Char Dham trip ends in tragedy for five Bengaluru friends as helicopter crashes in Chamoli

Five Bengaluru residents, including police inspector Arun Salunke, died when their helicopter crashed near Joshimath, Uttarakhand, on Friday while returning from Badrinath after a three-day pilgrimage. The victims were Salunke, H.S. Nataraj, Prathap Ningraju, Sudheer K. and advocate Shankar Gowda; the pilot also died. Karnataka officials are arranging repatriation. Nataraj had told a friend fog delayed departure.

Air Force One flyover for White House Halloween event causes flight delays

An Air Force One flyover for a White House children’s Halloween party halted Reagan National traffic, delaying 202 flights and alarming officials, who said they received 15 minutes’ notice. The plane made two low passes Thursday, prompting the FAA’s traffic halt; airlines had under an hour’s warning. Trump often favors flyovers at sporting events.

106 tribal students served notice after Oct 25 protest

Mumbai Police served notices on 106 tribal students booked after attempting to protest at Shivaji Park, intensifying scrutiny of the response to youth-led demonstrations. The students demanded the tribal development minister’s resignation and action over unsafe, inadequate residential schools and centralised kitchens; police cited unlawful assembly and prohibitory-order violations. The protest follows a 40-day Nashik sit-in.

Jailer 2 box office collection day 16: Rajinikanth film brings in ₹431 cr ahead of its 3rd weekend

Jailer 2 has crossed Rs 430 crore in India, reaching Rs 431.65 crore net after earning Rs 1.75 crore on its third Friday, following a strong first week and slower second. It remains 2026’s second-highest-grossing film and Tamil cinema’s highest-grossing film ever. Nelson Dilipkumar’s sequel stars Rajinikanth as retired jailer Muthuvel Pandian, who battles an idol-smuggling gang.

'Should make our art, culture global’: Piyush Goyal recalls how Prada row helped Kolhapuri artisans

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged India to take art, culture and craftsmanship to global markets, saying wider exposure would create opportunities for artisans and support young entrepreneurs building globally competitive businesses. He cited Prada’s agreement with Kolhapuri shoemakers after a 2025 backlash and called for quality, relevant skills, exports and risk-taking. Kolhapuri footwear has GI protection.

Venkatesh's stoppage-time goal earns Bengaluru FC a draw vs NorthEast United FC

Bengaluru FC salvaged a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United in Guwahati on Friday, as substitute Vinith Venkatesh scored in the 93rd minute after Sunil Chhetri set him up. NorthEast led through Jithin MS’s 15th-minute finish, while both goalkeepers made saves and Bengaluru pressed before finding a stoppage-time equalizer, earning a point apiece after sustained pressure.

Udta Teer box office collection day 8: Ayushmann Khurrana film refuses to slow down, crosses ₹33 cr

Udta Teer has collected ₹33.26 crore in India, with Wednesday’s ₹2.36 crore slightly above Tuesday’s, though momentum has slowed in week two. Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan’s film opened at ₹4.10 crore, peaked at ₹8.20 crore Sunday after positive reviews, and faces Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana. An amnesiac Pakistani spy mistakes himself for an Indian officer.

Population census begins January 25, barring poll-bound states and snow-covered regions

India’s Census 2027 will run from January 25 to February 28 across most states and Union territories, with March 1 as its reference date; poll-bound states and snow-affected regions are excluded from the announced schedule. Self-enumeration opens January 10–24, followed by a March 1–5 revisional round. The delayed decennial count, last conducted in 2011, will be India’s eighth since Independence.

Delhi records coldest October day since 1951, cleanest air for month in over a decade

Delhi recorded its coldest October day since 1951 on Friday, as Safdarjung’s maximum fell to 20.7°C after rain linked to a western disturbance and Cyclone Arnab. The observatory measured 61.4 mm in 24 hours, making October the fourth-wettest since 1951, while average AQI of 167 marked the city’s cleanest October air in over a decade.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares fluffy and delicious pumpkin muffin recipe to try on Halloween

At Halloween, chef Sanjeev Kapoor shared a recipe for fluffy pumpkin muffins, with pumpkin puree adding texture and coffee liqueur, cinnamon and nutmeg lending flavor. The batter combines butter, sugar, eggs, flour, spices and milk, then bakes at 180°C for 15–20 minutes and is dusted with icing sugar. Kapoor, known for *Khana Khazana*, shared it on his blog.

Nagaland United mark IFL debut with impressive win over Real Kashmir

Debutants Nagaland United SC opened their Indian Football League 2026–27 campaign with a 3-1 win over Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar, earning maiden points. JH Remlala scored in the third minute, and Vanlalhriatzuala K struck twice, while captain Rohmingthanga’s own goal revived the hosts; the Man of the Match sealed victory in the 74th minute.

Who funded Jalaun MD lab? Probe focuses on financial, chemical supply chains

Two men arrested in the Jalaun mephedrone-lab bust were remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody, as the DRI and UP ATS intensify efforts to identify masterminds and interstate links. The raid seized 1,102.88 kg of drugs, semi-processed substances and precursor chemicals worth over ₹300 crore. Investigators are tracing suppliers, recipients and possible earlier shipments.

San Francisco startup offered $20 an hour to walk robot dogs for AI training, no experience required

San Francisco startup Dimensional offered workers $20 an hour to guide robot dogs through city streets, collecting data to train AI navigation systems that still struggle to control machines independently. Operators steered the robots on four-to-six-hour routes and had to carry back units that overheated or stopped working. Founded by Stash Pomichter, the company hopes its technology will automate demanding physical jobs.

Exclusive| I will initiate the necessary criminal proceedings: Vidnyan Mane on Palash Mucchal case

Actor-producer Vidnyan Mane says Bombay High Court dismissed Palash Muchhal’s defamation case, and he plans criminal proceedings against the composer he accuses of misleading people. He says the dismissal stemmed from procedural deficiencies; Muchhal’s legal team did not respond. The dispute followed Mane’s allegation that Muchhal failed to return ₹40 lakh invested in an unfinished film.

Shraddha Kapoor proud to be part of Eetha, says what matters to her the most is a good film

Shraddha Kapoor’s transformation into legendary tamasha and lavani performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar anchors the newly released trailer for *Eetha*, a biographical musical drama directed by Laxman Utekar and set for cinemas on December 4, 2026. Kapoor says she prioritizes compelling stories over box-office records or gender labels. The film traces Narayangaonkar’s rise from child performer to celebrated “Tamasha Empress.”

Lucknow triple murder: Top brass meet bereaved family, assure fast-track trial, security

Senior officials promised security, a fast-track trial and stringent punishment to the family of three men shot dead in Lucknow, while police offered ₹25,000 rewards for tips about two absconding suspects. The killings followed a neighbourhood dispute over parking and municipal construction; authorities are measuring the prime accused’s property amid claims it occupies Nazul land.

Buried cash cache in blue drums at Prayagraj home: I-T officials, police launch Pune trail

Authorities in Prayagraj intensified Friday a third-day excavation after police found three drums of cloth-wrapped ₹500 notes buried beneath a home. Income Tax officials took control, questioning property-owning brothers Rakesh and Rajesh Yadav. Police deployed guards, labourers, a dog squad and ground-penetrating radar as investigators trace Pune links. The cache surfaced during an assault inquiry.

7 international music festivals every Indian music lover should experience once

International music festivals let travellers pair memorable live music with exploring the world, spanning electronic dance, rock, pop and performing arts. Ultra Music Festival in downtown Miami draws dance fans with leading DJs, powerful sound systems and high-energy performances; other events include Tomorrowland, Glastonbury, Sziget, Untold, Electric Daisy Carnival and Coachella, each offering distinct settings, genres and spectacle.

5 ways to bring a fresh design perspective to your home this Diwali

Thoughtful updates can give homes a warm Diwali makeover without renovation. Add colour through textiles, sculptural stone, meaningful art and heirlooms, and festive dining details such as flowers and elegant tableware. Lamps or plants can turn empty corners into features, making rooms inviting without excess. Specta Quartz Surfaces founder Ankit Jain shared these ideas with HT Lifestyle.

Focus on career, not social media likes: Allahabad HC to young lawyers

Allahabad High Court urged young lawyers to build careers through study and case preparation, not chase social-media likes, warning distorted posts and courtroom disruptions could damage the Bar-Bench relationship. Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal asked the Bar Association to address protests blocking hearings, stressing proceedings cannot be stalled. His remarks came during a bail hearing.

Voter rolls manipulation allegation: UP CEO urges SP secy general to give details

Uttar Pradesh CEO Navdeep Rinwa urged Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav to provide evidence that electoral officers shared login credentials with political workers, promising investigation and action against offenders. Yadav alleged BJP-linked workers and voter-registration operators were manipulating rolls to remove about 10,000 SP votes per assembly constituency, and urged Election Commission intervention.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor’s Tuscany getaway is about countryside charm. See pics

Saif Ali Khan shared photos of a Tuscany countryside holiday with Kareena Kapoor and son Jeh, captioning the family “my world” and their getaway “stolen moments.” They stayed at Augustus Hotel & Resort in Forte dei Marmi, amid vineyards, stone buildings, and sunsets; Jeh enjoyed animals and a tractor. Their vacation offers inspiration for outdoor-focused escapes.

UPI enabled for bookings at At the Top, Burj Khalifa, UAE and Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

Indian travellers can use UPI apps to book attractions online at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa, enabled by partnerships between NPCI International Payments and local providers. NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment support Burj Khalifa bookings, while FOMO Pay enables payments at Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore Oceanarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark, extending UPI’s international reach.

Pope Leo XIV makes history as first sitting pontiff to vote in US elections

Pope Leo XIV has cast a mail-in ballot in the US midterm elections, with the Vatican confirming Friday that his vote was submitted in Chicago. His participation is believed to be the first known instance of a sitting pope voting in a political election, a notable moment for the first American-born leader of the Catholic Church.

Dump grievances in Gomti: Amit Shah’s mantra to party workers in Uttar Pradesh

Amit Shah urged Uttar Pradesh BJP workers to bury resentment in the Gomti and unite behind a third consecutive state government in 2027, saying grassroots effort—not leaders—would determine success. Addressing 2,800 functionaries in Lucknow, he cited the party’s expansion as evidence of workers’ strength. The appeal followed council polls: BJP retained six seats, while the Samajwadi Party gained five.

BJP will return to power in Uttar Pradesh, bring in Uniform Civil Code: Amit Shah

Shah pledged a third-term BJP government would implement the Uniform Civil Code in Uttar Pradesh after winning in 2027, dismissing opposition parties’ electoral prospects. In Lucknow, he urged party workers to abandon grievances and concentrate on victory, while praising Yogi Adityanath’s record on development and law and order. Uttarakhand became the first state to enact a UCC law in 2024.

Ready for special session of Parliament on ‘vote chori’, but Rahul Gandhi will never agree: Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi to debate “vote chori” in a special Parliament session, predicting he would refuse. Addressing Uttar Pradesh BJP workers, Shah called Election Commission accusations baseless, forecast Narendra Modi’s fourth term and said workers would secure victory in 2027. He cited the BJP’s rise from two seats in 1984 to 240 today.

‘Badi der kar di’: Akhilesh questions Shah’s UCC pitch, predicts SP win

Akhilesh Yadav called Amit Shah’s UCC pledge in Uttar Pradesh a belated election ploy, predicting a record Samajwadi Party victory in 2027 and promising more women candidates than the BJP. He cast the SP’s five wins in 11 MLC contests as evidence of rejection of BJP rule, alleging manipulation and condemning policies on schools, jobs and exams.

Mira Rajput tells Kareena Kapoor that Shahid Kapoor was supportive when she became a mother at 21

Mira Rajput says she would not change becoming a mother at 21, despite the challenges of parenthood, crediting Shahid Kapoor’s support and her sisters’ experience with helping her feel less overwhelmed. She enjoys communicating with Misha and Zain, and will be 41 when Misha turns 21. Mira and Shahid married in 2015 and have two children.

Provide relief to rain hit people without delay: Adityanath

Yogi Adityanath ordered immediate relief for rain-hit people in Uttar Pradesh, directing officials to assess crop, home and livestock damage and compensate farmers promptly. He warned negligence would not be tolerated, called for sheltering displaced residents, and advised people to keep children indoors and avoid hazards. Cyclonic storm Arnab brought thunderstorms and gusty winds.