HT Morning Brief October 25: EC keeps SIR software under wraps; pistols used in Shroff firing found

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has kept the identity and version of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) software confidential, citing its status as commercial confidence, trade secrets, and intellectual property under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Meanwhile, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's air pollution measurements have revealed a significant gap in understanding the sources of pollution, as their model still relies on 2021 emissions data that is due for an update by June next year.

Regarding global affairs, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the potential for renewed military action against Iran as early as Sunday, although he remains open to diplomatic negotiations. The two pistols used in the October 18 shooting of actor Tiger Shroff have been recovered near Surat railway station, alongside the arrest of Pranjal Thakran, the 11th accused in the case.

Additionally, the Indian film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has set new records as a blockbuster, earning over ₹1300 crore globally. Last year, it emerged as the most impressive Indian film, according to Mumin Chen, a representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India, who observed it at the Taiwan Film Festival in New Delhi.