Pakistan says willing to issue visa to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for visit

Pakistan would consider a visa for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, but India must approve his travel. Invited to Lahore’s World Punjabi Conference on November 27, Mann proposed a legislators’ visit to Kartarpur Sahib if its corridor reopens. Closed since May 2025, the corridor enables Sikh pilgrimages; Pakistan says it remains ready to facilitate visits.

Salman Khan says focus should be on Rama and Sita in Ramayana, not on ₹4000 crore budget or VFX

Salman Khan urged discussion of Ramayana’s story, not its ₹4,000-crore budget or visual effects, keeping attention on Rama, Ravana and Sita. At Maatrubhumi’s trailer launch, he praised Lord Ram as a son, husband, father and warrior. Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part epic, starring Ranbir Kapoor, opened November 5 and crossed ₹100 crore in India within two days.

Maaya’s WTA Chennai Open run ends in quarters

Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi’s breakthrough Chennai Open singles run ended in the quarter-finals Friday, when American Robin Montgomery defeated the 17-year-old wildcard 6-3, 6-3. Despite the loss, Maaya became the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza to reach a WTA 250 singles quarter-final and is projected to climb about 180 places in the rankings. She reached the last eight by beating two higher-ranked opponents, following her first professional title last month.

Amy Acton speaks out after Ohio win, refuses to speak to Vivek Ramaswamy after ‘terrible’ ad

Ohio Governor-elect Amy Acton says she will not speak with defeated rival Vivek Ramaswamy, whose campaign used an attack ad featuring her estranged mother. The personal spot drew bipartisan condemnation, reopening painful family history. Acton says voters want unity and practical leadership, while supporting conditional limits on data centres to protect communities and the environment.

Child abuse material, 'photos with minors': Meghan's father Thomas Markle arrested in Florida

Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle’s estranged 82-year-old father, was arrested Friday in Florida by FBI agents on charges related to child sexual abuse material, officials said. Reports cite possession allegations, with investigations in the Philippines and British police referring claims overseas. Markle denies the allegations; Meghan, who married Prince Harry, has said she is deeply distressed.

India will count on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to show the way again

India’s win over New Zealand bolsters the case for veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in 2027 World Cup plans, as Kohli’s 74 and sharp fielding showcased composure under pressure. Rain threatens Wellington’s second ODI, where adaptability and India’s pace attack could prove decisive. Rohit seeks redemption after a duck; short square boundaries differ from Auckland’s.

Noida authority sends DPR of ₹84-crore Sector 148-150 flyover to IIT Roorkee for technical vetting

Noida Authority has sent the DPR for a ₹84.16-crore flyover linking Sectors 148 and 150 to IIT Roorkee for technical vetting; construction is expected to take 18 months after a developer is appointed. The 610-metre crossing will improve access to Sector 150’s Sports City and neighboring areas, easing pressure on a narrow underpass as traffic grows.

Georgia O’Keeffe painting found under fur coats in New York closet after 40 years, heads to auction

A Georgia O’Keeffe painting hidden in a New York closet for nearly 40 years will be auctioned November 17, estimated at $2 million–$3 million. The owner’s niece discovered the 1930 work while preparing her for hospice care. Depicting Lobo Peak, it is believed to be the first of three versions and was known through a 1931 photograph.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares recipe for wholesome wild mushrooms and almond pot rice: See preparation

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s wild mushroom and almond pot rice combines mushrooms and almonds with vegetables, rice and a spicy broth for a one-pot meal. It takes about an hour, simmering cooked rice in vegetable stock, soy and chilli sauces before finishing with spring onions. His blog features the recipe; HT.com notes social-media content is unverified.

Nithya Raman, first South Asian to lead Los Angeles, was born in Keralam’s Thrissur

Nithya Raman, an Indian-American with roots in Keralam, defeated Karen Bass to become Los Angeles’s first South Asian mayor, ahead of the city’s 2028 Olympics. Elected to the city council in 2020, she has pledged better services and expanded medical and housing support for homeless residents. Born in Thrissur, she moved to the US at six.

Rahul Gandhi tells Amit Shah to convince PM Modi for open debate on SIR: ‘Don't be afraid’

Rahul Gandhi asked Amit Shah to persuade Narendra Modi to accept an open debate on SIR, offering “any platform, any time,” after posting clips suggesting Shah contradicted himself about Parliament debating the issue. Shah accused Gandhi of disrupting proceedings and said the government was ready for a special session, amid allegations of irregularities in SIR.

We are about to fulfil promise of one lakh additional govt jobs: Yogi

Yogi Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh had exceeded its promise of one lakh additional jobs, reserving appointment letters for a third BJP term, while accusing the Samajwadi Party’s pre-2017 “Saifai syndicate” of recruitment favoritism. As 4,543 sub-inspectors received letters, he contrasted hiring with alleged past fraud and cited gains in law and order, infrastructure and growth.

Meghan Markle's father Thomas arrested in Florida over child sex abuse material allegations

Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan Markle’s estranged father, was reportedly arrested in Florida by federal agents over allegations involving child sexual abuse material, after his son alerted Philippine authorities. Thomas Jr. says he found hundreds of images among family belongings, while half-sister Samantha and her partner reject the accusations and allege revenge, adding to the family’s longstanding tensions.

Akhilesh alleges BJP ploy to defame SP ahead of UP polls

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP and its allies of spending crores on false propaganda to undermine his party before Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 election, and alleged vote theft with Election Commission complicity. Addressing workers in Lucknow, he urged vigilance and civility, criticized the government’s record, and called the contest crucial to democracy and the Constitution.

Supreme Court appoints ex-CJI Gavai to head panel scrutinising forest rights claims in Tamil Nadu

The Supreme Court appointed former CJI Bhushan Gavai to lead a committee reviewing forest-rights claims in Tamil Nadu’s Agasthyamalai landscape, faulting the state’s prolonged inaction. The state must constitute Gram Sabhas within 30 days and adjudicate claims within five months; the panel then has two months to report. The court excluded cultivators and questioned silk-cotton claims.

CAQM directs MCG to prosecute official for failing to implement dust mitigation measures

The Commission for Air Quality Management has directed Gurugram’s Municipal Corporation to prosecute executive engineer Surender Sheoran and other officials for failing to enforce dust-control measures after inspections found violations. The action follows 250 violations across 52 roads in October, including 174 on MCG stretches; inspections also found dusty roads and unattended soil and construction debris.

LMC to build ₹12-crore digital library in Jankipuram, students to benefit

Lucknow Municipal Corporation will build a three-storey, ₹12-crore digital library in Jankipuram, providing competitive-exam students a dedicated study space near educational institutions. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal laid the foundation stone Friday. Planned on one acre, it will include children’s reading zones, a seminar hall, senior-citizen facilities, a cafeteria and parking, serving as a community learning centre.

5 women killed, 17 hurt as truck rams tractor-trolley in Sitapur

Five women were killed and 17 people, including children, injured when a speeding truck rammed a tractor-trolley in Sitapur on Friday evening, police said. The trolley overturned on the Bargawan-Kulha Ghat road, trapping passengers; residents and police rescued them, and critically injured people were referred to Sitapur hospitals. The villagers were returning from a mundan ceremony in neighbouring Hardoi.

BJP plans special celebration for LK Advani’s 99th birthday, PM Modi likely to visit

The BJP will mark veteran LK Advani’s 99th birthday Sunday with a havan at its headquarters, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit; party president Nitin Nabin and associates will attend. A Bharat Ratna recipient and former deputy prime minister, Advani began his career with the Jana Sangh in 1951 and later led the BJP.

Virat Kohli’s influence in Delhi dressing room still looms large

Virat Kohli’s example guides Delhi cricketers: opener Priyansh Arya asked coach Vijay Dahiya how Kohli might chase 319 against Services, though the Ranji Trophy match ended in a draw. Dahiya wants Kohli in the dressing room to share his methods, backing Arya and Ayush Badoni as chasers; Delhi last won the Ranji title in 2007-08.

Ramayana actor whose portions were edited out of film says he is still grateful for the experience

Actor Satyen Chaturvedi says he remains grateful despite his scenes as Sumantra being cut from Nitesh Tiwari’s *Ramayana*. He shared behind-the-scenes photos, calling the experience memorable. Sumantra is King Dasharatha’s trusted adviser and Rama’s charioteer. The adaptation of Valmiki’s epic stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana, with a sequel planned for 2028.

Kerala to airlift critically ill elephant calf Maya to Vantara for specialised treatment

Kerala has ordered an airlift of 18-month-old Maya from Abhayaranyam to Vantara in Jamnagar for specialised care after multiple fractures and severe bone weakness, with her prognosis uncertain. Experts identified a potentially treatable parathyroid disorder, prompting transfer instead of euthanasia. Rescued as a newborn, she was hand-reared and later lost the ability to stand after a fall.

Jay Rockefeller, former West Virginia governor and US senator, dies at 89

Jay Rockefeller, the Democratic heir to a prominent Republican dynasty who served as West Virginia governor and U.S. senator for five decades, has died at 89 in Washington. He backed children’s health insurance, consumer protections and broadband, and helped bring Toyota to West Virginia. He arrived in 1964 as an anti-poverty volunteer, despite immense wealth.

Stop collecting blurry Diwali memories with these seven camera smartphones

Seven smartphones are recommended for Diwali photography: Motorola, Samsung, Nothing, iQOO, REDMI and Xiaomi models offer options for portraits, low light and zoom. Strengths vary, while drawbacks include soft ultra-wide images, dim-scene detail loss and motion blur. The guide urges buyers to prioritise sensor quality, stabilisation and processing over megapixels, while considering battery, storage and sale budgets.

Petitioner’s arrest unlawful: HC directs SP Farrukhabad to register FIR against IO

Allahabad High Court declared Mohd Yaseen’s arrest unlawful and ordered his immediate release, finding the arrest grounds were not properly communicated and details had been added to documents afterward; it directed Farrukhabad’s police chief to register an FIR against the investigating officer for suspected fabrication. Yaseen was arrested in a case alleging harassment linked to a woman’s suicide.

EC gives fresh chance to voters excluded from draft SIR rolls in 7 states

The Election Commission has given most voters excluded during the Special Intensive Revision another chance to return without Form 6, easing reinstatement for roughly 130 million people marked absent, shifted, dead or duplicate. They can resubmit enumeration forms with a declaration and retain their voter ID numbers; the change follows court objections to treating existing electors as newcomers.

Vaishnavi Sharma scripts history with four wickets in four balls

Vaishnavi Sharma claimed six wickets, including four consecutive deliveries, as Madhya Pradesh beat Andhra Pradesh in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy on Friday. Her 6/22 restricted Andhra to 129/8, before Anushka Sharma’s unbeaten 81 secured victory. Sharma became only the second Indian woman to take four wickets in four balls, after Humaira Kazi in 2022.

Jay Rockefeller, heir to famed dynasty and healthcare advocate in US Senate, dies at 89

Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat who championed healthcare for the poor and condemned President George W. Bush’s Iraq-war rationale, died Friday at 89, the Washington Post reported; his family gave no cause. A great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller, he served as governor before a three-decade Senate career, helping expand coverage for children and veterans.

Court convicts former SHO, retd CO of sexually assaulting woman

A Saharanpur court sentenced two former police officers to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment each for raping a woman who came to their station in 2015 over her husband’s alleged false criminal case. Each was fined ₹1.2 lakh, most of which will go to the victim, whose complaints went unanswered and legal battle lasted nearly 11 years.

Trump vows to back states looking to build AI-driven wealth: ‘100% in favor of Super Intelligence’

Democrats are preparing a slate of AI regulations as President Donald Trump urges states to attract “super intelligence” investment, arguing it could generate wealth and opportunity. Their proposals may address data-centre electricity costs, require independent safety assessments, and clarify when companies are liable for harm. Separately, the Justice Department has formed a task force to tackle AI-linked crime.