Uttarakhand minister’s husband denies murder plan, accuses her of habitual graft

Uttarakhand police are probing Minister Rekha Arya’s complaint accusing husband Girdhari Lal Sahu of plotting her murder, caste-based harassment, bigamy and forging her signatures; an FIR has been filed. Sahu rejects the allegations, calls Arya corrupt and says her audio clips are AI-generated. Arya also alleges he concealed an earlier marriage and plotted with another woman.

New Ramayana footage shows Sai Pallavi's Sita in warrior mode; makers say 10K people working on film

Nitesh Tiwari’s *Ramayana: Rise of a Legend*, scored by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, will unfold in two parts: the first arrives November 5, followed by the second at Diwali 2027; the film is budgeted at a reported Rs 4,000 crore. Footage features Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, with 10,000-plus technicians working worldwide.

Real Madrid demand La Liga president Javier Tebas' resignation over Nazi propaganda comparison

Real Madrid has demanded La Liga president Javier Tebas resign after he compared the club’s media strategy to propaganda methods used by Joseph Goebbels, calling the remarks intolerable and incompatible with his role. Tebas said he meant communication, not Nazi ideology, and accused Real of intimidation. The dispute also involves refereeing criticism and Barcelona’s Negreira case.

Malaika Arora brings understated grace to festive dressing in statement ₹2.65 lakh kalamkari lehenga

Malaika Arora’s festive look swaps sequins for hand-painted tussar silk kalamkari in muted teal, rust and antique gold, paired with an embroidered plunging choli and light tissue drape. She accessorized the ₹2.65-lakh lehenga with an antique gemstone choker, statement earrings, stacked bangles, sleek bun and glowing makeup, offering inspiration for festive celebrations and winter weddings.

Career & Finance Horoscope, October 17, 2026

Today’s career horoscope urges signs to balance decisive action with accuracy, planning, and sound financial judgment. Aries and Capricorn face urgency, while Taurus should recover from setbacks and Scorpio enjoy success without overconfidence. Across the zodiac, collaboration, learning, leadership, and reflection support progress; review details, nurture relationships, and let crystal remedies symbolize clarity and resilience.

In 2016, Ed Sheeran bought a ploughed field; now it has a pond, a meadow and 14,000 trees

Ed Sheeran says a pond on his Suffolk estate—criticized during planning disputes—is an unfiltered wildlife pond, not the blue swimming pool shown in online photos. Dug on a former plowed field he bought in 2016, it now sits among a wild meadow and about 14,000 trees, which he says have brought more wildlife, including newts.

A grand Mahalaya, stress on Sanatani traditions and more: What has changed this Durga Puja in Bengal

West Bengal’s first Durga Puja under BJP rule has brought traditional idols, post-Mahalaya inaugurations and cancellation of the Red Road carnival, breaking with Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure. The government urged major clubs to forgo grants, as community pujas rose to 58,000; a washed-out flyover-painting scheme and political disputes tempered celebrations. The festival began Friday with Bodhan.

Sam Altman praises Elon Musk on Tesla's flying Roadster launch a year after spat over $50,000 refund

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised Tesla’s Roadster, saying the flying-capable sports car “looks quite amazing,” setting aside his feud with Elon Musk. Tesla says cold-gas thrusters can lift and spin the vehicle, while suction and active wings generate downforce. The compliment contrasts with last year’s dispute over Altman’s $50,000 reservation refund; Musk criticized OpenAI’s restructuring.

Ladakh adds Sankoo as 8th district; five new tehsils announced

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced Sankoo as Ladakh’s eighth district, carved from Kargil, alongside five tehsils to bring administration and services to residents. Sankoo will include GM Pore, TSG and Taisuru; the tehsils are Aryan Valley, Sodh, Phey, Thasgam and Hemya. The move follows five district announcements and raises Ladakh’s tehsil count to 37.

UK considers to launch new investor visa to attract wealthy foreigners and boost economic growth

Britain is considering a new investor visa to attract foreign capital and boost growth ahead of October’s budget, though no decision has been confirmed and key rules remain unsettled. Proposals include investments of £2.5 million to £5 million, with differing tax terms. The previous route was scrapped in 2022 amid money-laundering concerns and public scrutiny.

David Bedingham stresses the importance of Kagiso Rabada’s return for the second Test

Kagiso Rabada is set to return for South Africa’s second Test against Australia in Gqeberha on Sunday, a major boost as the hosts trail 1-0 after a 214-run Durban defeat. David Bedingham praised the paceman’s sharpness, recalling his nine-wicket haul in last year’s World Test Championship final. Aiden Markram’s availability remains uncertain, while Rabada averages 21.39 against Australia.

US lawmakers write to Marco Rubio over Delhi detentions as India rejects ‘interference’

Six US lawmakers, including Pramila Jayapal, urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to press India on alleged repression, wrongful detentions and excessive force during student protests, seeking investigations and release of people detained for peaceful assembly. Their letter cited surveillance on US soil and questioned electoral-roll revisions; New Delhi had dismissed Jayapal’s earlier criticism as interference.

Yo Yo Honey Singh appears before Maharashtra Cyber Cell after skipping earlier summons

Honey Singh appeared before Maharashtra Cyber Cell Friday, spending two hours recording a statement over allegedly objectionable concert remarks. The probe followed a complaint over lines he sang at a March 1, 2025, performance; he had missed summonses. A court called the song vulgar and derogatory; a plea sought its online removal to protect children.

For 35 years, Dolly Parton's Dollywood cared for bald eagles; now a storm has changed that for good

After an April storm damaged Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain Sanctuary and released three bald eagles, non-releasable birds will permanently move to the American Eagle Foundation’s 50-acre Kodak campus, consolidating care, conservation and education. The move ends a 35-year sanctuary partnership, although Dollywood will continue its Birds of Prey program. Opened in 1991, the sanctuary introduced millions to eagles.

Planning a Diwali party at home? Party speakers with powerful bass, lights, and long battery life

Seven party speakers from Sony, JBL, boAt and Zebronics give Diwali hosts options for portable, battery-powered sound or powerful, mains-connected entertainment. Karaoke microphones, guitar inputs, lighting, varied playback options and splash resistance distinguish models, while output and runtime differ. Buyers should weigh sound, battery life, portability and features against venue and group size when planning festive gatherings.

UP roll revision: 10-form daily cap for party agents, strict action on false claims

Uttar Pradesh’s assembly voter-roll revision begins November 2, as the Election Commission urges recognised parties to appoint booth-level agents, who may submit 10 forms daily; totals above 30 require rechecking. The draft roll appears November 12, objections close December 11, and the final list January 4, 2027. Polling stations will serve up to 1,200 voters.

Cutting across religious barriers: Meerut Muslim family keeps effigy-making for Dussehra alive for 70 years in Shimla

A Muslim family from Meerut continues a decades-old tradition of crafting Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad effigies for Dussehra at Shimla’s Jakhu temple, embodying interfaith cooperation before the October 20 festival. Sohil says his family has worked there for 20 years, welcomed locally, as craftsmen finish effigies and limit firecrackers. The family’s nearly 70-year tradition continues.

Five dead, 12 injured in Bhiwani, Kaithal mishaps

Two people, including 20-year-old NEET aspirant Mohit, were killed and 12 injured when a bus overturned near Prem Nagar, Haryana, Friday evening; passengers said it lost control after the driver accelerated as a student tried getting off. Separately, three men, including two brothers, died when a car struck a tree near Kaithal early Friday; police are investigating crashes.

Haryana: Four booked for burning plastic, PVC wires in Jhajjar field

Jhajjar police booked four people for allegedly burning plastic waste, PVC wires and other material in an open field near the Delhi-Rohtak highway in Mandothi, after flames and smoke were reported. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and police seized material. The case, filed on a pollution-control board officer’s complaint, cites BNS and environmental laws; investigation continues.

No number plate, no fuel in Ambala

Ambala Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta has barred district petrol pumps from selling petrol, diesel, CNG or other fuel to vehicles without valid number plates, citing public safety. Effective immediately, the order invokes Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Police say criminals use such vehicles for thefts, robberies and shootings, complicating identification.

Sanjauli residents protest over twin-tunnel project

Residents of Sanjauli, Bhatta Kuffar and nearby Shimla areas marched Friday against NHAI, demanding a halt to twin-tunnel construction and review of the revised alignment, which they say has caused building cracks and threatens hillside homes. Protesters say 500 buildings may be affected, 15–20 families report damage, and authorities must explain why the original route changed.

Haryana: Delay in procurement pushing farmers into crisis, says Sampat

INLD leader Sampat Singh said procurement delays, rain damage and below-MSP sales are pushing Haryana farmers into crisis. Of 21 lakh tonnes of paddy reaching mandis, only half has been sold and a third lifted; bajra procurement also trails. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda demanded promised ₹3,100-per-quintal paddy buying, alleging irregularities in moisture testing.

Haryana: Six thermal plants failed to comply with biomass co-firing targets, says CPCB

Six coal-fired plants in Delhi-NCR failed 2024-25 biomass co-firing targets and were recommended for environmental compensation, the CPCB told the NGT, supporting CAQM’s enforcement action. A committee found explanations inadequate; three Haryana plants were among six, facing part of a combined ₹61.9-crore penalty. Rules require a minimum 5% crop-residue fuel blend with coal to curb crop burning.

Dharamshala: True success of e-governance lies in uplifting ordinary citizens, says Sukhu

Good governance, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Friday, depends on e-governance that simplifies life for ordinary citizens, particularly in remote areas, rather than technological complexity. Addressing a national conference in Dharamshala, he called for transparent, accountable, citizen-centred administration, saying digital services deliver schemes to grassroots communities. Officials met to discuss reforms.

Two minors among four drown in Sonepat, Hisar

Four people, including two young brothers and a married couple, drowned in separate incidents in Haryana’s Sonepat and Hisar districts, while a three-year-old boy was rescued and is being treated, police said. The boys drowned in pits dug for a shed and filled by rain; the couple drowned in a water tank. Police are investigating.

HC rejects plea seeking invitation for new deity to Kullu Dussehra

The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed Devta Bansheera Maharaj Sidhwan’s petition for an official Kullu Dussehra invitation and facilities, upholding the deputy commissioner’s rejection because the deity lacked required historical recognition. The court said invitations follow longstanding tradition documented in the Wajib-ul-Arz, noting the deity originated in 1990 and does not appear in the record.

Keylong freezes at - 1.7°C, dry weather likely from October 17

Fresh snowfall across Himachal Pradesh’s high altitudes pushed minimum temperatures sharply lower Friday, as Keylong recorded the state’s coldest reading at -1.7°C and Kukumseri -1.2°C. Keylong received 7cm of snow, while rainfall reached 3cm at Kothi. Maximum temperatures were normal, with Una hottest at 32.8°C. The IMD forecasts dry weather October 17–22, followed by gradual warming.

Prayagraj advocate murder: Father-son duo arrested, search on for two absconding history-sheeters

Police arrested land-dispute suspects Devendra Nath Mishra and son Nripendra on Friday, sending them to jail after advocate Satish Chandra Srivastava was allegedly shot dead in Salori. Officers recovered the licensed revolver, adding Arms Act charges, while searches continue for others. The killing followed a long-running property dispute, and relatives and lawyers protested before burial.

Haryana, Sweden ink ₹4,000-cr pacts to boost trade, investment

Haryana signed letters of intent worth ₹4,000 crore with Swedish companies during Nayab Saini’s Sweden visit, targeting investment and jobs. A ₹3,000-crore Gurugram–Stockholm partnership will advance technology, smart-city solutions and urban development, while ₹1,000 crore is planned for retail and warehousing, including logistics infrastructure. Swedish firms pledged opportunities for skilled youth, and a Sikh delegation met Saini at India House.

PRSU set to introduce four new courses including BPEd, MPEd

Prof Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) State University plans to launch four physical education and teacher-training courses next academic session, pending National Council for Teacher Education recognition, with 50 proposed seats each initially. The Board of Studies has approved BPEd, MPEd, integrated BSc-BEd and BA-BEd programmes. Established in 2016, PRSU serves 762 affiliated colleges across four districts.