Activist flags pothole-riddled road stretch in Ludhiana, seeks repair

Social activist Arvind Sharma has urged the municipal commissioner to order urgent, permanent repairs to the damaged road linking Model Town Extension with Pakhowal Road near the canal, warning that potholes and waterlogging endanger commuters and pedestrians. He called for an inspection, drainage improvements and engineering-standard work, after complaints and temporary patching failed to stop the road’s deterioration.

'Beyond irresponsible': Trump's decision to waive Russian sanctions faces Congress backlash

Trump’s indefinite waiver of Russia sanctions sparked bipartisan outrage, as lawmakers said he defied a law passed 86-11 and aided Putin. The penalties, targeting countries buying Russian energy, were intended to curb funding for Moscow’s war, as Ukraine faces winter attacks on its power grid. Congress is recessed, while Trump cited national security and fuel prices.

'A proud dad': Assam CM Himanta shares emotional note as son receives law degree, posts pic with CJI

CJI Surya Kant urged NLSIU graduates to defend liberty, uphold constitutional values and pursue justice, saying legal education must cultivate openness to difference, courage to defend what is just, and humility to listen to unheard voices. At the convocation, he called graduates heralds of hope; Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated Nandil’s law degree.

RMLNLU 5th Convocation: ‘Degrees beginning of larger journey, not destination’

At RMLNLU’s fifth convocation in Lucknow, Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath told graduates that degrees begin a larger journey, urging them to uphold constitutional values and measure success by their impact on others. Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali urged integrity, accessible justice and responsible AI use; women there won 13 of 20 medals among 260 degrees awarded.

Mosquito control in Faizullaganj: LMC deploys 64 pumps in flood-hit areas, 12 desilting machines

LMC deployed 64 pumps across Zones 3 and 6, plus 12 TMX desilting machines, to clear flood-hit areas where silt and stagnant water threaten sanitation and fuel mosquito breeding. About 1,500 personnel are conducting cleanup and vector control, with 52 pumps in Faizullaganj, drone spraying across 56 acres and fogging along 18 km of lanes as floodwaters recede. Officials are prioritizing drainage and waste removal.

US' Russia sanction waiver a relief for India's exporters, energy security: Experts

Trump’s waiver of US sanctions and duties offers India relief for energy security and exporters, experts said, as competitively priced Russian crude can curb costs, inflation and support growth. Exporters say it may reassure buyers and advance trade talks, but the waiver’s reviewable status leaves uncertainty for contracts. The law allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas.

From jokes to unsolicited advice, how singles deal with relationship pressure at family gatherings

Singles over 30 facing marriage questions at family gatherings are protecting their well-being by sharing less, while others answer honestly and set boundaries, says relationship expert Ravi Mittal. Nearly half of singles aged 27–35 avoid events. Often framed as concern, pressure can make marriage feel like a deadline, but no one needs to justify choices.

Festive season ahead: No unapproved leave; UP hosps asked to be in alert mode

State hospitals have been ordered to reserve emergency beds, keep specialists, ambulances and staff on alert, and stock adequate medicines and consumables for festivals from October 17 to 20. Hospital chiefs must coordinate with district administrations and nearby hospitals, remain at headquarters, and plan for a sharp post-holiday OPD surge; unauthorized absence may invite action.

Leadership: Police preparedness must begin now for 2029 polls

States and Union Territories must prepare police forces now for the 2029 election, building staffing, training, deployment and coordination before the schedule is announced. Plans should protect peaceful dissent and civil liberties while ensuring lawful crowd management, ongoing investigations, women’s participation, realistic exercises, reliable communication and accountability. This operational push would advance Police Reform 2.0.

India Vision Foundation recognises Meher Gupta as a youth ambassador

Meher Gupta transformed an IVF internship into Phoenix Creations, a livelihood project at Faridabad jail engaging over 100 inmates and producing more than 250 Diwali hampers. Participants’ skills shaped the craft training, complemented by digital and financial literacy; ₹2.5 lakh funded materials and incentives, and IVF named Gupta a Youth Ambassador. The foundation works across 172 prisons in 16 states.

What Tesla’s flying roadster really means for the global auto race

Elon Musk’s rocket-powered Roadster spectacle signals Tesla’s retreat from mainstream cars, as he bets the company’s future on robotics and autonomous vehicles while ceding car competition to China. Though Musk touts a 2028 launch and features, the car’s arrival remains doubtful; its purpose is to generate excitement as Chinese automakers scale and threaten Western rivals.

PDA plans action against Atiq Ahmed’s wife Shaista’s plot in Prayagraj

PDA is preparing action against a one-acre plot near Airavat Crossing reportedly owned by absconding Shaista Parveen, widening scrutiny of assets linked to slain Atiq Ahmed and his family. Officials seek records and a sale-deed freeze pending checks. The drive follows housing projects on freed land, aiming to curb occupation and provide homes for families.

Rahul Gandhi to address public meeting in Goa as Congress concludes yatra on Oct 18

Rahul Gandhi will join Goa’s 28-day “Goy Rakhon Yatra” on Sunday and address its closing public meeting in Margao, bringing national attention to Congress’s campaign ahead of the 2027 election. Begun on September 22, the outreach has covered all 40 constituencies, raising concerns over land conversion, unemployment, corruption, public safety, and preservation of Goa’s identity and heritage.

'Will keep with me till I die': Smit Machchhar recalls colleague's bravery amid flydubai horror

Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar says he feared death when co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami attacked him with a crash axe aboard Flight FZ1073, but a colleague took control and passengers restrained the attacker. The aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet before landing safely in Tabuk with 174 passengers. Recovering, Machchhar praised his colleague in an interview about the September 30 incident.

Rajinikanth pays final respects to music composer Deva, CM Vijay announces State honours for funeral

CM Vijay paid tribute to composer Deva, who died Saturday after cardiac arrest, announcing State honours for his funeral and calling his death an irreplaceable loss to Tamil cinema. Known as “Thenisai Thendral,” Deva composed over 400 films and popularised Chennai’s distinctive gana music. Rajinikanth mourned him; Deva’s signature score accompanied the star’s title cards for decades, beginning with *Annamalai* (1992).

Mohali: CBSE secretary inaugurates senior secondary wing at Manav Mangal Smart School

Manav Mangal Smart School, Sector 64, inaugurated its senior secondary wing, with CBSE Secretary and alumnus Varun Bhardwaj opening the facility as Class 11 is set to begin next academic session. Bhardwaj was honoured alongside his parents, as students and school leaders marked the expansion; he is an alumnus of Manav Mangal High School, Chandigarh.

CEC stir reaches London as protests, counter-protest held at Parliament Square; Watch

Protesters and counter-protesters gathered at London’s Parliament Square on Saturday over alleged irregularities in India’s voter-roll revision, with opponents of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar demanding his resignation and supporters defending him. The gathering echoed Delhi demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party and INDIA bloc, where police detained over 150 protesters amid calls for accountability.

Previous state govts had no policy, intention to work: Yogi

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused Samajwadi Party governments of allowing mafia control, ruining education and corrupting recruitment, urging voters to support “justice” in October 23 legislative council polls. He cited alleged caste bias, contrasting those administrations with BJP-era AIIMS in Rae Bareli, medical colleges and improved connectivity; voting spans five graduates’ and six teachers’ seats.

Operation Dahan: UP Police have destroyed 1.72 lakh kg of narcotics in 2026

Uttar Pradesh Police destroyed a national-record 172,246 kg of narcotics worth ₹418 crore under Operation Dahan this year and began asset-confiscation proceedings in 96 cases involving alleged traffickers’ assets worth ₹80.33 crore. In 2026, police also seized 36,088 kg, arrested 6,076 suspects and dismantled 26 cartels. A five-rider rally promotes drug awareness; the ANTF formed in 2022.

RMLNLU convocation: People with ‘status quo mindset’ opponents of Viksit Bharat: Yogi

Yogi Adityanath urged law graduates to use their degrees as a “vakalatnama” for Indians and champion a developed India by 2047, challenging those who call the goal impossible. He stressed access to justice, public trust and professional practice, warning that AI should assist, not replace, legal judgment. He cited reforms and Uttar Pradesh’s law-and-order shift.

Mayawati invokes 2007 win to rally cadre for fifth BSP govt in UP

Mayawati urged BSP workers to reclaim Uttar Pradesh in 2027 and prepare for elections in Uttarakhand and Punjab, accusing casteist media and social platforms of circulating surveys to weaken the party. She urged vigilance against rivals, invoking the BSP’s 2007 majority of 206 seats, won through a cross-community coalition and its “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay” principle.

Moradabad: Differently abled man killed over property; live-in partner, two others held: Police

Moradabad police detained a woman, her son and another man suspected of murdering her live-in partner, differently abled teacher Pramod Kumar, over property and a ₹25-lakh debt. Kumar, 41, was found dead on October 13. Police say he planned to sell his house, marry the woman and return to his ancestral village; the suspects are being questioned.

DP World India Championship: Eugenio Chacarra on the charge on moving day as finish line nears

Eugenio Chacarra surged to a two-shot lead in the DP World India Championship as Round 3 was suspended for darkness, with 51 players unfinished. Tommy Fleetwood and Gregorio De Leo shared a 9-under clubhouse lead. Rain delays disrupted scheduling; Om Prakash Chouhan led the Indians at five-under. Chacarra’s strong season included last week’s runner-up finish in Spain.

Strong education system important to realise ‘Viksit Bharat’ dream: Brajesh Pathak

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said teachers are vital to shaping youth, nation-building and realizing Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision. Addressing educators in Aligarh before October 23 MLC polls, he called protecting teachers’ rights and strengthening education BJP priorities, while accusing the Samajwadi Party’s pre-2017 government of riots and poor governance.

‘Issued without inquiry, show-cause notice’: Imran Khan challenges notice to leave the country

Actor Imran Khan has asked the Bombay High Court to quash a Mumbai Police notice ordering him to leave India by October 28, arguing OCI rules do not bar peaceful protest. Issued after his detention at an October 10 demonstration demanding the election commissioner’s resignation over alleged roll irregularities, the notice offered no reasons or chance to respond.

It’s not just Commerzbank: Italians are eating up German business

Italian firms are targeting Germany, led by UniCredit’s ECB-approved €45bn hostile bid for Commerzbank, part of a wave across rail, media, technology and manufacturing. Italian acquisitions rose 74% last year to €24bn, as buyers seek Germany’s market and expertise. The trend reverses a historic pattern of German purchases in Italy, amid Germany’s stagnation and Berlin’s resistance.

Travel Watch: Hotels are no longer the default for Indian travellers as homestays and rentals surge

India’s alternative-accommodation market is projected to reach ₹415 billion by FY29, as homestays, apartments and holiday rentals gain ground against hotels and work travel grows. Listings doubled from 102,200 in FY23 to 215,000 in FY26; travellers value local experiences, space, group suitability and affordability. The category holds 13% of lodging bookings amid hotel-room shortages.

The whale in Whalefall could technically swallow a person. There’s no record one ever has

An adult sperm whale is the only whale theoretically capable of swallowing a person whole, but none is known to have done so; recorded encounters involve surface-feeding rorquals, which spit people out. Sperm whales hunt squid hundreds of metres deep, not humans. The James Bartley survival tale was a hoax; reticulated pythons are the only animals with documented cases of swallowing people whole.

ISL: Thoi Singh’s late equaliser helps Inter Kashi earn a point against Odisha FC

Inter Kashi fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Odisha FC in Pune on Saturday, as Thoi Singh scored late after defender Pratik Chaudhari put Odisha ahead with an own goal in the 56th minute. Odisha threatened to extend its lead, but goalkeeper Albino Gomes kept Inter Kashi in contention. The teams had gone into halftime goalless.

Imran Khan challenges ‘leave India’ notice: ‘No reasons disclosed, no chance to respond’

Actor Imran Khan has asked Bombay High Court to overturn a notice ordering him to leave India by October 28, arguing it gave no reasons or chance to respond. Issued after he joined a Mumbai protest demanding election chief Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, the FRRO notice identifies him as a US national; Khan says OCI rules do not bar peaceful protest.