The Gauhati High Court has dismissed criminal proceedings against CNN-News18 anchor Akanksha Swarup in connection with remarks made during a televised interview regarding alleged human sacrifices at the Maa Kamakhya temple. The comments were made during an interview with a relative of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was murdered earlier this year in Meghalaya by his wife and her partner. Following the broadcast, Guwahati’s Cyber Branch Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Swarup on June 12, invoking provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as reported by Northeast Now. Swarup subsequently challenged the FIR in the Gauhati High Court. On October 15, Justice Shamima Jahan ruled that the anchor did not intend to incite enmity or promote disharmony, and ordered the FIR to be quashed. During the hearing, the court described the remarks as “careless and unnecessary,” and advised public figures to exercise caution and verify facts be

  image courtesy: Saiast The Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has fenced a 38-acre land parcel located in Survey No. 25/2 of Pet Basheerabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri district, following reports of illegal encroachments. The land was originally allotted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Journalists Mutually Aided Cooperative Housing Society (JNJ MAC Housing Society) by the then State government nearly 18 years ago. However, legal disputes over ownership and boundaries stalled individual allotments. According to a report by The Hindu, HYDRAA officials, the agency received complaints from the housing society, the Revenue Department, and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) regarding unauthorized occupation. A joint inspection confirmed the presence of encroachments and unapproved structures. HYDRAA fenced off the open portions of the land, excluding existing dwellings. The agency stated that a verification process will be conducted soon, durin

Image source: Perplexity AI; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   A phone call meant for Diwali greetings has turned into another diplomatic tangle. Once again, US President Donald Trump claimed India had promised to cut its Russian oil imports — a statement New Delhi neither confirmed nor endorsed. While Trump spoke of trade, oil and “no war with Pakistan,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response was far more restrained — one that focused on hope, friendship and the fight against terrorism. What followed was a familiar scene: Washington’s loud diplomacy meeting Delhi’s studied silence. Hot off the Press Chidanand Rajghatta for The Times of India reported that Trump, during a White House Diwali event, said he had spoken to “Prime Minister Modi today” and that Modi assured him India would be “cutting back” on Russian oil purchases. Trump also added, with typical flourish, “Let’s have no war with Pakistan,” though the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) quickly den

Taking serious note of the assaults on journalists reported from Kerala, Tripura, and Manipur over the past three months, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday (October 22, 2025) issued notices to the respective state governments. According to The Hindu, the commission has asked the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of the three states to submit detailed reports on the incidents within two weeks. As per a report from the commission, a journalist in Manipur was attacked on August 30 while covering a flower festival in Laii village of Senapati district. He was shot twice with an air gun and sustained severe injuries. On the same day in Kerala, another journalist was assaulted by a group of people when he reached Mangattukavala near Thodupuzha. In Tripura, on September 21, a journalist was brutally attacked with sticks and sharp weapons by a group of miscreants while covering a clothes distribution event organised by a political party in the Hezamara area of West

The Delhi state government has come under sharp criticism for allegedly sidelining Urdu media journalists at its annual Diwali Mangal Milan event. The event, held on October 13, was organised by the Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) of the Delhi government. Journalists from both print and electronic media were invited for a special interaction with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Ashoka Hotel as part of the Diwali Mangal Milan programme. Extending festive greetings, the Chief Minister described the gathering as an opportunity for an dialogue with the media. "Today, at the Diwali Mangal Milan ceremony, I had the opportunity for a heartfelt interaction with our media friends. The program was graced by the dignified presence of Cabinet Ministers Shri Pravesh Sahib Singh Ji, Shri Ashish Sood Ji, Shri Manjinder Singh Sirsa Ji, Shri Ravindra Indraj Ji, and Shri Kapil Mishra Ji. Heartfelt Diwali greetings to all media colleagues", she wrote on X. However, Rajesh Sharma,

The Seven Network has secured the exclusive Australian rights to the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (RLWC2026), which will be live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport from October 15 next year.  Kicking off with a much-anticipated clash between Australia and New Zealand at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Seven’s month-long coverage will showcase the international rugby league with 18 mens, 15 womens and 20 wheelchair matches. Hosted by Australia, RLWC2026 will feature 26 teams from around the world, including England, Tonga and Samoa, with four matches to also be played in Papua New Guinea and two matches in New Zealand. Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Howard, said: “Seven is proud to be the unrivalled home of Australian sport. The Rugby League World Cup is a significant world-class event and hosting it on home soil makes it even more special. It’s exactly the kind of premium sporting content Seven is known for and committed to deliverin

    Welcome to Thursday and let's start the day with students who took their HSC exams yesterday in 40 degree heat, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. The paper goes with one of their trademark coverful and joyful pictures on the front page today, and very nice it is too - credit to snapper Sam Mooy, and a great way to start the day.  Also at the SMH, ('Coalition in a spin over Rudd'), Matthew Knott and Michael Koziol, provide more column inches on the Liberals tearing themselves apart, with leader Sussan Ley walking back comments she made yesterday around the call for Kevin Rudd to be hauled back to Australia. Is it just me, or don't they have more pressing issues - like keeping the party together? Ley subtly changed tack after recently demoted former frontbencher Jane Hume said the call was "a little but churlish" and that Rudd should be acknowledged for "his good work".  At sister paper The Age, it's all about housing and jobs this morning, with an e