Watching Udta Teer's refreshingly cheeky ambition dumb down into a grovelling piece of gutless filmmaking is supremely disappointing, notes Sukanya Verma.
Power, patronage and money fuel politics in drought: And the ruling party controls all of those, points out Aditi Phadnis.
French Prime Minister Sbastien Lecornu said police arrested 1,200 protesters on Saturday, and 150 personnel were injured as demonstrations across the country over the rising cost of living turned violent.
Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42 off 15 balls secured a thrilling four-wicket win for India against New Zealand in the first T20I, showcasing his potential as a reliable finisher for the national side, drawing praise from cricket legends like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Shastri.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed its third chargesheet against Satyanarayan Meghwal and Sahil Godara in a case involving cross-border trafficking of arms and narcotics using drones. The accused, arrested in July this year, face charges under UAPA, Arms Act, NDPS Act, and BNS. The investigation reveals an organised syndicate using encrypted channels to smuggle weapons and drugs across northern India, targeting youth and fostering disaffection against India.
India's Pradeep Kumar secured a silver medal and Ayush Verma won a bronze in the men's javelin throw F53/54 event at the Asian Para Games on Tuesday. Pradeep achieved a personal best of 27.45m, while Ayush's bronze was aided by Raza points due to his higher disability classification. Iran's Erfan Bandori won gold.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad, emphasising the role of traditional sports in reflecting cultural identity and fostering international cooperation. The one-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, brought together delegations from BRICS and partner countries to showcase indigenous sporting practices like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India, alongside Wushu from China and Sambo from Russia. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also highlighted India's rich sporting heritage and proposed initiatives for global promotion and preservation of traditional sports.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, the outgoing IAF chief, flew his final sortie aboard an HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer aircraft at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, bringing his distinguished flying career full circle. The flight was particularly special as he flew with his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V S Kochar (retd), marking an emotional reunion and a tribute to his journey. He is set to superannuate on October 31.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has suspended the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1, 2026, due to a prolonged governance crisis. This decision, made on October 13, 2026, means Indian riders, officials, trainers, and horses cannot participate in international competitions. The suspension stems from the Delhi High Court's dissolution of EFI's executive committee in February 2026 and the subsequent delay in holding fresh elections, despite an ad hoc committee being formed. The suspension will be reviewed after new elections are held and evaluated by the FEI.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations have accused the government of attempting to influence electoral outcomes by allegedly deleting over 13 crore voters. They have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in voter rolls and criticising the police crackdown on protesters. Leaders questioned the government's protection of the CEC and linked voter deletions to the narrow victory margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Swati Chaudhary secured India's first-ever medal in the W1 category of archery at the Asian Para Games, winning a silver after a hard-fought final against China's Cen Mengkan.
China has announced new export controls on key machinery, including tunnel boring machines, walking excavators, and dredger components, citing national security. These restrictions, effective November 18, could significantly impact India's infrastructure projects, such as metro systems and high-speed rail lines, as China has previously limited such exports to India.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated that the historic Free Trade Agreement with India, now in effect, will help grow both economies, allowing Kiwi businesses to reach over a billion more customers with significantly reduced tariffs, leading to 'more jobs and higher wages for Kiwis'.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the alleged censorship of her son Raihan Vadra's photography exhibition at Bikaner House. Raihan Vadra stated that the administration removed his pictures documenting recent Delhi protests, citing the current political climate, leading to a row over artistic freedom.
Under new skipper Smriti Mandhana, a dominant Indian women's cricket team is set to face Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series, aiming for another clean sweep after their T20I success.
Delhi Police have apprehended three more individuals, including a couple, in connection with a drug supply network in Burari, North Delhi, where a minor was allegedly used to sell heroin. This brings the total arrests to six, with significant seizures of heroin, cocaine, and MDMA. The investigation is ongoing to trace the drug source and other involved parties.
India's total goods trade with BRICS nations more than doubled from FY21 to FY26, reaching USD 417.5 billion, but a significant surge in imports, particularly from China and Russia, has caused India's trade deficit with the bloc to more than triple, reaching USD 226.1 billion.
Mumbai's Anish Bhujle and Muradabad's Vikas Mahajan clinched the Category A and B titles respectively at the 16th BMW Golf Cup 2026 national final in Gurugram. They will now represent India at the BMW Golf Cup World Final in South Africa in March next year, competing against leading amateur golfers from participating nations. The national final featured 40 top amateur golfers selected from 2,300 participants this season.
Mohammad Yunus Khan, a renowned athletics coach who mentored star long-distance runners like Gulveer Singh and Kartik Kumar, has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for alleged 'complicity' in an anti-doping rule violation. Khan, a coach at the Army Sports Institute, faces charges under Article 2.9 of NADA rules, though the exact nature of his offence remains undisclosed. The suspension highlights ongoing efforts against doping in Indian sports, with several other athletes also recently provisionally suspended.
Forest officials in Odisha's Kendrapara district successfully rescued a six-foot-long female saltwater crocodile from a village pond on Monday. The reptile, which had caused panic among villagers, was later released into the Bausagada river within Bhitarkanika National Park.
Rohan Bopanna, India's former world number one doubles player, has been excluded from the AITA's Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster. This exclusion is due to his failure to meet the mandatory one-year retirement criterion, as he announced his professional retirement on November 1, 2025, just shy of the October 16, 2026, deadline for the roster. Despite inquiring about his eligibility and receiving initial assurance, his continued participation on the Pro ATP tour until October 2025 meant he was still considered active.
Indian pacer Navdeep Saini has voiced strong support for Mohammed Shami's return to the national team, highlighting Shami's consistent hard work and performances in domestic cricket. Saini also drew inspiration from Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recent recall for the T20I series against New Zealand, seeing it as proof that consistent performance can lead to a comeback.
The Indian Army has launched 'Bharat Rice', a superior-quality rice for defence forces, aimed at improving ration quality and logistics. This initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Supplies and Transport, involves direct supply to Army Supply Depots, including remote areas, and an MoU with FCI for infrastructure utilisation during contingencies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted its significance for soldier welfare, operational readiness, and national security, emphasising logistics as combat power.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and members of the INDIA bloc, have strongly condemned the arrest and jailing of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka for protesting at Jantar Mantar, asserting that waving the national flag and peaceful protest are not crimes.
It was very disappointing to watch some talented singers pull each other down on national television, notes Divya Nair.
A foreign brokerage predicts that private investments in Indian AI startups are rapidly growing, with potential listings adding up to USD 100 billion to India's market capitalisation over the next two to five years. Goldman Sachs reported a tripling of PE investment in Indian AI startups in 2025 and highlighted India's rising global rank in AI funding and new AI companies.
Vummidi Ethiraj, the renowned jeweller instrumental in crafting India's historic 'sengol' sceptre, has passed away at the age of 99. His demise has drawn condolences from President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all acknowledging his significant contribution to India's civilisational heritage through his craftsmanship.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and other members for allegedly trespassing into the Jantar Mantar area, which was recently denotified as a protest site. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has condemned the detentions as 'kidnapping' and questioned the legality of preventing lawyers from meeting the detained members.
Jio Platforms Ltd's Rs 30,213-crore initial public offering (IPO) achieved full subscription within 100 minutes of opening, making it the fastest among India's mega issues, surpassing previous records set by companies like Reliance Power.
Marchers would walk four or five abreast through one side of the main Mahatma Gandhi Road, holding red or white banners that stretched from one end to the other, shouting slogans, calling upon passers by, including employees watching from the offices that line the road, to join (Dekhta kya/Shaamil ho), recalls Jyoti Punwani.
Actor Imran Khan, a US citizen, has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging a police notice directing him to leave India by October 28. The notice was issued after he was briefly detained near a political protest. Khan claims he did not participate in the protest and that the notice is arbitrary. The High Court will hear the plea on October 26.
All India Students' Association (AISA) President Neha Bora has challenged a Delhi Police notice requiring her to execute a 'peace' bond, arguing it is vague and an attempt to suppress peaceful dissent.
India's Pranav Soorma secured a gold medal with an Asian record in the men's discus throw combined F51/52/53 event at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Tuesday. Compatriot Ram Ratan Singh also earned a silver medal in the same event. The placings were determined using the Raza Point System, which accounts for different classifications among athletes.
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup, initially planned for November this year, has been postponed to November 2027 by the Esports Foundation. This decision was made following an assessment of the wider regional situation and to ensure stability for participating national teams, publishers, partners, and fans. Despite the postponement, Saudi Arabia remains capable of hosting events, and existing development fund commitments will be maintained.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
Former national golf champion Amandeep Johl has been elected captain of the Delhi Golf Club. He will lead a new committee featuring accomplished sportspersons and experienced administrators, aiming to combine sporting expertise with sound governance to nurture future golf champions.
Uttar Pradesh assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has found himself at the centre of a controversy after he was seen walking away while the national anthem was played at an event in Unnao, drawing flak from the opposition. Mahana, however, claimed that the anthem was not played where he was given the guard of honour.
Fintech firm PhonePe has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to integrate its enterprise data intelligence platform, PulsePro, into the PM GatiShakti framework. This collaboration aims to provide granular, hyperlocal insights for national infrastructure planning, economic analysis, and holistic urban and rural development.
Tata Trusts, India's largest philanthropic group, disbursed Rs 1,556.31 crore in the year to March 2026 and announced plans to establish a network of 40 to 50 not-for-profit general hospitals, with funding from paying patients supporting care for those who cannot afford it.
Veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani has been admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi due to pulmonary issues. The 98-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister, who played a crucial role in the BJP's rise, is currently undergoing treatment.
