Indian diaspora holds ‘Bharat First’ gathering in Germany, backs Modi govt’s mandate

Indian diaspora members in Germany held a peaceful “Bharat First” demonstration in Munich, supporting India’s democratic mandate and countering what organisers called anti-India narratives abroad. Organised by NRIs for Bharat Rise, the gathering drew professionals, students and families, who rejected Germany-based critics as unrepresentative and called for factual discourse, unity and respect for democratic processes.

Lucknow records only one ‘good’ air day in October as PM2.5 hits 144

Lucknow’s pollution is rising as winter approaches, with one monitoring station crossing into the ‘poor’ category and the city recording only one ‘good’ air day through October 24. Kendriya Vidyalaya posted the worst AQI at 201, while other stations ranged from 101 to 166. Colder weather limits pollutant dispersal; September was mostly good or satisfactory.

Naseeruddin Shah backs protesting students at SRFTI, accuses BJP of trying to ‘brainwash’ them

Naseeruddin Shah backed Kolkata’s SRFTI protesters, accusing West Bengal’s BJP-led government of targeting dissent and urging support. Students allege campus violence and demand accountability and Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s resignation; Shah says they faced notices, surveillance, threats and eviction orders. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia supported them, while SRFTI says it reported disturbances and is cooperating with authorities.

Alcaraz faces tough Vienna draw; Djokovic’s ATP Finals hopes hang in balance in Basel

Novak Djokovic starts in Basel against Ugo Humbert, needing outside results to qualify for the ATP Finals, while Carlos Alcaraz faces a Vienna return against US Open semifinalist Karen Khachanov. Djokovic, the 2009 Basel champion, could meet Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals and Ben Shelton in the semifinals; Alcaraz has beaten Khachanov in six meetings.

Millions in Finland are watching six puppies on live stream. The science of its appeal and ‘slow TV’

Finland’s Pentulive follows six puppies through autumn’s darkest weeks, offering viewers a gentle escape. Its sixth season drew over six million social-media views in under two weeks, and Yle will stream until the puppies leave for homes in December. Research links cuteness and slow TV with comfort; seasonal depression is more common in high latitudes.

5 of family among 6 killed in Rajasthan car-truck collision, infant sole survivor

Six people, including five relatives, were killed after a car struck a truck near Nyagli in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Saturday; a child later succumbed to injuries, while an infant survived with critical injuries. They were travelling from Somsisar to a temple. The truck driver fled, and police are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

EC keeps SIR software under wraps; pistols used in Shroff firing found | Top news

Today’s headlines: ECI says SIR software details are exempt from RTI; new Delhi pollution data leaves much emissions unexplained and relies on outdated estimates. Trump says US action against Iran could come Sunday as Hormuz talks remain uncertain. Police recovered pistols and made an 11th arrest in the Tiger Shroff shooting; Taiwan’s representative praised Dhurandhar.

Freida Pinto is impressed Indian films, TV now show ‘imperfect’ women

Freida Pinto says Indian film and television have changed since her 2008 debut, with women increasingly portrayed as complex rather than merely duty-bound or puritanical. Speaking at the launch of the 2027 Pirelli Calendar, she welcomed the project’s first focus on India and its nine featured Indian women, photographed by Solve Sundsbo, Raghu Rai and Avani Rai.

Dubai jeweller creates 16.5 kg gold jhumkas, breaks two Guinness World Records

Joyalukkas Jewellery won two Guinness World Records for Mayura Sahasra, a 22-carat gold jhumka pair weighing 16.514 kg, recognised as the world’s heaviest and largest gold earrings. Measuring 1.215 metres long and 0.682 metres wide, the earrings took 55 artisans 5,840 hours to craft; inspired by peacocks and South Asian wedding jewellery, they are permanently displayed in Dubai.

Padma Lakshmi in a lily pond to Ranveer Singh popping confetti: First Pirelli Calendar shot in India

At the 53rd Pirelli Calendar unveiling in New Delhi, Raghu Rai and daughter Avani’s vision pairs his archive with Old Delhi, bringing history face-to-face with locals and performers. After Rai died in April 2026, Avani completed the project; Solve Sundsbo photographed icons at historic sites. The 2026 edition is Pirelli’s first India-shot calendar, 62 years after launch.

Weekly Career & Finance Horoscope, October 25 to October 31, 2026

This week’s horoscope urges signs to trust judgment, pursue opportunities thoughtfully and protect financial stability. Inspiration, collaboration and reinvention may advance work, while reassessing priorities can restore momentum; research decisions, plan transitions and communicate clearly. Each forecast combines career guidance and financial cautions with crystals, drawing on certified tarot reader and crystal healer Kishori Sud.

Shilpa Rao is heartbroken at being rushed off stage at Bollywood Music Project; organisers respond

Shilpa Rao’s Bollywood Music Project performance in Mumbai was abruptly cut short Saturday, with her microphone switched off and the next act starting while she addressed fans. Rao said she was heartbroken, thanked supporters and promised to return. Organisers apologised, blaming delays from earlier sets and venue curfew rules. The festival also featured Himesh Reshammiya.

Modi, Rajnath to attend air show in Varanasi today; security up along ghats, VVIP routes

Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend Sunday’s “Wings over Ganges” finale in Varanasi, marking the Indian Air Force’s 94th anniversary, with aircraft from the Air Force, Navy and Army performing at Namo Ghat. Tejas, Prachand, SU-30MKI and Rafale will feature amid tight security. Modi will inaugurate a garment factory in Kachhwa at 11am.

Over 4 lakh protest across France, nearly 1,000 arrested as pressure mounts on Macron

Nearly 1,000 people were arrested after 410,000 protesters marched nationwide Saturday against inadequate school funding and rising living costs. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez cited clashes; 70,000 security personnel were deployed, and police used tear gas and water cannons in Paris. Unions vowed further demonstrations seeking more public-service funding, a week after riots and looting.

Trump votes early in Florida, claims Democrats are involved in ‘Jeffrey Epstein corruption’

President Donald Trump voted in Florida, then accused Democrats of corruption and alleged the media were ignoring their supposed links to Jeffrey Epstein, without naming allegations or offering evidence. He repeated the false claim that he won the 2020 election. With midterms days away, Republicans risk losing Congress, which could constrain his agenda and prompt investigations.

Rohit Shetty refers to firing incidents involving him, Tiger Shroff on Bigg Boss 20

Gunfire attacks on Bollywood stars Rohit Shetty, Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff drew attention when Rohit challenged Bigg Boss 20 contestants for acting like gangsters amid real shootings. Tiger escaped an October Juhu attack, though two were injured; police arrested suspects and are probing whether shooters practised. The cases reflect a two-year pattern targeting Hindi-film figures.

Florida A&M University issues ‘shelter in place’ alert amid shooting on Perry Street

Florida A&M and Florida State universities urged people to shelter indoors Saturday as police investigated a reported shooting near Bragg Stadium. FAMU issued its alert before 8:45 p.m. ET, while FSU sent an emergency message at 10 p.m., telling students, faculty and staff in Tallahassee to remain inside and stay alert. The report provided no further details.

‘Ukraine violated Starlink terms, used it to kill people’: Musk as Kyiv's access restored

Elon Musk acknowledged SpaceX restricted Starlink in Ukraine over alleged use for offensive drone strikes, as Ukrainian links returned to pre-curb speeds after weeklong disruption. He called Starlink indispensable to Ukraine’s defense, warning its loss could collapse the front line, and said Washington controls Starshield. Kyiv credited diplomacy amid tensions between Kyiv and Washington that persist.

Punjab govt flags GMADA ACA’s lapses while granting ₹40-crore waiver to Remigate

Punjab’s housing department revoked a nearly ₹40-crore concession to Remigate Buildestates for its Mohali plot, ruling GMADA’s authority ignored 2017 approval and 2021 plinth clearance showing construction was feasible and had begun. The developer stopped instalments in 2016 and must clear dues or risk losing the site. The ED also probes the related allotment and waiver.

Ludhiana man’s hand chopped off in brutal murder, severed handed to grocer in polythene bag

Shakti Singh, 35, died Saturday after friends allegedly chopped off his right hand during an attack at a home in Ludhiana’s Lohara Colony. Police booked seven suspects and arrested one; attackers allegedly gave the severed hand to a grocer for delivery to Singh. Investigators suspect an old rivalry, but the motive remains unclear; Singh faced 12 criminal cases.

Over 3 lakh silver carp fish seeds stocked in Gobind Sagar Reservoir

Himachal Pradesh’s Fisheries Department stocked 338,505 silver carp seed in Gobind Sagar Reservoir at Raipur Maidan, Una, to raise production and conserve fisheries resources. The 100-mm fish from West Bengal should survive better, strengthening fishermen’s livelihoods. Annual stocking draws on outside suppliers and departmental farms; the programme began at Luhnu, Bilaspur, on October 17.

Cong doing ‘dual politics’, says HP BJP state-incharge

BJP in-charge and Mathura MLA Shrikant Sharma accused Congress of “dual politics,” saying it questions democratic institutions despite a record of dismissing BJP governments. Speaking at booth meetings in Lahaul-Spiti, he alleged Himachal’s Congress government had broken promises, stalled development and burdened residents, urging workers to strengthen booths and publicize party ideology and Centre’s welfare schemes.

Nalagarh house firing: Police launch search operation for suspects

Motorcycle-borne assailants fired four rounds outside a home in Buta Palasi, Nalagarh, around 12:50 a.m. Saturday, striking a parked Toyota Fortuner twice; two shots were fired into the air. Police registered an Arms Act case, recovered four casings and are reviewing nearby CCTV footage. Resident Manpreet Singh alerted police, prompting forensic examination of the scene.

HP approves forest land transfer to boost military infra along border

Himachal Pradesh has approved forest-land transfers for ITBP outposts and Army facilities in border districts, alongside industrial and road projects, at a wildlife board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Clearances include sites in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Sangla; the board approved pharmaceutical manufacturing in Kangra, while considering wildlife protections and road-safety measures.

Congress, CPI (M) come together in Himachal ahead of ‘Vote theft’ rally

Congress and CPI(M) leaders in Himachal Pradesh are mobilising 20,000 people for the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, where organisers expect 10 lakh participants, alleging the Election Commission failed to address voter deletions and “vote theft”—claims not independently established. They say the campaign defends electoral rights and democracy, after statewide meetings.

Centre approves 320 PG medical seats in Himachal’s 6 colleges

Himachal Pradesh will gain 320 postgraduate medical seats across six government colleges after the Centre approved a proposal, with a grant of about ₹415 crore, Union minister Jagat Prakash Nadda announced. IGMC Shimla receives the largest allocation, 91 seats, followed by Hamirpur and Tanda with 57 each. Nadda urged swift formalities to strengthen specialist care.

Sukhu launches ‘Pangi Apple’ brand

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the “Pangi Apple” brand, giving naturally farmed apples from Pangi, the state’s first natural-farming sub-division, a distinct identity after they were marketed as Kullu or Kinnaur produce. Pangi expects 550 tonnes from 370 hectares. Sukhu inaugurated a ₹2.47-crore office, launched Kol Dam water sports and flagged a walkathon.

KDA leaders warn of protests against ‘unilateral’ notifications, rejects Centre’s governance draft

Ladakh’s KDA has threatened agitation, rejecting an MHA draft as hollow because it offers neither statehood nor Sixth Schedule safeguards. Leaders said even 200 Hill Council constituencies would not satisfy their demands, while talks remain inconclusive and an October 22 meeting was postponed. The KDA and Leh Apex Body have negotiated for six years.

Kristi Noem accused of creating fake State Department press release after envoy role ended

Noem is accused of posting fabricated State Department letterhead and an unauthorized statement explaining her departure as envoy for the Shield of the Americas; officials said it was not an official release. Her appointment expired in September, and she is senior adviser to Christopher Landau. Her ouster as Homeland Security secretary followed scrutiny of leadership.

Farooq Abdullah's remarks on Pakistan's Kashmir stand spark row, BJP calls them 'seditious'

Farooq Abdullah sparked controversy by saying Pakistan’s international campaign on Kashmir helps protect Jammu and Kashmir’s identity, prompting the BJP to call his remarks “seditious and anti-national” and demand legal action. In Baramulla, Abdullah questioned New Delhi’s commitment to justice and warned the region’s identity was at risk; the BJP countered that Pakistan fueled violence.