EC Freezes Trinamool Congress Name & Symbol Ahead of Bengal By-polls

A fresh flashpoint has emerged over the leadership and ownership structure of Tata Sons. The board backed a five-year term extension for the chairman by a four-to-one vote, while the Tata Trusts chair opposed the reappointment, arguing the resolution is legally invalid due to lack of unanimous nominee director consent. Disagreements also extend to a potential public listing of Tata Sons after the Reserve Bank of India rejected an exemption request to deregister as an upper-layer non-banking financial company. The mandatory regulatory deadline lapsed in September 2025, directing the company toward an initial public offering despite internal resistance. The reappointment decision still awaits annual general meeting approval.

Overnight queues formed outside Apple flagship stores and premium reseller locations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru as nationwide sales for the new iPhone lineup officially commenced. Buyers gathered before sunrise outside Apple Saket in Select Citywalk Mall in Delhi, while customers camped overnight at the Bandra Kurla Complex flagship store in Mumbai. Store footfall in Mumbai saw around 50 to 60 people waiting compared to over 500 in the previous year, with buyers noting price increases across the iPhone 18 lineup. The flagship devices feature major upgrades in performance, camera technology, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

The Election Commission of India has directed rival factions of the All India Trinamool Congress not to use the party name and the flowers and grass symbol during the upcoming West Bengal by-polls. Both factions have been asked to submit their preferred names and symbols. The Congress condemned the decision, alleging that it was an abdication of constitutional responsibility by the poll body. The Congress further termed the freezing of the name and symbol as Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's late-night birthday gift to the Prime Minister. The directive follows similar past precedents involving splits in political parties such as the Lok Janshakti Party, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party.

The Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food license of the 108-year-old Olympia Coffee House in Colaba, Mumbai, following a consumer complaint and subsequent inspection. The inspection revealed multiple food safety and hygiene violations at the legacy eatery, including a urinal located inside the food storage area, food handled directly on the floor, and meat blood residue in the refrigerator. Officials also found infestations of cockroaches and flies, improper segregation of raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and the use of unclean water. Additionally, 34 out of 35 food handlers lacked mandatory safety training, while required sanitation records were not available amidst the ongoing statewide crackdown on eateries.