US banks face bond losses as Treasury yields rise, buybacks at risk

Rising Treasury yields are deepening U.S. banks’ bond losses, forcing them to sell at a loss or hold securities that weaken capital and constrain buybacks. AOCI losses totaled $156.64 billion in Q2; Bank of America’s reached $109 billion by September. Higher yields and Basel III may intensify pressure, as the 2023 Silicon Valley Bank collapse showed.

TVK's Keerthana hits back at criticism over ‘gold ornaments', says Vijay's support keeps her strong

TVK minister S Keerthana hit back at trolls questioning her gold jewellery, saying scrutiny could not weaken a woman steadfast in her purpose. She said she had nothing to hide or prove to every critic, and thanked Chief Minister Vijay and his supporters. In an X post, she likened herself to gold unafraid of testing.

NGT directs removal of encroachments, restoration of southwest Delhi pond

The National Green Tribunal has directed authorities to remove encroachments from a pond in Kanganheri village, protect its remaining area and restore it to its original shape and size, subject to court orders. Cleared land must again rejoin the pond. The case involves a 13-bigha water body whose boundary wall obstructs rainwater and surface runoff.

The Pitt actor Noah Wyle named as People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2026, says he never saw it coming

Noah Wyle, star of *The Pitt*, has been named People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2026, in a surprise announcement on Amy Poehler’s podcast. He joked the honor might bring “wine and roses,” but expected teasing from family. The title marks a resurgence: his drama follows a Pittsburgh emergency team through a 15-hour shift, succeeding Jonathan Bailey.

Two men charged in UK with helping Iran over RAF Fairford incident: Report

Two men were charged under Britain’s National Security Act over RAF Fairford, with prosecutors alleging a British national sought to assist Iranian intelligence. Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, faces an intelligence-assistance charge; dual British-Iranian Nouman Essghir is accused of entering a prohibited site. They appear in court Tuesday. US bombers used Fairford to strike Iran before withdrawing amid security concerns.

From no trophies to Ballon d’Or, the Harry Kane story

Harry Kane has won the Ballon d’Or, ending England’s 25-year wait, after scoring 73 goals and adding eight assists in a season at Bayern Munich. The England captain helped Bayern win consecutive Bundesliga titles, ending a wait for a major trophy. Rejected by Arsenal and Tottenham, he became Spurs’ record scorer before joining Bayern in 2023.

Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027: Ramkund and Kushavarta Tirtha to feature on special postage stamps

Special postage stamps depicting Nashik’s Ramkund and Trimbakeshwar’s Kushavarta Tirtha will promote the region’s spiritual heritage ahead of the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, with unveiling scheduled for October 31, the Dhwajarohan day. President Droupadi Murmu has been invited. The Postal Department’s My Stamp initiative highlights Ramkund’s Vaishnav traditions and Kushavarta’s Shaiv significance, alongside their distinctive architecture.

‘Names will be added’: Karnataka CEO assures voters after 1 crore deleted in final electoral roll

Karnataka’s CEO assured voters that eligible people missing from the final electoral roll can apply to have their names included by submitting Form 6. The assurance follows the deletion of about one crore names from the voter list, giving omitted voters a route to seek inclusion and have their names added to the register.

Man arrested after ‘hijacking’ threat forces United flight to return to Las Vegas

A 25-year-old man was arrested Saturday after United Flight 1681 safely returned to Las Vegas following a reported text threat to hijack the Newark-bound plane; he faces terrorism-related charges carrying up to 20 years in prison. Crew members monitored him without confrontation, and the Boeing 737 landed safely. The FAA is now investigating the incident.

Siddhant’s Southeast Asia Ride: It took longer to take off my helmet than to cross into Malayasia

Actor Siddhant Karnick completed a 2,000-kilometer motorcycle round trip from Singapore through Malaysia with his elder brother, his first expedition since last year’s accident required surgery and a titanium knee replacement. The ride through Malacca and Cameron Highlands became a triumph, helping the brothers address tensions spanning two decades while sharing their passion for motorcycling.

Hiranandani Communities, Krisala Developers partner for township in Nagpur with ₹2,100 cr potential

Hiranandani Communities’ Eleva and Krisala Developers are entering Nagpur with a 97-acre golf-course township offering ₹2,100-crore revenue potential and spanning 2.1 million sq ft. Near the Ring Road and Samruddhi Mahamarg, it will feature luxury homes, plots, a nine-hole golf course and two clubhouses; approvals and RERA filing are pending. The partners’ project was a Pune township.

Imran Khan won’t be asked to leave India today, FRRO assures HC

Bombay High Court held Imran Khan’s Leave India Notice in abeyance until November 2, after the FRRO assured the US citizen would not be forced to leave by October 28 or face coercive action. The hearing was adjourned over Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s absence. Khan challenges the notice after detention at a Mumbai protest, denying violations.

SC castigates Centre over medicine overpricing, asks 'can you justify this loot'

The Supreme Court on Tuesday accused the Centre of allowing unjustified medicine markups, citing a drug costing retailers Rs 15 yet carrying an MRP of Rs 250. Justices questioned weak price regulation and called the regulator ineffective. The Centre defended India’s low prices, while the court reserved judgment on petitions seeking tighter controls and generic prescribing.

We did not give her any makeup; had to deglamourise Shanaya Kapoor: Director Reema Maya

Shanaya Kapoor is embracing a transformation for *Student of the Year: After Dark*, playing Aditi and Ayesha Shroff in a double role. Director Reema Maya says she cut her hair, stopped using conditioner, and went makeup-free, adding dark circles and freckles to shed her glamour. The shift follows *Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan* and *Tu Yaa Main*.

From broke fitness trainer to $200 million buyout: The rise and fall of CrossFit founder

CrossFit founder Greg Glassman’s lavish spending—including diverting his private plane for Chick-fil-A, a detour reportedly costing over $5,000—is detailed in Marsh’s account of CrossFit’s rise into a global fitness empire. His 2020 George Floyd remark triggered backlash, resignation and eventual sale; he had built CrossFit from a Santa Cruz gym launched in 2001.

Lawyers observe strike across district courts alleging police high-handedness

Delhi district-court advocates struck work Tuesday, demanding two police officers’ suspension pending an impartial inquiry into alleged intimidation. They said officers failed to arrest suspects in an assault that seriously injured advocate Lalit Bansal, and alleged ACP Manasvi Vashishta displayed his revolver when lawyers sought accountability. Police had not immediately responded, amid repeated police-conduct concerns.

EC orders transfer of election officers in Goa, UP, 3 other states ahead of 2027 assembly polls

The Election Commission ordered Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to transfer officers serving in home districts or there for three years before the 2027 Assembly polls. Cut-offs are March 31 for four states and May 31 for Uttar Pradesh. Covering officials across departments, the directive requires compliance reports by November 30; election dates remain unannounced.

Delhi HC seeks Centre's stand on plea to protect Race Course mosque from demolition

Delhi High Court sought the Centre’s response to a worshipper’s plea to protect the Race Course mosque from demolition and restore access, directing a Thursday reply. The Centre said no demolition was underway, though utilities were cut during clearance of nearby structures. The petitioner cites heritage and Waqf protections; dispute follows demolition of slum clusters.

Sonia Gandhi predicts ‘tamasha’ over memoir; Imran Khan’s ‘leave India’ notice put on hold

Politics led the headlines: Akhilesh Yadav alleged counting halted in Agra during MLC polls and demanded safeguards, while Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israelis to vote in a national election. India sealed a 3–0 T20I series by chasing 199 in 80 balls; Imran Khan won interim relief in his deportation case. Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, due November 10, challenges earlier portrayals.

KREEVA plans ₹5,000 crore investment in luxury housing projects across Delhi-NCR, Tier-2 cities

KREEVA, Kanodia Group’s real estate arm, plans ₹5,000 crore of luxury housing investment over four to five years across Delhi-NCR and select Tier-2 cities, including Chandigarh and Lucknow. The expansion includes multigenerational homes on Gurugram’s Southern Peripheral Road, tailored to local demand, and follows South Delhi project Swaranaya’s ₹750-800 crore launch-day sales and fully booked first phase.

MP cabinet approves various proposals of more than ₹8,000 crore

Madhya Pradesh’s cabinet approved proposals worth over Rs 8,225 crore, including Rs 3,378.69 crore to continue four irrigation projects from 2026-27 to 2030-31, expanding agricultural water access. It allocated Rs 2,050.03 crore for afforestation, Rs 1,743.58 crore for health services and Rs 651.25 crore for social welfare, alongside district education offices and other administrative measures.

Keralam private bus operators announce indefinite strike from Nov 3

Kerala’s private bus operators announced an indefinite strike from November 3, accusing the government of ignoring demands and losses linked to KSRTC’s Priyadarshini service. After talks failed, operators said a September commission’s recommendations remained unimplemented and rejected another panel. They claim the scheme’s free travel for women and transgender people cost them Rs 12 crore in four months.

Actor Tejasswi Prakash walks the runway at NIF Global ‘The Runway’ at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI

Tejasswi Prakash headlined NIF Global’s showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in New Delhi, presenting 44 student-designed looks inspired by “The Modern Professional.” The collection reimagined workwear through sharp tailoring, contemporary silhouettes and personal expression. Students from centres nationwide explored functionality, while interior-design students shaped the presentation’s setting, gaining practical exposure to the fashion industry.

When AI can teach, what is the teacher for?

AI is entering Indian classrooms: 35% of children using educational technology and 51% of educators report using generative tools, but schools must redesign learning, not merely automate it. AI can personalise instruction and ease routine work; teachers guide inquiry, weigh evidence and connect learning to real-world problems. That requires assessment reform, project-based learning and sustained teacher training.

Seven arrested in ₹3.9 cr cyber fraud; police uncover USDT, hawala links

Delhi Police arrested seven men accused of facilitating a Rs 3.93-crore cyber fraud involving 149 unauthorised transactions in a businessman’s account, as investigators traced funds through suspected mule accounts, cash withdrawals, a foreign exchange app and hawala channels to buy USDT. Police seized financial records and devices; the case was reported on October 5, and investigations continue.

As health care needs grow, balance affordability with investment

India’s health-care pricing debate should protect patients from unjustified costs without undermining access, quality, innovation or investment, argues former MP Kirit P. Solanki. Rather than impose uniform controls across hospitals, medicines, diagnostics and devices, regulators should target evidence-backed abuses and assess consequences. Affordability also depends on insurance, financial protection and sustained expansion of care capacity.

Anand Deverakonda amplifies post claiming Ranabaali's performance ‘slaps negativity in face’

Anand Deverakonda defended Vijay and Rashmika Mandanna’s *Ranabaali*, resharing a post calling it a profitable blockbuster that earned respect despite criticism. Trade reports put its India net at ₹54.25 crore and worldwide gross at ₹75.25 crore; its producer says it broke even in most territories. Rahul Sankrityan’s drama depicts famine and resistance under British rule.

Moby-Dick; Tracing the success of a Great American Novel

Once dismissed as a failure, Herman Melville’s *Moby-Dick* became a classic exploring obsession, nature, religion and identity. Inspired by whaling and the Essex disaster, Melville reshaped adventure into a hybrid of narrative, philosophy and whale lore. Poor sales and a flawed British publication delayed recognition until the 20th-century revival, marked in 2026 by a New Bedford statue.

VBSA: Time for Indian universities to push forward

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, can transform higher education by replacing fragmented oversight with coherent regulation that grants institutions greater autonomy while preserving quality and accountability. Success depends on reducing routine approvals and prescriptions, emphasizing outcomes, transparency and student welfare. The framework would consolidate functions divided among UGC, AICTE and NCTE, after consultations.

Savannah Chrisley shares pregnancy news after announcing engagement with Jason

Savannah Chrisley announced she is pregnant and engaged to boyfriend Jason, calling their baby “our sweetest blessing” in an emotional Instagram post thanking him for his support during her pregnancy. The 29-year-old reality star said their relationship brought healing after years of heartbreak and uncertainty. The couple met through Washington, D.C., political circles last year.