Make universities India’s R&D engine

India’s R&D spending more than tripled to ₹2.45 lakh crore in 2023–24, reaching a record 0.84% of GDP, but its composition reveals concentration and limited reach. Defence and multinational companies dominate, while universities, state bodies and technology sectors remain underfunded. This reinforces calls to channel research through universities toward local needs, livelihoods and services.

How shopping malls are becoming an investment theme in India

India’s experience-led malls are reshaping retail real estate, but consumer spending does not automatically translate into REIT returns; sustainable income depends on occupancy, tenant strength, lease terms, costs and asset quality. JLL reported 6.27 million sq ft of retail leasing in H1 2026, up 10.5%, while mall leasing rose 22.4%. Listed retail REITs provide exposure, not guaranteed returns.

Activist Jarange-Patil accuses BJP of conspiring against him, cites audio clips

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil accused the BJP of conspiring against him, playing clips alleging he received ₹500 crore through Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde and discussing election narratives. He cited threats and vowed to fight on. BJP leaders demanded a probe into authenticity and possible AI generation; the clips reportedly concern election messaging.

New Book In-House Matters Explores How the Corporate Lawyer Evolved into a Core Business Leader

In-House Matters explores general counsel’s rise beyond legal adviser to business leader, shaping boardroom decisions and growth. Authors Pramod Rao, Ritvik Lukose and Balanand Menon draw on interviews with 30 counsel to examine privilege after a 2025 Supreme Court ruling, India’s expanding legal capability centres, team-building, disputes and AI. Ten chapters provide guidance.

What India's commercial real estate boom means for REITs

India’s expanding global capability centres (GCCs) are boosting office demand: 2025 leasing reached 83.3 million sq ft, with GCCs accounting for 37.7%, creating opportunities for REITs. Yet growth does not guarantee returns; occupancy, rents, lease renewals, tenant concentration, location, costs and debt shape income. GCCs, once back-office hubs, increasingly conduct technology, analytics and research work.

High fees leaves over 800 MBBS seats vacant in deemed universities across TN, Puducherry

High fees left 824 of 837 vacant MBBS seats at deemed universities in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry after NEET UG 2026 counselling, raising concerns that costs undermine merit-based access. Annual tuition reportedly ranges from ₹25 lakh to ₹35 lakh, excluding hostel and mess charges; MCC may consider further counselling. Educators call for fee caps and more colleges.

Rental income without owning a property: Understanding the REIT investment proposition

Listed REITs let investors access managed portfolios of income-generating commercial property without buying or managing buildings, but distributions and unit prices are not guaranteed. Indian rules require 90% of net distributable cash flows to be paid to unitholders; returns depend on rents, occupancy, costs, debt, valuations and market conditions. Assess disclosures and risks before investing.

'Blessed to join Hindu New Yorkers': Zohran Mamdani on joining Navratri celebrations

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged solidarity against hate after an alleged attempted mass shooting at an Illinois Hindu temple, joining Queens Hindus for Navratri celebrations. Prosecutors say 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis planned to target Indians at Aurora’s Balaji Temple, but his rifle malfunctioned; he faces terrorist-threat and weapons charges and allegedly espoused white-supremacist views.

Beyond gold and property: Could REITs find a place in India's festive investment portfolio?

Listed REITs offer Indian investors access to commercial property without buying or managing buildings, making them an alternative to direct ownership during festive-season financial reviews. They pool money into professionally managed, income-generating assets and trade on exchanges, but distributions and prices are not guaranteed; investors should assess portfolios, valuations, liquidity and personal goals before investing.

Maharashtra govt revamps women and child welfare schemes

Maharashtra will overhaul Women and Child Development services to streamline delivery, shifting key applications, including Lek Ladki and child-care assistance, to platforms such as MahaDBT. Four schemes will be discontinued; orphan certificates will move online, and women’s helpline 181 gets emergency priority lines. The review targets overlapping or underused programmes, while benefits continue through alternatives.

BJP supporter shot dead in Bengal, 6 injured as incident triggers clashes

A 35-year-old BJP supporter, Samir Ghosh, was killed by unidentified attackers in Malda, West Bengal, on Wednesday, prompting clashes that injured six people. Police said he was assaulted with sharp weapons and shot twice; no arrests had been made and motive remained unconfirmed. Officers were deployed as tensions recalled BJP–TMC clashes linked to a panchayat dispute.

An open letter to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tamil Nadu's future

Academic leader C. Raj Kumar urges Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to turn his mandate into trustworthy governance through anti-corruption safeguards, greater public access, independent policy expertise and transparent business partnerships in education and youth employment. These reforms, he argues, can protect citizens’ dignity and build lasting trust, drawing on his ties to Tamil Nadu.

Cafe owner death: Prime suspect model, 2 others brought to Lucknow from Nagpur

Model Shraddha Dubey, her sister Rashmi and driver Danish have been brought to Lucknow for questioning over Shiva Sharma’s alleged murder after their arrest in Nagpur. Sharma died in a balcony fall on October 9; his mother alleges he was assaulted and thrown. Police treated the death as accidental, then registered a murder case; Dubey denies involvement.

We share same concerns as India: Rubio on US-Pak ties and Delhi's fight against terror

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s Pakistan ties would not come at India’s expense, stressing shared concerns about terrorism. Speaking in Mumbai on his visit, he said engagement with Islamabad could give Washington greater influence over its decisions. He added that an India-US trade deal was close, with talks covering defence, energy and immigration.

I bought 2 black flared bottoms for dance workshops and would wear them again

Two affordable black flared bottoms—the JYESHTA crepe skirt and a rayon sharara—proved comfortable for dance workshops and versatile enough for festive wear. The skirt offers a flowing, ghaghra-like silhouette, while the sharara provides trouser-style coverage and movement. Both pair with corset tops, blouses, cholis or T-shirts; check sizing, length and fit before ordering.

'Photos inconsistent with policy': Bikaner House on Raihan Vadra's exhibit takedown

Bikaner House management said Thursday that Raihan Vadra, son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, was asked to remove certain photographs from his solo exhibition because they were “inconsistent with the policy” of its cultural society, deepening a political row over the event. The brief statement did not identify the photographs or specify the policy.

Chakra Horoscope Today, October 22, 2026

October 22’s horoscope urges honesty and self-compassion as grief, rejection, uncertainty, and change shape choices and relationships. It advises rest, releasing familiar patterns, questioning appearances, and valuing oneself beyond productivity or perfection. Guidance pairs chakra practices with foods and crystals to support healing, gratitude, creativity, discernment, and connection, promoting growth at a natural pace.

Delhi Metro starts 20 extra weekday trips as Grap Stage-I kicks in

Delhi Metro will add 20 weekday train trips from October 22 and intensify dust-control inspections at construction sites and nearby roads as Delhi-NCR enters Stage I of GRAP after air quality fell to “poor,” encouraging public transport use and limiting construction dust. DMRC has repaired roads under its jurisdiction and installed over 250 anti-smog guns.

Uttarakhand CM launches AI voice portal to preserve Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari languages

Dhami launched a portal bringing Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari to AI, aiming to preserve them and enable systems to understand and speak them. Bhasha AI will collect words, pronunciations and voice samples; AiSE Foundation leads technical work, while folk singer Pritam Bhartwan guides language accuracy. The initiative could help residents access government information in native languages.

Texas mom crashes car on Louisiana bridge, walks away and disappears; search underway

Authorities search for 22-year-old mother Christina Munn-Holliday, who disappeared after a two-car crash on Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin Bridge September 30. Witnesses saw her walk away before troopers arrived; her phone last pinged there. Investigators have not confirmed her family’s belief she was pursued. The case remains a missing-person investigation, and relatives offer $20,000 for her safe return.

Acknowledge your mistake and apologise: Mika to U'Khand minister on Daler Mehndi row

Singer Mika Singh has demanded Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal apologise to his brother Daler Mehndi, saying the veteran artist deserves dignity and respect, and urged Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to investigate. Mika said Mehndi stepped in after Sunanda Sharma fell ill, yet Uniyal publicly questioned whether he was drunk during a performance at a New Tehri fair on Sunday. વીડિયો of the confrontation went viral.

‘This is shocking’: Bombay HC says Mumbai pollution surpassing Delhi, pulls up authorities

The Bombay High Court voiced alarm after reports that Mumbai’s pollution had surpassed Delhi’s, citing visibility below 500 metres and AQI readings of 150–200, and asked why officials were not treating conditions as an emergency. It reprimanded authorities, pollution regulators and police for failing to enforce restrictions on procession sound systems and firecrackers despite court orders.

DDA, INTACH to organise heritage, nature walks at six Delhi sites

The DDA and INTACH will organise walks at six Delhi sites over six months, starting at Mehrauli Archaeological Park on October 24. The 12 heritage and nature walks will include Sanjay Van, Tughlaqabad Fort and the Northern Ridge, accommodate 40 participants each and cost ₹500 plus GST. The initiative supports conservation goals in Delhi’s 2047 plan.

Delivery boy dies by suicide after assault over torn currency note in east Delhi

A 24-year-old delivery executive died on October 20 after allegedly consuming poison a day after recording a video recounting an assault, prompting Delhi Police to add an abetment-of-suicide charge. Police said two East Vinod Nagar residents attacked him October 4 after he refused a torn currency note; both were arrested, and an FIR was registered that day.

Daler Mehndi should have informed us if he was unwell, says Uttarakhand minister

Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal defended reprimanding Daler Mehndi, saying he meant no harm but the singer should have told organisers he was unwell. Uniyal said lip-syncing and difficulty speaking or walking raised suspicions, and he felt pressured as representative. The Kunjapuri fair interruption went viral, prompting celebrities to support Mehndi, while Mika Singh demanded an apology.

Mahhi Vij says she refused to take alimony from Jay despite judge urging her to reconsider

Mahhi Vij broke down on Bigg Boss 20 after clashing with Arishfa Khan, saying she refused alimony or maintenance from Jay Bhanushali, her estranged husband, because she respects his hard-earned money and wants to secure Tara’s future herself. She said Jay still offers support, while sharing the pressures of single motherhood. Separated after 14 years, they continue co-parenting.

28 years after killing brother-in-law in Maharashtra's Thane, man on the run held in Bihar

GRP arrested Sandeep Krishnan, 55, in Bihar on October 18, nearly 28 years after he allegedly murdered his brother-in-law over a divorce dispute and placed his body on railway tracks to disguise the killing as an accident. Investigators traced him using call records and mobile-tower data; remaining suspects remain untraced. The case dates back to 1998.

Thales boosts sales forecasts as defense, aerospace orders surge

Thales lifted its sales outlook to the upper end of 6%-7% organic growth, potentially higher, after nine-month sales rose 8.1% and orders climbed 15%, beating expectations. Defense bookings increased 14% to €11.32 billion, while aerospace orders surged 29% to €5.01 billion. It maintained its 12.6%-12.8% adjusted EBIT margin forecast amid sustained military demand and geopolitical tensions.

LIC HFL Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply for 232 posts at lichousing.com, check details here

LIC Housing Finance Ltd has invited online applications for 232 Apprentice posts, with candidates able to apply at lichousing.com until November 1, 2026. Applicants must have graduated in any stream by October 1, 2026, and be aged 20–25. Selection involves a 100-question, 60-minute online exam; application fees range from ₹200 to ₹800, depending on category.

Akka trailer: Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte’s battle for power threatens generations of tradition

Netflix has released *Akka*’s trailer, starring Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte as rival power brokers in Pernuru, a fictional kingdom governed by women. Their competing visions of legacy and authority threaten generations of order as loyalties, family ties and old rivalries collide. Dharmaraj Shetty directs the YRF Entertainment series, which premieres October 30 and features Tanvi Azmi.