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Europe’s Biggest Auto Show Is Now Dominated by Chinese Cars
Chinese automakers dominated this year’s Paris Motor Show with competitively priced vehicles and expansion plans, sharpening pressure on rivals as sales share rose to 11.3%. Their presence heightened job fears and trade tensions, prompting EU quotas on Chinese hybrid imports. They gained ground partly through plug-in hybrids, previously exempt from tariffs, and are localizing production.

Bail to key accused charged with Zubeen Garg's 'murder' may weaken case: Wife
Zubeen Garg’s family protested after the Gauhati High Court granted bail to bandmate Amritprava Mahanta, one of seven accused in his alleged murder, warning the decision could weaken the case. Garg’s wife questioned the investigation, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma voiced hope in the trial. Garg died in Singapore last year; an SIT later alleged a conspiracy.

Iran Is Fortifying Nuclear Sites and Rallying Its People for a Return to Fighting
Iran is fortifying sites, rebuilding missiles and drones, and warning renewed U.S. attacks could provoke strikes on Gulf targets, including Saudi oil facilities, American forces and regional infrastructure. Washington is reinforcing deployments and tightening sanctions as Iran intensifies maritime attacks. Both sides are bolstering positions in a deadlocked war, while Tehran mobilizes loyalists amid hardship.

BTE UP Re-evaluation Result 2026 for June exam declared, direct link to check results here
Uttar Pradesh Board of Technical Education has announced the BTE UP Re-evaluation Result 2026 for students whose answer-sheet reviews are complete, including results for 194 students accused of unfair means. Candidates can check results at bteup.ac.in using their login details; pending reviews will be declared once completed. The May–June exams were followed by applications accepted August 14–24.

Sensex, Nifty start muted as inflation, oil prices and Middle East tensions weigh
Indian equities were set for a muted Tuesday open as Middle East tensions, crude near $105 a barrel and faster-than-expected inflation weighed on sentiment, reviving rate-hike concerns. Asian markets fell sharply, while foreign investors extended their selling streak to 12 sessions. September inflation reached 5.54%, near the RBI’s 6% ceiling, as the eight-month Iran war sustained oil-supply worries.

No warning, deadly attack: Saudi's alert system under scrutiny after Riyadh strikes
Saudi Arabia reportedly issued no warnings before Houthi strikes on Riyadh last week, including an airport attack that killed at least 13 people, including an Indian, and injured over 300, raising questions about its ability to protect residents and visitors. Civil Defence issued an alert on October 12; analysts warned silence could deepen uncertainty.

“Musk” reminds you of how much you already know about Elon
Alex Gibney’s nearly four-hour documentary “Musk” offers little insight into Elon Musk, whose ubiquity makes his story feel familiar, while leaving viewers with competing portraits of a reckless visionary and a self-serving grifter. Drawing on colleagues and partners, it traces his rise through PayPal, Tesla and SpaceX, then his political turn; Musk declined an interview.

'Snatched from mother, planned to sell': 25-day-old baby kidnapped in Thane, rescued
Ambernath police arrested five people and rescued a 25-day-old boy four hours after his kidnapping Monday, suspecting he was to be sold to a couple in Gujarat. Police say a woman snatched him from his mother near a temple before passing him to an accomplice intercepted aboard a train to Mumbai. Investigators probe trafficking links.

Steve Smith to undergo second concussion test after nasty blow to head in Durban
Steve Smith is undergoing concussion assessment after an Anrich Nortje bouncer struck his helmet in the Durban Test, leaving his final-day availability uncertain. Though cleared on-field, he did not return after Australia set South Africa a 421-run target. A diagnosis would trigger a mandatory 24-hour stand-down; Smith previously suffered concussion during the 2019 Ashes.

Russian men are fleeing before the army can grab them
Thousands of Russians are leaving amid fears of renewed mobilisation, despite Kremlin denials, as emigration inquiries surge and border crossings rise. The 2022 call-up drove 400,000 men abroad, and recruitment systems may enable quieter coercion. The exodus reflects distrust: Moscow denied mobilisation shortly before announcing it, while recruits risk inadequate preparation and deadly frontline service.

Ollie Pope withdraws from Afghanistan Premier League draft as ECB raises moral concerns
England batter Ollie Pope withdrew from Afghanistan’s inaugural T20 league draft amid backlash over English participation and the Taliban’s treatment of women. He decided before ECB managing director Rob Key urged players to make a moral choice, saying he would not play. Will Smeed and David Willey also withdrew, while Dawid Malan remains available; legal limits complicate ECB restrictions.

BJP's Vajpayee-era Dalit face from Jharkhand named Odisha governor. Who is Brajmohan Ram?
Former three-term Palamu MP Brajmohan Ram has been appointed Odisha governor, making him Jharkhand’s second politician in three years to receive the neighbouring state’s governorship, after Raghubar Das. Ram, 68, served in Bihar’s assembly and represented Palamu in Parliament from 1996 to 2004, but faded from politics after losing the 2009 election, surprising BJP leaders.

Siddaramaiah’s plea over ‘sting op’ used to force him to quit likely to be heard
A Bengaluru court is expected Tuesday to hear Siddaramaiah’s plea to restrain media from airing videos tied to a sting operation that allegedly pressured him to resign as Karnataka chief minister. He calls their circulation false propaganda. JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy made the allegation; Shivakumar denies it. Claims remain unverified. Siddaramaiah resigned in May amid Congress tensions.

Chinese taxpayers now owe more. Is more owed to them?
China’s widening tax crackdown may plug budget shortfalls, but risks prompting taxpayers to demand accountability from a government wary of scrutiny. Digital surveillance and data-sharing expose investors and people with side income or overseas accounts to back taxes. Reliant on indirect taxes and land sales, Beijing is turning to direct taxation as property revenues falter.

Twinkle Khanna stuns in an embellished kaftan and Serpenti diamond necklace at Bvlgari Diwali event
Bvlgari unveiled Passing the Light, a Diwali installation in Jaipur made from 4,500 hand-sculpted terracotta pieces, with Twinkle Khanna among the guests. Created by artist Doyel Joshi and artisans, the work draws on the maison’s Serpenti motif and traditional diyas. Khanna wore an embroidered gold-beige kaftan and Serpenti jewels; the project honors craft across generations.

Cops bar all protests at Jantar Mantar; 2 US professors get Nobel recognition | Top news
Delhi police have ended 33 years of protests at Jantar Mantar, designating three alternative sites amid anti-CEC demonstrations and NEET fallout. Elsewhere, the Supreme Court delayed Rahul Gandhi’s election petition over filing defects; Mallika Srinivasan disputed a TVS family settlement; two economists won the 2026 Economics Nobel; and Tom Cruise’s “Digger” flopped. The observatory had long symbolized dissent.

India Post GDS Merit List 2026 released at indiapost.gov.in, direct link to check results
India Post has released the 2026 Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) merit list, and applicants can check their selection status at indiapost.gov.in. Shortlisting is based on a system-generated list using Class 10 marks, with grades or points converted into marks and percentages calculated to four decimal places. Candidates should download and retain a copy for future reference.

London's Hyde Park to Delhi's Jantar Mantar, idea and history of ‘designated’ protest sites
Delhi Police’s removal of Jantar Mantar as a protest site, replacing it with three distant grounds, revives debate over whether designated spaces enable dissent or confine it. The Supreme Court has rejected arbitrary restrictions but endorsed designated locations; scholars say place shapes protest’s message. From Hyde Park to Delhi, sites have enabled speech and state control.

Panel on MPSC to probe commission's present, past chairpersons and members
Maharashtra’s five-member panel will investigate paper leaks and irregularities in MPSC examinations, including tenures of current and former commission leaders; IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe is secretary. The announcement prompted Pune’s protesting aspirants to end their 10-day agitation, while chairman Vivek Bhimanwar took leave pending inquiry. The probe follows demands for accountability and recruitment reforms.

Bernie Sanders flips the charge on Musk after his rant over India's ‘oligarchs’
Senator Bernie Sanders accused Elon Musk of oligarchy, saying Musk’s $290 million support for Donald Trump paid off: he became $696 billion richer and was spending $366 million to keep Republicans in Congress. His rebuke followed Musk’s claim oligarchs were blocking Starlink. India called discrimination allegations baseless; three satellite providers await clearances and spectrum allocation.

Career & Finance Horoscope, October 13, 2026
Today’s horoscope urges zodiac signs to make thoughtful career and financial choices, turning promising ideas into practical plans while avoiding impulsive commitments. Advice ranges from seeking guidance, building skills and setting boundaries to checking facts and agreements; adaptability, patience and clear communication can help manage change. Each sign receives a crystal remedy from Kishori Sud.

‘Unprecedented’ cyberattack hits refrigeration of French supermarkets
A cyberattack disrupted refrigeration in hundreds of French supermarkets, warming food and forcing retailers to discard spoiled products, while raising food-security concerns. At least 300 Intermarche and Netto stores, and more than 100 Cooperative U outlets, were affected. Investigators are probing the incident, reportedly involving outdated Danfoss controls that no longer receive security updates.

The real world complicates textbook macro stabilisation | Number Theory
Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford won this year’s Nobel Prize in Economics for advancing New Keynesian explanations of macroeconomic stability. Their models inform monetary and fiscal policy but cannot conclusively prove how economies work, while political forces remain beyond economists’ control. The tradition gained prominence after the 1970s challenged conventional Keynesian remedies for fluctuations.

Himachal Pradesh's Parvati Valley sees a multi-agency anti-drug operation. What we know
Authorities have destroyed 592 acres of illicit cannabis in Himachal Pradesh’s Parvati Valley over two months in a crackdown on cultivation. NCB, police, ITBP and forest teams used satellite imagery to locate and burn crops on remote slopes, with operations moving toward Kasol. The campaign supports national eradication targets; valley-branded hashish has fueled demand and notoriety.

Can you buy and sell parking spaces in India as investment assets like flats and shops?
China’s court upheld Wu’s legal purchase of 196 parking spaces despite residents’ objections to her rents and resale prices. In India, parking generally is not a standalone investment: builders cannot separately sell open or stilt spaces, though garages can be sold; after handover, societies allocate remaining slots. Her bet paid off as neighbourhood demand grew.

HT interview: RTI assured openness, digitisation brought logins, says activist Nikhil Dey
India’s Right to Information Act, empowering citizens to question the state, is under strain, activist Nikhil Dey warns, citing weakened commissions, vacancies, backlogs and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. He calls for independent appointments, open digital records and accountability for attacks on users. Born in Rajasthan’s village hearings, the law survives through demand.

Step inside a ₹28 lakh-a-year 1BHK Dubai rental with an all-white palette that feels twice its size
Kanupriya Mehendiratta’s rented Dubai 1BHK shows how a small apartment can feel brighter and more spacious: an all-white palette reflects natural light, while low, neutral furniture preserves visual openness. A window-facing desk, concealed modular kitchen storage and crystal chandeliers add function and flair. The creator shared the tour after moving in with her husband.

Pant replaced by Kushagra for first two India A vs New Zealand A unofficial Tests, Jurel to lead
Rishabh Pant is out of India A’s first two New Zealand matches after failing to recover from a left-side strain; Kumar Kushagra replaces him, while Dhruv Jurel assumes captaincy and wicketkeeping. Pant’s availability for the third match remains uncertain pending medical assessment. Kushagra’s centuries earned selection, while ODI commitments may keep players from later fixtures.

Steven Gerrard wants Manchester City to ‘suffer’ after being found guilty of financial misconduct
Steven Gerrard says Manchester City should lose titles and face a transfer ban and multi-year points deductions after a Premier League commission found more than 100 financial breaches involving sham deals. City deny wrongdoing and have appealed; Gerrard says punishment must set an example, but would reject a retrospective medal for Liverpool’s 2013-14 runner-up finish.

Panchkula MC to upgrade waste segregating vehicles
Panchkula’s civic body plans four-compartment vehicles to collect wet, dry, sanitary and domestic hazardous waste separately, shifting segregation from Alipur’s centre to households. The change could enter the next contract after current deal ends in December and depends on participation and upgraded facilities. New 2026 rules mandate four-stream sorting; wet waste forms 55% of refuse.


