Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. File | Photo Credit: ANI
‘Who’s U.S. blackmailing?’ asks Rahul Gandhi over timing of Epstein-Puri photo release
The release of a photograph of Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has triggered fresh questions from the Opposition, with the timing coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Mumbai. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) questioned the timing of the release and asked whom the U.S. was trying to “blackmail”.
Economist Prabhakar to join Dipke, Prakash Raj, Neha at nationwide anti-SIR protests on October 23
Economist Parakala Prabhakar, actor-activist Prakash Raj, and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke will be among those leading a nationwide protest on Friday (October 23) against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Mr. Prabhakar said, “Har gali me Jantar Mantar!”
Andhra Pradesh SEC halts election process for 100 ULBs after Supreme Court order
Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) Anil Chandra Punetha has ordered that the election process for all 100 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for which the notification was issued on October 14 be stopped forthwith in view of the Supreme Court’s directions. Mr. Punetha, in a late-evening order, said that the SEC would issue an order on the ULB elections after obtaining reports from the Collectors, District Election Authorities and Police Commissioners or Superintendents of Police October 22.
Delhi HC to hear on Neha Bora’s plea against ‘peace’ bond on October 22
The Delhi High Court said it would hear on Thursday (October 22, 2026) a plea by All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora challenging a Delhi Police notice asking her to execute a “peace” bond before a Special Executive Magistrate. Neha has sought the quashing of the notice and directions to the police not to take any coercive action in the case. Justice Subramonium Prasad deferred the hearing at the request of Neha’s counsel.
West Bengal government sets up SIT headed by retired justice to probe Durga Puja pandal stampede
The West Bengal government on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) issued an order setting up a special Investigation Team (SIT) to undertake a comprehensive, impartial and thorough inquiry into the stampede at Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Pandal which claimed 19 lives on October 17. The six-member SIT will be headed by Justice (Retired) Anindita Roy Saraswati, with several other officials of the state government and a representative of the National Disaster Response Force.
FSSAI notices to Nestle India, Zydus Wellness over ‘misleading claims’ in products
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Nestle India and Zydus Wellness over “misleading claims” in certain products and has asked the companies to provide scientific proof to support their advertisements. In a social media post, the FSSAI said notices were sent to Nestle India for misleading claims and non-compliant promotions involving two food products ‘Lactogen Pro 1 Powder’ and ‘Nan Excella Pro Stage 1’.
Saudi civil aviation says one killed, eight injured in attack on King Fahd airport
One Saudi resident was killed in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf near Bahrain and Qatar, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority announced early on Thursday (October 22, 2026). The Civil Aviation Authority also said eight people were injured in the late Wednesday (October 21) attack and the airport suffered some material damage. Global flight-tracking service Flightradar24 said overnight Thursday on X that flights have been diverted away from the airport.
Saudi authorities say two killed by falling debris at oil facility following drone attack in kingdom
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) that debris from an intercepted drone killed two people and injured two others at an Aramco-operated oil field in the country’s southeast. The Ministry said the two people killed were Nepali and Filipino nationals, while the injured were Pakistani and Indian nationals.
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong warns South Korea, says border loudspeakers to be ready within days
North Korea will place anti-South Korea loudspeakers on standby along the entire border within days and has put new countermeasures on alert, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korea’s leader, said on Thursday (October 22, 2026), warning Seoul of “the most horrible and distressing situation” if it continues what Pyongyang calls interference.
Published - October 22, 2026 06:10 am IST