In 2025, McConaughey’s Austin fundraiser raised a record $17 million for kids’ health and education

MJ&M’s 2025 fundraiser raised over $17 million, a record, for five children’s charities: CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center, HeartGift, just keep livin Foundation, and The Rise School of Austin. Grant amounts were not disclosed. April 24–25, the Austin weekend featured a gala, golf, fashion show, and concert, lifting MJ&M’s fundraising total since 2013 above $78 million.

John Anderson leaves behind wife of 43 years and two daughters

Country singer John Anderson, known for “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind,” has died at 71, his family announced Wednesday, October 21. His cause of death was undisclosed. In an Instagram statement, relatives remembered him as their family’s heart, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Country Music Hall of Fame member is survived by wife Jamie and daughters.

Baffling Tata Play Smart, Vi prepaid family & gauging Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6

Xiaomi’s ₹17,999 Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6 delivers quiet air cleaning, dropping AQI from 230 to 50 in seven minutes and maintaining readings near 15. Five sensors track PM1, PM2.5, dust, temperature and humidity, guiding filtration with UV-C, ionisation and activated carbon. The Air Purifier 4’s successor adds easier maintenance, though replacement filters cost ₹3,499.

Man arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly creating AI-generated video of bomb blast at Vidhana Soudha

Bengaluru Police arrested Bihar labourer Ali after an AI-generated Vidhana Soudha blast video went viral; police confirmed no explosion occurred and registered an FIR. Posted from a deactivated Instagram account, the clip showed a trigger-pull imitation and building destruction, while its caption allegedly claimed responsibility. Authorities are investigating his motive and warned against AI misuse.

Tourist’s photo leads to discovery of 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints in Thailand

Thailand has confirmed six fossilized dinosaur footprints in Udon Thani, dating back about 120 million years and likely made by meat-eating theropods, after a tourist spotted them near a stream in Phu Phrabat National Park. Officials verified the sandstone prints, closed the site for scientific inspections and protected the trail under fossil laws; no bones were found.

Pilibhit roll row: After Oppn flags anomalies, ECI removes ERO and VRC operator

The Election Commission of India removed Pilibhit Sadar’s registration officer and centre operator from voter-roll duties, ordering legal action after an inquiry confirmed widespread anomalies. Uttar Pradesh officials must inspect constituency rolls statewide and report within two days; Pilibhit must correct its roll. Opposition parties cited 13,150 irregular entries and EPIC-number mismatches in online searches.

6 months and 4 states later, Belgian mega machine on 240 wheels rolls into Kheri

A 240-wheel trailer carrying a 110-foot reactor from Belgium reached Lakhimpur Kheri, nearing delivery to Balrampur Chini Mills’ ₹3,080-crore project, India’s first integrated sugar-to-bioplastic plant. The cyclisation reactor is expected to enable operations next month, producing biodegradable PLA from sugarcane-derived lactic acid. Its six-month, four-state journey cost ₹4–5 crore, requiring route clearances and coordination.

Two dead, 17 injured in Udhampur bus accident

Two people, including a five-year-old girl, were killed and 17 injured Wednesday when a bus plunged 50 feet into a gorge at Gulli Gala, Udhampur’s Ramnagar tehsil. Police said the driver lost control while speeding around a sharp bend; he was arrested. Injured passengers were stable, while leaders pledged assistance and called for road improvements.

Iltija expresses solidarity with protesting forestry students

PDP leader Iltija Mufti backed SKUAST-Kashmir students protesting in Ganderbal Wednesday, urging authorities to reconsider forester recruitment rules that undervalue specialised forestry qualifications. She questioned whether candidates without forestry training could manage forests, wildlife and biodiversity, and criticised a hostel-vacation notice, calling for dialogue. Mufti demanded a fair policy protecting qualified graduates and Kashmir’s fragile ecology.

J&K Police recover nearly 2kg narcotics in Arnia sector

Police recovered 804 grams of heroin and 1.114 kilograms of opium in Talhar, near the Indo-Pak border in Jammu’s Arnia sector, while investigating a suspected drone-linked smuggling module. The probe followed a case involving alleged narcotics consumption by 26-year-old Sunny Kumar; questioning reportedly revealed his links. Police are tracing the consignment’s source, recipients and network.

LG vows to eliminate terrorism from J&K, pays tributes to police martyrs

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha vowed to eradicate terrorism and separatism, warning supporters they would be found and punished under law. Speaking through DGP Nalin Prabhat while paying tribute to police martyrs, he praised their sacrifice and pledged support for their families. He said police, Army and CAPFs protect regional stability, urging unity and vigilance.

J&K medicos call off strike after Omar promises 100% stipend hike

Jammu and Kashmir has more than doubled stipends for MBBS and BDS interns, including foreign medical graduates, raising monthly payments from ₹12,300 to ₹25,000 effective October 1, 2026; interns ended their strike after the government notified the increase. The decision follows months of protests over low pay and delays, despite an earlier assurance and recommendation.

Two get 10-year jail term in 2017 heroin, ganja seizure case

Two traffickers, Shakeel and Rampyari, received 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment each from a Barabanki court for a 2017 seizure of 340 grams of heroin and 160 grams of ganja, the NCB said Wednesday. The drugs, transported from Dimapur, Nagaland, were seized from bags at Barabanki station while they travelled on the Avadh Assam Express.

Lucknow Development Authority seeks to bring 662 revenue villages under its ambit

LDA has proposed bringing 662 revenue villages in Lucknow district under its jurisdiction, expanding oversight beyond its 1,082-square-kilometre area, pending Uttar Pradesh government approval. Excluding LIDA and cantonment areas, the plan covers parts of six blocks and 10 nagar panchayats, enabling housing, infrastructure, connectivity improvements and possible regularisation of unauthorised colonies to address unplanned growth.

Panchayat elections in Ladakh on November 21

Ladakh will hold panchayat elections November 21, with the process ending November 30, the Election Commission announced Wednesday. Nominations close November 2, followed by scrutiny November 3 and withdrawals through November 5; model code is effective immediately. Officials notified 100 constituencies in eight hill councils. The last panchayat elections were held in 2018, prompting new halqas.

No invitation yet from MHA for fresh talks: Ladakh bodies

Thursday’s meeting between Ladakh’s leadership and Union home ministry officials is off for now, with no invitation issued after last week’s talks stalled and leaders rejected the MHA’s draft. Another meeting may be scheduled soon. Ladakh seeks statehood, Sixth Schedule protections and a role in appointments; MHA had provided a 32-page proposal for study.

Landmark at 11,500 ft, regular high court hearings begin in Leh

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court began regular hearings Wednesday at its Leh bench, India’s highest, above 11,500 feet; a hybrid division bench cleared five matters, while a single judge heard 60. Accepting fresh petitions, the bench eases arduous journeys for Ladakh litigants previously traveling to Srinagar or Jammu; its Melongthang facility was inaugurated October 18.

Sukhu, Vikramaditya reject BJP’s factionalism allegations

Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu rejected BJP claims of Congress factionalism, saying his absence from the Sarahan unveiling of Virbhadra Singh’s statue did not signal party division; Congress leaders had united to honour Singh, while the BJP had five factions. Sukhu also launched a Shimla–Rampur helicopter service and directed the introduction of moral science from Class 1.

2024 arithmetic may push SP, Congress to stick together

Despite seat-sharing tensions ahead of Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 election, the Samajwadi Party and Congress have reason to remain allied: together, they led in 221 of 403 assembly segments in 2024, suggesting a formidable challenge to the BJP. They won 43 of 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Their 2017 alliance underperformed; 2027 seat-sharing talks remain unstarted.

2027 polls: Congress eyes 3-digit seat share in pre-Diwali deal with SP

Congress will demand at least 100 seats in negotiations with the Samajwadi Party for Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 assembly election, rejecting the SP’s insistence that winnability, rather than numbers, should determine allocation. Encouraged by 2024 INDIA bloc gains, Congress is mapping constituencies and wants talks completed before Diwali. The SP reportedly considers 50 seats a major concession, citing Congress’s poor assembly record.

Chandigarh: Wedding venue booking cancelled, consumer panel orders full refund

Chandigarh’s consumer commission ordered HUDA to refund Harvinder Pal ₹9,900 withheld from a cancelled wedding-venue booking, with 9% annual interest and ₹5,000 compensation, ruling GST accounting difficulties could not justify retention. Pal booked Panchkula Community Centre for his daughter’s April 26, 2020, wedding, cancelled under lockdown; HUDA refunded ₹65,000 of ₹74,900, then cited tax-accounting adjustments.

Haryana Police plan multi-prong strategy to curb crime networks

Haryana’s Special Task Force has adopted a three-pronged plan to dismantle organised crime, targeting gangsters directing operations from abroad or prison, local facilitators, and networks recruiting vulnerable youths. It is reviewing prison contacts and working with agencies to track overseas suspects. Since 2024, STF has arrested 1,972 accused; 15 wanted criminals were deported in 2026.

Kullu Dussehra a living expression of Himachal’s rich ‘dev sanskriti’: Governor

Governor Kavinder Gupta opened Kullu’s week-long Dussehra celebrations at Dhalpur Ground, calling the festival a living expression of Himachal’s faith, folk culture and harmony. The Rath Yatra united Lord Raghunath with more than 347 valley deities; Gupta urged preserving traditions, resisting evils and upholding unity. He said Vijayadashami reflects truth, duty, sacrifice, justice and righteousness.

Haryana needs a ‘full-time CM’, not one ‘busy with Punjab politics’: Rao Narender

Haryana Congress demanded Nayab Singh Saini provide a factual account of BJP election promises, accusing the government of neglecting Haryana and failing on crime, unemployment, corruption, farmers’ grievances and services. It sought crop-wise MSP procurement and payment details, plus progress on five lakh promised homes. The attack came as the BJP marked two years in power.

Maharashtra’s medical interns threaten strike over low stipend

Maharashtra’s 8,000 medical interns threaten a November 1 strike unless stipends rise from ₹18,000 to ₹30,000, warning emergency and outpatient services across 70 hospitals could be disrupted. They will wear black ribbons and meet the minister; his department reportedly approved the increase, but it remains unenforced. The mandatory yearlong internship follows MBBS finals and qualifies graduates for registration.

INDIA bloc plans next round of protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in early November

The INDIA bloc is considering renewed protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after its November 1 Ramlila Ground rally, with options including a march and a mock Parliament staging his impeachment. Leaders say plans remain undecided and will be agreed collectively. Earlier demonstrations demanded Kumar’s resignation, voter-roll remedies and repeal of the immunity law.

Will challenge HERC’s decision to grant licence to pvt firm: Saini

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the government will back power employees and challenge HERC’s decision to grant a private firm a 25-year electricity distribution licence in Gurugram and Nuh, urging unions to defer the October 22–24 strike. Authorities will deploy police, drones and backup staff to protect installations and prevent outages; unions oppose the licence.

UP govt nurses to stage sit-in at Lucknow health directorate

UP government nurses staged a two-hour work boycott across hospitals Wednesday, demanding action on a 13-point charter, and plan a sit-in at Lucknow’s health directorate Thursday. Demands include old-pension coverage for eligible nurses and home-district postings. UPRNS members have worn black badges since October 9 and warn the boycott could become indefinite without progress.

Chandigarh: Mystery shrouds death of Chhattisgarh bizman at Sector 17 hotel room

Raipur businessman Deepak Mittal, 56, died Wednesday after being found unconscious in his room at Chandigarh’s Hotel Taj; doctors declared him dead after he was rushed to hospital. Police suspect health complications, including hypertension, and have ruled out foul play pending post-mortem findings. The Punjab government contractor had arrived for a Markfed meeting scheduled Wednesday.

CBI takes over Jhota murder probe, registers fresh FIR as team visits Punjab's Mansa

The CBI has taken over the investigation into anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota’s murder, registering an FIR and recording his family’s statements in Mansa. It has charged pharmacy owner Ashwani Kumar and unidentified others with murder, conspiracy and offences. Jhota was shot while confronting alleged drug sales; his family demands senior officials’ resignations and action.