West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that only followers of 'Sanatan Dharma' would be permitted to touch Durga idols during immersion in the Hooghly river, citing religious traditions. He also reviewed extensive security and safety arrangements for the immersion process, including NDRF involvement and precautions for spectators at Taki, following a recent stampede incident.
From Alia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor to Nazriya Nazim-Fahadh Faasil, these real-life celebrity couples have continued their romance on screen after marriage, giving us everything from crackling chemistry to intriguing cinematic collaborations.
The Supreme Court has agreed to list a review plea concerning its May 2025 verdict on the ownership of the Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru. The original verdict had ruled in favour of ISKCON Bangalore, but a subsequent split verdict by a review bench led to the matter being referred to the Chief Justice for further directions. The legal battle involves ISKCON Bangalore and ISKCON Mumbai over control of the temple and educational complex.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated a thorough inquiry into allegations of misconduct against IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, who is accused of using abusive language towards a female JKAS officer during a recent virtual review meeting, an incident that has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for strict action.
From Azhar and Sanju to Thackeray and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Bollywood has often struggled to tell controversial true stories without turning their subjects into heroes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded its first physical protection advisory mission to Pakistan, stating that the country has established a "robust nuclear security regime" for its nuclear material and facilities. The mission, conducted from September 28 to October 9, reviewed Pakistan's legislative framework and assessed measures at a nuclear facility, noting continuous improvements and contributions to nuclear security expertise.
Instant messaging app WhatsApp temporarily put multiple accounts, including those in India, "under review" for 24 hours, blocking all app features. This disruption prompted numerous affected users to voice their concerns on social media, while a WhatsApp spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating they are working to resolve it quickly.
Delhi government schools have not yet introduced idli-sambar as part of their revised menu, which was announced in August. The delay is primarily due to a lack of necessary equipment and logistical challenges in preparing and serving the dish across multiple schools. Schools continue to serve meals from the older menu while awaiting the required infrastructure.
United States special envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in high-stakes talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in St. Petersburg. The aim of the meeting was to advance proposals to end the war in Ukraine and establish a pathway towards broader negotiations.
Indian-origin filmmaker Arafat Sheikh was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Dulles International Airport. Sheikh, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, was taken into custody on September 24 despite having a student visa and a pending immigration application, according to the "Free Arafat Sheikh" campaign. ICE is responsible for detaining non-citizens for suspected immigration violations.
Gurugram Police have arrested Manish Kumar for allegedly misbehaving with a woman CISF personnel at IFFCO Chowk metro station. Kumar is accused of snatching her phone, obstructing duty, and threatening her family, following a period of stalking and harassment. Police apprehended him on Tuesday, and his criminal record shows previous cases of molestation and vehicle damage.
Fulham coach Alvaro Arbeloa has been fined 25,000 pounds and warned by the FA after suggesting officials would not allow Manchester United to lose.
Babita Singh Reporting goes past the messy homes and humming markets to reflect the daredevilry of a protagonist coming into her own. What ensues is a raw and thrilling marriage of momentum and meltdown across awkward inquiries made within junkie hideouts, suspicious relatives, battered classmates and Ravan's effigy, applauds Sukanya Verma.
Temba Bavuma's career-best 179 powered South Africa to 425 for nine declared, with record partnerships alongside Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer before Kagiso Rabada struck early against Australia.
The BCCI has significantly revised the pay structure for umpires and match referees after a decade, introducing new categories and substantially increasing per-day fees. A merit-based promotion and relegation system has also been implemented to ensure high standards in domestic cricket officiating. Additionally, the board addressed its stance on the National Sports Governance Act, updated age-fraud policies, and called for support for physically challenged cricketers.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the state government's firm support for power employees, pledging to challenge the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission's (HERC) decision to grant a parallel electricity distribution licence to a private company for Gurugram and Nuh districts before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). The government is appealing to unions to defer their planned three-day strike while making arrangements to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has ignited a controversy by suggesting India should learn from Albanian protesters who allegedly burnt down their Supreme Court due to its perceived support for a corrupt prime minister. Raut shared a video of the purported events, drawing sharp criticism from Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who highlighted Raut's recent apology to the Supreme Court.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20 for talks aimed at strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Discussions will cover energy, trade, defence, and critical technologies. The visit also includes celebrations for the 250th anniversary of US Independence. This meeting follows earlier confusion regarding Rubio's visit and will also touch upon the India-US bilateral trade agreement, which both sides are close to concluding. The MEA clarified that hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi is a common practice.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman will now attend all future senior selection panel meetings to improve communication between selectors and the CoE.
No shade or genre was a roadblock for Nana Patekar. In fact, some of his movies only age well because we associate them with his terrific presence.
The BJP in Keralam has demanded a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) during the previous LDF regime. Senior BJP leader P K Krishnadas accused the current UDF government of attempting to sabotage corruption cases and expressed a lack of faith in state-level investigations. The demand follows an expert panel report highlighting financial irregularities in KIIFB.
Declan Rice scored a late equaliser for Arsenal in a 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Real Madrid secured a dominant 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig, largely due to Thibaut Courtois's saves. Manchester United suffered a bruising 4-1 defeat to Como, with Nico Paz starring for the Italian side. Other European matches saw Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Real Betis, and LASK secure wins.
Nuh Police have revealed that Shahid alias Advani, a wanted criminal killed in a recent encounter near Sohna, had 70 cases registered against him across Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The cases include serious charges like murder, rape, kidnapping, and robbery. Police are now thoroughly reviewing his extensive criminal history.
American tennis star Coco Gauff has revealed she received an "insane" amount of racial abuse on social media following her controversial win over Chinese teenager Sun Xinran at the China Open, where a replayed point sparked an online backlash.
Mahindra introduces the XUV 3XO ZNG, a compact SUV with a factory-fitted twin-cylinder CNG setup that aims to overcome common compromises in performance, drivability, and boot space. This first drive review highlights its turbocharged engine, clever packaging, refined performance, and robust ride quality, positioning it as a strong contender in the CNG SUV market.
The Supreme Court has ordered the reinstatement of R Saravanan, a deputy registrar of Periyar University, who was dismissed for alleged disproportionate assets. The court observed that dismissal is akin to a "death penalty" for a government servant and criticised the university's inquiry for lacking evidence, upholding the single-judge bench's decision.
Amol Khune, a former associate of Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths in Pali village, Beed district, Maharashtra. Khune sustained injuries and claimed the attack was due to his criticism of Jarange and to prevent him from attending a Dussehra rally. Police have detained three suspects and are investigating the incident.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit offers a delightful and charming cinematic experience, blending trademark humour with a sweet, unconventional love story, gushes Sreeju Sudhakaran.
India's exports saw a significant 23 per cent increase, reaching USD 44.4 billion in September, while the trade deficit narrowed to USD 30.21 billion, according to recent government data.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher for the second consecutive day, primarily driven by robust buying in IT stocks following strong quarterly results and positive global trends. Tech Mahindra notably surged over 8% after reporting a significant jump in net profit.
Israel has implemented new aviation security directives, barring pilots and cabin crew from countries without diplomatic ties, including Pakistan, from entering its airspace. This follows a hijacking attempt last month on a flight to Israel, where Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while thwarting the plot. The restrictions affect over two dozen nationalities and have prompted airlines like Air France and United Airlines to adjust crew assignments.
Top US lawmakers, leaders, and civil society members have strongly condemned an alleged plot to attack a Hindu temple in Illinois. Alexandros Paporakis, 19, was arrested for attempting a mass shooting at the Aurora temple, which failed when his rifle jammed. Indian-American Congressmen and other officials have called for efforts to combat rising anti-Indian and anti-Hindu prejudice in America, highlighting the need to protect minority houses of worship.
State-run power major NTPC has partnered with the Mizoram government to establish an archery academy in Lengpui, Mamit district, at an estimated cost of Rs 13.28 crore. The project, part of NTPC's CSR initiatives, aims to provide professional training and infrastructure for aspiring archers over three years, with the Mizoram State Sports Council responsible for its operation.
Smriti Mandhana takes over the captaincy of the Indian women's cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation. The article discusses the timing of this elevation for Mandhana, who is considered the country's best batter, and the history of leadership transitions within the team, highlighting potential challenges and the team's aspirations for major tournament victories.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on simultaneous elections had scheduled an "informal interaction" with Supreme Court judges, which was later cancelled by the apex court. The Supreme Court deemed the meeting inappropriate as the proposed constitutional amendment could become subject to judicial review. JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary defended the panel's initial decision, citing precedents, while DMK MP P Wilson, who mooted the idea, expressed disappointment and argued against the notion that such interactions violate separation of powers.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr has apologised to his teammates and fans after receiving a red card for pulling an opponent's hair during their 1-0 win over Villarreal, potentially ruling him out of the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona.
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain the Centre's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's decision to uphold the maintainability of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) against the Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project. The PILs allege violations of the Forest Rights Act and impact on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. The apex court directed the High Court to proceed with hearing all related petitions.
At least 14 persons were killed and several others injured after an out-of-control truck ran over devotees gathered near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior late on Saturday night, breaking through a police checkpoint and damaging the temple's gate and outer wall.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed lower due to profit-taking, a spike in wholesale price-based inflation, and firm crude oil prices, despite some support from easing intraday crude oil prices and rupee appreciation.
India's vice-captain Tilak Varma emphasised the need for an aggressive, wicket-taking approach against the West Indies' powerful batting lineup in the upcoming fourth T20I. With India leading 2-1, Varma highlighted the visitors' deep hitting prowess and the team's adjusted strategy after a defensive lapse in the second match. He also discussed his adaptable batting role and the team's approach to the re-laid pitch in Hyderabad.