The big news: Modi calls for punishment for those harbouring terrorists, and nine other top stories
Ravichandran Ashwin led India to a 3-0 win against New Zealand, and Jayalalithaa's portfolios were allocated to AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam.
A look at the headlines right now:
- Those who shelter terrorists can't be spared, says Narendra Modi at Ramleela event in Lucknow: This is reportedly the first time a serving prime minister has attended the well-known festival in Uttar Pradesh.
- Ravichandran Ashwin's 13-wicket haul spins India to 321-run win in 3rd Test: The hosts won the series against New Zealand 3-0 with the off-spinner claiming figures of 13/140.
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's portfolios handed over to Finance Minister O Panneerselvam: The governor said the decision was made after orders from the chief minister, who has been in hospital since September 22.
- India has a ‘serious’ hunger problem, ranks 97 out of 118 countries on the Global Hunger Index: A report released by the International Food Policy Research Institute said 38.7% of children under the age of five are stunted because of lack of food.
- Bad loans in India’s banking sector grew 15% in six months to $138.5 billion in June, says Reuters: Analysts say the country’s state-run banks will need a much higher capital infusion than the $10 billion pledged by the Centre.
- Vladimir Putin cancels visit to France after Francois Hollande says will only hold talks on Syria: The French president said he was ready to meet his Russian counterpart if the two could ‘advance peace, end the bombings and announce a truce’.
- Two soldiers injured as encounter in Kashmir's Pampore continues: The militants, who are holed up in a government building, reportedly came by boat along the Jhelum river, which flows in from Pakistan.
- Philanthropist Parmeshwar Godrej dies: In 2004, she launched the 'Heroes Project' with Hollywood actor Richard Gere in an effort to raise awareness about HIV/Aids in India.
- Pakistani journalist barred from leaving country for report on government-military exchange: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's office has issued a statement calling the news item, which was published in Dawn, 'false and fabricated'.
- Centre can now fix retail prices of essential commodities in ‘extraordinary situations’: A Consumer Affairs Ministry official said prices, which are now market-controlled, would not be fixed by the central government on an everyday basis.