Three arrested for abducting 2-month-old in Maharajganj

Maharajganj police rescued a two-month-old boy from Delhi and arrested three people—two women—after his abduction; they suspect he was to be sacrificed on Amavasya. A six-team investigation used CCTV footage to trace him, and doctors examined him before he was reunited with his parents. Police say an occult practitioner influenced the ritual.

Malaysian man jailed for stealing Rolex, jewellery from drunk men in Singapore

A 45-year-old Malaysian man was jailed for one year in Singapore for stealing watches, jewellery and phones from intoxicated men asleep in public, continuing thefts while on bail. Chen Baosheng pleaded guilty to three charges, with seven victims targeted; victims sought compensation, but he could not repay them. He supported his wife, children and mother.

Dhanush says no one other than Sai Pallavi could have played Sita in Ramayana

Dhanush defended Sai Pallavi’s casting as Sita in *Ramayana*, saying no other actor could do justice to the role and dismissing criticism of her portrayal. He praised her devotion and performance, recalling her transformation from a shy colleague into a confident actor. Pallavi stars opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Yash in the two-part adaptation of Valmiki’s epic.

2 killed, several injured after gunman opens fire in Poland’s Krakow; suspect arrested

Several people were injured and deaths were feared after shots were fired in a market square in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday, the Associated Press reported, citing the city’s municipal government. No further details about the victims or circumstances were immediately available, and more information is awaited as the breaking story develops.

How to pick, preserve and repurpose your Diwali flowers

Keep Diwali flowers fresh by choosing suitable blooms, storing petals dry and cool, and shielding arrangements from heat. Marigold and lotus last one to two days, while chrysanthemums and Rajnigandha last three to five; trim vase stems, use cool water, mist and remove damaged petals. After festivities, compost, repurpose or send floral waste for processing.

Govt teachers can be assigned election-related duties as BLOs: HC

The Allahabad High Court held teachers may serve as booth-level officers for electoral-roll work, dismissing five Saharanpur teachers’ challenge because they showed no harm to teaching or children’s education. It said Section 27 of the Right to Education Act allows election duties; election law assigns roll preparation to the Election Commission and deems staff on deputation.

From music to cocktails: Expert shares ways to make your wedding after-party more memorable

Wedding after-parties can become memorable by transforming a venue into an immersive, personal world that reflects the couple and encourages guests to participate, says designer Jai Sharma. Spatial storytelling, changing music and responsive lighting can guide guests through a distinct experience, while technology should amplify emotion rather than distract. This modern celebration complements Indian weddings’ cultural traditions and rituals.

Festive rush overwhelms Lucknow’s traffic arrangements

Lucknow’s roads remained congested during Dhanteras despite 13 traffic restrictions, extra police, designated parking and no-stopping zones, as market traffic spilled into residential lanes and diversions shifted pressure onto crowded routes. Nearly 9,000 vehicles bought on Dhanteras may have compounded gridlock. Festival crowds overwhelmed bus and train services, prompting UPSRTC to add trips, amid expectations of robust festive vehicle sales.

Ayodhya lights up with over 30 lakh diyas on Diwali eve, CM Yogi attends 10th edition of Deepotsav

More than 30 lakh diyas illuminated 56 ghats along the Saryu as Ayodhya celebrated its 10th Deepotsav on Saturday, drawing thousands for cultural performances and Ramayana enactments. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended; Adityanath recalled the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and urged critics to apologise. The five-day Diwali celebrations run through November 10.

Constructed year ago, ward 66 road caves in

Chuharpur Road in Durga Puri caved in Saturday, trapping a brick-laden tractor-trolley and raising construction-quality concerns. The collapse created a pit, spilling bricks onto the stretch. A leader arranged temporary filling; permanent repairs are expected within days. The councillor cited pipe leakage and overloading; officials will investigate. Built a year ago, the road remains under scrutiny.

Apna Dal (S) to flex political muscle at Nov 29 rally in Prayagraj

Apna Dal (Sonelal) will hold a rally in Prayagraj on November 29, with Union minister Anupriya Patel as chief guest, to showcase its organisational strength ahead of assembly elections. At a Phulpur meeting, leaders assigned mobilisation duties across party ranks and predicted a record turnout. The rally follows a recent Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) convention in Prayagraj.

Katie Miller, wife of new WH Chief of Staff, faces backlash after admitting ‘I did not vote’

Katie Miller publicly defended her husband Stephen Miller’s appointment as White House chief of staff, praising his 11 years serving Trump and calling him dedicated and ready to work. Her support follows criticism over skipping Virginia’s midterms, citing privacy concerns, after suggesting childcare kept mothers from voting. Trump named Stephen to replace outgoing chief Susie Wiles.

German Embassy hosts a Diwali evening of food, dance and cheer

The German Embassy in Delhi celebrated Diwali on November 5, with Ambassador Jasper Wieck praising the festival’s victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Dandiya and bhangra enlivened the Palm Garden, followed by tambola and an elaborate Indian dinner. Wieck, who first visited India 35 years ago, hosted with wife Cordula, who wore a saree.

Vrindavan widows light diyas of hope at Gopinath Temple

Hundreds of widowed women celebrated Diwali at Vrindavan’s 500-year-old Gopinath Temple, lighting colourful diyas to affirm dignity and inclusion. The gathering challenged longstanding stigma that deemed widows inauspicious and excluded them from festivals. Many participants from shelter homes, including women living in Vrindavan for decades, welcomed changing attitudes and renewed participation in cultural life.

Give your Diwali mithai a decorative twist with this DIY tree

Content creator Samruta (@samstylehomes) has transformed motichoor ladoos and white pedas into a festive mithai tree, a DIY centrepiece whose video has drawn 64,000 views. Cover a foam cone with cling film, insert toothpicks, and alternate sweets, filling gaps with edible flowers. Set it on a pastry stand and add fairy lights for a festive finish.

Make edible phuljhadis at home with this easy no-bake recipe

Food creators Mehak and Rituraj of @delhifoodnest transform Diwali phuljhadis into no-bake edible sparklers, coating biscuit-and-condensed-milk dough shaped around wooden sticks with chocolate, sugar and edible silver glitter. Crush biscuits, mix with condensed milk, shape, dip in melted chocolate loosened with coconut oil, then chill for 30 minutes. These sweets offer a festive twist on sparklers.

India returns to The 50 Best Restaurants top 50 after 22 years

India returned to the global top 50 restaurants in 2026 after more than two decades, with Mumbai’s Masque at No. 26 and Kasauli’s NAAR at No. 49. Announced in Lima on November 4, the list also ranked Bangkok’s Gaggan No. 2, naming it Asia’s best; it is compiled through votes from global dining experts.

Noah Okafor strikes for Leeds United as Tottenham's winning run comes to an end

Leeds beat Tottenham 1-0, ending their three-game winning run as substitute Noah Okafor struck in the 79th minute, securing Leeds’ win in six and lifting them to eighth. Jayden Bogle escaped punishment for a studs-up tackle on Mathys Tel, forcing the winger off after a lengthy VAR review; goalkeeper James Trafford denied Spurs an equaliser.

Sonia Gandhi recalls pleading with Rajiv not to become PM after Indira’s assassination

Sonia Gandhi says she pleaded with Rajiv Gandhi not to become prime minister after Indira Gandhi’s 1984 assassination, fearing he too would be killed, in a memoir extract published by The Guardian. At the hospital, she begged him to refuse for their children’s sake; Rajiv replied, “They will kill me anyway.” Indira was shot by bodyguards in Delhi.

Indian designers take Diwali celebrations to the global luxury stage

Diwali is becoming a festive window for Indian luxury designers to reach international audiences through showcases and cultural events that extend beyond the diaspora. This season, Gaurav Gupta, Sabyasachi, Anamika Khanna and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla staged activations in London and New York. Timed for holiday shopping, these experiences pair craftsmanship with storytelling, expanding beyond traditional trunk shows.

2 licensed skydivers die midair in California after their parachutes become entangled

Two skydivers died Friday after colliding 150 feet above the ground while preparing to land at California’s Skydive Elsinore; their parachutes became entangled, and they suffered critical injuries. Their identities remain withheld pending family notification, while officials investigate the cause and report no indication of equipment failure. They were part of a women’s upright-record team.

IPL: Hardik Pandya-Arshdeep Singh trade close to reality

Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh are poised to swap Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in a major IPL trade involving no third player; player consent and IPL approval remain pending. The move would reunite MI’s Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep, while Hardik would join Shreyas Iyer at PBKS, boosting its all-rounders. Hardik’s 2024 MI return faltered.

Ram temple donation row: UP Congress chief questions handling of case

Congress leader Aradhana Mishra accused Uttar Pradesh’s government of shielding those responsible for alleged theft of Ram temple donations in Ayodhya, demanding an independent investigation and questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s silence. She questioned how a preliminary SIT report reached trust officials under scrutiny; the trust discussed it July 6.

Give your jeans a festive update with brooches

Dress up jeans for festive occasions by folding hems to fit and pinning them with whimsical brooches, a no-sew fix that prevents denim from dragging or bunching. Iron the fold, choose sturdy clasps, and keep embellishments clear of shoes and ground. Wear a brooch or a pair; popular motifs include flowers, bows, stars, and vintage designs.

Kajal Aggarwal proud to be part of Ramayana even as she admits that her role as Mandodari was small

Kajal Aggarwal shared photos of her Mandodari look in Ramayana, saying joining the epic mattered more than her role’s size. Her brief appearance sparked online discussion, and she thanked the filmmakers, cast and crew for including her in the culturally significant production. The two-part adaptation retells Rama’s battle with Ravana, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash.

Pilot Scott Laux removed from Blue Angels: All we know about US Navy's decision

The U.S. Navy removed Marine Corps Maj. Scott Laux from the Blue Angels, citing a failure to meet standards; he will miss the team’s remaining 2026 performances, officials confirmed. No disciplinary allegation or safety incident has been reported. The team flew five jets during its November homecoming show. Laux joined in 2024 and narrated in 2025.

Ghaziabad outpost blast: Agencies conduct checks; social media account claims responsibility

Multiple agencies, including anti-terror, bomb disposal and forensic teams, examined the Vasundhara police outpost Saturday after a blast damaged its rear wall; investigators have yet to determine the cause. A food delivery worker suffered minor injuries from flying glass, and police said they are probing all angles. A social media account claimed responsibility, though police did not comment.

Spinner Vaishnavi on a high: Big India comeback and a domestic four-in-four

India spinner Vaishnavi Sharma took four wickets in four consecutive balls for Madhya Pradesh against Andhra, finishing with 6/22 and becoming only the second Indian woman to achieve the feat. The 20-year-old returned to India duty with a maiden T20I five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe after missing the World Cup squad, crediting preparation and team support as key factors.

Fireworks yet to peak, Lucknow’s air already ‘poor’; experts warn of further deterioration

Lucknow’s air quality slipped into “poor” Saturday, and experts warned it could cross 300, becoming “very poor” on Diwali night as firecrackers, shopping traffic and falling temperatures worsen pollution. Citywide AQI was 223; Lalbagh recorded the worst reading, 282. Three of six stations exceeded 250, while others remained moderate. CPCB rates 201–300 poor and 301–400 very poor.

Animal-shaped bags are the quirky accessories making a style statement

Animal-shaped bags are gaining popularity as playful accessories that express personality and embrace joycore and dopamine dressing. Stylists recommend balancing whimsical designs with structured tailoring, monochrome outfits, restrained prints and complementary textures, matching bag proportions to clothing and even pairing them with Indian wear. Novelty bags now include sculptural animals and kitschy designs across fashion.