A sharp political slugfest erupted on Thursday as Congress leaders and INDIA bloc allies rallied behind MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's son, Raihan Vadra, accusing the authorities and Centre of censoring artistic expression after Bikaner House requested the removal of several photographs from his exhibition.
Twenty individuals were arrested in Lonavala, Maharashtra, for operating an illegal call centre that defrauded foreign nationals. The accused impersonated representatives of companies like Amazon and Google, threatening victims with fake drug cases to extract banking details and money.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is undergoing a significant modernization drive, establishing drone platoons, developing a new 'Strike' course for Galwan-like situations, and constructing underground infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control. This strategic shift, announced by DG Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, aims to counter China, identified as India's 'biggest adversary,' by embracing modern warfare techniques learned from recent global conflicts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day celebrations. The invitation also extends to brave Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who recently averted a potential hijacking of a Tel Aviv-bound flight. Netanyahu highlighted the strong, long-standing ties and joint fight against terrorism between India and Israel.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's decision to skip the BRICS summit in India, calling it "immature" and detrimental to Bangladesh's national interest. She argued that the absence lost opportunities for economic development and that foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations. Hasina also highlighted the current "grave national crisis" in Bangladesh and her intention to return to restore democracy.
Indian government bond yields have recorded their worst losing streak in three decades, rising for the tenth consecutive week, driven by elevated crude oil prices and increasing global yields. The rupee also weakened, and India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant decline.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke called for a 'Lehra do Tiranga' march in Central Park, Connaught Place, on Friday, despite the NDMC announcing the park's closure and Delhi Police citing prohibitory orders against mass gatherings. The march is part of an ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Police have urged people to stay away, while Dipke questioned the authorities' stance on waving the national flag and alleged surveillance. The agitation follows the arrest of CJP leaders and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site.
Manipur police have arrested two individuals, including a Myanmar national, and seized 900 grams of brown sugar in Churachandpur district following a tip-off. The arrests were made on Tuesday, leading to charges under the NDPS Act and immigration laws.
Maharashtra BJP MLC Parinay Fuke has criticised MNS chief Raj Thackeray, alleging that Thackeray's public statements and influence are solely due to the police security provided by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fuke claimed Thackeray would not leave his home if the security was withdrawn. The MNS, through leader Sandeep Deshpande, retorted that security decisions are institutional, not personal, and challenged the BJP to withdraw it. This exchange follows Thackeray's recent criticisms of the state government.
Haryana's Khushi Kadian, partnering with Tamil Nadu's Sanmitha Harini, secured the girls U-16 doubles title at the Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship. Kadian, 13, also advanced to the singles finals in both the U-16 and U-14 categories, setting herself up for a potential triple triumph. Chandigarh's Ribhav Saroha also reached the Boys U-16 singles final, aiming for a double.
Massive nationwide protests in France over the rising cost of living and underfunded public services turned violent, with nearly 1,000 people arrested and key urban centres hit by tear gas and clashes.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American national, has been issued a notice by Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws by participating in a political protest.
Sahil of Rajasthan broke the boys' 1,000m meet record at the 21st National Youth Athletics Championships in Ludhiana, clocking 2:25.25. Haryana's Dev also surpassed the previous record, securing silver. The event also saw other notable performances across various categories for both boys and girls under 18.
According to World Health Organization a total count of at least 39 million sperm per ejaculation is considered within the normal range.
Preliminary post-mortem reports indicate that asphyxia due to intense chest pressure was the likely cause of death for most of the 19 victims in a Durga Puja pandal stampede in Kolkata. Reports also noted serious internal injuries, including damage to vital organs and fractures, in some victims.
Rajinikanth's latest film Jailer 2 has defied expectations by achieving a remarkable score at the box office over its extended four-day weekend, despite a limited release and competition from new Bollywood offerings.
An Indian national, Rajiv Acharya, has tragically died in Israel, prompting an ongoing investigation by Israeli authorities. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed a suspect's arrest and is closely monitoring the case while offering assistance to the bereaved family.
Actor Imran Khan, a US national and OCI cardholder, plans to challenge a Mumbai police notice in the Bombay High Court. The notice, issued after his participation in a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner, demands he leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws. Khan's petition argues that no law prohibits OCI cardholders from protesting.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sparked a major controversy on Sunday with his remark "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" during an event in Patna, in response to an audience member's comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement drew sharp condemnation from senior leaders of the BJP and other NDA allies, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who criticised the use of "indecent and unparliamentary language" and demanded an apology from the Congress.
The CBI has arrested Anil Kumar, a senior executive at Munitions India Limited (MIL), for allegedly taking bribes and disclosing sensitive defence information related to a Rs 500 crore supply contract. The FIR also names SMPP CEO Ashish Kansal. Kumar is accused of routing illicit proceeds through family members, compromising national security.
A 27-year-old man with severe brain injuries from a road accident underwent emergency surgery at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka. Doctors removed blood clots, relieved brain pressure, and later reconstructed his skull using a removed bone portion. The patient recovered and was discharged, highlighting the importance of timely medical intervention for accident victims.
The Congress has initiated seat-sharing discussions with the Samajwadi Party for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, proposing a list of over 175 seats. While the Congress aims for a significant share, buoyed by its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Samajwadi Party emphasises winnability as the sole criterion. The alliance seeks to collectively challenge the BJP in the state.
Four individuals, including two women, have been remanded to police custody until October 26 in connection with the firing incident at actor Tiger Shroff's car. The accused, arrested in Delhi, are alleged to have supplied weapons to the shooters, with the women reportedly smuggling firearms to Mumbai. This brings the total arrests in the case to 10.
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar bravely recounts his terrifying mid-air ordeal aboard a flydubai flight last month, detailing how his quick thinking and survival instinct thwarted a co-pilot's planned suicide attack and saved over 170 lives.
The Karnataka Cyber Command Unit has busted an illegal SIM box network operating from two apartments in Bengaluru's Whitefield division, leading to four arrests. The network is suspected of facilitating digital-arrest scams, sextortion, and other financial cyber frauds across India, with potential financial exposure running into hundreds of crores of rupees. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the network and its links to the e-SIM supply chain.
Indian para-athlete Suvarna Raj won the gold medal in the women's F54 discus throw at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, achieving a best effort of 15.66m.
The Union Sports Ministry has committed a grant-in-aid of Rs 2000 crore to the Gujarat Government for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. This funding, based on 2025 rates and expected to reach Rs 2500 crore by 2030, will be disbursed from the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme. Ahmedabad won the bid last year to host the centenary edition, which is anticipated to be a grand event featuring 15 to 17 disciplines, unlike the scaled-down Glasgow Games.
A Ramlila committee in Pitampura, Delhi, will burn a 30-foot-tall "cockroach" effigy this year, alongside those of Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnad. The committee states this symbolises "filth and dirt" and supports the "Swachh Bharat" and "Swachh Delhi" campaigns. This decision comes amidst protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in the capital.
India's men's and women's hockey teams will kick off their 2026-27 FIH Pro League home campaigns in February. The men's team will face Germany, Argentina, Britain, and Spain, while the women's team will compete against Britain and Spain during the home leg from February 13 to 28.
Indian swimmer Kapil Kumar clinched a silver medal in the men's 400m freestyle S10 event at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya.
Shailesh Kumar led an Indian sweep of the men's high jump T63 competition, while sprinter Anjanaben Bumbadiya struck gold in the women's 400m T47 event at the Asian Para Games on Thursday.
India's Rinku clinched a gold medal in the men's javelin F46 event at the Asian Para Games, leading a one-two finish for the country as compatriot Ajeet Singh secured a silver. Rinku's throw of 65.11m narrowly beat Ajeet's 65.02m.
Telangana IT Minister D Sridhar Babu stated that Gen Z will be the driving force behind the next wave of AI and green innovation. He urged young innovators to use their skills to solve real-world challenges, particularly in sustainability. The launch of the Green Skills and Applied AI Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, a partnership between Telangana's IT Ministry, Microsoft, 1M1B, and MeitY Startup Hub, aims to equip graduates with industry-relevant skills in AI, green pharma, solar energy, EVs, and wind energy, with 100 job offers already announced.
'Nobody could have played this character better than Rajkummar Rao.'
Shrishti Arora secured a bronze medal for India in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 event at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya. This marks India's fourth shooting medal at the Games, following earlier successes by Manish Narwal, Mona Agarwal, and Avani Lekhara.
Security forces in Manipur have taken control of the Sinai Kuki-Zo militant camp, marking the first such action since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. The takeover followed the discovery of only one registered cadre out of 159, leading to 17 arrests and a significant arms seizure. A statewide audit of all 14 designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camps is now planned to ensure compliance with the truce agreement, which expired on September 4 without renewal. This move comes amidst heightened tensions and demands for the abrogation of the SoO agreement.
Former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has criticised former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's approach to judicial appointments, alleging that he was "too deferential to the government". Kaul, in his forthcoming memoir, details instances where Chandrachud sought government "pre-approval" for appointments, raising concerns about judicial independence and executive pressure.
The Sports Ministry is set to commence the nomination process for the National Sports Awards next month, following a delayed announcement of the 2025 awards. The delay was due to a re-evaluation process aimed at preserving the integrity of the honours, which resulted in no Khel Ratna awardee for 2025 and fewer Arjuna awardees than recommended. The article also details the criteria for these prestigious awards and highlights some of the notable Arjuna awardees for 2025.
Very heavy rains in Nilgiris district on Saturday caused multiple mudslides, leading to the death of a bus driver whose vehicle was buried. Over 100 students from Kerala narrowly escaped a similar fate. The incident disrupted traffic and prompted authorities to close tourist spots and advise against travel.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has suspended the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1 due to a prolonged governance crisis, stemming from the dissolution of EFI's executive committee by the Delhi High Court and the absence of fresh elections. This suspension bars Indian riders, officials, and horses from international competitions until new elections are held and evaluated by the FEI.
