UP on alert as raging Cyclone Arnab likely to bring unseasonal rain to Lucknow

Arnab, moving from the Bay of Bengal toward Andhra Pradesh, is expected to make landfall October 28 and bring widespread unseasonal rain to Uttar Pradesh through October 30. The IMD issued orange alerts for heavy rain Thursday and Friday, plus a yellow alert Wednesday; thunderstorms, gusty winds and a 5–8°C temperature drop are also forecast.

Sensex, Nifty open lower as Brent crude prices remained near $115 a barrel

Indian shares opened lower Tuesday as Brent crude hovered near $115 a barrel and investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy decision. The cautious start followed Monday’s rebound, when Sensex gained 483 points to 73,606.75 and Nifty rose 153 points to 22,753.20, ending four consecutive losing sessions amid value buying and gains in metal, telecom and healthcare shares.

Centre seeks US deportation of man who fled India despite passport lying in Supreme Court

India has asked the US to deport Manish Chhokar, who allegedly fled despite his passport being held by the Supreme Court amid contempt proceedings over a child-custody dispute. The court said the CBI’s Interpol unit had asked the FBI to help secure his return and gave the government four weeks. Chhokar allegedly breached a 2019 custody settlement.

Stage set for high-stakes Israel election: Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot among four key challengers

Israelis vote Tuesday in an election that could decide Netanyahu’s future and shape policy amid the Gaza conflict and October 7 fallout. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is his challenger, while smaller parties, including Itamar Ben-Gvir’s, may determine coalition-building because neither bloc is likely to win a majority. Israel’s proportional system requires 61 of 120 Knesset seats to govern.

North Korea-South Korea tensions rise as howitzers spotted near border; UN row deepens

North Korea-South Korea tensions have sharpened after Pyongyang rejected Seoul’s account of a September landmine blast and warned of consequences for sovereignty violations, as artillery vehicles were spotted near the border. Howitzers faced south while troops worked on DMZ fencing. The dispute centers on claims over the explosion and border activity, amid fears of confrontation.

How Florida Took the Lead in Battling Big Tech

Florida is escalating its fight against Big Tech, seeking restrictions on children’s access to Meta, suing Discord over child safety and pursuing OpenAI over alleged risks. Led by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, the campaign challenges Washington’s lighter-touch approach, building on a 2024 minors’ social-media law amid legal setbacks and concerns regulation could curb innovation.

In Search of Late-Night Dining in the City That Never Sleeps

New York’s late-night dining scene remains diminished after the pandemic, but restaurants across Manhattan and Brooklyn still serve food well past midnight, from French classics at L’Express to Cuban-inspired Coppelia, Chinatown noodles and 24-hour Korean barbecue. They attract workers, artists and night owls, sustaining after-hours culture, once a defining feature of the city that never sleeps.

Kim Kardashian brings polka dots and leopard print to 21st Rome Film Festival in 2 corset gowns

Kim Kardashian made a bold print-focused appearance at the Rome premiere of Hulu’s *All’s Fair*, wearing a striking leopard-print gown after first showcasing a dramatic polka-dot look. The Galia Lahav design featured a strapless corseted bodice and mermaid skirt, styled with a matching scarf, black pumps and a sleek ponytail. Law Roach styled her for the season-two event at the Rome Film Festival.

What María Corina Machado’s Return Means for Venezuela

Machado returned to Venezuela after nearly 11 months abroad, seeking free elections in 2027 and an end to interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s rule despite threats. She plans to revive her movement across 23 states, relying on private security; polls show she leads, as voters seek democracy and economic relief amid U.S.-Venezuelan oil cooperation.

When Computers First Wrote Poetry

In 1961, a Los Angeles newspaper reported that computers at Librascope were composing poetry to explore intelligent responses, while warning machines might someday think independently. Days later, Bendix executive Tom Horan said a G-15 had produced a 511-page technical book in 112 hours. Though treated as curiosities, these feats foreshadowed modern anxieties about artificial intelligence.

Elon Musk, Starlink and Vladimir Putin

Ukraine says Starlink and Starshield access is back at full speed, but the slowdown has intensified scrutiny of Musk and the Trump administration, with no one accepting responsibility. The episode could have aided Russia, prompted investigations, and exposed reliance on Musk-controlled technology; Putin’s invasion remains the cause, while expanded Ukrainian capabilities could pressure Moscow directly.

Experion Developers plans ₹10,000 cr investment, explores branded residences, senior living options

AT Capital has invested nearly ₹5,000 crore in Indian real estate through Experion Developers and plans ₹10,000 crore more over five to seven years, targeting luxury housing in Gurugram and Noida. About 60–70% will fund land acquisition, with the rest for approvals and construction. Since 2006, Experion has delivered 12 projects across four Indian cities.

How Brazil’s Lula Pulled Off an Upset No One Saw Coming

Lula da Silva stunned Brazil by winning a fourth presidential term with 64 million votes, overturning a first-round deficit in a historic runoff comeback. Higher turnout, fears of losing benefits, viral campaigning and strategic shifts toward national symbols and tougher crime policies expanded his coalition. Election-day disruptions and a contentious court-ordered voting extension further strained trust in Brazil’s judiciary.

The ‘Buy, Borrow and Die’ Wealth Strategy Has Become a $5 Trillion Market

Loans backed by stocks, bonds and other investments have grown into an estimated $5.4 trillion market as banks extend “buy, borrow and die” financing beyond billionaires to affluent and retail customers. Deloitte says the market expanded 12% annually over the past decade, while actual borrowing may total $1.6 trillion. These profitable loans carry forced-sale risks, and lending once largely reserved for wealthy clients is spreading more widely.

Survey of unincorporated enterprises to expand, shift to financial-year cycle from 2027

India’s statistics office plans to shift ASUSE to an April–March financial-year cycle from 2027–28 and broaden its questionnaire to document women entrepreneurs’ barriers, business investment, energy use and small-enterprise operations. The changes aim to improve economic comparisons and policy evidence while preserving quarterly data continuity. The survey covers unincorporated, non-agricultural businesses and supports district-level estimates.

Delhi Police revamps website, adds emergency contact widget, section for legal updates

Delhi Police relaunched its website with a user-friendly interface bringing emergency helplines, cybercrime-awareness videos, legal updates and mobile applications into easier reach. The portal aims to help citizens find services faster, while videos explain online threats and safety measures. Officials say the redesign transforms the site from an information repository into a more accessible public-service platform.

Accumulated Yamuna sludge, water from drains cause spikes in ammonia levels: CPCB

CPCB says accumulated sludge in the Yamuna’s Wazirabad pondage and nitrogen-rich wastewater entering from upstream drains are driving recurring ammonia spikes that disrupt Delhi’s water supply, and warns dredging alone will not solve the problem unless drain pollution is reduced. The pond feeds Wazirabad and Chandrawal treatment plants; Delhi and Haryana dispute responsibility for pollution.

Netanyahu and His Main Opponent Disagree on Many Things—but Not Israel’s Security

Israel’s election pits Netanyahu against Gadi Eisenkot, but their views on Gaza, Iran and Palestinian statehood are closer than their contrasting profiles suggest, reflecting a post-Oct. 7 rightward shift on security. Polls show a tight race, with neither assured a parliamentary majority. Eisenkot promises toughness while criticizing settler violence and Netanyahu’s handling of the war.

Judge Bars Trump Administration From Cutting More Trees on D.C. Golf Course

Judge Ana Reyes barred Trump administration tree cutting at East Potomac Golf Links while a lawsuit over Trump’s renovation proceeds, except for safety threats. She required ten business days’ notice before closures or irreversible changes after hundreds of trees were removed. Challengers say officials bypassed environmental and historic reviews at this course, which opened in 1920.

17 convicts escape Tamil Nadu jail after staging epilepsy ruse

Seventeen convicts escaped from a jail in Tamil Nadu’s Theni on Monday, prompting authorities to form 17 teams to find them. Police said inmates staged a ruse, claiming a prisoner had an epileptic seizure before fleeing. Authorities were alerted at 11:20 p.m., IGP Vijayendra S. Bidari said; Theni is about 500 km south of Chennai.

Russia has seized a Japanese journalist, freezing an icy relationship

Japanese reporter Imai Yuki’s espionage arrest has deepened frozen Japan-Russia ties and raised fears he may be leverage in a prisoner swap. Detained on Sakhalin in October, he is held as Moscow treats foreign detainees as exchange assets against a backdrop of territorial disputes and regional tensions involving China and Taiwan, amid renewed Russia-West dealmaking.

At least 7 shot in Elizabeth, New Jersey in mass shooting incident

A shooting in Elizabeth, New Jersey, left one dead and six injured Saturday night, RLS Media reported, as authorities investigate. Emergency crews responded near Irvington Avenue and Elmwood Place before 9:45 p.m., taking the wounded to University Hospital in Newark. A suspect reportedly fled west on Morris Avenue in a red sedan; police have not commented.

India's reform push at UNSC; Trump's Brazil election charge and more | Top news

India urged UN Security Council reforms, including expanded veto rights, while Trump questioned Brazil’s election without evidence. Cyclone Arnab strengthened into a severe storm, threatening Andhra Pradesh with heavy rain. Mumbai police said Tiger Shroff’s attackers had scouted actors’ homes, and Harry Kane became the first English winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or since Owen’s 2001 win.

Office boy from India wins 200-gram gold bar in Big Ticket Abu Dhabi

An Indian office boy in Bahrain won a 200-gram, 24-carat gold bar worth about Dh96,500 ( ₹25 lakh) in Big Ticket Abu Dhabi’s weekly draw, one of four Indian winners. Kidiyoor, 45, has lived in Bahrain 23 years and joined with friends four months ago; he has not decided how to use the prize.

Om Birla urges Brics parliaments to turn dialogue into concrete outcomes

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged Brics parliaments to turn dialogue into results, strengthen democratic institutions and ensure developing nations shape decisions, saying Brics must improve people’s lives. Opening the forum in New Delhi, he stressed legislative oversight, cooperation amid crises and youth empowerment. The meeting builds on the unanimous summit statement under India’s chairship.

Maharashtra’s plan to scrap Gramdan Act puts collective land ownership at risk

Rising property prices amid infrastructure expansion intensify fears that Maharashtra’s proposed repeal of the 1964 Gramdan Act could expose collectively held land to acquisition and private interests. The change would end the Gandhian system in 21 villages, restore land to heirs, and shift governance to panchayats. Activists seek reform; critics cite barriers to loans and benefits.

Income-tax department nudges UAE property owners to disclose undeclared assets

India’s Income-Tax Department has nudged select UAE property owners to disclose undeclared foreign assets under its one-time FAST-DS scheme, after analysing information from multiple sources. About 1,100 taxpayers have applied. Eligible disclosures attract 30% tax plus an equal penalty, while valid declarations provide immunity from assessment and prosecution. The scheme closes December 31, 2026.

Markets are dismayed by Lula’s surprise win—and for good reason

Lula’s historic comeback secured a fourth term, but markets plunged as investors feared unchecked spending; the real fell 7% and the Bovespa 14%. To avert crisis, he must appoint a trusted finance minister and deliver fiscal reforms, including a spending cap. Brazil’s deficit exceeds 9% of GDP, and debt is forecast to hit 97%.

MCD to procure 98,500 vials of anti-rabies vaccine

MCD approved procurement of 98,500 anti-rabies vaccine vials, completing a two-year plan for 1.2 lakh vials to ensure timely treatment for animal-bite victims. It bought 21,500 vials in May 2026, with procurement estimated at ₹2.52 crore; supplies will serve over 280 civic health units across the city, including vaccination centres relied on by low-income residents.

China’s most successful Astroturf operation: grassroots football

China’s amateur city-versus-city football leagues have become crowd-pullers and morale boosters, spreading to about 20 provinces since launching in Jiangsu in spring 2025, as fans embrace local pride and emotion absent from the struggling national team. Matches and rivalries revive local economies amid economic gloom, while amateur rules protect authenticity and growing commercialization threatens the leagues’ grassroots spirit.