty-free imports until December to ease supply pressures.

Governments, firms rush to patch PHP flaws as cyberattacks surge globally

Governments and companies worldwide are racing to patch critical PHP vulnerabilities as hackers launch millions of attempted attacks, disrupting public services and banking operations.

Willing to join new Ukraine peace talks in November: Russian Prez Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to resume trilateral peace talks with the US and Ukraine after November 10, following a meeting with Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff.

Ukraine launches over 1,000 drones at Russia, oil terminal catches fire

Ukrainian strikes set oil facilities ablaze in St Petersburg amid tensions with Washington, while Zelenskyy said US intelligence sharing had resumed following a brief pause

Zelenskyy slams Trump's Russian diesel deal, calls peace move a 'parody'

At an EU summit in Brussels, Zelenskyy criticised Trump's diesel deal with Russia, accused Putin of avoiding peace talks and warned that Moscow could gain funds for its war

Traffic curbs imposed, heavy security ahead of CJP's march in Delhi today

Traffic restrictions are expected on key central Delhi roads from 3 pm on Friday as security is tightened around Connaught Place ahead of the 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march called by CJP

Zelenskyy defies Trump's energy ceasefire call, orders Russia strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered strikes on Russian oil refineries to resume amid tensions with Donald Trump over an energy ceasefire and restrictions on US intelligence support.

Top oil executives dropped from WPC Energy Congress amid Houthi attacks

Saudi authorities pressed ahead with the Riyadh congress despite deadly attacks claimed by the Houthis, as the kingdom outlined plans to expand its oil pipeline capacity

Russia violated energy ceasefire announced by Trump, says Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy says Russia struck energy facilities after Trump announced a truce, while Moscow rejects a 60-day ceasefire and the EU sanctions nearly 1,600 people and firms

Trump says Russia and Ukraine reach 'energy ceasefire' but gives no details

Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire but provides no details, while neither country has confirmed the agreement.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agree to deploy forces in Gulf

Three sides convene an emergency meeting amid Houthi attacks

Yemen hits 20 Houthi targets as US deploys another carrier to West Asia

Fighting intensifies in Yemen's Taiz province as the US deploys another aircraft carrier and 10,000 sailors and Marines amid heightened tensions with Iran

Iran bombing could ramp up after midterm elections: Donald Trump

Trump has indicated in recent weeks that he believed Iran was stalling on diplomatic talks until after the elections, in which his Republican Party faces a tough path to retain control of Congress.

Govt tightens sugar stock limit despite 15% fall in prices since August

Dealers can hold sugar for only 15 days from October 15 to November 30, while Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas, along with Assam, have a 2,000-quintal limit

Cabinet raises wheat MSP by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal for 2027-28

The MSPs of pulses and oilseeds were increased by higher amounts, ranging between ₹83 and ₹675 per quintal (between 1.41 per cent and 10.32 per cent)