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Gold Prices Soar to Record Rs 1.1 Lakh on Fed Rate Cut Hopes, Safe-Haven Demand

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Gold Prices Soar to Record Rs 1.1 Lakh on Fed Rate Cut Hopes, Safe-Haven Demand 2

Gold prices surged to an all-time high on Tuesday, crossing the ₹1,10,000 mark per 10 grams, fueled by strong safe-haven demand and expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut.

According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), 24-carat gold was priced at ₹10,951 per gram at 10:17 a.m. Earlier, gold touched ₹1,10,650 per 10 grams, up from ₹1,09,820 on Monday. In the global market, spot gold traded at $3,679 per ounce, just below Monday’s record of $3,685, World Gold Council data showed.

Analysts cited rising geopolitical tensions, the likelihood of a US Fed rate cut on September 17, and a weakening dollar as key drivers of the rally. They expect both gold and silver to continue with a bullish bias through the week.

Across metro cities, prices stood at ₹1,10,260 in New Delhi, ₹1,10,450 in Mumbai, ₹1,10,540 in Bengaluru, ₹1,10,310 in Kolkata, and ₹1,10,770 in Chennai, the highest among metros.

Silver also gained, with October 5 MCX futures trading at ₹1,29,452 per kg, supported by rising industrial demand from electric vehicles and solar energy sectors.

India’s gold ETFs saw inflows of $233 million in August 2025, a 67% jump from July’s $139 million, according to World Gold Council data. However, the surge in gold prices is adding to inflationary pressures. The August CPI showed that gold’s 40% year-on-year spike contributed nearly 43 basis points to core inflation.

SC Slams Maharashtra Poll Panel, Orders Local Body Elections by January 2026

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SC Slams Maharashtra Poll Panel, Orders Local Body Elections by January 2026 4

The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) for failing to comply with its earlier orders and directed that all local body elections in the state, pending since 2022, must be completed by January 31, 2026, without further delay.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi expressed displeasure over repeated extensions and excuses by the SEC, which cited reasons such as delimitation, EVM shortages, and school premises being unavailable during board exams. “Elections of all local bodies, including Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and municipalities, shall be conducted by January 31, 2026. No further extension shall be granted,” the bench ruled.

The court directed that the delimitation process must be completed by October 31, 2025, and made clear that exams or other logistical issues cannot be cited as grounds to postpone polls. It instructed the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to immediately deploy sufficient staff to serve as returning officers and support staff, based on requirements submitted by the SEC within two weeks. The Chief Secretary must ensure the deployment within four weeks of the SEC’s request.

Addressing the shortage of electronic voting machines, the court ordered the SEC to arrange the required units and file a compliance affidavit by November 30, 2025. Currently, 65,000 EVMs are available, but another 50,000 have been ordered.

The bench reminded the state and the SEC that elections were originally directed to be concluded within four months of its May order. “Have the elections been conducted? Your inaction speaks of incompetence. These issues were known even when we passed the first order,” Justice Kant remarked.

Petitioners opposing the extension accused the SEC of deliberately delaying the process by citing excuses ranging from festivals to staff shortages. The bench noted that the civic polls had been stalled since 2022, largely due to disputes over OBC reservation in local bodies.

Heavy Rains and Landslides Wreck Kotranka-Khawas Road in Rajouri, Villages Cut Off

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Heavy Rains and Landslides Wreck Kotranka-Khawas Road in Rajouri, Villages Cut Off 6

The 32-km Kotranka-Khawas road in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, completed just last year, has been extensively damaged by continuous heavy rainfall and landslides over the past two weeks. The vital link between Kotranka sub-division and Khawas tehsil has been closed for 15 days, leaving residents stranded and daily life severely disrupted.

Students are unable to reach schools, patients struggle to access hospitals, and many villagers have been forced to walk 15 to 20 kilometres to avail essential services. Road restoration has been stalled as ongoing land subsidence continues to pose serious risks.

“The road has been shut for 15 days, and the damage is very severe due to floods. This closure has hit everyone, especially school children and the elderly. No one from the administration has started repairs yet. We request urgent restoration,” said Jatinder Sharma, a resident of Badhal village.

In several stretches, sinking land has worsened the crisis, with at least seven houses badly affected. In one alarming case, a two-storey house shifted nearly 50 metres from its original site while still standing upright, sparking fear among locals.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kotranka, Dilmir Choudhary, said residents from the most affected zones have been evacuated to safer places, with food and essential supplies being delivered. Compensation files for displaced families are under process, and the area is under constant monitoring.

Meanwhile, in Poonch district, around 400 residents of Kalaban village in Mendhar sub-division have been moved to temporary shelters after houses developed cracks from land subsidence caused by relentless rainfall. Authorities, supported by a local NGO, are providing relief material, and the village has been declared unsafe until further notice.

Puja Khedkar’s Mother Accused of Aiding Truck Driver Abductors, Set Dogs on Police

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Puja Khedkar’s Mother Accused of Aiding Truck Driver Abductors, Set Dogs on Police 8

Former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar’s mother, Manorama Khedkar, is accused of helping two men escape after they allegedly abducted a truck driver and took him to the family’s bungalow in Pune. Navi Mumbai Police officials said Manorama also unleashed “ferocious” dogs to intimidate officers attempting to make arrests.

The accused have been identified as Puja Khedkar’s father, Dilip Khedkar, and his bodyguard, Praful Salunkhe. Both remain absconding.

The case began on Saturday evening when a truck driven by Prahlad Kumar, 22, brushed against a Land Cruiser on the Mulund-Airoli Road in Navi Mumbai. An argument followed, after which Dilip Khedkar and Salunkhe allegedly forced Kumar into the SUV and drove him to the Khedkar residence in Baner, Pune. The driver was rescued by police within hours on Sunday.

When Navi Mumbai Police, along with Pune’s Chatushringi police, reached the bungalow, Kumar was released, but the gates were locked. Officers said Manorama refused to cooperate, clicked photos of the FIR, and assured she would bring in the accused by 3 p.m., but later refused and allegedly removed the car used in the crime.

Police claim she then helped the accused flee and unleashed two aggressive dogs inside the premises to scare the officers. A case has been registered against her under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 221 for obstructing a public servant.

On Monday, a joint police team returned to the bungalow but found Manorama missing. “With no one to open the gate, police personnel scaled the iron gate to enter but she was not present inside,” said Uttam Bhajanawale, senior inspector of Chatushringi police station.

The investigation is ongoing, and the accused remain untraceable.

Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple Flooded as Tamsa River Overflows in Dehradun

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Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple Flooded as Tamsa River Overflows in Dehradun 10

Heavy overnight rainfall in Dehradun triggered flooding in the revered Tapkeshwar Mahadev temple as the Tamsa River swelled beyond its banks. Water entered the temple courtyard and reached up to the statue of Hanuman, though the sanctum sanctorum was not affected.

Temple priest Acharya Bipin Joshi said the river began swelling around 5 a.m., quickly submerging the entire premises. “Such a situation has not occurred in a very long time. Several places have been damaged, and we urge people to stay away from rivers during this time. Thankfully, the sanctum is safe, and no casualties have been reported,” he told ANI.

Local residents recounted how water surged into the cave temple, with levels rising nearly 10–12 feet. “Around 4:45 a.m., water entered the cave. Soon, it went above the Shivling. We somehow managed to escape using ropes,” said one resident.

Others reported heavy damage caused by strong currents that carried logs and debris into the temple complex. Locals have urged devotees and residents to avoid riverbanks until conditions stabilize.

SC Refuses to Halt Entire Waqf Law, Puts Key Provisions on Hold

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SC Refuses to Halt Entire Waqf Law, Puts Key Provisions on Hold 12

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay the entire Waqf Act, observing that laws carry a “presumption of constitutionality,” but suspended the implementation of some contentious provisions.

A bench headed by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih ruled that while a prima facie challenge to the law was raised, no grounds existed to halt the statute in its entirety. However, the court stayed the clause requiring individuals to have practised Islam for the last five years to be eligible to create a waqf.

The bench also stalled the provision empowering a government-designated officer to resolve disputes over whether waqf property encroaches on government land. “We have held presumption is always on constitutionality of statute and in the rarest cases it can be set aside,” the CJI said, noting that challenges primarily concerned sections 3(r), 3C, and 14 of the Act.

While refusing to stay the amendment permitting the appointment of a non-Muslim as Waqf Board CEO, the court directed that preference should be given to Muslims for the post “as far as possible.” It also ruled that the number of non-Muslims in state waqf boards and the central waqf council cannot exceed three members.

The Supreme Court had earlier, on May 22, reserved its order on three crucial issues, including the power to denotify properties declared as waqf by courts, by deed, or by usage. The detailed judgment is awaited.

Trump Slams Biden After Indian-Origin Motel Manager’s Murder in Dallas by Undocumented Immigrant

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Trump Slams Biden After Indian-Origin Motel Manager’s Murder in Dallas by Undocumented Immigrant 14

Former US President Donald Trump has condemned the Biden administration’s immigration policies following the brutal murder of Indian-origin motel manager Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah in Dallas. The 50-year-old, originally from Karnataka, was attacked with a machete on September 10 at the Downtown Suites Motel, where he lived and worked, in front of his wife and 18-year-old son.

Trump, posting on his platform Truth Social, blamed lenient immigration enforcement for the killing. Referring to the accused as an “Illegal Alien” who should have been deported, Trump declared: “Being soft on these Illegal Immigrant Criminals is OVER.”

The accused, 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, has been charged with capital murder. US immigration officials confirmed that he had a prior criminal record and was previously detained but released in January 2025 after Cuba refused to accept his deportation.

Nagamallaiah’s funeral was held on September 13 in Flower Mound, Texas, attended by close family and friends. The Indian-American community has been left shaken, with a fundraiser for the bereaved family already raising over USD 321,326. The killing has reignited debate over US immigration enforcement and the difficulties faced when deportations are blocked by home countries.

Maoist Leader with Rs 1 Crore Bounty Among Three Naxalites Killed in Jharkhand Encounter

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Maoist Leader with Rs 1 Crore Bounty Among Three Naxalites Killed in Jharkhand Encounter 16

In a major breakthrough for security forces, three Maoists, including top leader Sahdev Soren who carried a ₹1 crore bounty on his head, were killed in an early morning encounter in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag district on Monday.

The gunfight erupted around 6 am in the Pantitri forest under Gorhar police station limits during an operation against the squad led by Soren of the banned CPI (Maoist). Security personnel engaged in a fierce exchange of fire before neutralizing the ultras.

Police officials confirmed that the bodies of Soren and two other Maoists were recovered during the subsequent search operation, which remains underway to flush out any remaining cadres.

Jaishankar Urges Early End to Ukraine War in Talks with Polish FM Amid Drone Incursion Tensions

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Jaishankar Urges Early End to Ukraine War in Talks with Polish FM Amid Drone Incursion Tensions 18

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday spoke with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, stressing India’s consistent position for an early end to hostilities and a durable solution to the Ukraine conflict.

“Spoke to Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski of Poland today. He shared his concern about recent developments pertaining to Poland’s security. I underlined that India favors an early end to hostilities and a durable solution for the Ukraine conflict,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The conversation came as Poland heightened security measures following drone incursions into its airspace, which Polish President Karol Nawrocki described as an attempt by Russia to test NATO’s response. The incident prompted NATO fighter jets, surveillance planes, and refuelling aircraft to scramble, with debris from 16 drones recovered so far.

The United Nations Security Council is set to convene on Friday at the request of several member states, including Britain and France, to discuss the airspace violations. Poland has banned drone flights along its eastern borders with Ukraine and Belarus, restricting small air traffic until December 9.

Polish leaders have accused Moscow of trying to weaken NATO’s resolve to support Kyiv, given that much of Ukraine’s aid passes through Poland. Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said logistical support for Ukraine may have been a motive for the incursions.

The drone attacks have reignited questions about NATO’s preparedness against such threats and the safety of European airspace. Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic have pledged to boost military support for Poland, while calls for tougher sanctions on Russia are growing within the European Union.

Amid rising tensions, Jaishankar’s remarks underline India’s call for restraint and peace, urging dialogue as the path to resolving the conflict.

CP Radhakrishnan Sworn In as India’s 17th Vice President at Rashtrapati Bhavan

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CP Radhakrishnan Sworn In as India’s 17th Vice President at Rashtrapati Bhavan 20

CP Radhakrishnan was sworn in as India’s 17th Vice President on Friday at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of senior political leaders and dignitaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony and extended warm congratulations, joined by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The NDA nominee secured 452 votes earlier this week to defeat Opposition candidate and former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, who garnered 300 votes. The election followed Dhankhar’s resignation, citing health concerns.

Radhakrishnan stepped down as Governor of Maharashtra ahead of his oath, with Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat taking additional charge of Maharashtra until further notice, Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed.

In a congratulatory message shared on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: “Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding Vice President who will strengthen our constitutional values and enhance parliamentary discourse.”

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