Smartphone market hits 14-year low, India braces for a 20% shipment plunge

Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year-on-year in Q3 2026, their weakest third quarter in 14 years, as rising component costs and weaker affordability deepened the slump; India is forecast to decline similarly. Prices rose about 20% this year, while Samsung and Apple led the contracting market. Following declines in Q1 and Q2, recovery appears unlikely before component costs ease.

How expanded EPF coverage will change economics of formal employment

India has raised the mandatory Employees’ Provident Fund wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month after nearly 12 years, bringing millions more workers under provident fund, pension and insurance coverage. Employers face higher costs and payroll-compliance demands, while employees may see lower take-home pay in exchange for long-term security, as the change accelerates India’s employment formalisation.

Doctor explains how to protect yourself from dehydration during Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations

To prevent dehydration during Navratri and Durga Puja, drink before, during and after garba or pandal visits, and replace electrolytes after sweating, advises Dr Aditi Zota. Carry water and sip during breaks; coconut water, salted lemon water, buttermilk or ORS can help. Hours of dancing and walking increase fluid loss; heed symptoms and seek care.

Harvard's India alumni condemn Delhi protest crackdown, official club clarifies stance

The Harvard Club of India said Monday it had not endorsed a letter condemning police action and detentions during Delhi’s October 10 protest, saying its signatories spoke personally. Executive Committee member Rajat Sethi said the club’s charter bars political statements in its name or on Harvard’s behalf. The protest targeted election chief Gyanesh Kumar.

How Orans sustain women, livestock, and life in Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s sacred Orans are disappearing under infrastructure projects and land acquisitions, threatening wildlife, desert ecology, and livelihoods—especially women’s income from livestock. Power lines kill birds, including the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, while grove clearance accelerates erosion and desertification. Traditionally community-managed, these grazing, food, and medicinal landscapes sustain communities, but need legal recognition and protection.

'Real power in purpose': PM Modi on India's 'power to empower' vision

Modi told Bloomberg New Economy Forum that technology, data, knowledge and innovation must empower millions, saying power’s value depends on its purpose. He urged cooperation and opportunity over control and competition, so progress reaches beyond a few. India hosted the forum for the first time, bringing more than 500 leaders together to consider levers of power.

Janhvi Kapoor to Isha Ambani: 5 celebrity-inspired hairstyles to bookmark for Navratri 2026

Bollywood-inspired hairstyles—from Janhvi Kapoor’s pearl-beaded bun and Deepika Padukone’s gold-thread braid to sleek or textured plaits and Isha Ambani’s floral half-up style—add polish while keeping hair manageable through Navratri’s garba and dandiya. They complement lehengas, sarees and chaniya cholis, with lightweight, secure accessories helping sustain comfort. Navratri pairs energetic dancing and traditional dress with contemporary glamour.

Who is Neha Bora? AISA president at the centre of anti-CEC, SIR protests in Delhi

Neha Bora, AISA’s 29-year-old president and JNU PhD scholar, has become a prominent face of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and electoral-roll revisions, facing repeated Delhi Police detentions this week. They have led demonstrations and opposed Jantar Mantar’s denotification. Originally from Uttarakhand, Bora studied at Delhi and Ambedkar universities and joined protests over examination irregularities.

India’s food inflation surges to 7.74%, weak monsoon spikes prices amid El Niño risks

India’s food inflation jumped to 7.74% in September from 5.97% in August, led by onion inflation more than doubling to 108.09%, as deficient monsoon rainfall and crop losses threaten supplies and could keep prices elevated into 2027 if El Niño strengthens. Drought-hit regions imperil upcoming rabi crops; El Niño periodically warms Pacific waters, disrupting rainfall.

Yogi Adityanath highlights women’s safety and dignity, cites welfare schemes

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said women’s safety, dignity and self-respect are essential to a strong, inclusive society, citing state and central schemes spanning girls’ education, marriage, maternity care, clean fuel, property rights, transport and pensions. On Navratri’s third day, he linked empowerment to Goddess Chandraghanta and said women’s safety had suffered before 2017.

Coaching as Compensation: What the Red Fort scheme reveals about school education

India’s proposed free online coaching network could ease cost and geographic barriers for competitive-exam aspirants, but it cannot substitute for stronger schools. National data show 27% of students have taken or are taking private coaching, reflecting a gap between classroom preparation and exam demands. Success depends on teaching quality and outcomes; stronger school foundations should make coaching supplementary.

Chinese woman spends savings on Antarctica trip after cancer diagnosis, tumour later shrinks

After a thyroid cancer diagnosis, 67-year-old Wang Ying spent her savings on an Antarctic expedition to photograph penguins, choosing a dream over immediate surgery. On returning, doctors found her tumour had shrunk and said surgery was not necessary, though monitoring continued. The photographer has since travelled widely; her tumour’s change was not attributed to travel.

'Buy biryani from Hindu shops’ posters in Bengal sparks row ahead of Durga Puja

Posters in Siliguri urging purchases of biryani and Durga Puja items from Hindu-owned shops have sparked controversy, as opposition leaders demand police action, calling the campaign divisive. The RSS-affiliated Hindu Jagaran Manch says its messages are an appeal, not a diktat, to support Hindu businesses. Residents warn they undermine Bengal’s religious harmony and shared Puja traditions.

Shekhar Suman recalls last moments of 11-year-old son, says wife begged doctors to let him go

Shekhar Suman has recalled the 1995 death of his 11-year-old son, Aayush, from incurable endomyocardial fibrosis, describing the child’s final pleas and his wife Alka’s appeal to doctors to end his suffering. Struggling for work, Suman took television roles to support his family and kept his phone close during shoots; afterward, he lost interest in fame and money.

Five speakers, ₹5,000 and one question. Which suits your Diwali best?

Five Bluetooth speakers under ₹5,000 suit Diwali gatherings, but shoppers should weigh sound, battery life and portability, not wattage alone. Xiaomi’s 30W Sound Outdoor adds IP67 protection and bass; Tribit’s 30W XSound Plus 2 offers app equalisation and claimed 24-hour playback, while Philips, Portronics and JBL differ in features. Reviews note battery-life variation and mixed reactions.

Silk Sarees vs Georgette Sarees: Which is better for weddings and festivities?

Neither silk nor georgette is universally better for weddings: choose according to occasion, comfort and personal style. Silk offers traditional richness and craftsmanship, while georgette provides a fluid drape and versatile styling. Weight and care depend on construction and embellishments. Georgette may be silk or synthetic, so check composition and cleaning needs before buying.

Should you watch a tiger mauling a man – or a live-streamed execution? We asked an ethicist

Graphic death footage—from a tiger attack to a proposed US execution livestream—is spreading online, raising questions about watching or sharing it. Such images can traumatize viewers, erode compassion, and violate victims’ privacy and dignity; public-interest reasons, including bearing witness or oversight, rarely justify circulation. Individuals’ choices matter while platforms remain lightly regulated.

Ekta Kapoor says ‘real estate is the big brother of any business’; shares father Jeetendra’s mantra

Ekta Kapoor says her father, Jeetendra, built wealth through disciplined saving, land investments and diversification, including early bets on data centres, while she calls real estate a usable source of financial security. She said Jeetendra and brother Tusshar have outperformed her in property, emphasizing economics and affordable housing. Their strategy began with saving before investing.

Maharashtra to review fees charged by autonomous colleges amid overcharging complaints

Maharashtra’s higher education department will review fees at 151 autonomous colleges after complaints of differences between conventional and self-financed courses using the same infrastructure. Chandrakant Patil ordered a review to check compliance with UGC rules letting colleges set fees within state norms. Students cite ₹4,000 versus ₹60,000; stakeholders seek oversight that preserves colleges’ autonomy.

SC stays defamation proceedings against Rahul Gandhi over 2019 remarks against PM Modi

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed criminal defamation proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, halting the trial pending in a Mumbai court. It also agreed to examine a Bombay High Court order refusing to quash summons issued to him in the defamation case, which stems from his 2019 “Chowkidar Chor hai” comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What did Letitia James say about alleged Cornell gang rape? Why AG faces bar ethics complaint

New York Attorney General Letitia James faces an ethics complaint demanding she recuse from the probe into an alleged gang rape at Cornell, after expressing support for the accuser before her appointment as special prosecutor. The complainant alleges bias; James calls her remarks empathetic and pledges investigators will follow facts, evidence and law. Cornell faces scrutiny over its response.

Delhi’s AQI slips back to moderate a day after rain improved air quality

Delhi’s air quality returned to the moderate category Tuesday, with AQI at 138 by 9.05am, a day after rainfall had improved it to 83, in the satisfactory range. Monday’s 41.6mm downpour—nearly three times October’s 15.1mm average—also lowered temperatures. The IMD forecast partly cloudy skies and a 33°C maximum; only Ridge recorded rain overnight.

Six Maoists surrender in Bijapur: Chhattisgarh Police

Six Maoists carrying a combined reward of Rs 35 lakh surrendered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, police said; the group included four People’s Party Committee members and two cadres. Several were linked to attacks on security forces across Odisha and Chhattisgarh, while police said one had guarded senior leaders. Their alleged activities span two decades.

Tiger Shroff and Dr. Venkatesh Movva Explore Performance, Recovery and the Future of Regenerative

Fitness icon Tiger Shroff said he seeks PRP and stem-cell treatments from orthopaedic specialist Dr. Venkatesh Movva during a discussion on recovery, injuries and joint health. Movva outlined regenerative options for suitable, evaluated cases and emphasized early injury care and preserving natural joints. The discussion reflects interest in non-surgical care; Movva’s RegenOrthoSport created branded content.

‘Drunk’ law student ploughs SUV into people in Odisha, tries to run over dhaba owner

An allegedly drunk 20-year-old law student was arrested in Bhubaneswar Monday after driving into people at a roadside restaurant, returning on the wrong side and injuring several, three months after a crash for which he was released on bail. Police filed four cases, including attempted murder, and are seeking to cancel his licence and permit.

A loved one’s slowing pace can tell a bigger story

Families can spot heart valve disease by noticing changes—shorter walks, pauses on stairs, breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness or reduced activity—that may be mistaken for ageing, and encouraging medical assessment. Doctors may recommend echocardiography to examine valve function; some people with aortic stenosis may qualify for TAVR after specialist review. Family observations and follow-up support independence.

Madras high court upholds resignation of 6 AIADMK MLAs in Tamil Nadu

The Madras High Court upheld Tamil Nadu Speaker JCD Prabhakar’s acceptance of resignations by six AIADMK MLAs who joined Chief Minister Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), dismissing a challenge that claimed the resignations were accepted without proper inquiry despite pending disqualification proceedings. The legislators also faced allegations of backing TVK’s government against the party whip.

How to ace your Garba makeup look so it stays put all night

Garba makeup must withstand dancing, heat and sweat, so prepare skin, choose lightweight long-wear products, layer carefully and finish with setting spray. Match primer and powder to skin type, build foundation sparingly, and use eye primer, waterproof liner and mascara, blush and lasting lipstick. Blot sweat before touch-ups; carry essentials to keep festive looks fresh.

DTC plans solar power systems for Delhi's bus depots to reduce electricity expenditure

DTC has approval to assess solar installations across its depots, terminals and offices to cut electricity costs and develop non-fare revenue. SECI will evaluate sites, while DTC’s managing director can determine implementation and tender arrangements. Locations, capacity, investment and returns remain undecided pending feasibility studies; private financing is possible. The initiative supports efficiency and income diversification.

Three killed in firing incident in UP's Pilibhit

Three people died and one was injured when a dispute over a Ramlila fair’s accounts escalated into gunfire in Pilibhit’s Amariya Monday; police arrested accused Kaushal Gupta. Ankit and Mohit Gupta and Kunal Srivastava were killed, with Mohit dying in hospital. Clash began at a meeting reviewing finances and forming a committee, prompting police deployment.