The Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed that the Election Commission of India is constitutionally and legally empowered to carry out the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, refusing to halt the process. It noted that the court may intervene later—extending deadlines or ordering corrections—if a “fit case” arises. Petitions from West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala challenging the SIR were segregated for separate hearings, with the Court seeking responses from the EC and the respective state governments. The ruling underscores that electoral roll revision remains primarily the EC’s domain while judicial scrutiny remains open. (PC: PTI)

India has approved a Rs 7,280-crore plan to build its own rare earth permanent magnet (REPM) industry and cut its heavy reliance on China. China controls about 90% of global rare earth magnet production, which is key for EVs, wind turbines, electronics and defence systems. The new scheme will create India’s first full rare earth supply chain, from oxides to metals and finished magnets. The plan will run for seven to ten years with subsidies and incentives to set up 6,000 MTPA capacity. India has large rare earth reserves but makes only 1% of global output today. (PC: India Today)

Mary D’Costa has spoken out as cheating rumours spread around Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal’s postponed wedding. She said the chats with Palash took place only from April 29 to May 30. She added, “I never met him and I never got involved with him in any way.” D’Costa also said, “I am not the choreographer, and I am not the person he cheated with.” Screenshots of their chats, first posted on Reddit, went viral online. The wedding was put on hold after Smriti’s father fell ill. Smriti then deleted all wedding posts, adding to speculation. Palash’s cousin asked people not to judge him. (PC: X)

The VIP number plate “HR88B8888” was sold for a record ₹1.17 crore at an online auction in Haryana, making it the most expensive car registration number in India. The auction began with a base price of ₹50,000, but intense bidding — among 45 applicants — pushed the final amount past ₹1 crore by Wednesday evening. The number plate’s appeal lies in its visual symmetry: the uppercase “B” resembles the digit “8,” making “HR‑88‑B‑8888” read as a continuous string of eights — a motif many consider auspicious. This sale highlights the growing demand in India for “fancy” or VIP registration plates, often traded at prices far exceeding those of the vehicles they’re assigned to. (PC: X & Gemini)

Nearly 20 years after bodies of 19 children and women were found in Noida’s Nithari village, parents are demanding answers. Surinder Koli, last convicted in the case, was acquitted by the Supreme Court, ending the long judicial process. Families say the investigation was flawed and confessions were extracted under torture. Victims’ parents, like Sunita and Pappu Lal, remain anguished, asking, “If they are innocent, who killed our children?” Many victims’ families have left the area, while others struggle with grief and anger. Lawyers and officials say reinvestigation is unlikely due to the time elapsed. (PC: BBC)

The Election Commission (EC) has told the Supreme Court that about 99% of enumeration forms for Kerala’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have been distributed. The EC argued that there is no need to delay the SIR process, even though it overlaps with upcoming local body elections. Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that more than 96% of forms are with voters, and over half of them have already been digitized. Meanwhile, the state government had asked the Court to defer SIR, citing administrative concerns. 

In a strategic move, the Union Cabinet has approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme to develop India’s manufacturing capacity for sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM). The plan targets the establishment of 6,000 metric tonnes per annum of integrated REPM production through a global competitive bidding process, with five selected beneficiaries. Of the budget, ₹6,450 crore is allocated as sales-linked incentives over five years, and ₹750 crore as capital subsidies. These powerful magnets are key in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence systems, electronics, and aerospace. The scheme aligns with India’s push for self-reliance, reduced import dependence, and its Net Zero 2070 commitment. (PC: AP)

A survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack has shared a painful account of the night she was shot by Ajmal Kasab. She said the memories of the killings at CSMT station remain as clear today as they were 17 years ago. The woman also recalled identifying Kasab in court despite attempts to confuse her. She said his face showed no fear, only joy while firing at people. The survivor spoke about her long struggle for government support and said many promises were forgotten. She finally received a house only after a court order. The attack killed 166 people. (PC: HT)

Music composer Palash Muchhal has been discharged from a Mumbai hospital after being admitted for chest pain and breathing issues. He was under treatment at SRV Hospital in Goregaon for three days. His health scare came soon after his wedding with cricketer Smriti Mandhana was postponed. The wedding was delayed after Smriti’s father suffered heart-attack-like symptoms. Family members said Palash was under emotional stress during this period, which may have affected his health. Doctors confirmed he is now stable. The families have not announced a new wedding date. Palash’s mother said the wedding will happen only after full recovery. (PC: X)

Hardik Rathi, a 16-year-old national-level basketball player from Rohtak, died tragically during practice after a heavily rusted iron pole collapsed on him. According to his family and fellow players, repeated requests were made to authorities to repair or replace the unstable pole, but no action was taken. The neglected infrastructure ultimately caused the fatal accident, raising serious concerns about sports safety and maintenance in government-run facilities. Hardik was practicing at a local sports nursery when the pole crushed him. Following public outrage, officials have initiated an inquiry, and disciplinary action against responsible authorities is expected. (PC: NDTV)