Kashmiri food, phuljhadis from Old Delhi: Sonia Gandhi reminisces Diwali at ex-PM Indira's home

Sonia Gandhi says she pleaded with Rajiv not to become prime minister after Indira Gandhi’s 1984 assassination, fearing he too would be targeted, in her memoir *Belonging: A Journey of Love*. She also shared Diwali memories from Indira’s home: rows of diyas, Kashmiri food and family firecracker outings, including trips with Rajiv to Chandni Chowk.

FSSAI seizes food items worth ₹81.8 crore, suspends over 1,100 licences in two-month drive

FSSAI’s nationwide festive-season drive inspected 56,431 food establishments from September 1 to November 5, seizing 3,270 tonnes of products worth ₹81.8 crore and suspending 1,133 licences. Authorities also cancelled 52 licences, sealed 314 businesses and issued 10,047 improvement notices. Of 23,648 samples analysed, 2,273 failed standards. The drive followed a directive for tighter checks on adulterated foods.

Sensex opens 300 points up in Diwali Muhurat trading session, Nifty rises by 70 points

Diwali’s special Muhurat trading session opened at 2:20 pm Sunday and is scheduled to close at 3:30 pm, following a 15-minute pre-opening period. It follows a seventh straight advance on Friday, when the Sensex rose 2.17% to 81,028 and Nifty gained 2.01% to 25,030 despite global-market weakness; annual trading marks Samvat’s start and is auspicious.

'Watching them never gets old': NASA astronaut shares rare view of red and green auroras

NASA astronaut Don Pettit shared a time-lapse of green auroras and fleeting red wisps illuminating Earth from orbit, drawing praise online for the unusual view and his photography. Pettit noted that higher-altitude red lights briefly appear within the green display, comparing them to thunderstorm sprites. The footage shows auroras from above, unlike familiar views from the ground.

‘Growing a beard doesn’t make you Revanth Reddy’: Telangana CM's dig at KT Rama Rao

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy mocked BRS leader KT Rama Rao for allegedly copying his beard and image, saying imitation alone cannot win voters’ trust. Speaking in Vikarabad, he accused the BRS of leaving irrigation projects unfinished during its decade in power and alleged the Kaleshwaram project collapsed. Rao had not responded, amid an ongoing feud.

Vijayan seeks roll back of Keralam circular allowing colleges to increase seats without govt nod

Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan demanded withdrawal of a circular letting autonomous aided and self-financing colleges raise seats without prior approval, warning it could commercialise education and undermine merit, reservation and poorer students’ rights. He alleged private management pressure drove the change and sought a legal inquiry. Earlier rules required approval for new courses and seat increases.

Rajasthan BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav dies at 73 in Jaipur after prolonged battle with cancer

Behror BJP MLA and former Rajasthan cabinet minister Jaswant Yadav, 73, died in Jaipur Sunday morning after a prolonged battle with cancer, his son Mohit announced. A four-time legislator, Yadav represented Alwar in the Lok Sabha and served in Vasundhara Raje’s cabinet from 2016 to 2018. His death leaves 199 legislators in the Rajasthan Assembly.

Gold rate on Diwali: 24K at ₹1,43,570 per 10g, check prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, others

Gold and silver prices remained largely uniform across major Indian cities on Diwali, November 8, with silver at ₹2,05,000 per kilogram and 24-karat gold at ₹1,43,570 per 10 grams, according to Goodreturns. 22-karat gold was ₹1,31,600 and 18-karat ₹1,07,680. Delhi rates were slightly higher; jewellery totals may vary with taxes and making charges for buyers.

‘We will withdraw from agitation only after Gyanesh Kumar is removed’: K C Venugopal

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would continue until his removal and reforms ensure an impartial, transparent electoral system. Protests continue nationwide, with a brief Diwali pause expected. The Congress plans a “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” campaign, appointing booth-level guardians to find deleted voter names and help restore them.

'LK Advani was clear that opposition would support govt on security issues': Nitin Nabin

BJP chief Nitin Nabin urged opposition parties to follow L.K. Advani’s example by backing the government on national-security matters, saying the veteran leader had advocated cross-party unity. At an event marking Advani’s 100th birthday, Nabin credited his nation-first commitment and partnership with Atal Bihari Vajpayee for building the BJP from two MPs. Piyush Goyal also praised Advani’s humility and selflessness.

'Mockery of democracy': Ex-BJP MP Gopal Shetty tonsures head in protest over Borivali demolition

Former BJP MP Gopal Shetty tonsured his head to protest the BMC’s demolition of 27 homes in Borivali East, alleging residents received hours’ notice and could not retrieve belongings. He accused civic officials of misleading the Supreme Court and faulted BJP leaders for abandoning affected families. The plot was reserved for a BEST bus station.

US congresswoman condemns far-right activist's ‘racist’ disruption of Diwali event

US Congresswoman Jayapal condemned Lang after he allegedly disrupted Seattle’s Diwali celebration with anti-Hindu signs, calling it racist and saying celebrants deserved safety. CoHNA warned of further disruptions; attendees removed protesters. Lang claimed assault and defended his protest as protected speech. Pardoned after imprisonment for his January 6 Capitol attack role, he leads White Replacement.

HT Exclusive: How an 80-year-old first-time actor and a 70-year-old woman became the leads of Pyre

After watching Vinod Kapri’s *Pyre*, Naseeruddin Shah was moved to tears, embraced first-time leads Padam Singh Kapri and Heera Devi, and called their performances phenomenal, saying seasoned actors could not match them. Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah attended a screening. Set in Kumaon, the film follows an elderly couple left behind as younger generations migrate; it opened October 30.

Not just Dana White, Trump wants 6 ex-UFC titleholders on his team to tackle ‘Lunatic Left’

Trump invited six current or former UFC titleholders to join Dana White as assistants after offering the UFC CEO the White House press secretary post: Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. White reportedly declined, though an aide said Trump was joking. The proposal came amid White House staffing turmoil.

Central Japan hit by powerful earthquake; 22 injured as store windows shatter, people flee buildings

A magnitude 5.5–5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early Sunday, injuring at least 22 people, shattering shop windows and scattering books across streets; officials warned stronger shaking could follow. The worst effects were in Aichi and Shizuoka, while aftershocks were reported and bullet trains slowed. The quake struck 40 kilometers underground in a region highly prone to earthquakes.

Tim Cook, Singapore president among global personalities extending Diwali wishes

Global personalities marked Diwali through greetings and posts, underscoring the festival’s reach beyond India. Tim Cook shared a diya photograph, while Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam made idiyappam and teh tarik. Singapore PM Lawrence Wong, singer Mary Millben, Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim and cricketer Kevin Pietersen also sent messages as people worldwide celebrated the festival of lights.

Ahmedabad woman held for stabbing ex-serviceman husband to death after domestic dispute

An ex-serviceman was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife during a quarrel at their Ahmedabad home, police said. Nirmala Kharadi, 34, allegedly stabbed Dilip, 39, in the chest with a kitchen knife late Thursday; he died at the scene. CCTV and intelligence led to her arrest Friday. The couple had two children.

Hrithik Roshan makes fans believe he is ‘ageing in reverse’ in blue tuxedo at 2026 LACMA Gala

Hrithik Roshan drew praise at Los Angeles’ 15th LACMA Art+Film Gala in a tailored midnight-blue tuxedo, crisp white shirt and black bow tie. Lapels, structured shoulders and subtle sheen gave the double-breasted jacket an evening-ready feel, while tousled curls and light stubble completed his look. Fans called him a “Greek God,” praising his timeless style and appearance.

Two detained after anti-ICE protest outside LA hospital; Nithya Raman condemns federal operation

Federal immigration agents detained two people near White Memorial Hospital, prompting protests and condemnation from LA Mayor Karen Bass and Mayor-elect Nithya Raman. The hospital said it neither authorized agents to block ambulance access nor participates in enforcement; LAPD denied aiding ICE. Hundreds rallied Saturday, renewing debate over immigration enforcement at healthcare facilities.

Know Your Neighbourhood: The story behind the unusual name of Shimla's Scandal Point

Shimla’s Scandal Point is linked to a royal-elopement legend, but evidence undermines the tale, and its name may instead trace to Rudyard Kipling and gossip culture. Historian Raaja Bhasin notes the Patiala Maharaja was an infant in 1892; a nearby Patiala office may have fueled the association. Kipling used “Scandal Point” in an 1888 story.

Woman found chained to bed in North Dakota apartment, had been held captive for 2 years

A maintenance worker’s report of muffled cries led police to rescue a woman allegedly chained to a bed for nearly two years and arrest two suspects on kidnapping and assault-related charges. She reported beatings and sexual abuse; officers found chains and a camera. Prosecutors allege the suspects sought immigration benefits, although the victim is a citizen.

Vijayan demands withdrawal of circular allowing colleges to increase seats without govt nod

Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan urged the government to withdraw a circular allowing autonomous aided and self-financing colleges to increase seats without prior approval, warning it could commercialise education and weaken merit, reservation and poorer students’ access. He alleged the relaxation followed pressure from private managements and demanded an inquiry, citing safeguards requiring government scrutiny.

Rajinikanth greets fans on Diwali; Dhanush, Kamal Haasan and Sivakarthikeyan extend wishes

On his 73rd birthday, Kamal Haasan announced Sandiyar, his next film, unveiling a first-look poster showing him grey-haired and bearded, holding a gun beside a bloodied car. Directed by SU Arun Kumar, it features music by Anirudh Ravichander and action choreography by Anbariv, while cast details remain unknown. Haasan had hinted that filming was underway.

Three people found dead in NJ home after postal worker notices disturbing note saying ‘9-1-1 Inside’

Three elderly people were found dead Friday in a Mount Holly, New Jersey, home after a postal worker found a note reading “9-1-1 Inside” and called police. Their identities remain withheld until relatives are notified, and the cause of death is unknown. Prosecutors and police investigate; autopsies are planned, and officials report no public threat.

CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke says he spent night at airport on way back from Kochi protest

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said he spent the night at an airport, sleep-deprived while awaiting a delayed connection after attending an anti-SIR protest in Kochi, as he rushed home for Diwali. He shared travel pictures and wished followers a “kalesh-free” festival. At the rally, Dipke renewed calls for an independent electoral system amid SIR controversy.

Sai Durgha Tej posts first picture with fiancée Kiran after engagement ceremony in Hyderabad

Sai Durgha Tej shared a romantic photograph with fiancée Kiran, writing “I love you” two days after their November 5 engagement in Hyderabad, giving fans a glimpse of the couple’s celebrations. The ceremony at Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort brought together Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun and relatives and industry friends. Tej is Chiranjeevi’s nephew.

Book Box: Diwali and the books we give each other

A borrowed poetry anthology turned a Diwali outing into a moving reunion with childhood, as a Mumbai waitress let Sonya Dutta Choudhury’s mother take home the café’s only copy and revive memories of reading aloud. The gesture inspires reflections on books shared across generations, a sari-clad book-club exchange, and recommendations for festive reading gifts.

‘First Diwali when India is free from Naxalism’: PM Modi marks festival in Bastar

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Man's eardrum ruptured after 'assault': Gujarat court orders criminal proceedings against cop

A Vadodara court has ordered criminal proceedings against Gorwa police inspector K N Lathiya, finding a prima facie case over an alleged 2024 assault of Moin Pathan, which ruptured Pathan’s eardrum. The magistrate directed summons under grievous-hurt and intentional-insult provisions. Pathan says he was beaten at the station; Lathiya says the brothers were drunk and endangered others.

Rajat Patidar pulls out of Rising Stars Asia Cup, Ayush Badoni named replacement

BCCI replaced Rajat Patidar with Ayush Badoni in India A’s Rising Stars Asia Cup squad after the RCB captain cited injuries and declined 50-over selection. Badoni’s Ranji Trophy double centuries earned the call-up, while Rinku Singh becomes vice-captain. India A meet Nepal on November 20 and Pakistan A on November 22; tournament begins November 19.