Ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued digital vouchers to all national and regional political parties, directing officials for the allotment of broadcast and telecast time for them on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR).

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the Telangana government's plea challenging a high court order which stayed a government order providing 42 per cent reservation to Backward Classes in local bodies.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the state's plea against the October 9 order of the Telangana High Court.

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Thursday said that India’s choices regarding oil imports are based on its national interests, and that Russia’s partnership with India is in line with those priorities.

When asked if India would continue buying Russian oil, Alipov replied, “That is for the Indian government to decide. The Indian government always acts in its national interest, and our energy cooperation fully supports that goal.”

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Wednesday clarified that members can withdraw 75 per cent of their provident fund amount immediately after leaving a job, while the entire balance can be withdrawn after one year of unemployment.

A statement from the labour ministry said, “Seventy-five per cent of the amount can be withdrawn immediately after leaving the job, and the full amount can be withdrawn after being unemployed for one year.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (local time) that PM Narendra Modi has assured him that India will stop buying oil from Russia, a move he described as “a big step” in Washington’s efforts to isolate Moscow over the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had previously expressed dissatisfaction with India’s oil purchases from Russia.

A lawsuit by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accusing Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani of violating securities laws has been temporarily paused due to the US federal government shutdown, Bloomberg reported.

Adani was indicted in November by Brooklyn prosecutors, who accused him of fraud and orchestrating a $250 million bribery scheme.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday said that a total compensation of Rs 4.87 crore has been issued to the families of victims in the unfortunate Karur stampede incident that claimed the lives of 41 people. He also criticised the organisers of the event in Karur, revealing that there was no crowd management.

Amid growing demand for stricter compliance with safety and quality control norms for medical products, the Centre is framing a law to strengthen the legal framework for drug quality testing and market surveillance, along with regulation of medical devices and cosmetics.

One of the major reasons behind the drafting of the law is the repeated complaints and concerns flagged by health regulators across the globe, including the WHO, over serious quality lapses by Indian drug manufacturers.

China on Wednesday filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over India's electric vehicle (EV) and battery subsidies, claiming that the measures give an "unfair competitive advantage" to the domestic manufacturers and undermine China's interests, Reuters reported.

In a statement, China's Ministry of Commerce said it will take "firm measures" to effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its domestic industries.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought response of Ilaiyaraaja Music N Management Pvt Ltd (IMMA) on a plea of Sony Entertainment seeking to transfer to the Bombay High Court a fresh copyright dispute instituted by the music composer's firm in the Madras High Court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran took note of the submissions of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sony Entertainment.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.