US mortgage rates fall, but homebuyer demand drops 7% amid high costs

U.S. mortgage rates fell for the first time in over two months, but the modest relief failed to revive demand: home-purchase applications fell 7% weekly and 18% annually, while total applications dropped 5.3%. The 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.32%, near multiyear highs, as affordability pressures kept buyers sidelined. Refinancing was down 59% year over year.

Soccer-Rooney labels Man United players 'selfish' after Fernandes criticism

Wayne Rooney called Manchester United’s players “selfish” and “like babies” after Bruno Fernandes criticized the coaching staff following their 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, saying the team lacked pressure and adopted a “mood of defeat.” Rooney demanded accountability; the fallout adds to scrutiny of manager Michael Carrick, amid squad tensions and seven winless matches.

Assembly pays tributres to Jhota; adjourns in 9 minutes

Punjab’s Assembly paid tribute Thursday to anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, killed last week in Mansa, with Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan calling him a “strong voice” against drug peddlers, before adjourning after nine minutes. The House remembered eight road-crash victims and other deceased. Opposition parties condemned the brief session, accusing AAP of avoiding any debate.

Trump blasts 76ers' star LeBron James as 'disgrace' for not standing still during national anthem

President Donald Trump accused LeBron James of disrespecting the United States and demanded an apology after video showed the Philadelphia star continuing warmups during Tuesday’s national anthem. James had not responded by Thursday, when he was scheduled for his Sixers home debut. The clash revives a yearslong feud, as James has criticized Trump and spoken out on social issues.

Min wages increased for workers in Noida, Greater Noida from Oct 1

Gautam Budh Nagar’s unskilled workers will receive minimum monthly wages of ₹13,883 and skilled workers ₹17,106 from October 1, 2026, under revised variable dearness allowance rates; semi-skilled workers will earn ₹15,271. Based on a 431-point consumer price index for January–June 2026, the adjustment follows April protests over wages and conditions and updates VDA, rather than setting new wages.

Russian missiles pound Kyiv as Moscow says over 800 Ukrainian drones downed

Russian missiles killed four people and wounded dozens across Ukraine, including Kyiv, in a barrage launched despite Putin’s in-principle agreement to resume peace talks; Russia said it intercepted more than 800 Ukrainian drones. Strikes hit homes, transport and energy facilities, raising fears of winter attacks, while Moscow and Kyiv remain apart on ending the war.

Chiefs place left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve with a bulging disk in his lower back

Chiefs placed left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve Thursday with a bulging lower-back disk, sidelining him at least four weeks. Kahlil Benson will protect Patrick Mahomes, while Joshua Ezeudu should start at right tackle Sunday. Simmons’ rehabilitation plateaued, though surgery is not planned; drafted in 2025, he has also previously missed time for injuries.

Seahawks activate RB Zach Charbonnet from PUP list

Seattle activated running back Zach Charbonnet from the physically unable to perform list Thursday, clearing him for Sunday’s Chiefs game, though coach Mike Macdonald said a return is not guaranteed; tight end Elijah Arroyo landed on injured reserve after shoulder surgery. Nine months after tearing his ACL, Charbonnet was Seattle’s rushing-touchdown leader last season and has 21 career scores.

Jury weighs fate of US woman who says father forced her into Syria's war zone when she was a teen

A Brooklyn federal jury weighs whether Halima Salman received Islamic State weapons training in Syria, as attorneys clashed in closing arguments. Her lawyer says her father took her there at 17 and prosecutors lack reliable proof; prosecutors cite her pledge, messages, and rifle video. Salman denies training and was arrested at JFK in 2024 upon returning home.

Virginia Senator indicted on drug and money laundering charges as Feds probe ‘marijuana enterprise’

Virginia Sen. L. Louise Lucas was indicted alongside six others on racketeering, conspiracy, marijuana-distribution and money-laundering charges; prosecutors allege she used legislative influence to protect a cannabis enterprise and enrich associates. Lucas surrendered, denied charges and called the case political. Investigators cite raids and $5 million in alleged proceeds; Virginia permits use but restricts sales.

Exclusive| Bill Hader: Obsession director Curry Barker told me he watched me perform, as a kid

Bill Hader says voicing Warner Bros.’ *The Cat in the Hat* is exhausting but rewarding, as his daughters and friends laughed and cried at an advance screening. Speaking to HTCity, he discussed moving between animation, *Saturday Night Live* and *Barry*, his collaborative acting style, discussing anxiety, and his wish to visit India, whose films he loves.

It's never too early for some Christmas cake mixing- Here's how you can join in the fun

Festive cake-mixing ceremonies have begun in Mumbai and Pune, uniting people to prepare cakes, while home bakers can adapt the tradition. Chefs say soaking deepens flavour; juice may replace alcohol but needs shorter soaking and careful storage. Balanced fruit, nuts and spices, gentle mixing and cooling improve results. Gatherings celebrate heritage, togetherness and Christmas’s approach.

Former Rangers star Ron Duguay passes away at 69 after cancer battle

Former NHL player and New York Rangers legend Ron Duguay has died at 69 after battling colon cancer, his girlfriend Sarah Palin announced Thursday on X. She said he passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with cancer; details of a celebration of life will be shared at a later date.

Sri Lanka survive late drama to script record ODI chase against England

Sri Lanka completed ODI cricket’s second-highest chase, reaching 430 to beat England’s 429/4 after Harry Brook’s record-breaking 202 off 116 balls. After falling to 24/2, Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake rebuilt the innings, while Dasun Shanaka and unbeaten Janith Liyanage sealed victory, with Liyanage hitting six off the penultimate ball. Sri Lanka’s previous best chase, 322, came in 2017.

HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on October 23, 2026 in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram

Delhi-NCR’s October 23–28 calendar features Nykaaland and Kauthig Pahadi Mela, both running October 23–25. On October 23, audiences can choose Krishna Das live, the Long Night of Literatures, Terra Fest, French-Hindi music, a film, comedy, clay workshops and a festive market. Events span Delhi and Gurugram, with free admission or tickets up to ₹2,999; most venues are metro-accessible.

How Shraddha kept ahead of police after Nepal return

Model Shraddha Dubey, accused in cafe owner Shiva Sharma’s death, was arrested in Nagpur on October 20 after allegedly returning from Nepal and travelling across India with her sister and driver. Investigators say she used an alias in Agra, signed bail papers in Lucknow and changed taxis in Kanpur while police publicly pursued a Nepal lead.

Himachal IPS officer booked over police fund ‘bungling’

DIG Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi has been booked for cheating and misappropriation after a constable said he was denied ₹1.87 lakh in reimbursement. Police say ₹2.35 lakh was withdrawn from a district fund without records, alleging Gandhi diverted payment to cover a shortfall. Gandhi denies wrongdoing, calling the case retaliation for seeking an audit; he vows to respond legally.

Chennai YouTuber arrested for allegedly abetting suicide of influencer

A Chennai YouTuber was arrested for allegedly extorting and threatening a 27-year-old influencer found dead at home; police are investigating his October 20 death as a suspected suicide. Police allege the accused posted defamatory videos, sought money and got the influencer’s accounts blocked; the Puducherry native had 1.4 million followers and faced pressure over financial advice allegedly shared without a SEBI licence.

Power supply hit in Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh as workers strike over privatisation

A strike by DHBVN workers plunged Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh into darkness from 10 p.m. Wednesday, prompting 3,000 outage complaints in 12 hours and disrupting households, water supplies and industrial production. Workers’ protest opposes a licence for a private distributor in Gurugram and Nuh; negotiations failed to end it, while businesses warned of crore-level losses.

Nurpur drug trafficker’s assets worth ₹48 lakh forfeited

Nurpur police have forfeited assets worth ₹48 lakh linked to a drug trafficker detained under the PIT-NDPS Act, including a ₹45-lakh house in Kangra and ₹2.40 lakh identified as drug money. A freezing order issued in June 2025 was confirmed in July. The action followed prior heroin cases, including a 2023 seizure of 10 grams.

BJP returning to power in Himachal in 2027: Anurag

Former Union minister Anurag Thakur predicted the BJP would regain Himachal Pradesh in 2027 with a more-than-two-thirds majority, citing alleged Congress financial mismanagement and discontent among employees, pensioners, youth, women, farmers and orchardists. Jai Ram Thakur pointed to panchayat results as evidence of anti-Congress sentiment, while BJP leaders criticised Congress over EVM allegations and electoral-roll revision.

Shimla cops use water cannons, lathi-charge to stop protesters seeking rollback of UGC Act

Police used a lathi-charge and water cannons against Rashtriya Devbhoomi Party protesters outside Shimla’s secretariat, as they sought to submit a memorandum demanding withdrawal of the UGC Act and action on justice concerns. The protest followed a 600-km, 21-day march, with organisers seeking a Swarn Samaj protection law; campaign began in Himachal Pradesh on October 2.

Omar inaugurates Kashmir Marathon Expo ahead of Sunday’s race

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opened the three-day Kashmir Marathon Expo in Srinagar Thursday, ahead of Sunday’s third race, expected to draw runners from India and abroad. New prizes for local runners aim to boost participation in half- and full-marathon events. The expo offers registration, bib collection and sports displays; Abdullah participated in the marathon’s first two editions.

‘Winnability, not fixed quotas’: SP snubs Cong push for 3-digit seat share

The Samajwadi Party has rejected speculation that Congress could secure a three-digit share in a 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly alliance, saying seats will be allocated by winnability and urging committee-led negotiations. Akhilesh Yadav says the INDIA bloc partnership will continue. Congress won two Assembly seats in 2022 and six of 17 Lok Sabha seats in 2024.

Pak man arrested for allegedly running fake postage label website that cost USPS $126 million

Pakistani authorities arrested 33-year-old Faheem Akram over an alleged counterfeit-postage operation that prosecutors say caused the US Postal Service more than $126 million in losses. His website, LabelsBank.com, allegedly sold over 5.1 million labels to more than 5,200 customers for about $2 each, regardless of package details. Investigators say he used 16 accounts; extradition remains uncertain.

How Anahat beat an 8-time world champion to script the biggest win of her career

India’s Anahat Singh, 18, stunned eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-7) at the Silicon Valley Open, scoring the biggest victory of her rising career against the tournament’s top seed. Guided to set aside her admiration and dictate play, the world No.15 has rapidly built momentum in recent months with a major title, junior world crown and Asian Games silver.

Lucknow airport to see 24% rise in flights, Bangkok link resumes under winter schedule

Lucknow airport will raise daily aircraft movements by 24%, from 108 to 134, under its winter schedule, serving 20 domestic and 10 international destinations. Thai AirAsia’s direct Bangkok service resumes November 17, while officials warn fog and operational decisions may disrupt flights. The 2026-27 schedule runs from October 25, 2026, to April 1, 2027.

₹12,000 crore project: Prayagraj metro DPR revised, airport link added; state nod awaited

RITES has submitted a revised Rs 12,000-crore conventional metro plan for Prayagraj to UPMRC, but it still needs state approval before seeking central clearance and funding. The proposal includes Shantipuram–Cheoki and Jhunsi–airport corridors, with a Parade interchange linking the metro to a ropeway. The DPR follows earlier conventional and MetroLite plans and a fresh survey.

Honour your commitments in relationships: UP governor to students

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel told students that having girlfriends was acceptable, but they should honour commitments, while urging reliance on judgment and creativity over AI. At Maharishi University’s convocation, she called on graduates to serve society and nation, respect parents and avoid misleading others. Patel cited village outreach, accreditation gains and women’s welfare initiatives.

Pilibhit voter roll discrepancies: FIR against 2 SDMs, computer operator

An FIR has been filed against two SDMs and a computer operator over Pilibhit Sadar voter-roll irregularities, after an inquiry found 10,470 of 13,779 Form-8 applications approved without supporting records. The SDMs were removed and the operator dismissed; election authorities ordered legal action and wider scrutiny. The controversy concerns a constituency represented by a state minister.