The Enforcement Directorate searching nine premises in Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad and Faridabad under PMLA in a bogus input tax credit fraud case (File photo)The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at nine premises across Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad and Faridabad under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the fraudulent availment and passing of bogus Input Tax Credit, officials said. The action is part of a broader crackdown on GST fraud networks operating across state lines.If you are just joining us, this is The Indian Express Realtime breaking news blog – where we bring you the latest news updates of the day in real time. Scan the top headlines of the day here, or keep scrolling to see the latest updates stream in.Three newborns killed in Maharashtra hospital NICU fireThree newborns were killed in a fire that broke out in the NICU of a Maharashtra government hospital, in one of the most distressing tragedies reported from the state’s public health system in recent memory.Story continues below this adForty people were separately hospitalised after a chlorine gas leak at a water treatment plant in Nagpur, with emergency response teams working to contain the situation.Goldy Brar claims in leaked audio he ordered Nijjar killingFugitive terrorist Goldy Brar has claimed in a leaked audio that he and his associates killed separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, alleging that Nijjar was using minors to push drugs — a claim that, if verified, would significantly shift the narrative around the killing that triggered the India-Canada diplomatic crisis. The audio has not been independently authenticated.Two MLAs among six injured in Delhi car crash at ITOA speeding car crashed through a divider and rammed into an SUV near Delhi’s ITO, injuring two MLAs and four others. Both legislators have been taken to hospital for treatment.Ganeshotsav preparations turn tragic in Mumbai: Two killed in idol collapseTwo families in Mumbai are mourning after a night meant for Ganeshotsav preparations ended in tragedy, with two people killed when a Ganesh idol collapsed in the Bhuleshwar area — a grim prelude to one of the city’s most celebrated festivals.Rs 7,000 crore cocaine haul, Dubai hideout: The story of Virender BaisoyaAn Indian Express investigation reconstructs the rise of Virender Baisoya, who allegedly ran one of Delhi’s most sophisticated cocaine networks with a Dubai hideout — a case that has exposed the international supply chains feeding India’s upper-end narcotics market.US vows ‘economic D-Day’ as Iran threatens to halt all oil exportsThe US has threatened what it is calling an “economic D-Day” against Iran, even as Tehran warned it could halt all oil exports in response to new American economic measures — an escalation that would send oil prices surging and place India, which imports heavily from the Gulf, under immediate pressure.Live UpdatesAug 24, 2026 10:09 AM IST'Parandur airport project will be dropped', TN CM Joseph Vijay announces in AssemblyTamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced in the Assembly that the Parandur airport project will be dropped, ending the state’s plans for the proposed airport.Aug 24, 2026 10:08 AM ISTParandur airport project dropped, says CM VijayTamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced that the Parandur airport project will be dropped. He added that free travel scheme for women in state-run buses will be expanded to cover express and deluxe buses to provide free rides to women passengers.Aug 24, 2026 09:51 AM ISTGas leak at Nagpur water plant exposes 40 to chlorineEarly Monday morning, a chlorine gas leak at a water purification plant in Nagpur district's Godhani Nagar Panchayat affected approximately 40 people, including plant workers and nearby residents who suffered from coughing and breathing difficulties. Promptly responding to the incident, police, fire brigade, and NDRF teams were deployed to the scene in protective gear to conduct rescue and neutralisation operations, while affected individuals were hospitalised for treatment at Sparsh Hospital and Mayo Hospital.Read full articleAug 24, 2026 09:47 AM ISTThree newborns killed in fire at Maharashtra government hospitalThree premature newborns died after a fire broke out in one room of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the government-run Amravati District Women’s Hospital around 3.30 am on Monday.According to preliminary information, the fire was caused by a technical fault in a thermal unit in the NICU. Nine infants were present in the affected room at the time. Hospital staff and attendants managed to evacuate all nine babies, of whom three died.The infants were premature and were undergoing treatment, including for jaundice, officials said.Read full article© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd