Kaumi Gazette

National

Election Commission declines RTI request for voter roll software details, citing intellectual property exemptions

26 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — The Election Commission of India has declined a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking technical details, algorithms, and software versions used to identify errors in voter rolls during the SIR exercise, citing commercial confidence, trade secrets, and intellectual property exemptions. The response, dated October 16, was issued following an application filed on

National

Manipur Chief Minister asserts state cannot attain progress while gun culture persists

25 October, 2026

IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand asserted on Sunday that the state cannot attain progress or lasting peace as long as a “gun culture” persists, marking his stance during a visit to the Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi district. The camp, a designated facility under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement for the Kuki National

National

Congress accuses Election Commission of withholding software details and demands suspension of electoral roll revision

25 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — The Congress party has accused the Election Commission of India of withholding critical information regarding the ECINET software used in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the secrecy is intended to conceal centralized electoral manipulation. The political confrontation intensified following disclosures that the poll body declined an RTI application

World

Saudi-led coalition intercepts incoming missiles as cross-border attacks escalate

25 October, 2026

RIYADH — The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh, a drone in the Riyadh region, and a cruise missile aimed at Khamis Mushait on Sunday morning, amid an escalation in cross-border attacks. The latest aerial interceptions followed an announcement by Riyadh airport that international flights would resume from Terminal 2 on

World

Trump Administration Removes Thirteen Percent of Americans From Federal Food Stamp Program

25 October, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has removed 13 percent of Americans previously enrolled in the federal food stamp program, according to a report published on October 25, 2026. The reduction affects participants across the United States. Specific criteria, mechanisms, and dates regarding how enrollees were removed from the assistance rolls have not been detailed in

National

Opposition INDIA bloc announces Delhi rally against Election Commission over voter list allegations

25 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the opposition INDIA bloc have announced a “Chalo Dilli” mega rally and march to Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The demonstration is directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. According to Congress

National

Election Commission declines to disclose voter roll software details under RTI Act

25 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — The Election Commission of India has declined to disclose details of the software used to identify errors and anomalies in voter rolls during the Special Intensive Revision exercise, citing exemptions under the Right to Information Act. In an RTI reply dated October 16, responding to an application filed by Karimnagar-based social activist

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Government Abolishes Housing Board NOC Requirement for Building Plans

25 October, 2026

LUCKNOW — The Uttar Pradesh government has abolished the requirement for property owners and developers to obtain a no-objection certificate from the Uttar Pradesh Housing and Development Board (Avas Vikas Parishad) for building-plan approvals. The policy change removes a mandate established by a September 2010 government order, which required property owners whose land fell within

National

Election Commission orders action against nine officials over voter list anomalies in Azamgarh

25 October, 2026

LUCKNOW — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered departmental proceedings and dismissal notices against nine officials following a voter list anomaly in Uttar Pradesh where a single name appeared multiple times in the Azamgarh assembly constituency. The administrative action follows a public press conference held on October 15, during which Samajwadi Party chief

World

Britain’s Cocaine Market Reaches Billions As Use And Treatment Demand Surge

25 October, 2026

LONDON — Britain’s annual cocaine market has reached an estimated £9.8bn, driven by high consumption levels and fluctuating wholesale pricing, according to government data and independent analysis. Home Office experimental sewage estimates indicate that cocaine use in England rose by 26% between 2021 and 2025. During the 2024–25 period, Home Office scientists estimated that consumers

World

Brazil Holds Presidential Run-off Election Between Lula and Bolsonaro

25 October, 2026

BRASILIA — Nearly 160 million citizens across Brazil head to the polls on Saturday for the decisive presidential run-off election, choosing between incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. The high-stakes ballot on October 25 follows a tightly contested first-round vote held on October 4, in which Bolsonaro secured 47 percent

National

Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi thanks BJP for rally publicity as alliance plans Chief Election Commissioner impeachment

25 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi expressed gratitude to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for providing publicity to his party’s rallies, according to political updates released on October 25, 2026. Concurrently, the INDIA opposition bloc has formulated plans to initiate a public impeachment proceeding against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The dual developments highlight

World

Software and Administrative Errors Place Thousands of Non-Citizens on US Voter Rolls

25 October, 2026

WASHINGTON — Over the past two decades, software glitches and administrative errors during driver’s license and government identification processes across the United States have resulted in more than 30,000 self-identified non-citizens being added to voter registration rolls, according to official documents and media reports. The technical and clerical discrepancies span more than a dozen states,

National

Supreme Court Rules Magistrates Retain Discretion to Reject Police Closure Reports

25 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court has ruled that judicial magistrates are not bound by police closure reports and retain the legal discretion to take cognisance of offences or order further investigations based on available material. The ruling was delivered by a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran, which set aside a

Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow dispatches ten thousand ration kits for flood-affected families following directives from Defense Minister Rajnath Singh

25 October, 2026

LUCKNOW — Ten thousand ration kits were dispatched on Saturday for flood-affected families in the Faizullaganj area of Lucknow, following directives issued by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. BJP MLA Pankaj Singh flagged off the relief tractor-trolleys from the Maharishi University campus located on IIM Road. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to deliver essential

National

Opposition INDIA bloc plans mock assembly and march against Chief Election Commissioner

25 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — The opposition INDIA bloc has announced plans to hold a symbolic public impeachment proceeding and mock assembly against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30 in New Delhi. The event will be followed by a mass “Dilli Chalo” march to Ramlila Maidan on November 1, according to announcements by alliance leaders.

World

Tehran bars US military from Gulf as regional hostilities escalate across Middle East

25 October, 2026

NEW DELHI — Tehran declared that the United States military would never be allowed to enter the Gulf, as coordinated regional escalations on October 24 spanned maritime threats, missile barrages across Saudi Arabia, and ongoing military operations in the West Bank. The widening hostilities compound broader geopolitical friction involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Amid

National

Election Commission orders repoll at three centres in Agra MLC constituency

25 October, 2026

AGRA — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a fresh poll at three centres within the Agra MLC constituency. According to official schedules, the repoll is slated for October 26. The electoral panel’s directive necessitates fresh voting at the designated booths to complete the electoral process for the Legislative Council seat. Further details

National

Haryana Congress launches mobilisation campaign for Delhi rally demanding electoral inquiry

25 October, 2026

CHANDIGARH — Pressing for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and an independent inquiry into alleged voting irregularities, the Haryana Congress has started a grassroots mobilisation campaign for its November 1 ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. The public demonstration aims to demand accountability within the electoral system, safeguard

World

Israeli Forces Level Hebron Neighborhood, Displacing Hundreds Following Checkpoint Attack

24 October, 2026

HEBRON — Israeli forces levelled a neighbourhood in the West Bank city of Hebron, evicting approximately 300 families and displacing some 1,500 people by Saturday afternoon following a deadly militant attack on an army checkpoint. According to local Palestinian authorities, the demolitions in the district of Ein Deir Baha were carried out as collective punishment.

World

US Intelligence Warns of Advanced Iranian Plots Targeting American Personnel Abroad

24 October, 2026

WASHINGTON — US intelligence agencies have warned that Iranian plots targeting American personnel abroad have reached advanced stages, prompting Washington to trim its diplomatic footprint across the Middle East. The security alert was detailed in an official intelligence memo sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to

World

Brazilian Presidential Candidates Clash in Final Debate Prior to Run-off Election

24 October, 2026

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro clashed over economic policy, public spending, and security on Friday during their final televised debate ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes presidential run-off election. Broadcast live from Rio de Janeiro on TV Globo, the debate brought together the incumbent leader and

World

Israel Launches West Bank Offensive and Lockdown Following Hebron Attack

24 October, 2026

JERUSALEM — Israel’s military launched a broad offensive and full lockdown across the occupied West Bank, deploying house-to-house raids, home demolitions, and mass arrests. The military escalation follows a checkpoint attack near Hebron on Friday that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and two suspected Palestinian gunmen. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

World

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges Cuban citizens to partner with CIA

24 October, 2026

WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly called on individuals seeking political transformation in Cuba to partner with the Central Intelligence Agency, urging civilians to help force an end to the island nation’s communist government. Writing on the social media platform X, Mr Rubio stated, “To those who seek to create positive change

Headlines

Top stories

Uttar Pradesh

India

World

Opinion

Explainers

Latest News

Latest stories