Independent news from India and the world, in English and Hindi.https://lokvox.com/en-inhttps://lokvox.com/politics/dipke-detention-undeclared-emergency-mamata-rajnath-anarchy/https://lokvox.com/politics/dipke-detention-undeclared-emergency-mamata-rajnath-anarchy/Opposition leaders lined up on Friday to condemn the detention of Abhijeet Dipke for carrying the national flag. In Lucknow, the Defence Minister said Congress and its allies were using young people to spread anarchy.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:45:00 GMTPolitics / Oppositionelection-commissionelectoral-rolls-sirLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/sports/gill-iyer-split-odi-captaincy-new-zealand-bumrah-jadeja-out/https://lokvox.com/sports/gill-iyer-split-odi-captaincy-new-zealand-bumrah-jadeja-out/The selectors named two one-day squads and a Test squad for the New Zealand tour on Friday. Shubman Gill will leave the ODI series early to prepare for the Tests, and Shreyas Iyer takes over in Mount Maunganui.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:20:00 GMTSports / CricketLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/politics/cjp-lehra-do-tiranga-dipke-neha-bora-detained-connaught-place/https://lokvox.com/politics/cjp-lehra-do-tiranga-dipke-neha-bora-detained-connaught-place/About 150 people were held in central Delhi on Friday evening. Central Park stayed locked behind a human chain of police, and small groups with the Tricolour marched round the inner circle before being dispersed.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:15:00 GMTPolitics / Protestselection-commissionelectoral-rolls-sirLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/yes-bank-q2-results-preview-at1-verdict/https://lokvox.com/economy/yes-bank-q2-results-preview-at1-verdict/Brokerages expect profit to rise sharply on strong loan growth. The bigger question is what the Supreme Court's revival of ₹8,415 crore of written-off bonds means for the bank's capital.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:15:00 GMTEconomy / BankingeconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/zelenskyy-asks-eu-70-billion-trump-disgrace-row/https://lokvox.com/world/zelenskyy-asks-eu-70-billion-trump-disgrace-row/On the second day of the Brussels summit, the Ukrainian president said the war will cost €155 billion next year, while EU leaders promised no let-up in sanctions on Russia.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:15:00 GMTWorld / EuropeLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/after-yes-bank-ruling-rbi-must-own-investor-protection/https://lokvox.com/economy/after-yes-bank-ruling-rbi-must-own-investor-protection/The court called the regulator a 'mere bystander' while risky bonds were sold to ordinary customers. Before it says another word about the AT-1 write-off, the RBI should explain what it saw, and what it will change at bank branches.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:10:00 GMTEditorialsupreme-courteconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/ec-hearing-trinamool-ownership-dispute-october-30/https://lokvox.com/states/ec-hearing-trinamool-ownership-dispute-october-30/The commission froze the party's name and its 'flowers and grass' symbol for last month's bypolls. It will now take up the larger question of which faction owns the Trinamool Congress.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:05:00 GMTStates / West Bengalstateselection-commissionLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/mann-phillaur-punjab-defamed-drugs-mha-seeks-reports/https://lokvox.com/states/mann-phillaur-punjab-defamed-drugs-mha-seeks-reports/At a day-long review in Phillaur, the Chief Minister told police the Centre was blaming Punjab for problems on its own watch. Hours later, the Home Ministry asked the state for reports on three drug-linked cases.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:45:00 GMTStates / Punjabstateselections-2027LokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/science/cult-fit-sebi-nod-ipo-950-crore-fresh-issue/https://lokvox.com/science/cult-fit-sebi-nod-ipo-950-crore-fresh-issue/The fitness chain, which runs 708 centres in 77 cities, can now go ahead with a public issue that also lets Temasek, Accel and co-founder Mukesh Bansal sell shares.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMTScience & Tech / StartupsLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/ethiopia-installs-interim-government-tigray-abiy/https://lokvox.com/world/ethiopia-installs-interim-government-tigray-abiy/Ethiopia's prime minister promised free elections in the northern region once the new administration, run on directives from Addis Ababa, has restored stability.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:20:00 GMTWorld / AfricaLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/policy/chouhan-women-farmers-recognition-sanchi/https://lokvox.com/policy/chouhan-women-farmers-recognition-sanchi/Speaking on Women Farmers' Day, the Agriculture Minister also laid foundation stones for 46 rural roads and announced a livelihood pilot for Raisen and Vidisha.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:10:00 GMTPolicy / Agricultureagriculture-mspLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/nepal-dashain-exodus-flood-victims-rent-aid/https://lokvox.com/world/nepal-dashain-exodus-flood-victims-rent-aid/Daily departures from the valley have passed 85,000. The cabinet has approved six months of housing aid for families in Gorkha, Dhading and Baglung, and fuel prices are being held despite Indian Oil's revisions.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMTWorld / NepalLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/bonus-issue-explained-tech-mahindra/https://lokvox.com/economy/bonus-issue-explained-tech-mahindra/Tech Mahindra's board has recommended one free share for every share held, its first bonus issue since 2015. Here is how a bonus works, what happens to the share price, and what shareholders need to watch for.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:50:00 GMTExplained / MarketseconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/pnb-federal-bank-q2-profit-record/https://lokvox.com/economy/pnb-federal-bank-q2-profit-record/The Kerala lender's bad loans fell to ten-year lows and its margins widened. Punjab National Bank earned ₹5,532 crore as its bad loans shrank.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:40:00 GMTEconomy / BankingeconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/sports/india-championship-darkness-halts-round-two-meronk-hidalgo-luiten/https://lokvox.com/sports/india-championship-darkness-halts-round-two-meronk-hidalgo-luiten/More than half the field was still on the course at Delhi Golf Club when play was called off on Friday, after Thursday's storm pushed the schedule back. Om Prakash Chouhan is four off the pace, and a clutch of Indians are hovering around the cut.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:40:00 GMTSports / GolfLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/ltm-q2-profit-flat-revenue-up-13-per-cent/https://lokvox.com/economy/ltm-q2-profit-flat-revenue-up-13-per-cent/The IT company formerly called LTIMindtree grew rupee revenue 13.6%, helped by the weak rupee, but its dollar revenue rose just 1.1% from the previous quarter.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:25:00 GMTEconomy / ITeconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/andhra-local-body-nominations-violence-punganur-mithun-reddy/https://lokvox.com/states/andhra-local-body-nominations-violence-punganur-mithun-reddy/SUVs were overturned when YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy's convoy reached a nomination centre, and cars were set alight in Rayachoti. The TDP and YSRCP blame each other, and police dispute the MP's account.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:10:00 GMTStates / Andhra PradeshstatesLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/sports/bhuvneshwar-added-india-squad-arshdeep-shoulder-bengaluru/https://lokvox.com/sports/bhuvneshwar-added-india-squad-arshdeep-shoulder-bengaluru/The BCCI added the 36-year-old seamer to India's squad on Friday and said a call on Arshdeep Singh will be made before Saturday's fifth T20I. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said Bhuvneshwar's experience will steady a young attack.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:10:00 GMTSports / CricketLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/policy/jaishankar-rubio-talks-mumbai-october-20-mea/https://lokvox.com/policy/jaishankar-rubio-talks-mumbai-october-20-mea/The US Secretary of State visits India from 17 to 22 October with energy on the agenda, but will not come to Delhi. The MEA says leaders have often been hosted outside the capital.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:10:00 GMTPolicy / Foreign affairsindia-us-tradeLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/rupee-sixth-gain-forex-reserves-fall-726-billion/https://lokvox.com/economy/rupee-sixth-gain-forex-reserves-fall-726-billion/The currency closed at 94.89 a dollar, about 2% stronger than a week ago. Reserves fell for a fifth straight week as the RBI kept selling dollars to defend it.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:10:00 GMTEconomy / Rupeerupee-forexeconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/dlf-q2-profit-rises-10-per-cent/https://lokvox.com/economy/dlf-q2-profit-rises-10-per-cent/The two listed property developers reported their September-quarter numbers on Friday. Oberoi's revenue fell 6% from a year earlier but its profit jumped 40% from the June quarter.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:50:00 GMTEconomy / Real estateeconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/india-envoy-vinay-kumar-russia-ukraine-dialogue-recruitment/https://lokvox.com/world/india-envoy-vinay-kumar-russia-ukraine-dialogue-recruitment/Speaking in Kazan, India's ambassador to Russia also warned Indians against fake job offers that end with recruitment into the Russian army.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:50:00 GMTWorld / RussiaLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/policy/mea-rejects-us-congresswoman-remarks-electoral-process/https://lokvox.com/policy/mea-rejects-us-congresswoman-remarks-electoral-process/Jayapal said she was deeply concerned about what she called a purge of 130 million voters. India's ambassador in Washington called it unacceptable interference.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:50:00 GMTPolicy / Foreign affairselectoral-rolls-sirelection-commissionLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/pope-leo-celebrates-mass-gemelli-hospital-steady-improvement/https://lokvox.com/world/pope-leo-celebrates-mass-gemelli-hospital-steady-improvement/On his fourth day at Rome's Gemelli hospital after lung cancer surgery, the Pope celebrated Mass for the staff caring for him, and the Vatican released the first picture of him since the operation.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:40:00 GMTWorld / VaticanLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/sports/hazlewood-backs-boland-rickelton-gloves-gqeberha-test/https://lokvox.com/sports/hazlewood-backs-boland-rickelton-gloves-gqeberha-test/Australia's Durban match-winner expects Scott Boland to play a part in the series, while South Africa's fielding coach Kruger van Wyk called Ryan Rickelton 'a first-choice keeper' before Sunday's second Test in Gqeberha.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:20:00 GMTSports / CricketLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/bulgaria-asks-nato-jets-poland-scrambles-russia-hits-volyn/https://lokvox.com/world/bulgaria-asks-nato-jets-poland-scrambles-russia-hits-volyn/Poland scrambled fighters as Russian drones and missiles hit Ukraine's Volyn region overnight, and Sofia formally asked the alliance for aircraft and anti-drone systems.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:10:00 GMTWorld / EuropeLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/jk-ias-officer-abuses-jkas-officer-omar-abdullah-protection/https://lokvox.com/states/jk-ias-officer-abuses-jkas-officer-omar-abdullah-protection/A video of Labour Secretary Kumar Rajeev Ranjan shouting down a JKAS officer at a review meeting has united Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, and revived the row over who controls the bureaucracy.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:10:00 GMTStates / Jammu & KashmirstatesLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/zetwerk-tonbo-ipo-day-two-close-subscription/https://lokvox.com/economy/zetwerk-tonbo-ipo-day-two-close-subscription/Big investors are holding back from the ₹5,012 crore Zetwerk offer, while the much smaller Tonbo Imaging sale is drawing heavy demand from wealthy individuals. Both close on Monday.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:10:00 GMTEconomy / IPOseconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/trump-says-us-in-denuclearisation-talks-russia-china/https://lokvox.com/world/trump-says-us-in-denuclearisation-talks-russia-china/The US president said China was racing to catch up with the two biggest nuclear powers and could do so within five years, but gave no details of the talks.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:45:00 GMTWorld / USLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/bajaj-housing-finance-q2-profit-rises-18-per-cent/https://lokvox.com/economy/bajaj-housing-finance-q2-profit-rises-18-per-cent/The Bajaj group's mortgage lender earned ₹757 crore in the September quarter. Its assets under management crossed ₹1.58 lakh crore, though bad loans edged up.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:40:00 GMTEconomy / FinanceeconomyLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/zubeen-garg-cousin-sandipan-bail-gauhati-high-court/https://lokvox.com/states/zubeen-garg-cousin-sandipan-bail-gauhati-high-court/The suspended police officer, held since October last year, is the second of seven accused to get bail. His lawyer expects him out after the Durga Puja holidays.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:35:00 GMTStates / AssamstatesLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/eu-russia-sanctions-indian-firms-explained/https://lokvox.com/world/eu-russia-sanctions-indian-firms-explained/Brussels on Thursday listed nine more companies for helping Russia get round its curbs, four of them from India, the UAE and the Seychelles. An EU listing does not bind India, but it can still shut a company out of European money, ships and markets.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:20:00 GMTExplained / EuropeLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/policy/kanda-express-onion-rake-agartala-northeast/https://lokvox.com/policy/kanda-express-onion-rake-agartala-northeast/The onion train is due on 18 October. The Centre is releasing buffer stock in the Northeast to keep prices in check before the festive season.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:15:00 GMTPolicy / Food pricesinflationLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/gold-silver-crude-prices-october-16/https://lokvox.com/economy/gold-silver-crude-prices-october-16/Precious metals extended Thursday's rebound ahead of the festive weekend, while Brent crude eased to about $105.6 a barrel but stayed far above last year's levels.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:10:00 GMTEconomy / CommoditieseconomyinflationLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/tripura-municipal-polls-6-29-lakh-electors/https://lokvox.com/states/tripura-municipal-polls-6-29-lakh-electors/The State Election Commission has published the electorate for 20 urban local bodies, from the Agartala Municipal Corporation to six nagar panchayats.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:10:00 GMTStates / TripurastatesLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/lindy-cameron-signs-off-uk-high-commissioner-india/https://lokvox.com/world/lindy-cameron-signs-off-uk-high-commissioner-india/The outgoing British High Commissioner leaves New Delhi to become the first woman to head the Foreign Office's civil service, handing over to her deputy Ben Miller.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:00:00 GMTWorld / UKLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/prashant-kishor-samrat-choudhary-lord-ram-remark-arrogance/https://lokvox.com/states/prashant-kishor-samrat-choudhary-lord-ram-remark-arrogance/The Jan Suraaj founder says the Chief Minister's praise of Modi tries to deify him, and asks voters in the legislative council polls to hand the NDA a 'chastisement'.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:50:00 GMTStates / BiharstatesLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/politics/delhi-sir-reverification-47-lakh-deleted-voters/https://lokvox.com/politics/delhi-sir-reverification-47-lakh-deleted-voters/Booth-level officers have been told to reverify every elector left out of the draft published on 31 August, after complaints that living voters at their own addresses were struck off.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:45:00 GMTPolitics / Electionselection-commissionelectoral-rolls-sirLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/policy/pm-setu-1195-crore-five-iti-clusters/https://lokvox.com/policy/pm-setu-1195-crore-five-iti-clusters/Five ITI clusters, each with a hub and four spokes and an industry partner, were approved under PM-SETU. Total approvals under the scheme now reach ₹3,687 crore.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:40:00 GMTPolicy / SkillsLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/peshawar-school-collapse-fir-owners-contractor-inquiry/https://lokvox.com/world/peshawar-school-collapse-fir-owners-contractor-inquiry/The case alleges substandard materials and ignored warnings about cracking walls. Every school building in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is to be inspected within three days.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:30:00 GMTWorld / PakistanLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/economy/sensex-nifty-it-rally-weekly-gain-october-16/https://lokvox.com/economy/sensex-nifty-it-rally-weekly-gain-october-16/Tech Mahindra, TCS and Infosys led Friday's gains after strong results from the sector. The Nifty closed above 23,000 for the first time this week and foreign funds turned buyers.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:25:00 GMTEconomy / Marketseconomyrupee-forexLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/policy/india-mongolia-defence-joint-working-group/https://lokvox.com/policy/india-mongolia-defence-joint-working-group/The 14th Joint Working Group looked at training, exercises and cyber security. Indian officials visited the cyber training centre set up with Indian help.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:20:00 GMTPolicy / DefenceLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/sports/asian-para-games-bhavina-suhas-krishna-nagar-winning-start/https://lokvox.com/sports/asian-para-games-bhavina-suhas-krishna-nagar-winning-start/India's paddlers won all four of their singles matches in Nagoya on Friday, and Suhas Yathiraj dropped only 19 points in his first badminton group match, two days before the opening ceremony.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:50:00 GMTSports / Para sportLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/politics/supreme-court-contempt-notice-sanjay-raut-nikhil-wagle/https://lokvox.com/politics/supreme-court-contempt-notice-sanjay-raut-nikhil-wagle/A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued show-cause notices on the Supreme Court Bar Association's plea but excused both men from appearing in person. "May better sense prevail," the CJI said.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:45:00 GMTPolitics / Courtssupreme-courtLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/indonesia-stocks-worst-day-since-1998-msci-downgrade/https://lokvox.com/world/indonesia-stocks-worst-day-since-1998-msci-downgrade/The Jakarta Composite fell more than 11% and trading was halted for half an hour after the index provider said it plans to move Indonesia out of its emerging-markets group.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:40:00 GMTWorld / Southeast AsiaLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/politics/protest-needs-more-than-one-designated-site/https://lokvox.com/politics/protest-needs-more-than-one-designated-site/Jantar Mantar has been struck off the list, Central Park is shut, and prohibitory orders cover Connaught Place. Delhi needs protest sites people can actually reach, rules that are written down, and protesters who keep the peace.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMTEditorialsupreme-courtLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/states/manipur-kamjong-ambush-kuki-woman-killed-couple-missing/https://lokvox.com/states/manipur-kamjong-ambush-kuki-woman-killed-couple-missing/Two couples on motorcycles were fired on near Phaikoh on Thursday evening. Kuki groups blame the NSCN-IM; police say only that suspected militants carried out the attack.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:00:00 GMTStates / ManipurstatesLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/world/afc-asian-cup-2027-saudi-schedule-could-move/https://lokvox.com/world/afc-asian-cup-2027-saudi-schedule-could-move/The tournament is due to open in Riyadh on 7 January. With Houthi missiles hitting Saudi airports, the AFC's president said a final call could wait until the end of November.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:10:00 GMTWorld / GulfLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/politics/delhi-high-court-refuses-stay-sc-st-fir-woman-journalist-acp/https://lokvox.com/politics/delhi-high-court-refuses-stay-sc-st-fir-woman-journalist-acp/The journalist says the case is a counterblast to her complaint that ACP Vivek Bhagat sexually harassed her at a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner. The Supreme Court has already barred coercive action against her.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMTPolitics / Press freedomLokVox Editorial Deskhttps://lokvox.com/politics/high-court-allows-punjab-plea-bhagwant-mann-france-visit-clearance/https://lokvox.com/politics/high-court-allows-punjab-plea-bhagwant-mann-france-visit-clearance/The Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside the Ministry of External Affairs' refusal of political clearance for the Chief Minister's France visit. The Centre had cited threats to his security.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:45:00 GMTPolitics / PunjabLokVox Editorial Desk