Don't try to find small faults, see it with an open mind: Yash on 'Ramayana'

Yash, co-producer and Ravan in “Ramayana,” urged audiences to watch with an open mind rather than fixate on VFX flaws, saying the film aims to take an Indian story to the world. He urged fans across India’s film industries to support Namit Malhotra’s ambitious vision. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, “Ramayana: Part One” releases globally on Diwali 2026.

Parvinder Singh Jhota murder probe to be handed over to CBI: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Tuesday the probe into anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota’s murder will go to the CBI, meeting his family’s demand and vowing an anti-drug crackdown. Jhota was shot October 13 in a Mansa store after confronting its owner over alleged drug sales; protests have delayed his post-mortem and cremation.

'There is no justice': CJP's Saurav Das as court extends his judicial custody

A special executive magistrate extended CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka’s judicial custody by two days, citing alleged breaches of peace bonds and the risk of renewed unrest. Das accused authorities of denying justice after the hearing. Police said the leaders repeatedly called protests at unauthorized sites. They were detained October 13 after entering de-notified Jantar Mantar.

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi flags FBI resource gaps after alleged plot to attack Hindu temple

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged authorities to strengthen prevention efforts and track hate crimes after police foiled an alleged neo-Nazi plot to attack Aurora’s Hindu temple, where he and his family worshipped. A 19-year-old was arrested; coworkers’ warnings and a jammed gun helped avert tragedy. Krishnamoorthi said worshippers shouldn’t have to rely on luck or fear.

HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on October 20, 2026 in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram

Delhi-NCR’s event lineup spans festive dance, live music, art, hands-on fun and comedy, with activities in Delhi and Gurugram. Dandiya Nights takes over Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium October 18–20, while Fanna-Fi-Allah brings Sufi qawwali to LTG Auditorium October 20–21. Free Navratna runs October 17–December 27; workshop and comedy tickets cost ₹899 and ₹999, respectively.

Dussehra 2026: Banks closed today; check available services, reopening dates

Branches across several states are closed October 20 for Dussehra, Maha Navami, Ayudha Pooja and Durga Puja, with Gangtok and Imphal exempt. UPI, mobile and internet banking, and ATMs remain available, but branch services must wait. Most reopen October 21; eight regions reopen October 22, while Gangtok reopens October 24. RBI bank holidays vary by state.

The science and politics behind the panic over ultraprocessed foods

Ultraprocessed foods are associated with chronic disease, but evidence does not prove processing itself causes harm, leaving researchers divided over whether policy should target processing or nutritional quality. Sugary drinks and processed meats show consistent risks, while other products have mixed or neutral links. The NOVA classification, introduced in 2009, distinguishes foods by processing level.

2 tribal rights activists held for 'involvement' in clash in Odisha, civil society group condemns

Odisha police arrested tribal-rights activists Dr Randall Sequeira and Laxman Naik in Kalahandi, accusing them of instigating an April attack on security personnel during an anti-mining protest in Rayagada; they face attempted-murder, rioting and Arms Act charges. A civil society group condemned the arrests, saying they aimed to suppress tribal resistance and undermine resource rights.

Rubio to arrive in India today, Tiger Shroff shooting case probe | Top news

Rubio visits India for trade, security and technology talks amid strains; police traced a motorcycle and phones to arrest three suspects in the Tiger Shroff shooting. Manipur violence across five communities killed several and injured security personnel. Deepthi Jeevanji set an Asian Para Games record for India’s fifth gold, while a court extended two CJP leaders’ custody.

Australia introduced a touch-sensitive plant as a curiosity; it now affects up to 140,000 hectares

Mimosa threatens northern Australian wetlands, with up to 140,000 hectares affected in the Northern Territory. A single plant produces 200,000 seeds, dispersed by water, vehicles, animals and people; seeds can remain dormant for 20 years. Thorny thickets damage ecosystems, pasture and cultural land use, requiring varied controls. The plant was introduced as an ornamental in the late 1800s.

Tarot Horoscope Today for October 20, 2026

Today’s horoscope emphasizes patience, practical choices, and emotional balance: Aries reconsiders delays; Taurus and Libra challenge anxious assumptions; Gemini and Virgo favor discipline; Cancer and Pisces nurture connection; Leo shares burdens; Scorpio avoids conflict; Sagittarius seeks partnership; Capricorn plans ahead; and Aquarius weighs fairness. The readings pair tarot guidance with colours, rituals, crystals, and daily advice.

North Korean state media releases photos of Kim Jong Un at clothing and shoe expo amid death rumors

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared at a clothing and footwear exhibition with his daughter, state media reported Monday, as unverified claims said he had suffered a haemorrhage, fallen into a coma or died. KCNA said he praised domestic industries. The event featured garments and shoes; succession speculation follows absences amid North Korea’s secrecy.

Step inside 117 year old red brick home in Kolkata where Bengali roots meet Parsi heritage: Watch

Amritendu Roy’s passion for restoring the past spans his 117-year-old Kolkata home, antiques, furniture and vintage cars, preserving history as living heritage. Built in colonial style and acquired by his grandfather in 1943, the house blends Bengali and Parsi traditions across 12 rooms, with a 150-year-old Burmese sideboard; his garage showcases classic cars and trophies.

RSS chief says forces trying to destabilise India: ‘Regime change doesn’t change circumstances’

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Tuesday that efforts to “dismantle” India would not succeed, delivering the assertion during the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Vijayadashami Utsav in Nagpur. The remarks formed the central point of his reported address, while no further details were provided about the efforts he referenced or the wider context of his comments.

UEFA gives FIFA deadline to release documents on Infantino’s scrapped investment plan

UEFA has set November 2 for FIFA to answer 42 questions and release documents about Gianni Infantino’s abandoned $4.2 billion World Cup investment plan, escalating a governance dispute before the presidential nomination deadline. UEFA says Infantino’s explanations failed to address concerns over decision-making and oversight. FIFA lawyers accuse UEFA of harassment; the plan was withdrawn in July.

Google Fitbit Air takes away a distracting screen, but is far from perfect

Google’s screen-free Fitbit Air launched in India at ₹13,999, with advanced health features, Gemini coaching and sleep insights requiring a ₹99-per-month Google Health Premium subscription after three included months. It offers activity tracking and impressive week-long battery life, but its elongated fit, overnight discomfort, inaccurate step and heart-rate readings, and subscription costs temper its appeal.

3-layer security deployed for Modi’s expected presence at Delhi Dusshera celebrations

Nearly 2,500 police and paramilitary personnel will secure Utsav Ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected Dussehra visit Tuesday, with a three-layer cordon led by the SPG, mandatory searches and traffic restrictions. Around 10,000 attendees are expected; drones, teams, scanners and sniffer dogs will bolster protection, while diversions run across Delhi from 5pm to 8pm.

Australia brought in prickly acacia for shade and feed, and it now infests 6.6 million hectares

Prickly acacia now infests 6.6 million hectares of Australia, threatening farms, wildlife and biodiversity after being introduced as a shade and fodder tree. Cattle and water spread its seeds, while dense thickets reduce pasture, restrict stock access and increase erosion. Models indicate suitable habitat covers over a third of Australia and may expand with climate change. Quarantine and control can curb its spread.

How key opposition parties stand on proposals to raise Lok Sabha strength, redraw seats

Rijiju says the government has sought Opposition dialogue on women’s reservation and delimitation, urging cooperation after its bill failed in April to win a two-thirds majority. It would expand the Lok Sabha to 850 seats and reserve 33% for women by 2029. The 2023 quota law remains tied to delimitation, amid concerns over regional representation.

Comedian Neetu Bhardwaj accuses Abhishek Upmanyu and Urooj Ashfaq of stalking and harassing her

Comedian Neetu Bhardwaj accused Abhishek Upmanyu, Urooj Ashfaq and Shashwat Maheshwari of stalking and harassing her and family, hacking accounts, circulating private information and copying jokes; they have yet to respond. In Instagram Stories, she said she feared for her family’s safety and alleged smear campaigns and work interference. She said she quit comedy, calling it depressing.

A fall planting guide for long-lived perennials like peonies, iris and false indigo

Some perennials can outlive gardeners by decades, making fall an ideal time to plant enduring varieties. Peonies may bloom for 50–100 years, while bearded irises can persist indefinitely when divided every few years. Hostas and daylilies may last 50 years, and false indigo thrives for decades once established. Unlike annuals and biennials, perennials return for years.

Gwalior temple crash: Driver took detour to avoid ₹3,000 in toll tax

Police say the driver used Google Maps to avoid ₹3,000 in tolls before his truck lost control on a sloping curve near a Gwalior temple Sunday, killing 15 devotees and injuring others. Dilbag Singh told investigators brake pressure dropped as he approached, striking worshippers queued outside and crashing into the gate. He and the truck owner were later arrested.

Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes says employees can't blame ChatGPT for mistakes at work

Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes says employees must remain accountable for work produced with AI, arguing that blaming a chatbot cannot excuse workplace mistakes. He says AI contributions should be traceable to users, with clear identities and permissions as agents access sensitive company information. Atlassian’s protocol aims to provide oversight, amid its push into workplace AI.

Thailand planted giant mimosa to help its farms, and it now covers over 30% of the Mekong floodplain

Giant mimosa chokes farmland and irrigation systems; a 12-year study found waterbirds fell 27%, though the decline was not attributed solely to the plant. Farmers spend 11 days per hectare clearing it, but prolific seeds and regrowth frustrate control. Introduced to Thailand in 1947 as green manure, it now covers over 30% of Mekong floodplains.

Union govt faces growing demands from states for tur, chana supplies as prices rise

The Union government resists state demands for tur and chana, preserving its 4.5-million-tonne pulse buffer for market interventions as prices climb and risks threaten supplies. Southern states have sought more than 100,000 tonnes of tur each; tur dal rose 17.2% and chana dal 8.66%. Drought threatens crops, while a 30% yellow-pea import duty limits cheaper alternatives.

Sensex, Nifty closed today for Dussehra, trading to resume on Wednesday

Sensex and Nifty are closed Tuesday for Dussehra, with trading resuming Wednesday, October 21; equity, derivatives, currency and SLB segments are suspended, while MCX opens for its evening session. The holiday follows Monday’s losses, driven by private-bank weakness, disappointing earnings and rising crude prices. Investors will monitor results, oil and global cues when markets reopen.

Ten states and UTs became fully literate since 2024: Ullas, the scheme behind the declarations

Jammu and Kashmir declared itself fully literate, becoming the 10th state or Union territory under Ullas, which defines full literacy as at least 95% of people aged 15 and above able to read, write and compute. Declarations rely on state door-to-door surveys, unlike national surveys. Launched in 2022, Ullas targets 50 million adults by 2027.

Yash urges fans not to nitpick VFX in Ramayana, watch film with open mind

At Ramayana’s pre-release event, Yash urged fans to support the film and avoid nitpicking its effects, saying India must protect filmmakers taking its cinema global. He said Namit Malhotra’s commitment inspired him to join as Ravana and producing partner. Despite VFX criticism, the trailer impressed fans; Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part epic adapts Valmiki’s Ramayana and opens November 5, 2026.

Yami Gautam to perform Ravan Vadh at Delhi's Luv Kush Ramleela on Dussehra

Actress Yami Gautam will perform Ravan Vadh at Delhi’s Luv Kush Ramleela on October 20, 2026, as the Red Fort Ground hosts Dussehra celebrations promoting women’s empowerment and the victory of good over evil. Organizers say the “Respect for Women” theme presents her as a symbol of courage against injustice. The event continues a tradition of Bollywood-star appearances.

India’s Red List assessment of 1,211 birds underway; initial review of 100 birds complete

India has begun an IUCN-framework Red List assessment of 1,211 bird species, with reviews completed for 107 and proposals listing the Great Indian Bustard as critically endangered and the Indian Roller as vulnerable. Preliminary work is due by year-end, with final results expected late next year. The effort supports India’s goal of assessing 11,000 species by 2030.