A grand jury in New York has indicted Indian business tycoon Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani on charges of bribing Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts worth $265 million (around Rs 2,029 crore). The charges, issued on November 20, also implicate seven others in the alleged scheme. US prosecutors accuse the Adani Group of defrauding American investors through corruption. Following the indictment, the case will proceed to an arraignment, where the accused will face the charges and decide whether to plead guilty or not guilty, with a potential trial to follow.
The CBI has launched an investigation into a Rs 6,600-crore bitcoin scam in Maharashtra, following a Supreme Court order. The agency has filed a case against the Bharadwaj brothers, Amit (deceased) and Ajay (fugitive), who are accused of masterminding the fraud. The investigation comes amid political tensions, with BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi accusing NCP MP Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole of being involved in illegal bitcoin transactions to sway election outcomes. Both Sule and Patole have denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and defamatory.
On November 20, voters in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and several other states will head to the polls in crucial elections. In Maharashtra, the intense battle between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will take place for the 288-seat assembly. The election is significant as it marks the first since the Shiv Sena and NCP split into rival factions. Meanwhile, Jharkhand’s ongoing assembly elections will see polling in 38 constituencies, with key figures like CM Hemant Soren and BJP’s Amar Kumar Bauri in the race. Additionally, by-elections will be held in 15 assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand. The results of these polls, with counting set for November 23, could shape the political landscape of these states.
Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman who switched parties to support Donald Trump, has been nominated as the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI). If confirmed, Gabbard will oversee 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, managing a budget of more than $70 billion. Her nomination has sparked controversy due to concerns over her lack of intelligence experience and past criticisms, including allegations of amplifying Russian propaganda. While President-elect Trump praised Gabbard for her "fearless" leadership, her appointment has been met with opposition from some, including Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, who described her as "ill-prepared and unqualified." Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, has become a vocal supporter of Trump, marking a significant shift in her political career.
Seven people, including a toddler, were injured on Monday after Hezbollah launched over 165 rockets at northern Israel. The attacks targeted several areas, including Karmiel and Haifa, causing significant damage and prompting a response from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which intercepted many rockets. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting military sites, while the IDF confirmed the destruction of a rocket launcher used in the assault. The escalation comes amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.