TMC Symbol Row: Mamata Banerjee Protests EC Freeze Ahead of Bengal By-Polls

Apple has officially commenced sales of its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in India, drawing buyers who queued up overnight at retail stores in Mumbai and Delhi. The new series introduces four colour options alongside an upgraded design finish. Key updates include an enhanced camera setup featuring variable aperture, dual capture video recording, and advanced manual controls. The devices are powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip and incorporate an embedded vapour chamber cooling system designed to resolve past overheating concerns. Despite elevated pricing driven by import duties and taxes, strong consumer demand persists at retail outlets across the country.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of the 108-year-old Olympia Coffee House in Colaba, Mumbai, following a consumer complaint and subsequent inspection. The probe uncovered severe food safety and hygiene violations, including a urinal located inside the food storage area, food handled directly on the floor, meat blood residues inside a refrigerator, insect infestations, and contaminated water. Inspectors noted that 34 of the 35 food handlers lacked mandatory food safety training. The regulator's crackdown also led to licence suspensions for Cafe Mondegar and the canteen at civic-run Nair Hospital.

At the India Today Kerala Conclave, the state chief minister addressed the controversy surrounding sexist remarks made by a cleric urging women to stay inside their homes. The state leadership asserted that politics and coalition calculations cannot override gender equality. Defending the coalition alliance against questions regarding the lack of unified condemnation from partners, the leadership described the front as a united team. The report highlights that communal and sexist remarks cannot be protected by political or vote bank considerations in the state.

The Election Commission has frozen the Trinamool Congress party name and its flowers and grass symbol ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. In an interim order, the poll panel directed both factions—one led by Mamata Banerjee and the rival camp headed by Ritabrata Banerjee—to submit three choices for temporary party names and symbols by 11:00 AM on September 18. Neither faction will be permitted to use the official name or symbol until the dispute is resolved. While the rebel camp welcomed the ruling, stating political parties cannot function like private companies, Mamata Banerjee's faction rejected the order, citing legal infirmities. The interim decision comes ahead of by-elections necessitated in constituencies including Nandigram and Rajarhat.